Letter to the Editor:
- 3 hours ago
- 1 min read
To the Editor, Please accept the following letter for consideration in your Letters to the Editor section.
NCI Are Farmers Safe in Canada? (Kelowna Hearings March 9–11, 2026) Across Canada, agricultural producers are facing mounting pressure from disease-control policies, regulatory frameworks, and trade obligations that can result in the rapid loss of entire herds or flocks.
Recent events in British Columbia highlighted these tensions, but similar herd and flock losses have affected farms in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and elsewhere under federal disease-management protocols. For producers, these decisions can mean the loss of years of work and entire breeding programs.
As Canadians continue to debate how best to balance biosecurity, public health, animal welfare, and food security, there is value in open and civil examination of current frameworks. From March 9–11, 2026, public hearings titled “Are Farmers Safe in Canada?” will take place in Kelowna, organized by the National Citizens Inquiry (https://nationalcitizensinquiry.ca/).
The hearings will gather sworn testimony from farmers, veterinarians, scientists, and policy experts regarding agricultural oversight and rural sustainability. Those wishing to apply to testify can do so here: https://nationalcitizensinquiry.ca/become-a-witness/ The hearings are open to the public and live-streamed to ensure transparency and accessibility. Canadian farmers deserve to be heard.
Sincerely, Laureen Heisler National Citizens Inquiry Ambassador