Parliamentary Secretary Mark Holland (second from left) during a group photo of today’s announcement that dairy cow and goat operations will reopen at Joyceville and Collins Bay prison farms.

Cows, not just goats coming to prison farms

Prison farm advocates had lobbied for the return of the farm to include dairy cows

Animals are returning to Ontario prison farms, and it’s not just goats. The Trudeau government was elected on a promise to return farm operations to prisons, after they were closed under the Harper government in favour of what was called more useful skills. That resulted in an outcry especially in the Kingston area where there […] Read more

Tax return storage at the Canada Revenue Agency. (Canada.ca)

New rules on passive investment arrive in budget

It’s got no new nuggets specifically for crop or livestock producers, but Tuesday’s federal budget includes the end results of last year’s consultations — and backlash — on corporate taxation. Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s 2018 budget proposes a couple of new limits on Canadian-controlled private corporations’ (CCPC) ability to benefit from a lower tax rate […] Read more

(Feihe.com)

Ontario to back baby formula plant

A baby formula plant proposed for eastern Ontario has got a major boost from the Ontario government. The $225 million plant is being built at Kingston by Canada Royal Milk ULC, a subsidiary of Chinese company Feihe International. The Ontario government has committed up to $24 million to the project, which will export baby formula […] Read more

The Collins Bay Institution at Kingston, Ont. includes maximum, medium and minimum security facilities for up to 720 male inmates. (CSC-scc.gc.ca)

Four farmers named to panel on Ontario prison farms

Four eastern Ontario farmers have been named to a new seven-member advisory panel on the “potential reopening” of two federal penitentiary farms at Kingston. Correctional Service Canada (CSC) on Thursday announced the panel members, who are expected to hold their first meeting next month and to “engage with community stakeholders” on the farms’ possible reopening. […] Read more

The Collins Bay Institution at Kingston, Ont. includes maximum, medium and minimum security facilities for up to 720 male inmates. (CSC-scc.gc.ca)

Ottawa plans study for new Kingston prison farm

The federal government is set to run a study reconsidering the previous administration’s decision to shut farming operations at federal penitentiaries. Following up on a Liberal campaign pledge, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) announced plans Thursday for a feasibility study including both in-person and online consultations with stakeholders and the public. Specifically, CSC said […] Read more