Acts and Regulations

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is responsible for a number of Acts related to agriculture and food in Canada.

The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada portfolio continues to reduce the paper burden for farmers and processors so that they can focus on what they do best: sustaining the country’s economic recovery by creating jobs and growth, and providing safe, high-quality food for Canadians.

Streamlining regulations and cutting red tape will help to spur innovation and productivity in agriculture. The reforms undertaken by the portfolio will continue to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians, while making the regulatory system more open, predictable and transparent.

Amendments to the Canada Grain Act were introduced in Parliament on October 18, 2012 to streamline the operations of the Canadian Grain Commission. The amendments are part of the Jobs and Growth Act, 2012. Parliament passed these amendments and the Jobs and Growth Act received Royal Assent on December 14, 2012. These amendments will streamline and modernize the operations of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC), reduce the regulatory burden for grain producers, and eliminate about $20 million annually in unnecessary costs from the grain handling system-costs that are ultimately borne by farmers. The introduction of marketing freedom for Western Grain Farmers has also reduced the red tape burden on the sector as farmers no longer need to fill out Canadian Wheat Board permit book applications and exporters no longer need to apply and wait for Canadian Wheat Board export permits in order to export their wheat and barley. The estimated decrease in annual business administrative costs is approximately $1,100,884, or $25.00 per farmer.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also improving service delivery through better program design and streamlined administration, as outlined in Economic Action Plan 2012. This will make it easier for applicants to access programs and report results from federal investments. AAFC has simplified and improved access to services by reducing the number of toll-free 1-800 numbers and significantly streamlining and simplifying service standards for non-Business Risk Management programs.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is also working on a number of initiatives to reduce red tape. For more information visit Acts and Regulations.

Cutting red tape will ensure our farmers and food processors can continue to innovate, increase production and feed a growing global population.