Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food |
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|---|---|
 Lawrence MacAulay since 26 July 2023 |
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| Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | |
| Style | The Honourable |
| Member of | |
| Reports to | |
| Appointer | Monarch (represented by the governor general);
on the advice of the prime minister
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| Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure |
| Precursor | Minister of Agriculture |
| Inaugural holder | Ralph Goodale |
| Formation | 12 January 1995 |
| Salary | CA$269,800 (2019) |
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (in French: ministre de l'agriculture et de l'agroalimentaire) is a very important job in the Cabinet of Canada. This person is in charge of making sure Canada's farms and food systems work well. They oversee many groups, including Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, which is the main government department for farming. They also look after the Canadian Dairy Commission (for milk and cheese), Farm Credit Canada (which helps farmers with loans), and the Canadian Grain Commission (which deals with grains like wheat).
The person holding this job right now is Lawrence MacAulay.
This role was created in 1995. Before that, it was simply called the Minister of Agriculture. That older job has been around since Canada became a country in 1867.
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What the Minister Does
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food has a big role in Canada. They work to support farmers, keep our food safe, and help Canada's agriculture business grow. This includes everything from helping farmers get the tools they need to making sure the food you eat is healthy and safe.
Supporting Farmers and Food Production
One of the minister's main tasks is to support Canadian farmers. This means helping them with things like new farming methods and dealing with challenges like bad weather. They also work to make sure Canada produces enough food for everyone. This helps keep food prices stable and ensures we have a reliable food supply.
Ensuring Food Safety
The minister also plays a key role in food safety. They oversee rules and inspections to make sure that food produced in Canada is safe to eat. This involves working with different agencies to check farms, food processing plants, and even imported foods. Their goal is to protect the health of all Canadians.
Promoting Canadian Agriculture
Another important part of the job is promoting Canadian agriculture both at home and around the world. This can involve finding new markets for Canadian farm products. It also means helping Canadian farmers sell their goods to other countries. This helps Canada's economy and creates jobs.
History of the Role
The job of overseeing agriculture in Canada began a long time ago. When Canada was formed in 1867, there was a "Minister of Agriculture." This shows how important farming has always been to our country. Over the years, the role has changed and grown.
From Agriculture to Agri-Food
In 1995, the name of the job changed from "Minister of Agriculture" to "Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food." This change reflected how the role had expanded. It now includes not just farming itself, but also all the steps that happen after food leaves the farm, like processing, packaging, and selling. This new name shows the wider range of responsibilities the minister has today.
Past Ministers
Many different people have held this important position throughout Canada's history. These ministers have come from various political parties. Each minister has worked to improve farming and food systems in Canada during their time in office.
