A coalition of farm organizations, including several in Ontario, is calling for a Canada-wide recovery plan from the COVID-19 pandemic that puts a strong emphasis on agricultural resilience to climate change. A report released recently by Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS) — members of which include the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO), National Farmers […] Read more
Tag Archives politics — page 19
Farm group wants climate at forefront of COVID-19 recovery
Farmers for Climate Solutions says farmers should lead the way in providing solutions
CEBA program extended to Oct. 31
The Canadian Emergency Business Account program (CEBA), which was due to wind up Aug. 31 has been extended to Oct. 31. The program has been helpful to some farmers, but not to many others who have expressed frustration with the reasons for rejection by the government agencies administering the program. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister […] Read more
Lewis’s success could be win for producers
The defeated but rising Conservative candidate had the most detailed agriculture platform
Glacier FarmMedia – The biggest win for Canadian producers arising from the Conservative party leadership race may come from one of the contest’s losers. Erin O’Toole won the leadership bid, beating out his chief rival, Peter MacKay. During the campaign, the two offered nearly identical and fairly mundane platforms for the agricultural sector. Why it […] Read more
Agriculture policy overhaul needed: report
COVID-19 has exposed significant challenges, needed changes
Glacier FarmMedia – Drastic changes to markets, labour conditions and public perceptions are driving a need for new agri-food policies, according to a report from industry experts. Agri-Food Economic Systems’ latest policy note identified 10 pressures on the industry, each one varying in “magnitude, significance, urgency and permanence.” The report cited massive losses in food […] Read more
Ministers’ orders could mean faster development of farmland
CFFO says new powers could reduce local input into land use changes
Updated Sept. 11, 2020 The COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act is already a matter of concern for some agricultural communities in the Region of Durham as well as the Town of Ajax. The bill, passed in the Ontario legislature on July 21 gives ministers broader powers to override local planning, which could put more farmland at […] Read more
Money in AgriInvest accounts ‘disappointing’: Bibeau
Minister continues to advocate that the ‘first line’ money needs to be spent
Glacier FarmMedia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau maintains farmers who need cash should first look to any available money sitting in AgriInvest accounts “The last numbers I’ve seen did not show that farmers had used their accounts very much. Some sectors a little bit more, but not in a significant way the last […] Read more
CEBA dollars prove difficult for farm access
Farms have trouble getting funding due to lack of business accounts
Glacier FarmMedia – Farmers continue to have issues applying for Canadian Emergency Business Account benefits after the federal government deemed them eligible weeks ago. The problem centres on the requirement to have a business account at financial institutions. When the program was announced small businesses had to have $50,000 in payroll to be eligible. They […] Read more
Opinion: Canada’s work to reform WTO is good sign
The world trade order is wonky and floundering and needs leadership
Canada’s efforts to reform the World Trade Organization are commendable. It is apparent more countries are deciding to turn inward rather than focusing on multilateral trade relationships. The United States, India, Italy and others have all taken actions domestically that have negatively impacted the ability of Canadian farmers to enter those markets. Canadian Agri-Food Trade […] Read more
Opinion: Bibeau’s value largely rests on ability to reform BRMs
The long-term value current federal Minister of Agriculture Marie Claude Bibeau will provide to farmers hinges largely on her ability to reform business risk management programming. That is a difficult and expensive task. Recall the current plan to reform business risk management (BRM) programs was made way back in 2017, at the same time Ottawa […] Read more
Feds put up $58.6 M for temporary foreign worker supports
Glacier FarmMedia – The federal government is announcing $58.6 million in new money to further support temporary foreign workers in Canada’s agricultural sector, it was announced July 31. Spending is expected to focus on health and safety of temporary foreign workers in Canada. Farmers will be eligible to access $35 million, administrated through Agriculture and […] Read more
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