Lawrence MacAulay directed to adapt agriculture sector for climate change

Agriculture-related environmental issues and improving transportation of goods are among the prioritiesoutlined by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the new federal Agriculture and Agri-FoodMinisterLawrence MacAulay.

On Friday, Trudeau released so-called mandate letters that were given to each of his cabinet ministers on Nov. 6.

• Justin Trudeau's plans revealed in ministers' mandate letters

"Your overarching goal will be to support the agricultural sector in a way that allows it to be a leader in job creation and innovation," MacAulay's letter read. "You will implement our government's plan to help Canada's agriculture sector be more innovative, safer, and stronger."

Climate change and the environment figured prominently in the directive to MacAulay.

The agriculture sector will need to focus on water and soil conservation and development issues to help it adjust to climate change, the letter said. The ministry will also be involved in helping make investments into the use and development of clean and sustainable technology and processes.

Safe food, better transportation

MacAulay will work withTransport Minister Marc Garneau to review the Canadian grain transportation system in response to the Canadian Transportation Act review.

Former Conservative transport minister Lisa Raitt launched the review in 2014 after a railway backlog left grain sitting on Prairiefarms.

He has also been asked to explore investing in transportation infrastructure to improve efficiency, remove bottlenecks and increase system capacity with Infrastructure and Communities MinisterAmarjeet Sohi.

Other priorities that were identified:

• Setting up an investment fund to help food processors develop value-added products "that reflect changing tastes and market opportunities."
• Developing a healthy-living, safe-food policy to promote goods produced by Canadian ranchers and farmers.
• Investing in and establishing a transparent process for research into science and innovation in the sector.
• Assessing whether farm income safety nets are adequate and implementing a new policy framework to replace Growing Forward 2, which expires in 2018.
• Promoting Canadian agricultural interests during trade negotiations.