ONTARIO – One year ago, the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (AGFO) tabled its report Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human and Social Health.
To mark this anniversary, Robert Black, Senator for Ontario, highlighted the report, the progress made since its release, and the next steps to push the report further.
Tabled on June 6, 2024, the AGFO soil report details the findings from an 18-month study on the state of soil health in Canada, incorporating an international lens while also highlighting regenerative methods being used.
ROBERT BLACK
The committee had not investigated soil conditions in Canada for 40 years, with the previous Senate soil health report tabled in 1984 entitled Soil at Risk: Canada’s Eroding Future.
Regardless of the years between the reports, the 2024 study reiterates some of the same issues and concerns as previously identified in 1984: soil is at risk across Canada and around the world, and we must take action now to protect it.
“The response we have received from farmers, researchers and other stakeholders is fantastic!” said Black,.
“Support from across the country is reaffirming the relevance, importance and significance of our report.”
Black continues to encourage organizations, farmers, and industry to help ensure the report remains front of mind for all levels of government, and some have already put forward resolutions in support of the recommendations made to the Government.
The AGFO committee received the government response in November 2024. “Overall, the government supported nine of the recommendations; supported in principle 13 of them; and acknowledged three, without dismissing them.
So, 22 received overall support in some fashion,” said Black.
With a new government elected in April and a new cabinet announced in May, Black is looking forward to discussing the report with new and returning government officials to ensure that the protection, preservation, and conservation of soil in Canada is prioritized and met with immediate action.
“The report reaffirmed what the agriculture industry already knew, Canadian farmers are resilient and innovative,” officials state.
In fact, many early adopters of sustainable practices and new technologies are making strides in the conservation of soil health.
However, with farmers facing unpredictability in their work due to, for example, climate change and trade barriers, it is difficult to commit their time, energy and finances on new technologies or farming techniques.
There needs to be more incentives to encourage the use of regenerative methods that preserve soil as well as financial and administrative support for farmers who want to implement these practices to offset the risks.
Black is glad to return to work and continue representing Ontario and the agriculture sector across Canada.
He is hopeful that this session will provide more opportunities to highlight the immediate need for the Government to prioritize the protection of Canadian soils.
