Alberta Canola’s Response to International Trade Frictions

Alberta’s canola farmers operate in a global marketplace where open, rules-based trade is essential for economic stability and growth. Recent and ongoing international trade frictions, including tariff disputes, shifting market access conditions, and regulatory uncertainty, threaten the competitiveness of our industry and the livelihoods of farm families across the province.

Over 90% of Canada’s canola is exported as seed, oil, or meal, with the United States, China, and other key markets being vital to our success. Disruptions in these trade relationships reduce demand, depress prices, and create uncertainty that affects on-farm planning, investment, and rural economies.

Alberta Canola’s Actions and Advocacy Efforts

Alberta Canola has been urging all levels of government to work collaboratively with industry to defend and expand market access. This includes pursuing unrestricted tariff-free movement of goods with our key trading partners. Since the announcement of the anti-discriminatory and anti-dumping investigations. Alberta Canola has been sounding the alarm bells on the possible impacts on the canola industry. Also, Alberta Canola has been championing solutions such as diversification through increased domestic processing for the biofuel market, expanding trade relations with rest of the world and the need for compensation to farmers affected by these market access issues.

A Call for Fair, Predictable Trade Rules

We remain committed to advocating for policies that protect farmers’ market opportunities, promote diversification, and strengthen Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality, sustainably produced canola. Our industry’s resilience depends on predictable, fair-trade rules that allow us to compete globally while contributing to Canada’s economy, food security, and environmental sustainability.

Below are just a few of the actions taken by Alberta Canola over the past year and other Canola organizations to raise awareness to this issue:

Media Interviews

1. CBC Interview
2. Canadian Agriculture Unpacked
3. Trump’s Recurring Tariff Threats
4. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/tariffs-alberta-beef-canola-1.7448373
5. Farmers face uncertainties over tariffs as planting season begins
6. Alberta Canola Chair Concerned but Optimistic
7. Canola Farmers Press Prime Minister
8. Between two Elephants: Canadian farmers feeling China tariffs worry about US
9. CTV: Chinese Anti-dumping duties on Canola https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2jLHrIWafzE

Letters

1. Joint Letter to the Premier of Alberta
2. Letter to Minister Sigurdson: Recommendations to Support Farmers During the Trade Impasse with China
3. CCGA Letter to the Minister of Finance to ensure items critical to farming are exempt from the retaliatory tariffs list.

Meetings

1. Meeting with Premier Smith
2. Joint advocacy day: Canadian Canola Growers Association and the Canola Council of Canada.
3. Alberta Canola advocacy day
4. Monthly meetings with Assistant Deputy Ministers in the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.

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