While early spring signals the return of better weather and the start of a new planting season, it’s also budget time. Late March is when provincial governments release their yearly budgets, with the federal government following later in April. Ontario tabled it’s $214 billion ‘Building a Better Ontario’ budget on March 26. The budget projects […] Read more
Tag Archives politics — page 5
Editorial: Provincial budget offers little for agriculture
Opinion: Admiration for a growth mindset
I kept running into Craig Connell earlier this winter, first at the Dairy Farmers of Ontario annual meeting and then at the beef industry convention. It was shocking to hear of his passing in early February. I’ve always appreciated Connell’s willingness to answer my questions and provide the opinion of someone with a growth mindset. […] Read more
How to fix the WTO for agricultural disputes
‘I think we have no choice but to try to rebuild it’ says former trade negotiator
Glacier FarmMedia – A rebuilt World Trade Organization would benefit agriculture, according to long-time Canadian trade negotiator Steve Verheul. Verheul was among those at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s annual meeting in late February. Why it matters: Canadian agriculture thrives on trade, and that relies on effective and enforceable trade rules. It’s his belief that […] Read more
Remove carbon tax throughout food chain, says professor
University researcher tells House agriculture committee that Canada’s food security could be at risk if it isn’t competitive
Glacier FarmMedia – The head of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University says the carbon tax should be removed from all players in the food chain. Sylvain Charlebois told the standing agriculture committee that he had recommended the same thing earlier, during testimony at the finance committee. He said the tax should be paused […] Read more
U.S. feels ‘betrayed’ over dairy deal
Former official says dairy dispute between U.S. and Canada about to erupt again
Glacier FarmMedia – A senior American agricultural policy leader cautions Canadian farmers to expect a resurgence of the dairy dispute. “Watch out on dairy. I think that’s real,” Ted McKinney, a former undersecretary at U.S. Department of Agriculture, a former Indiana minister of agriculture and currently chief executive officer of the National Association of State […] Read more
World wheat supplies may recover in 2024
Some analysts expect a rebound but others aren’t as confident
Glacier FarmMedia – Gro Intelligence is forecasting a rebound in global wheat supplies in 2024 after multi-year declines. World stocks of the crop, excluding China, have declined for four straight years and inventories are at their lowest level in 15 years. Why it matters: World wheat demand affects pricing for the winter wheat grown by […] Read more
U.S. political instability called major global risk
David Frum says partisan fighting distracts superpower from its crucial role in the world
Glacier FarmMedia – Canadian farmers have front-row seats to the world’s biggest geopolitical risk, according to David Frum. “I think the thing that worries me the most is the threat that lies within the United States,” said Frum, a journalist, former White House speechwriter and conservative intellectual, during Manitoba Ag Days. “If Americans make the […] Read more
Federal economic statement offers little for agriculture
Changes to underused housing tax and biofuel-related tax credit among few interest pieces
Glacier FarmMedia – Agriculture mentions were light as the federal government unveiled its 2023 Fall Economic Statement Nov. 21. A search of the 141-page document for the term “agriculture” revealed only a handful of results. One of the few sections of interest for farmers referred to the use of waste biomass to generate electricity and […] Read more
Fruit and vegetable producers optimistic as Bill C-280 moves to second reading
Bill aims to provide fresh produce sellers in a way to secure payment in case of buyer bankruptcy
A bill that will provide fresh produce sellers in Canada with financial protection in case of buyer bankruptcy has moved to second reading in the Senate. Bill C-280, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act was adopted by the House of Commons on Oct. 25, with its first reading in the […] Read more
Liberal MP introduces pathway for quicker regulatory approval
Seed, feed and pest control legislation would be amended to allow faster approval of products from other countries
Glacier FarmMedia – Kody Blois, Liberal MP and chair of the House of Commons’ agriculture committee, recently introduced a bill to make it easier for seed, feed and crop protection products to move into Canada. Private member’s Bill C-359 would amend the Seeds Act, Feeds Act and Pest Control Products Act to provide a 90-day […] Read more
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