The Canadian Grain Commission building on Main Street in Winnipeg. (File photo)

Grain Commission’s chief announces retirement

AAFC's review of Grain Act, and of CGC's future, continues

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is seeking a new chief commissioner. Patti Miller, who has held the position for three years, announced Tuesday to CGC staff that she will retire June 26. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) “will be launching an open, transparent and merit-based process to find a new commissioner as soon as possible,” […] Read more


(Screengrab from Canadian Agricultural Youth Council video via YouTube)

Younger aggies sought for new Canada-wide council

Twentysomethings and 18- and 19-year-olds who are working in Canadian agriculture and agri-food and “interested in shaping the future of the sector” are being sought for a new federal ag policy advisory council. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Friday launched the application process for membership in a new Canadian Agricultural Youth Council, setting the […] Read more

Opinion: Minister buying time on business risk programs

Federal deficit and provincial agreement are barriers to change

The federal government is buying time when it comes to making drastic improvements to AgriStability and other business risk management (BRM) programs. Federal Minister of Agriculture Marie-Claude Bibeau recently announced minor, cost-free tweaks to AgriStability, during the same week the public was given an updated look at Canada’s fiscal situation. The recent fiscal update shows […] Read more

File photo of an Alberta wheat field. (ImagineGolf/E+/Getty Images)

Fraser: The case against carbon pricing for farmers

The federal government continues to suggest the carbon tax imposed on Prairie farmers is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and may not be causing undue harm to the country’s agricultural sector. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau speaks publicly about “special considerations” for farmers, while at the same time openly questioning carbon pricing’s effect on their […] Read more


Marie-Claude Bibeau speaks to reporters in Winnipeg in this March 2019 file photo.

Bibeau working to build cases on AgriStability, carbon taxes

Not all governments have same ability to find money to increase BRM funding, she says

Canada’s minister of agriculture and agri-food says she is working on building business cases for improvements to AgriStability and relief from carbon taxes on grain drying. Marie-Claude Bibeau spoke to Farmtario in a year-end interview before Christmas. Why it matters: There are several significant issues being dealt with by Bibeau and the outcomes will have […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Grain groups give low marks to AgriStability tweaks

Ottawa — A recent meeting of the country’s agriculture ministers failed in providing effective support for farmers facing challenges, Grain Growers of Canada chair Jeff Nielsen says. Only minor changes were made to AgriStability, the main priority item on the agenda for the Ottawa meeting held Tuesday. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and her provincial […] Read more

Agriculture ministers meeting Tuesday in Ottawa included (l-r) Devin Dreeshen (Alberta), David Marit (Saskatchewan), Bloyce Thompson (P.E.I.), Andre Lamontagne (Quebec), Marie-Claude Bibeau (Canada), Ernie Hardeman (Ontario), Blaine Pedersen (Manitoba), Lana Popham (B.C.) and Keith Colwell (Nova Scotia). (Photo courtesy AAFC)

Feds, provinces plan minor tweaks to AgriStability

Ottawa — Minor changes are coming to AgriStability following Tuesday’s meeting between federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and her provincial counterparts. Major changes, however, will have to wait. A full review of federal business risk management (BRM) will be completed in April, with the findings discussed when the federal, provincial and territorial ministers meet again […] Read more


Neil Ellis, shown here speaking in Belleville, Ont. in December 2018, is the new parliamentary secretary to Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. (NEllis.liberal.ca)

Central Ontario MP named parliamentary ag secretary

A former Belleville, Ont. mayor will now play a backup role to the federal agriculture minister in the House of Commons. Neil Ellis, the Liberal MP for the Bay of Quinte constituency in central Ontario since 2015, was named Thursday as parliamentary secretary for the minister of agriculture and agri-food, Marie-Claude Bibeau. Ellis was a […] Read more

Marie-Claude Bibeau speaks at a Montreal convention on March 7, 2019.  Photo: Allan Dawson/File

Bibeau remains federal agriculture minister in shuffle

Updated, Nov. 21— Quebec MP Marie-Claude Bibeau retains her role as federal minister of agriculture and agri-food in Wednesday’s cabinet shake-up for the Liberals’ minority government. Bibeau will join her colleagues — including returning Transport Minister Marc Garneau and new Labour Minister Filomena Tassi, a Hamilton MP and former minister for seniors — in having […] Read more