How Canada can cope with Chinese market access roadblocks to agriculture
China’s recent cancellation of Winnipeg-based Richardson International’s canola seed registration reminds Canadian businesses, once again, of the unique risks and unpredictability of the Chinese market. As the Canadian Food Inspection Agency deals with the specifics of this latest issue, it is important for Canada to focus on longer-term policy solutions to address the periodic agricultural […]
Making an equal WAGE: Monsef talks new department
In a few short weeks, Maryam Monsef has gone from being a junior minister in charge of an oft-sidelined agency, to juggling managing one full-fledged department and part of another. On Dec. 13, Ms. Monsef’s (Peterborough-Kawartha, Ont.) portfolio was transformed from Status of Women, the agency, to Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), the full department, […]
Feds funnel another half-billion dollars into fixing public service pay in 2019 budget
The Trudeau government’s final budget heading into the October election features a mixed bag of spending measures, including a $500-million boost to alleviate some of the headaches caused by the problem-plagued Phoenix pay system. The 464-page budget, titled Investing in the Middle Class, follows along the government’s pitch that targeted deficit spending on programs will […]
Compensation for producers in our supply-managed sectors should be evidence-based
There is no clear policy nor even any clear policy principles in Canada about compensation or transition assistance in the event of economic disruption. Should our dairy producers be compensated for losses they incur due to concessions made by Canada affecting the sector under recent trade agreements? Yes, maybe. If people suffer because of trade-related […]
Ottawa allows Maduro loyalists to run Venezuelan Embassy despite calling his government ‘illegitimate’
More than a month after Canada recognized Juan Guaidó as the interim president of Venezuela, his representative in Canada remains without official diplomatic credentials and the Ottawa embassy is still in the control of diplomats loyal to Nicolás Maduro, whom the Canadian government has declared an “illegitimate” leader. On Feb. 4, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau […]
Let’s not forget what sparked the SNC-Lavalin affair
OTTAWA—Almost lost in the media storm surrounding the resignation of former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould, sparked by allegations that she faced political pressure from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, is the timeline of events surrounding the alleged infractions that sparked the controversy. Yes, we are all aware that Quebec-based engineering giant SNC-Lavalin was lobbying Trudeau’s […]
Standing up for Canadian farmers and their families
Each and every day across Canada, our farmers and food processors work hard to put safe, high-quality food on our tables, while driving our economy and creating good, middle-class jobs, particularly in our rural communities. All told, our food sector generates sales of more than $114-billion and accounts for seven per cent of Canada’s gross […]
It’s time for a green new deal down on the farm
The agriculture policy of the 21st century must focus on producing healthy food, providing fair incomes for farm families and creating thriving rural communities while protecting natural ecosystems. It is possible to promote resilience in agriculture so that it addresses climate change and is capable of adapting to the economic and environmental shocks of an […]
How Ottawa can address food waste
Almost 60 per cent of all food produced in Canada is wasted every year. That’s according to a recent study from Value Chain Management and Second Harvest. While that headline grabbed media attention, the results of the study deserve further examination. Yes, 58 per cent of all the food that is produced in Canada is […]
Canadian agriculture is facing a digital challenge
The world is well into a fourth industrial revolution, with digital systems transforming our economy and society. A range of new digital applications are changing what we can do, how and where we will do things, and who will benefit. While much of our national conversation about the digital future is focused elsewhere, Canadian agriculture […]
