We need Quebec’s vision

Source: Tea Talk Magazine

   By Cow Man (Murray Harris, Guest Blogger)

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Maybe Canada needs a vision. Maybe we can borrow Quebec’s vision. Maybe PM Carney is attempting to with the $3 billion National Food Security Strategy, (NFSS).

“A country that cannot feed itself, fuel itself, and defend itself has few options”. PM Carney January 2026” (Here)

A Rene Levesque-led Parti Quebecois took nearly 70% of Quebec seats in 1976. Quebec had a vision of becoming a Nation. Quebec knew it needed to be able to feed itself, and fuel itself. Defence? Apparently not a consideration. Maple Syrup and Poutine Defence Corp?

Quebec’s fuelling was through electricity. Quebec initiated 734 Kv power lines, a major innovation, envisioned by Jean-Jacques Archambault, allowing for Quebec’s electricity to be transmitted greater distances from sources at lower costs. A global innovation. (Here)

To feed an independent “Nation” of Quebec Francois Dagenais authored a vision “Development of a Food and Agriculture Policy in Quebec.” Quebec agriculture was mainly substance farms. For an independent Quebec to feed itself this had to change. (Here)

Only 2% of Quebec’s land is suitable for agriculture in comparison to Ontario at 5.8%. Augment that disadvantage with frost free growing days of 138 at Saint-Hyacinthe QC, in comparison to 200 frost free days in Leamington ON. What seemed to be an insurmountable disadvantage was over taken by vision, and commitment. Heinz closed its tomato processing plant in Leamington in 2013 and has relocated to Quebec.

Quebec food processing was the most progressive in Canada between 2021 and 2024, with 76% of food processors indicating innovations. (Here)

Quebec repositioned its Dairy Genetics by hiring an anglophone University of Guelph ON, Dairy Science grad . Ontario was where improved bovine genetics could be accessed in the 1970s. Harley Nicholson the U of G grad, was instrumental in the acquisition of Ontario Holstein genetics to strengthen the stud at Centre Artificial Insemination du Quebec (CIAQ).

Like a free agent signing that turns the season, and history of a franchise around, the purchase of Holstein bull “Hanover Hill Starbuck”, from Port Perry ON, as a foundation sire for CAIQ was historic.

93% of all Holstein genetics in Canada, and the majority of Holstein genetics globally now trace back to that one bull purchased with the guidance of an anglophone from Ontario, by CIAQ. (Here)

Starbuck produced over 200,000 daughters and after his passing was cloned. Starbuck II, his clone, had 19 female prodigy that were extensively studied at the University of Guelph. No government approval was ever granted to market the semen from the cloned Starbuck, and he and his prodigy were all cremated. Regulators would not accept this innovation.

Yet instead of cloning we have genomic sequencing, super ovulation, embryo transplants, and sexed semen, enhancing genetics, cubed.

Madison, Wisconsin hosts the largest dairy livestock show in the World with over 60,000 attendees. Quebec Dairy Cattle are now the best in the World. They win at Madison.

Ferme Jacob of Cap-Sante has won Premier Breeder and Exhibitor at the World Dairy Expo on several occasions. (Here)

What sets Quebec apart in Food Security is the growth in the processing sector over the past 40 years. While food processing fled Canada after the original NAFTA, it has flourished in Quebec. Quebec City is now considered the food processing capital of Canada. (Here)

With only 5% of Canada’s agricultural lands Quebec has the fourth largest gross farm receipts. Eclipsed by Saskatchewan with 40% and Alberta 31% of Canada’s arable farmland.

Over the past 25 years Quebec has increased its per capita GDP 20% faster than Canada’s, while reducing its exports to US by 15%. (Here)

During that same period of time Ontario’s GDP annual growth rate fell from 2.6% to .6% according to a Fraser Institute Study. (Here)

How much of that difference is related to the food processing sector?

Canada’s National Food Security Strategy, (NFSS), is non explicit on the agricultural food processing sector. It offers $1 Billion in “seed money” with no goal or criteria. The Food Processing Sector is the key to Canada’s Food security. To be blunt NFSS as released, could have been a 70’s era liberal arts paper drafted to appease a theory in search of context. All that is missing is the paisley embossed stationery.

Canada’s NFSS needs to be an industrial strategy, not a social safety net. How is “helping independent grocers buy and move competitively priced products without relying on large retail chains”, economic growth?

Canada needs to seek out a knowledgable advocate with the vision, and clarity of thought, to bring Quebec’s entrepreneurial “Development of Food and Agricultural Production” to Canada’s “National Food Security Strategy”.

Please Quebec, send us that advocate! The University of Guelph graduate Harley Nicholson, lead CIAQ to “Starbuck”, securing Quebec. Maybe you owe us one!

About the Blogger: Murray Harris (who posts as Cow man) is a 40-year dairy farmer having developed his Burnview Holstein herd to one of Canada’s highest production herds. Community activist and Charter Member of Burlington’s Sustainable Development Committee, he has held positions on several Agricultural Committees and Conservation Halton. Married to his Trophy wife of 52 years, he’s a father of two, grandfather of three and continues to serve the community as a school bus driver.

Source: https://www.greaterfool.ca/2026/07/27/we-need-quebecs-vision/