b'RETAIL STRATEGYAligning advocacy efforts with coun-terparts in the U.S. and Mexico is now a strategic priority. Its about ensuring that the free movement of seed remains intact and that our IP system isnt weakened.Michael Harvey, executive direc-tor of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, provides critical context. He echoes many of the same themes, emphasizing that while diversification is essential, the U.S. will always be Canadas core trading partner.The rhetoric out of Washington has caused a very normal Canadian reac-tionsome defensiveness, he says. But geography doesnt change. The U.S. is still a great neighbour. And most of the agri-food world would envy our position. The planned GATE headquarters in downtown Winnipeg is seen here in an artists depiction.For Harvey, the goal isnt to walkPhoto provided by Cereals Canadaaway from the U.S., but to protect market share while expanding access to fast-growing economies like Indonesia,Watch our full-length webinar on this very topic!India, and even re-engaging with China. Visit seedworld.com/partnerships-webinarTrade diversification is real, but so is the need to maintain the big markets.enablersnot obstacles. We need toneed to create the conditions.Otherwise, its not diversificationitsview regulation as a catalyst for innova- In short, its about setting the table just losing ground. tion, not a constraint. The goal is to then letting industry lead the meal. expedite processes while still protectingBusiness will take care of business, Building Capacity our public policy values. Blois adds. Our job in government is Before the cabinet shuffle that saw HeathFor the seed sector specifically, Bloisto pave the road.MacDonald of Prince Edward Islandsingled out the need for regulatory appointed as Canadas new ag minister,agility and international alignment. IfThe Bottom Line for Retailersoutgoing minister Liberal MP Kody Bloiswe want companies to register productsStrategic partnerships arent abstract took time to appear in a prerecordedhere, we need to be competitive. And theyre shaping every corner of segment. Blois now serves as parliamen- we havent always been. Canadian seed and cereals.tary secretary to Prime Minister MarkHe also called for deeper investmentRetailers sit at the crossroads of Carney, and his insights on ag remainin trade infrastructureports, rails,these trends and are the bridge between highly relevant. and logisticsif Canada is to realizeresearch and farm gate, between value Blois emphasizes three pillars thatits full export potential. Were one ofchain priorities and farmer decisions, define the Liberal Partys agenda: regula- the largest agri-food exporters in thethe speakers agreed. And your role has tory modernization, global competitive- world, he says. But market accessnever been more critical.ness and regional capacity building. only matters if we can deliver on it. Whether its supporting public-The prime minister has made it clearOn the $200 million recentlyprivate research, educating customers or that agriculture is a foundational pillar ofcommitted to secondary processing,advocating for smarter trade policy, the Canadas economic strategy. Blois says: Thats just a start. Thefuture is tied to collaboration.On seed innovation, Blois points toreal opportunity is catalyzing privateAs Reid puts it, Weve got a made-CFIAs evolving approach to gene editinginvestment. Canada can be a magnetin-Canada model that worksand the as an example of how regulators can befor global agri-food capital, but werest of the world is noticing. SUPPORTED BY: ENDORSED BY:36 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA JULY 2025'