Orphan crops can turn into winners, say IDRC experts
The food security of a billion people on the planet is threatened by climate change, increased demand, and volatile prices. In the face of these grave threats, the recent G8 and G20 meetings reaffirmed the need to take urgent action to assure food security for the world’s most vulnerable. One of the ways of achieving […]
Ritz says agriculture ‘backbone’ of Canadian economy
Agriculture is the “backbone” of Canada’s economy, says Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, whose top priority is to put farmers first after years of governments developing agriculture policy without input from farmers in the industry. “For far too long, policies were dictated by politicians to farmers in rural Canada. We’ve taken a different approach—we’re working with […]
Canada could be on leading edge of world competitiveness in agriculture sector: Agriculture Committee
The House Agriculture Committee released its comprehensive report on the competitiveness of the Canadian agriculture industry recently, noting that while Canada is losing market share, it has the resources, knowledge and people to remain “at the leading edge of world competitiveness in the agriculture and agri-food sector.” Conservative MP Pierre Lemieux (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, Ont.), Parliamentary secretary […]
Canada should have national food policy, say political parties’ agriculture critics
Canada needs a national food strategy, but governments don’t have the political will to create one, say opposition MPs, however, the government says just because agriculture policies don’t have a “food strategy” label it does not mean the government doesn’t have one. “It’s unbelievable that we as a country don’t have a national food policy […]
Are agriculture numbers telling us to do something differently?
“Men, women and families who produce primary food are barely surviving economically, and too often they are not surviving at all. There is no way of avoiding the conclusion that many are locked in a deep and continuing economic crisis.” The preceding statement was presented to federal and provincial ministers of agriculture in a 2005 […]
Healthcare system faces challenges, but not in crisis, says Aglukkaq
There may be some challenges facing the Canadian healthcare system, but it’s not in crisis, says federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq. “It is a dynamic entity, and as with any healthcare system, faces evolving demands and public needs,” Ms. Aglukkaq (Nunavut) told The Hill Times in an email interview for this week’s health policy briefing. […]
The grey tsunami: not!
“Will the ‘grey tsunami’ drown all of our health and social services?” “Shouldn’t we just give up now and get on with the reality of private insurance and private delivery?” The Liberal Party of Canada says a resounding no to both questions. We believe it is time for the federal government to lead on the […]
Defending medicare in Canada should be a top priority
The provision of universal health care is a sign of respect that each person’s quality of life is important. Health care is a right, not to be abridged or abrogated and the federal government has a leadership role to play to prevent this. To allow barriers to health care to continue lessens the achievements we’ve […]
Quebec and feds have two irreconcilable visions on health care
Historically, Ottawa has intervened many times in the realm of health care. There is no shortage of examples of continual interference, encroachment and duplication by federal governments, both Liberal and Conservative. Under the provisions of the 1867 constitution, health and social services are the exclusive jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces. Yet, since as far […]
Conservatives lack prescription for pharmacare, say health critics
Progress toward implementing a national pharmaceuticals strategy has stalled and critics say it’s because the federal government doesn’t have the will to act. Six years ago, federal, provincial and territorial leaders agreed that no Canadian should have to “suffer undue financial hardship” in order to access needed drugs. Health ministers began meeting to develop and […]
