Rebuilding Trust in Ag Institutions: What Budget 2025 Means for CFIA, AAFC, and FCC

Rebuilding Trust in Agricultural Institutions: Budget 2025 Impact on CFIA, AAFC, and FCC - Policy Analysis

Evidence-based evaluation of how Canada's Budget 2025 reforms address farmer confidence gaps in federal agricultural agencies. Drawing on survey data from 979 Canadian producers, this brief analyzes institutional trust levels and assesses whether Budget 2025's $76m CFIA digitization funding, FCC's $1b Trade Disruption Support Program, and AAFC restructuring initiatives can rebuild credibility with the agricultural sector. 

Findings reveal stark confidence disparities: FCC enjoys relatively high trust, CFIA shows mixed confidence (39% confident vs 26% not confident), while AAFC records lowest farmer approval (27% confident, 32% not confident). 

Policy recommendations emphasize implementation benchmarks, service delivery timelines, and co-design approaches to translate institutional reforms into farm-level impact. Critical resource for policymakers working on agricultural governance, institutional reform, and stakeholder engagement strategies.

By Ohi Ahmed & Guillaume Lhermie.

Published November 24, 2025.