Overview of the Promise

During his campaign for prime minister, Mark Carney pledged to direct the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to prioritize investments in agriculture, fisheries, agri-food, and the food supply chain. The focus was particularly on initiatives that enhance food security and reduce food costs for Canadian families, with the goal of unlocking billions in sector investments.

Actions Taken by the Carney Government

Since assuming office in March 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has emphasized economic resilience and infrastructure development in response to external pressures like U.S. tariffs. Announcements have included measures to diversify trade, protect industries such as steel and softwood lumber, and invest in trade-enabling infrastructure like ports. However, there is no public evidence of a specific directive to the CIB regarding agriculture, fisheries, agri-food, or food supply chain priorities.

The government has continued existing programs, such as the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF) under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, which supports small-scale projects to improve community food security through equipment and infrastructure investments. As of August 2025, this fund has committed nearly $4 million across 61 projects, with applications open until September 19, 2025. While this aligns with broader food security goals, it is not administered by the CIB and does not represent a new directive from Carney.

Agriculture and agri-food groups have actively lobbied the government, urging Carney to integrate food production into his economic agenda and treat it as a pillar for growth. A coalition of producers and businesses has called for investments that could drive $100 billion in GDP growth over the next decade, but these calls have not yet translated into CIB-specific actions.

Legislation and Policy Developments

No legislation has been proposed or passed that directly instructs the CIB to prioritize the specified sectors. The One Canadian Economy Act, passed under Carney, aims to remove internal trade barriers and expedite major infrastructure projects, but it does not mention agriculture, fisheries, or agri-food explicitly. Mandate letters and economic plans released by the government focus on sovereignty, trade diversification, and industrial capacity, with no reference to food-related investments via the CIB.

Other policy announcements, such as plans to strengthen the agrifood sector against tariffs and improve affordability, have been made through Liberal Party platforms, but these remain at the planning stage without ties to CIB funding.

Progress on Key Outcomes

The promise emphasizes improving food security and reducing costs for families through CIB-prioritized investments. While ongoing LFIF projects address local food access, they predate Carney's tenure and do not involve the CIB. No new billions in investments have been unlocked for the sector via the bank, and there are no reported CIB commitments to agriculture or fisheries as of August 2025.

If this promise is to move forward, the government would need to issue a formal directive or mandate update to the CIB, potentially through budget allocations or policy statements, leading to funded projects in the targeted areas. Failure to act by the end of the fiscal year or ignoring sector calls could result in the promise being considered at risk of being broken.

Overall Status

This promise is not started.