The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance wants the leaders of the federal political parties to support this country concluding an ambitious Trans Pacific Partnership in meetings coming up next week.
CAFTA members are responsible for 80 per cent of Canada's agriculture and agri-food exports.
President Brian Innes says Canada has one of the most trade-dependent agricultural sectors in the world - exporting over half the agri-food products we grow.
He argues not being part of a TPP deal would disadvantage the 90 per cent of Canada's 200 thousand farm families who rely on world markets relative to those in the U-S and Australia.
Innes suggests that would lead to decreased exports, less income for Canadian farmers to support their communities and fewer Canadian jobs provided by processors and exporters.
CAFTA says the choice to participate fully when the TPP concludes can't wait until after the October 19th election.
The Alliance claims waiting would see Canada either forced to accept what others have negotiated or to be left on the outside - an option Innes says would be devastating.
