Senator Rob Black speaks at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in September of 2024. Photo: Diana Martin

Black tables soil health protection bill in Senate

Legislation would recognize soil as a strategic national asset

Senator Rob Black sponsored Bill S-230, An Act Respecting the Development of a National Strategy for Soil Health Protection, Conservation and Enhancement. If passed, it would mandate the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and other relevant ministers, to develop a national soil health strategy.


Prime Minister Mark Carney answers a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Photo: Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via ZUMA Press

Carney’s new green agenda

Experts suspect the new PM’s approach to the environment will be informed by his corporate roots

While some say Justin Trudeau’s government had a much more hands-on approach to environmental issues, appearing to favour deterrents over incentives, the Carney government’s strategy may be more restrained and integrated with its economic agenda.



Photo: Wirestock/Getty Images Plus

OPINION: ‘Cows and plows’ settlement over a broken Indigenous treaty shows the urgent need for more transparent governance

Members of the Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve (TTR) in Manitoba recently voted to ratify the Treaty 4 Agricultural Benefits Settlement Agreement. This cows-and-plows settlement is a step toward rectifying historical wrongs. The process has also highlighted several ongoing governing challenges. This includes exposing a flawed Crown/Indigenous consultation process as well as the need for trust-building with Indigenous leadership.