FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Guelph – April 22, 2026
On Earth Day, April 22, 2026, Member of Parliament for Guelph, Dominique O’Rourke presented the first reading of Hon. Senator Robert Black’s Bill S-230, A National Strategy for Soil Health Act, in the House of Commons.
Guelph is an internationally recognized leader in agriculture research and education, and MP O’Rourke continues to engage in the important conversations around agriculture sustainability. She looks forward to working with the federal government on their role in protecting Canadian soil.
Unsustainable soil loss poses a growing risk for Canadian farmland. In Ontario alone, 68 percent of farms are already at risk. This highlights the urgent need for a coordinated national action plan. Protecting soil health is a shared responsibility, as healthy soil is the foundation of agriculture. Without it, Canada risks a decline in productivity, production, and long-term threats to food security.
“The launch of a National Agricultural Soil Health Strategy is an important step for Canada’s agriculture sector and long-term sustainability. Healthy soils are the foundation of a resilient agri-food system, and this collaborative approach will help protect and enhance this vital resource,” said Senator Robert Black. “I’m proud to see the momentum from our Senate study and Bill S-230 reflected in this work, and I look forward to the benefits for producers and future generations."
As a member of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Canada recognizes the serious international threat that up to 90 per cent of the world’s soil quality could be degraded by 2050 if current trends continue. Climate change is intensifying this risk, as shifting weather patterns bring more frequent droughts, extreme precipitation, and temperature fluctuations that directly impact soil resilience and fertility.
Bill S-230, calls for the development of a coordinated national soil-health strategy that will strengthen research in Guelph and across Canada. It will advance a science-driven approach to environmental protection through meaningful consultations with researchers, farmers, industry leaders, Indigenous representatives, and federal, provincial and territorial governments.
The bill aims to improve efficiencies, increase yields, and reduce long-term costs for Canadian farmers – ensuring healthier soil for generations to come.
Guelph is at the forefront of the solution. The University of Guelph supports leading agriculture research projects that advance soil science, innovation, and conservation practices benefiting farmers across Canada. The University of Guelph, through Soils At Guelph, plays a critical role in soil monitoring, connects researchers, farmers, industry partners, and governments to deliver practical, science-based soil-health solutions that support Canadian agriculture and environmental sustainability.
“In Guelph, where agricultural innovation and research are central to our community, we understand how soil health drives productivity and sustainability. This bill aligns national policy with the cutting‑edge work our farmers and researchers are already leading,” says MP O’Rourke. “I am pleased to be able to support the work of Senator Black, the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry and work collaboratively to raise awareness of the importance of soil health and the conservation of our soil.”