By Laureen Heisler | nationalcitizensinquiry.ca

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 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: 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.

The National Citizens Inquiry is independent, citizen-led, citizen-funded, and non-partisan. It exists to preserve sworn citizen testimony under oath as part of the public record. Truth matters.