Canada’s agriculture sector is a global leader, spanning 62.2 million hectares of vast farmland, supporting diverse commodities, and powering strong exports. The food system contributed $149.2 billion (7% of Canada’s GDP) in 2024 alone, employing 2.3 million people through major commodities like grains, vegetables, oilseeds, meat, dairy, and processed foods.

But as the sector has grown, so has its environmental impact. Decades of intensive practices like the use of heavy tillage machinery and fertilizer consumption have contributed to degraded soil health, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution. In 2023, greenhouse gas emissions in the sector accounted for 55 megatonnes, or 8% of total emissions in Canada.

The food sector is critical to Canada’s circular economy as it encompasses a staggering $58 billion in annual avoidable food waste – addressing this means mitigating significant environmental damage while generating economic value. By shifting from a linear, take-make-dispose model toward circular practices, the sector can reduce emissions, enhance food security, regenerate soils, create local jobs, and strengthen supply-chains.

Farmers, governments, and organizations across Canada’s food value chain have already begun work to transform the industry to one that is more sustainable and resilient. Through practical farming practices that focus on restoring soil health – including through compost generated from food waste – and maximizing value of natural resources, regenerative agriculture has the potential to drive long-term economic growth in Canada’s agri-food sector while delivering substantial environmental and social benefits. However, despite growing interest, Canada currently lacks a clear definition and unified understanding of regenerative agriculture – creating barriers to adoption and impact. The Canadian Standards Association is helping change that through foundational research and development of a new standard. 

On the heels of Canada’s Agriculture Day, Circular Innovation Council and CSA Group are co-hosting a webinar to discuss the realities and potential of regenerative agriculture and how this holistic farming approach is critical to Canada’s circular economy.

We invite you to join us to:

• Explore key findings from CSA Group’s recent research that will be foundational to the development of a new national standard.
• Get an early look into how CSA Group is actioning the research through development of a new regenerative agriculture standard, CSA R120. Learn about the proposed scope and early thinking on measurement and verification.
• Learn how to participate in CSA’s public review process, provide feedback on the research, to help shape the future of regenerative agriculture standards in Canada.
• Hear real-world perspectives during a panel discussion moderated by Circular Innovation Council, featuring industry experts sharing practical experiences and insights from across the agri-food system.

Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions to the panel in advance of the webinar.

Who should attend?

This free, open webinar is designed for:

• All actors involved in Canada’s food sectors
• Farmers, and food growers, producers, and grocer retailers
• Public and Private Sector Investors
• Agri-food organizations, sustainability professionals and soil scientists
• Anyone interested in regenerative agriculture, circular economy practices, and standards development

Register for an insightful session to learn, connect, and help shape the standards that will support the future of regenerative agriculture in Canada.