Ottawa, ON — The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) is pleased to announce that the Government of Canada is investing up to $248,336 over two years in Phase 2 of the National Women in Agriculture initiative, a national effort to advance the participation and leadership of women across Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. The funding is provided through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriDiversity Program, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Building on the success of Phase 1, this next phase will focus on implementing a National Action Plan, expanding a national network to support women through leadership development, collaboration, and industry engagement through local and regional events.
CAHRC’s recent national research highlights both progress and persistent challenges. Women now represent 42% of key decision-makers in organizations, up from 34.8% in 2015. However, 40% of women continue to report barriers to advancement, unchanged in nearly a decade.
Through Phase 2, CAHRC will deliver national webinars, facilitate in-person networking opportunities, support grassroots regional initiatives, and expand knowledge-sharing activities to engage women across Canada and support long-term, systemic change.
“This investment marks important continued support for an inclusive and resilient agriculture and agri-food workforce across Canada, said Jennifer Wright, Executive Director of CAHRC. By advancing the National Women in Agriculture initiative, we are creating more opportunities for women to lead, connect, and shape the future of our industry while addressing the workforce challenges facing the sector.”
“Women play a vital role in shaping the future of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector,” said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This investment supports the ongoing work to create more opportunities for women to lead, share their expertise, and strengthen the industry.”
Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector continues to face workforce challenges. Advancing women into leadership roles is critical to building a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable industry.
About CAHRC: The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) is a national, not-for-profit organization focused on addressing human resource challenges facing the agricultural sector. CAHRC works collaboratively with industry stakeholders to develop solutions that support a skilled, diverse, and sustainable agricultural workforce.
About Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is a federal department responsible for policies, programs, and research initiatives that support the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. AAFC's mandate includes promoting innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness within the industry.
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For more information
For media inquiries and further information, please contact
Mélanie Fraxedas
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Email: mfraxedas@cahrc-ccrha.ca