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Tag Archives federal government — page 15

It would be nice if Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada would emphasize farming’s contribution to the fight against greenhouse gas emissions, says the writer.
News

Opinion: Farmers need backing from agriculture ministry

Credit needs to be given for the role farmers have played in sequestering carbon

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The government of Canada has endorsed an ambitious agenda to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This agenda has resulted in setting targets that will be hard to meet unless significant changes are made in the way Canadians undertake various activities. The government has also identified farming activities as a key culprit in greenhouse gas emissions. The […] Read more
“If there aren’t groups like us that are actively trying to bring attention back to this topic and keep it in front of the government and media, it will very likely get pushed aside.” – Jennifer Christie, Ag Women's Network.
News

Rural child care faces a long road ahead

There is reason to be optimistic, but local initiatives will be key for implementation

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The federal government has pledged $30 billion over the next five years to help offset the cost of early learning and child care services. Its goal is to create a national child care system with costs of $10 per day for the average Canadian family. The proposed program has created optimism that child care services […] Read more
Tractors and other large machinery can be written off early with a new budget measure, but only for corporations.
News

Federal budget brings few farm tax changes

Main points include wage subsidies, closing loopholes, and front-loading equipment write-offs

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The 2021 federal budget included provisions designed to garner more revenues from high-level sources such as digital media companies and absentee homeowners.  On the farm side, however, analysts say tax changes appear light by comparison.  Why it matters: Some anticipated tax increases for small business were not included in the 2021 federal budget.  What wasn’t […] Read more
The federal government is willing to unlock $45 million to increase compensation rates to farmers, so long as the provinces agree to collectively contribute $30 million.
News

Opinion: The feds came with cash for AgriStability, but Prairie provinces are holdouts

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Provinces expressing disappointment with the federal government for not putting its share of AgriStability funding on the table are being disingenuous and failing to take their share of responsibility for reform talks that failed largely due to their tight pockets. The AgriStability saga between Prairie provinces and the federal government continues, despite the two sides […] Read more
News

Farm-created plastic management gets federal funding

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The federal government is investing $4.5 million in five projects to improve plastic waste management from farms and advance bioplastics research. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s minister of agriculture and agri-food made a recent announcement alongside Cleanfarms, the national non-profit industry stewardship organization. Cleanfarms will receive up to $1.1 million through the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program […] Read more
Opinion: Keep an eye on Budget ‘21
News

Opinion: Keep an eye on Budget ‘21

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The federal government’s next budget could have a significant impact on the future of Canadian agriculture.  It’s worth paying attention to. Canadians didn’t get a 2020 budget: it was an early casualty of COVID-19, cancelled in the pandemic’s infancy.  Instead we were offered economic updates and a series of spending announcements, almost entirely COVID-19 related.  […] Read more
Agriculture critic MP Lianne Rood asks a question in the House of Commons.
News

Carbon tax exemption: $235 million over five years

Government says Climate Action fund will pay for $11.9 million in projects

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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
The federal government’s offer would increase the cost of the program, make it easier to access while also increasing the size of payouts to farmers.
News

Opinion: Prairie provinces not warming up to AgriStability changes

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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
News

London agri-food hub gets funding

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The federal government plans to invest $7.2 million in a hub for agri-food at the Western Fair District in London. The hub is called The Grove and is located in the buildings that once held events like the London Farm Show, across the street from the AgriPlex. The funds are coming from FedDev Ontario, the […] Read more
Prime Minister Trudeau announced new travel restrictions Jan. 29.
Crops, News

Travel restrictions won’t impact TFWs: federal sources

New restrictions will limit pleasure trips to the Caribbean and Mexico to April

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New travel restrictions imposed on Canadians by the federal government won’t impact the arrival of temporary or seasonal foreign workers, according to sources. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Jan. 29 that Canada’s air carriers had agreed to suspend services to sunny destinations. Flights to tropical locations, like Mexico, are being cancelled by Air Canada, West […] Read more

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