Global competition for good jobs based on new ideas to become more intense as decade proceeds
TORONTO—In a submission to the expert panel reviewing federal support for business research and development, Drew Burgess of JackTek Systems, an Alberta developer of high-tech oil field equipment, gives high praise to a federal program that he says played a key role in helping his company become a success. Most small and midsize companies, Burgess […]
Feds should recognize agriculture as real opportunity for economy, say farming groups
While the federal government is working aggressively to gain access to world markets for the Canadian agriculture industry, farming groups say the government needs to put out a strong signal that they “recognize agriculture as a real potential opportunity” for the Canadian economy. “If you read some of the articles on the growing demand for […]
Farmer groups welcome to proposed Canada-European Union free trade agreement
Farmers groups say they are not worried about European competition and welcome a proposed Canada-European Union free trade agreement which they say will open up markets for their agricultural products and keep Canada globally competitive. “Europe, for us is almost a dream market. It is a large beef-consuming market, it’s a high income market, very […]
Ritz says feds want to open world markets to Canadian farmers
TOP PRIORITY: A firm believer of the marketplace, Gerry Ritz says he wants to make sure farmers have access to world markets. BIGGEST CHALLENGE: He says there were some ‘great agricultural announcements’ in last week’s federal budget, but rather than work on the economy, the opposition parties are ‘forcing’ an election. O pening up world […]
Blackburn sets feds’ sights on young farmers
In order for the agriculture industry to remain stable, the government must focus on young farmers, says Minister of State for Agriculture Jean-Pierre Blackburn. “We need absolutely to be sure that young farmers will be there for the future of this country and to feed our population,” Mr. Blackburn (Jonquière-Alma, Que.) told The Hill Times […]
Liberals promise to wipe slate clean, rebuild Canadian agricultural and develop food policy
Responsible for eight per cent of Canada’s GDP, agriculture remains one of Canada’s most important industries. Farmers and their production base are the main drivers of the industry and yet the financial support from the federal government continues to be eroded away. For farmers, the budget was an absolute failure, however, the main estimates contains […]
Feds should revise AgriFlexibility program, apply it to risk management
In 2006, the Conservatives’ election campaign focused on five key priorities. Agriculture was not one of those priorities. So where does agriculture stand five years later? With some 42,000 farmers on just under 30,000 farms generating $6.9-billion in sales, agriculture is essential to Quebec. Agriculture is a priority for the Bloc Québécois. The Bloc Québécois […]
Tories cutting in on Liberals’ ethnic vote
The next federal election is on and already there is much discussion about the ethnic vote. Is there such a thing? How real is it? Which party has it and is a change taking place? Conventional wisdom says the Liberals have had a lock on the ethnic vote since the days of Pierre Trudeau. The […]
It’s time to create a digital society for Canada
Internet and new telecommunication technologies are growing in importance in our society. Just recently, the public reaction to the CRTC decision to end unlimited internet services showed us the importance of the World Wide Web in the lives of Canadians. This reaction is also a prime example of concerns Canadians have towards prices and access […]
Internet a driver of innovation, backbone of a modern economy
The following is the edited speech Konrad von Finckenstein delivered before the House Industry Committee on Feb. 3. OTTAWA—I recognize that the members of this committee, as well as Canadians, are concerned about our decisions regarding usage-based billing for internet services. I am pleased to have this opportunity to clarify the CRTC’s position in a […]
