Despite voting against a bill to exempt certain farm fuels from the carbon tax, the governing federal Liberals say tax relief for grain drying is coming. Conservative MP Philip Lawrence’s private member’s bill C-206, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (qualifying farming fuel), passed second reading in the House of Commons […] Read more
Grain drying relief moving forward, one way or other
Governing Liberals telegraph plans to introduce their own measure
Vilsack willing to help with WTO-compliant COOL
Former, and future, ag secretary gets bi-partisan support
Tom Vilsack, who at the time of this writing appeared close to becoming United States secretary of agriculture once again, said he will be happy to advance country-of-origin labelling policies, if they comply with international trade rules. During his Feb. 2 confirmation hearing of the Senate agricultural committee, Vilsack, who held the post during the […] Read more
Carbon tax exemption: $235 million over five years
Government says Climate Action fund will pay for $11.9 million in projects
A report from Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Office says the cost of exempting more farm fuels from carbon pricing will cost $235 million over the next five years. Why it matters: Ottawa’s carbon tax will increase farmer expenses but by how much is still in question. If certain activities are granted exemptions from the carbon pricing […] Read more
Opinion: Ottawa needs to better communicate TFW strategy
Provincial information isn’t always aligned
Ottawa is right to ensure temporary foreign workers will be able to arrive in Canada despite stricter travel restrictions due to COVID-19. However, it must do a better job of getting all the provinces on board. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Jan. 29 flights to and from sunny destinations will be suspended, but federal […] Read more
Canada hails new WTO chief
Trade body names first African, and first female, DG
Canada is lending its support to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) choice for its new director general. Ngorzi Okonjo-Iweala was chosen Feb. 15 by WTO members as the international trade body’s new head, making her the first woman and the first African to serve in the role. Mary Ng, Canada’s minister of small business, export […] Read more
Budget could include new BRM program, ag labour plan
Proposal for 'AgriResilience' program goes to Freeland
A new pre-budget report from the House of Commons’ finance committee is recommending several measures directly related to agriculture — including sought-after tweaks to AgriStability and creation of an entirely new business risk management program. The multipartisan committee heard testimony and received submissions from more than 800 groups and individuals. Mostly-virtual meetings took place in […] Read more
Advisory council named to steer national Food Policy
Development of Canada’s Food Policy is taking a major step forward with the naming Friday of a new advisory council featuring industry, academic and government members tasked with guiding the policy. Public consultations on a “Food Policy for Canada” started in 2017, leading to the release of a 2018 report from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada […] Read more
Opinion: Prairie provinces not warming up to AgriStability changes
Public pressure is building on provinces still resisting federal changes to AgriStability, notably Manitoba and Saskatchewan. But there are no signs the strategy is working. Meanwhile, the federal government and those provinces in favour of the changes, hope the proposals will be accepted soon. At a Nov. 27 online meeting with her provincial and territorial […] Read more
Foreign workers to lose some travel exemptions in March
Temporary foreign workers (TFWs) travelling to Canada won’t need to quarantine in a government-supervised hotel when they get here – for now — but by mid-March, Ottawa will put more stringent measures in place. Starting Feb. 22, non-essential travellers and essential workers arriving in Canada will be tested for COVID-19 upon their arrival. Non-essential travellers […] Read more
CFA seeks continued ag support in next federal budget
Federation also presses for Buy Canadian campaign, processing support
Federal budget consultations are underway, with agricultural groups lobbying the government to support the industry further in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Jan. 25 launched pre-budget consultations and since then, her schedule has involved several meetings with stakeholders. “We want to hear ideas from Canadians, from all walks of […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
