Trump presidency puts Canada’s food producers on alert
The new U.S. administration’s stated desire to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is leaving those in the agricultural sector wondering what this will mean for food producers in Canada, and many are looking to other continents to fill any potential trade void. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.) signalled last week […]
Liberals’ expanding priorities: a challenge for agriculture
The House of Commons Agriculture Committee has been hearing from Canadian agriculture on the next Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) agreement. Primary producers, food processors, transportation, exporters, specialty sectors—each has a set of priorities for taxpayers’ money assigned to agriculture. The massive and healthy diversity that makes up Canadian agriculture creates a multiplicity of claims and […]
Provinces would benefit from national tool to evaluate policy outcomes by tracking farmland usage
Manitoba has a large landmass, with a diverse production base and agricultural sector that generates six billion in cash receipts. That information is critical when we discuss how Manitoba addresses the acquisition of farmland. Manitoba regulates the acquisition of farmland through two acts. The first one, the Farm Lands Ownership Act, has been in effect since […]
Canada’s supply-management system ‘evolving’
While new U.S. President Donald Trump may be getting pressure from American dairy producers to pry open Canada’s supply-management system, many say it’s unlikely this protectionist leader will be looking seriously at the issue, though the system is likely to change any way. “Canada’s existing and soon-to-be-expanded protectionist policies are intentionally designed to block imports […]
‘My job is to put more money in the farmers’ pockets,’ says agriculture minister
Canada’s agriculture industry, especially sectors captured by the insulating supply management scheme, looked to see significant changes under the terms of the multinational Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact negotiated by the former Conservative government. The 12-nation agreement paved the way for a small increase in the amount of dairy, poultry, and eggs imports, while supporters hoped the pact […]
Science applied to organic agriculture helps all farmers
GUELPH, ONT.—Organic agriculture has far more in common than it has differences with non-organic agriculture. It is based on similar traditions and information flows both ways. Science applies to organic agriculture as much as it does to agriculture at large. Research conducted in unmasked biological systems, under organic methods, reveals relationships and interactions sometimes not […]
The 21st Century belongs to agriculture
As a dairy and potato farmer from Prince Edward Island, I’m extremely proud and honoured to work with Canada’s farmers and food processors, along with the provinces, territories, and all Canadians to keep Canada’s dynamic agriculture and food industry strong and growing. This industry drives one in eight jobs across the country and employs some […]
Grain shippers hopeful promised policy remedies will come to fruition in the spring
Advocates are expressing optimism that promised new legislation from the federal government this spring will bring needed improvements to rail service for grain shippers after a crippling backlog in 2014 stalled shipments across the Prairies. Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevators Association (WGEA), an advocacy group for grain companies, said he expects […]
Saskatchewan managing its farmland as a strategic asset
PARLIAMENT HILL—Saskatchewan is managing farmland as the strategic asset that it is in this province. This means, among other things, keeping it available to our farmers and ranchers. Restrictions on farmland ownership in Saskatchewan have been in place in some form for over 40 years. We recently undertook significant public consultations in Saskatchewan to make […]
Farmers already struggling with energy costs await new carbon-tax environment
If farmers facing rising energy costs don’t get some relief from the government, they may have to figure out ways to lower input costs themselves. “This is a real, real concern for farmers,” said Serge Buy, CEO of the Agricultural Institute of Canada. “It’s a real concern in a lot of provinces. I know that […]
