A lot of attention was given to the federal government's proposed small business tax changes throughout 2017.

Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) President Ron Bonnett says it was a surprise to most people in the ag industry.

"There was a coming together of farm groups, business groups to really take a look at how can we demonstrate to the government the collateral damage that some of these proposals would do," he commented.

Bonnett doesn't think farmers were the initial target, however they did become one.

He adds CFA is continuing to work with the federal government to make sure farmers aren't negatively affected by the upcoming changes.

Issues surrounding trade were also front and center in 2017, such as NAFTA and the Trans Pacific Partnership.