| Over the last couple of decades, the agricultural industry in Canada has struggled with international and domestic pressures to the point that many sectors are experiencing a clear crisis. The present state of Canadian agriculture is the accumulation of many factors, some of which include low commodity prices, increasing input costs, international trade bans, disasters caused by weather, and ineffective government policies. Governments, at both the provincial and federal level, have been unable to enact policy measures that facilitate the conditions needed for stability and prosperity for the agricultural industry. Government policy has largely been reactive, short-term oriented, and lacking a coherent vision.; This thesis examines the 'politics' of agricultural policymaking, which encompasses both the characteristics of the political system and the nature of relationships between policy actors, in the domestic and international context. This research provides an analysis of the extent to which the interconnection between the political system and the policy network has ultimately affected the quality of policy created for the agricultural industry. In addition, the analysis provides a detailed comparison between the Canadian and American political systems to illustrate the impact of the political system on policy development. It is anticipated that by better understanding the capacity of the Canadian political system and the policy actors that operate within its framework, that more innovative and long-term strategies can be realized.; This thesis also examines the international context of Canadian agriculture and details some of the pressures placed on policymakers and the industry. The final chapters of this research paper discuss the significance of the agricultural industry within Canada, and outline a number of manageable steps that can be taken to enable better and more effective policymaking for the Canadian agricultural industry. |
