Farmtario sat down with Lisa Thompson, recently reappointed as Ontario’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), to ask how she will tackle pressing issues facing the Ontario agri-food sector during her next term. Q: It’s clear you are proud to represent OMAFRA, especially considering the personal attachment you have with the agri-food sector. […] Read more
Tag Archives politics — page 11
Q&A with Minister Lisa Thompson
U.S. further funds food system
Reuters – The Biden administration will spend more than US$2.1 billion in funding to shore up weaknesses in the country’s food supply system exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement earlier this month. Worker illness and other disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays and […] Read more
Lisa Thompson returns as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Lisa Thompson was visibly emotional while swearing her oath to the 2022 Ontario Cabinet on June 24. During her short 12 months as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Huron-Bruce MPP dealt with several sector challenges, including drought conditions in northwestern Ontario, agri-food labour shortage challenges and processing capacity issues. Why it matters: […] Read more
Shipping container issues make Canada uncompetitive
MarketsFarm – Even though harvest in Canada is months away, major issues with shipping by container out of the country needs to be resolved, according to Greg Northey, vice-president of corporate affairs for Pulse Canada and the spokesperson for the Coalition to Fix the Container Crunch. “The worry in the fall is if we have […] Read more
Ottawa will not ease Russian fertilizer tariff
Opposition says lack of government action hurts Canadian farmers
Glacier FarmMedia – Ottawa will not exempt buyers from the tariffs on Russian fertilizer even if the purchases were made before sanctions were imposed March 2. The Conservatives pressed the government during question period late last month and again in the House of Commons agriculture committee. Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the 35 per cent […] Read more
Comment: Funding won’t stop climate change
Glacier FarmMedia – On Canada’s Agriculture Day (Feb. 22), the federal government made a major funding announcement to help farmers fight climate change. Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the feds would provide $182.7 million in “direct support to farmers” to encourage the adoption of cover crops, rotational grazing and improving management of nitrogen. These farm practices, […] Read more
Liberals’ rebate bill expected to win legislative carbon tax race
Conservative bill aims to exempt natural gas and propane instead
Glacier FarmMedia – A private member’s bill introduced Feb. 7 to exempt more farm fuels from the carbon tax likely won’t pass before a government bill that will provide rebates. Ben Lobb, Conservative MP for Huron-Bruce, introduced C-234, calling it “the fairness for farmers act.” It would eliminate the carbon tax on natural gas and […] Read more
Opinion: Carbon tax exemptions needed
Bill C-234, a private member’s bill that would exempt more farm fuels from the carbon tax, promises to meet some of the federal government commitments made when the price on carbon was originally planned. It is superior to a government-initiated bill, C-8, now being considered in Parliament. In the initial plans to put a price […] Read more
Farm outlook 2022: A look ahead
Supply chains, crop prices and their impact on feed prompt a need to manage farm financial risk
Will the zaniness of 2020 and 2021 be repeated in the coming year? The uncertainty of the past couple of years makes annual predications tough. According to Farm Credit Canada’s economics team, Canada’s agriculture sector has a lot going for it despite known and yet-to-be realized challenges. Here are some of their ag predictions for […] Read more
Federal program focuses on agriculture communication
The AgriCommunication Initiative is intended to help farmers share their stories with the public to increase awareness
Glacier FarmMedia – The federal government announced funding last December for a new program to help connect consumers and farmers. Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau launched the first stream of the AgriCommunication Initiative alongside members of the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council. She said the council represents the sector’s next ambassadors. Why it matters: Funding will be […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
