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 […]
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 […]
Bibeau a ‘surprise’ in ag role, but presents chance to ‘go to bat’ for sector, say observers
Marie-Claude Bibeau’s appointment as the new agriculture and agri-food minister came as a surprise to the agriculture community, stakeholders say, but they note that as an MP hailing from a riding full of dairy farmers, she has been a “good voice” for supply-managed industries. Ms. Bibeau was unexpectedly shuffled to the file on March 1, […]
Liberal response to Chinese canola dispute another example of agriculture file failure
Canadian-grown canola is an essential part of Canada’s agriculture sector. According to the Canola Council of Canada, 90 per cent of canola grown in Canada is exported as seed, oil, or meal to 50 markets around the world. Approximately 40 per cent of those exports go to China, a market valued at more than $3.5-billion […]
Trudeau Liberals’ final budget features measures for skills training, rural broadband, border security
The Trudeau government’s final budget before voters hit the polls in seven months includes some spending measures aimed at addressing perceived vulnerabilities and shoring up support among millennial and rural voters. Whereas last year’s budget was largely pitched at women, this year, Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s (Toronto Centre, Ont.) budget is focused on skills training […]
