The federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food made some funding announcements while in the Airdrie area yesterday.

Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced an investment of more than $13 million for a variety of projects to help strengthen, diversify and grow Canada’s grains and oilseeds exports.

There have been ongoing trade tensions with China over the import of canola. China issued a ban on Canadian canola over alleged contamination issues.

Minister Bibeau said the funding will be going to organizations that support Canada’s agricultural and agri-food exporters, find new markets for the products.

“As you see we are working as a team throughout Canada with my colleagues and other ministers, with the industry as well,” she explained. “[We’re] really working together to find the best was to find solutions to resume the situation with China, but also open up new markets.”

The federal government touted trade agreements Canada has secured with other nations as positives despite the issues with China.

“These investments will help Canada’s agricultural and agri-food exporters in their efforts to diversify markets, positioning them to take full advantage of new opportunities created through the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP),” said a statement from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

It’s a funding project supported by eight of Canada's national grains and oilseeds organizations, including the Canola Council of Canada.

“[The] announcement to invest in getting the most for canola exports helps to maintain the foundation of our industry,” said Jim Everson, President of the Canola Council of Canada. “This joint industry and government investment will support our efforts to maintain and grow our access to international markets, as well as building the reputation of canola around the world,”

“With more than 90 per cent of our canola exported as seed, oil or meal, getting the most from international markets drives our industry.”

The projects are funded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriMarketing Program. It supports industry-led promotional activities that differentiate Canadian products and producers, and leverage Canada's reputation for high quality and safe food.

Canada exports $56 billion a year in agriculture and agri-food products.