The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is calling on political candidates across the country to show their support for Canadian farmers in the upcoming federal election. Last week the CFA released their list of election priorities, which cover maintaining a workforce in the ag industry, managing risks, and resolving trade negotiations.

CFA president Ron Bonnett says the workforce issue is particularly important because it relates to trade.

"Even if we do get a number of trade agreements signed and increase our ability to export -- especially value-added products -- then we need to make sure we have the workforce there to take advantage of those markets," he says.

Bonnett also says an overarching issue during the election is raising the profile of agriculture in Canada.

"I think it's somewhat underestimated, the economic impact we have in Canada in both rural and urban communities, if you consider the production side and the processing side," he says. "I think getting agriculture as part of the discussion going into the election, and making sure some of those keys needs are addressed, is critically important to Canadian farmers."