Our guiding principles

In keeping with its values, the UPA’s chief mission is to promote, defend, and further the professional, economic, social, and moral interests of Quebec’s farm and forestry producers, regardless of race, nationality, sex, language, or belief system.

Finally, the UPA recognizes that Quebec farming and forestry exist in a context of global connectivity, and may therefore support other farming and forestry groups in Canada and abroad through collective action.

Our guiding principles are:

• Unity and defence of all agricultural and forestry producers, without distinction
• Financing by and for producers
• Democratic control by and for our members within an active union
• Precedence of group interests over those of individuals or sectors
• Collective action, demands, sustained presence in public opinion, and partnerships as methods of action
• Continuation and development of sustainable farm and forestry businesses all across the province
• Fair pay through collective action in marketing
• Protection of farmland, farm activities, and the environment as well as the development of sustainable agriculture
• Access to the farming and forestry professions, and to their unions, for young producers
• Access to training and guidance
• Safety and quality of life on farms
• The ability to choose one’s preferred model of agriculture
• Autonomy for people who farm for a living
• Wise use of resources
• Continued operation of as many farms as possible
• A standard of living for farm families that is comparable to that of the rest of society
• Province-wide diversification
• Peaceful coexistence
• Regional vitality
• Meeting consumer demand
• Involvement of farmers in marketing networks to ensure they receive their fair share of market income
• Diverse, quality products for the public

The UPA is a professional farmers’ union. Its purpose and actions are based on certain values: respect for people, solidarity, collective action, social justice, fairness, and democracy.