REGINA — Farm Credit Canada said it has not changed its business practices and remains committed to supporting all producers, after a report from an Ottawa-based media outlet claimed otherwise.
In an internal FCC email obtained by the Western Producer, the agency said it had not been consulted on text in Budget 2025 that said most farm operators are “older white men.”
The post, promoting a story only accessible by subscription, claimed FCC would review lending to black, LGBTQ or female farmers. It cited a cabinet notice, which is typically a confidential document.
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However, the information is available in Budget 2025 documents and does not indicate FCC would lend more or less often to under-represented groups or at the expense of others.
Why it Matters: The federal government has promoted gender equality and diversity throughout society for the last 10 years and regularly reports on its progress. The post led some to believe FCC was changing its business model.
The email, sent to Prairie FCC leaders, acknowledged the post led to online discussion, and staff should know that all primary producers have been and remain priorities.
“I cannot stress enough that primary producers are the heart of FCC’s business. We are not changing how we do business, nor are we changing our lending criteria,” said the email.
It added Finance Canada had not taken into account FCC’s current offerings when writing the summary in a Budget 2025 appendix.
A gender-based analysis contained in the budget, per the Canadian Gender Budgeting Act, looked at the expected impacts of new measures to advance equality.
Among the new measures are legislative amendments to the Farm Credit Canada Act to require more regular reviews “to ensure alignment with the needs of the agriculture and agri-food sector.”
“Farm operators are predominately older white men, and farm families tend to have higher average incomes compared to all Canadians,” said the document.
“Traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, youth, indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, and black and racialized entrepreneurs may particularly benefit from regular legislative reviews to better enable Farm Credit Canada to align its activities with their specific needs.”
FCC already offers loan programs to women, young farmers under 40 and Indigenous people.
The email said FCC staff continues to build the business with new and existing customers.
“FCC will continue to support all primary producers and the sector overall,” it said.
