CEO Message: Canada could add $5.4B to GDP by processing more of its crops at home

Canada has an extraordinary opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient economy by doing more with what we already grow. At Protein Industries Canada, we've spent the past several months working with industry, investors and government partners to turn that opportunity into reality.

In September, we welcomed leaders from across Canada and around the world to Saskatoon for Plant Forward on the Prairies. The conference brought together businesses, investors, researchers and policymakers to explore new opportunities in food and ingredient manufacturing. It was an exciting opportunity to showcase Canada's strengths and build the relationships needed to attract investment, accelerate innovation and create new economic opportunities.

One of the highlights was the release of new economic analysis from EY that puts a dollar figure on what Canada stands to gain by processing more of our crops here at home.

The findings are significant. By redirecting just 10 per cent of Canada's raw crop exports into domestic value-added processing, we could generate up to $5.4 billion in additional GDP, support approximately 34,000 jobs and generate up to $1.1 billion in government revenues.

These numbers reinforce something we've long believed: Canada's agricultural advantage doesn't end at the farm gate. With the right investments and partnerships, we can capture more value from our crops, create good jobs in communities across the country and strengthen our domestic food supply chains.

This is the opportunity driving our Make It Here campaign. We're continuing to engage governments and industry partners on the practical steps needed to expand Canada's food and ingredient manufacturing capacity, from improving access to capital and processing infrastructure to modernizing regulations and opening new markets.

International trade is central to this work. Recent visits to India and Singapore have helped strengthen relationships with key international partners and explore new opportunities for Canadian-made ingredients and food products in growing global markets.

We're also putting that ambition into practice. Through collaborative projects that bring together Canadian businesses, researchers and investors, Protein Industries Canada is helping companies develop new technologies, bring innovative products to market and build the capabilities needed to compete globally.

As Canada looks to strengthen its economic resilience, improve productivity and diversify its trade relationships, value-added agriculture offers a practical path forward. We have the crops, talent and expertise. Now we need to build on that foundation and make more of what we grow right here in Canada.