Кандидат в мэры Суррея предлагает утроить агросектор региона из-за торговых тарифов США

Surrey should triple agricultural and food processing sector, mayor hopeful urges Published 9:36 am Monday, August 24, 2026 Linda Annis says Surrey should become more of an agricultural and food processing hub in light of U.S. tariffs and Canada’s collapsed trade deal with the country. The Surrey First councillor and mayor candidate pitches a plan to triple Surrey’s agricultural and food processing sector if elected Oct. 17. Annis says Surrey can play a big part in Canada’s new economic future as a growing border city, pointing to the Netherlands as a model of agriculture and food production. With the U.S. imposing 50 per cent tariffs on Canada, she says it’s time for Surrey to do its part for our city, province and country. “Done right, Surrey can feed western Canada and provide food and agricultural exports that drive jobs and economic growth,” Annis stated Monday (Aug. 24) in a news release. “It’s hard to stand up for yourself when you can’t feed yourself. I want to build a national and international reputation for our local agricultural sector, and I want Surrey to make sure our fellow Canadians are well-fed for the challenges ahead.” Right now, Surrey’s agricultural sector produces about $150 million annually, Annis says. “I want to triple that right away and keep that momentum going in the years ahead. A big part of growing the sector is making sure we are tapping into innovation and our ability to do more value-added processing on our farms. “Recently, the province has proposed some positive changes to processing, and that’s good news,” she added. “But we need to do much more. We need to cut red tape, and give our farmers the support, incentives, and permission to do what they do best: grow their industry. That means less red tape and regulation, faster approvals from every level of government, easier permits, more innovation, and more future-driven research and development.”