Agriculture
NAFTA turmoil an opportunity for Canada to strike on agriculture
As North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations appear to teeter on the brink of failure, now—counter intuitively—is the best time for Canada to make new demands at the bargaining table. Specifically, it is an opportunity for the seemingly ignored agricultural sector. There are two reasons for this. The first is something that has gone […]
More choice, less retailer control wanted in possible Nutrition North overhaul
Food security experts are hoping the federal government’s lack of action six months after releasing a report highlighting criticism of the Nutrition North program is a sign of a coming overhaul that will lead to more choice for participant consumers and increased food security. The program is aimed at reducing high food prices in remote […]
Scrapping supply management could be a win-win for Canada, U.S.
The prime minister has been clear: his government will do whatever it takes to support middle-class Canadians and those who aspire to be in the middle class. As we head into the fourth round of NAFTA talks, it is an opportune time for Canada to give consideration to whether we should maintain our reliance on […]
A national poverty reduction strategy must include forgotten single adults
One of the most alarming trends in Canada’s food bank network is the increase in the number of single, working-age adults seeking food assistance. Single people have grown from 30 per cent of households helped by food banks in 2001, to 45 per cent in 2016. One in every three single adults in Canada lives […]
Most Canadian farmers thrive without supply management; what’s so special about dairy?
CALGARY—With negotiators butting heads on most major elements of NAFTA, the second round of talks wound down with no real breakthroughs, and we’ve yet to see the results of the ongoing third round. One major sticking point for the Americans remains largely unresolved: Canada’s supply management system. While the Americans have called for action on […]
Industry groups should stop stalling updates to animal-transport rules
Re: “Beef farmers care about their animals’ welfare,” (The Hill Times, Aug. 30, p. 9). Richard Horne’s letter on behalf of Ontario’s beef industry fails to acknowledge several important facts. First, of the 750 million animals sent to slaughter annually, less than one half of one per cent are cows. Thus, Mr. Horne’s statistics do […]
Expanding role of micro, small, and medium enterprises provide opportunities for sustainable development
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is home to 40 per cent of the world’s population, 50 per cent of global trade, and 60 per cent of global GDP. Over the last quarter century, APEC has shaped and transformed the global economy and supported half a billion people in their rise out of poverty. Few Canadians know […]
Beef farmers care about their animals’ welfare
Re: “Animals transported for slaughter deserve better” (The Hill Times, Aug. 21, p. 13). Riana Topan should know that Canadian beef farmers and their families share the same goal of ensuring the best health and welfare outcomes for animals as other Canadians do. The commitment to animal care includes managing animal health through veterinarian-farmer relationships; […]
Supply management: Canada’s sacred cow no more?
KAMOURASKA, QUE.—In 1976, many commentators outside of Quebec attributed the victory of René Lévesque and the Parti Québécois to the leader’s charisma and the desire for independence. Within Quebec, some were astute enough to note traditional Liberal ridings in rural areas had swung significantly to the PQ. These ridings were not hotbeds of Quebec nationalism, […]
