"Minister MacAulay goes on second "Growing Canadian Agriculture" tour"

Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector is an economic engine, creating good, middle-class jobs and prosperity across the country. The agriculture system generates over $110 billion of the country's gross domestic product and $64.6 billion of exports, while employing more Canadians than any other manufacturing industry in the country. The sector is driven by almost 200,000 producers and thousands of small to medium-sized agri-food entrepreneurs. Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector was recently identified by the government as one of six sectors with high potential for growth and job creation.

In late June, Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, set out on his first "Growing Canadian Agriculture" tour where he travelled to many parts of the country to meet with farmers, processors, and industry leaders, and participated in rural agricultural events to hear ideas on how to capture new growth opportunities for the sector.

Minister MacAulay is kicking off the second "Growing Canadian Agriculture" tour where he will continue to highlight strategic federal agricultural investments and programs that will build an even stronger and more innovative sector for Canada.

The second "Growing Canadian Agriculture" tour begins on August 24 in the Okanagan region of British Columbia and ends in September in Southwestern Ontario with stops in Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Manitoba along the way.

"The 'Growing Canadian Agriculture' Tour is an opportunity for me to see and hear firsthand about the innovative work being done by Canadian producers and food processors across the country. I'm looking forward to head out once again to listen to our hardworking farmers, processors and industry leaders on how we can continue growing the sector together. Our Government is committed to making smart investments that will expand market growth, strengthen the middle class and create well-paying middle class jobs", Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, said.

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