Louis Villeneuve

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 29 wordsI am pleased to rise in the House in support of Bill S-230, an act respecting the development of a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement.Procedure Claims · 62 wordsIn Brome—Missisquoi, the challenges related to soil health are not theoretical. They directly affect our agricultural producers, the water quality of Missisquoi Bay and the Lake Memphremagog watershed, the protection of Lake Brome and Lake Davignon, and the resilience of our communities in the face of climate change. That is why a national soil health strategy is not only relevant, but necessary. Thanks · 29 wordsI would like to thank Senator Black for his commitment to this critical issue, as well as the member for Guelph, who is sponsoring this bill in the House.Thanks Claims · 251 wordsBill S-230 has played an important role in bringing stakeholders together and advancing the work that will lead to Canada’s first-ever national strategy for agricultural soil health.¹ I also want to thank Canadian farmers, who are leading the way in soil conservation, from cover crops and mapping techniques to no-till and reduced-tillage practices. Under the leadership of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the government continues to invest in research, innovation and technology to help farmers continue to reduce their environmental footprint and preserve and improve essential resources like soil, while ensuring the sustainability, competitiveness and growth of their operations. For example, the government’s on-farm climate action fund has already helped more than 8,000 Canadian farmers adopt sustainable practices, such as cover cropping, crop rotation and nutrient management, covering nearly three million hectares in Canada.² In my riding of Brome—Missisquoi, many farmers are already committed to this transition. They are using cover crops, improved crop rotation and soil conservation practices that protect both the environment and the profitability of their business. Every day, these farmers demonstrate that it is possible to bring together agricultural productivity and the protection of natural resources, particularly through more efficient management of inputs and by using innovative practices that reflect today’s climate realities. Canada is also a member of the Global Soil Partnership, a forum created by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.³ This partnership aims to facilitate and accelerate the flow of knowledge and technology for the sustainable management of soil resources.⁴ Reasoning · 50 wordsHealthy soil is one of our country’s most important assets. It determines the future of agriculture in Canada and the economic viability of Canadian farms. The food we eat and our economy depend on it. Soil health is essential to the productivity, competitiveness and long-term resilience of Canada’s agricultural sector. Claims · 329 wordsHealthy soil improves agricultural yields, reduces input costs, regulates diseases and pests and protects against drought, floods and other climate risks.⁵ Soil is key to the success of our agriculture and agri-food sectors. It accounts for one in nine jobs, $150 billion of our GDP and over $100 billion in exports.⁶ Globally, soil provides approximately 95% of the world’s food supply and performs other essential functions, including filtering and storing water, mitigating climate extremes, sequestering carbon and sustaining biodiversity.⁷ However, despite significant investments and the best efforts of our farmers, erosion, urban sprawl and extreme weather events, including droughts and floods, continue to have serious impacts on the health of our soils.⁸ The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 33% of the world’s soils are already degraded and warns that, ⁹if no action is taken, more than 90% could be degraded by 2050.¹⁰ That is why the introduction of this bill could not be more timely. I would like to emphasize that Canadian producers are already using the latest technologies and knowledge to improve productivity, conserve the resources on which they depend and maintain strong incomes, thereby ensuring a viable agricultural sector that feeds Canadians and contributes to the global food supply. To support them in this essential work and to preserve and enhance soil health for current and future generations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is working in partnership with the Soil Conservation Council of Canada, commonly known as the SCCC, to develop Canada’s first-ever national agricultural soil health strategy.¹¹ I would therefore like to thank the SCCC for its leadership on soil health and for its work in developing the national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement. The work carried out in the Senate on Bill S-230 has already helped to shape this strategy and advance its implementation. It has played an important role in engaging stakeholders and advancing the work that will lead to Canada’s very first national strategy for agricultural soil health. Promise · 87 wordsSince last summer, we have consulted with farmers, academics, researchers, the provinces and territories and other industry representatives.¹² Four expert sub-committees have been established.¹³ They are made up of members from private-sector producer associations, academia and government representatives.¹⁴ This autumn, the government will meet with indigenous groups to discuss important issues such as soil health, land management and regional or community priorities.¹⁵ The sub-committees will then draft the content, after which Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the SCCC will finalize the strategy in consultation with all stakeholders.¹⁶ Reasoning · 42 wordsThe strategy would be an important step forward for Canadian agriculture. Overall, it would support the adoption of sustainable practices, improve data collection and strengthen the long-term resiliency of Canada’s farmland. Keeping our soil healthy requires a co-operative approach involving all partners. Claims · 192 wordsUnder Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s current policy framework, the sustainable Canadian agricultural partnership, the government is working with the provinces and territories to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of the agriculture and agri-food sector.¹⁷ That includes programs such as the resilient agricultural landscape program, which helps farmers conserve and enhance the resiliency of agricultural landscapes through the adoption of on-farm land use and management practices that maximize environmental and societal benefits. In fact, improving soil health is one of the most effective ways of improving on-farm resilience. Healthy soil improves infiltration and water retention, promotes biodiversity, reduces erosion and helps farmers adapt to climate change, while maintaining their productivity. As the sustainable Canadian agricultural partnership winds down, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is working on a new strategic framework that will be launched in April 2028.¹⁸ Many stakeholders took part in the initial consultations that led to the Halifax Statement in July.¹⁹ The statement charts a course for the work ahead, work that will lead to greater innovation and more growth for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. Soil health is definitely one of the priorities that have been brought to our attention. Reasoning · 38 wordsTo ensure that we have healthy soils for sustainable food production, we must also consider the economic realities facing farms. The environmental measures that farmers adopt on their farms must benefit both the environment and their farming businesses. Procedure · 17 wordsI would like to highlight an example where environmental benefits go hand in hand with farm profitability.Procedure Claims · 46 wordsNearly 75% of the arable land in western Canada is now farmed using no-till methods. This innovative farming practice leaves crop residue on the soil to reduce erosion and capture carbon in the soil, while allowing farmers to save on input costs, including fuel and labour. Positioning · 87 wordsI am confident that the national agricultural soil health strategy will support the growth and resilience of this remarkable industry. Helping farmers protect and improve their most precious assets will help them earn a good living. This support will also ensure sustainable food production, improved biodiversity and cleaner air and water for current and future generations. Our government will continue to work with partners across Canada, such as the SCCC, to protect our soil as a vital resource, support biodiversity and help drive prosperity for Canadian farmers.PositioningVague promise The ask · 9 wordsWe can and should all get behind this bill.