CHARLOTTETOWN, PE, Oct. 2, 2026 /CNW/ -- This week, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food toured local agricultural operations in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to hear directly from farmers on the challenges and opportunities the sector is facing.

During his visit to New Brunswick, Minister MacDonald was joined by the Honourable Pat Finnigan, provincial Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries. Minister MacDonald and Minister Finnigan visited Schenkels Farms, a third-generation dairy farm in Miramichi, where they toured the farm's dairy operations.

The ministers continued their New Brunswick tour in Rogersville at Marché M. Tomate, a local nursery and greenhouse operation. There, Minister MacDonald discussed the government's plan to improve access to fresh produce for families across the region and highlighted the $750 million investment into controlled environment agriculture through the National Food Security Strategy. The ministers then concluded the day at Ocean Spray Pleasant Ridge Cranberries where they observed a cranberry harvest in progress.

On Prince Edward Island, Minister MacDonald travelled to Arthur Mooney & Sons, a potato farming operation in St. Catherine's, where he saw innovative technologies that improve farm efficiency, including the automated potato-packing line and custom drones used for seeding, spraying, and crop scouting. Minister MacDonald then travelled to MacAulay Farms Inc., a fourth-generation potato farm in Chepstow, near Souris, to discuss on-farm research that supports economic growth and environmental sustainability across the Island.

At Nabuurs Gardens in Brudenell, Minister MacDonald discussed ways to expand into new markets while touring their blueberry processing facility that recently expanded with support from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Minister MacDonald then travelled to Allan Equipment Manufacturing in York and highlighted the government's new Productivity Mega Deduction. This measure will allow businesses to immediately deduct the cost of a much broader range of investments and increase the share of assets eligible for immediate expensing from roughly 15% to more than 65% - making it easier for businesses of all sizes to purchase new equipment, adopt new technologies, expand their operations, and create jobs in Canada.

Minister MacDonald concluded his Prince Edward Island outreach in Kensington at Redview Jerseys Dairy Inc., a family-owned dairy farm producing high-quality milk from purebred registered Jersey cows.

Quote

"It's always rewarding to see firsthand the resilience and innovation of Atlantic Canadian farmers, and the hard work and care they put into their businesses every day. Our government is committed to supporting that work by investing in research and new technologies and opening doors to international markets. We'll continue working alongside farmers and processors to help their businesses grow and reach their full potential."
  -    The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food 

Quick Facts

• The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a 5-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada's agriculture, agri‐food, and agri‐based products sector.
• This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories. 
• The new Productivity Mega Deduction is one of the most significant changes to Canada's business tax system in half a century. It will allow businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of a much broader range of investments, giving them a powerful incentive to build, expand, and create good jobs in communities across Canada.
• Over five years, the government's capital investments and incentives in support of third parties, totalling about $280 billion, are expected to enable more than $1 trillion in total investment from public, private, and institutional partners.

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada