The Canadian government expects to reduce annual spending on operations by $27 million following the closure of seven Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research facilities. New financial details were disclosed in a letter from Deputy Minister Lawrence Hanson to members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food earlier this week. The... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
Canada's pesticide regulator has a new name as of April 1, 2026. Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (better known as PMRA) is now the Pesticides Regulatory Directorate (PRD). The PRD maintains the same mandate as the PMRA, looking after the registration and evaluation of products that fall under the Pest Control Products Act. The... Read More
There's a renewed push in the House of Commons for quicker approvals of agricultural products that are available in other countries with similar scientific standards as Canada. Southern Alberta Conservative MP David Bexte introduced a private member's bill on April 14 that would require 90-day approval for feed, seed, pest control, fertilizer, and veterinary products... Read More
The public comment period for the draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle has opened. Stakeholders, including producers, consumers, and others with an interest in the welfare of beef cattle, are invited to review the draft Code and provide input that will inform the final version, recognizing that perspectives and... Read More
Canada's approach to trade with the U.S. and the imminent re-negotiation of the North American trade deal must go beyond emotional arguments and appeals to friendship, according to Manitoba's senior representative to the U.S. Former CTV and CBC journalist Richard Madan was hired last June to open a provincial office representing Manitoba's interests in the... Read More
Canada’s approach to agricultural risk management is facing growing pressure as producers navigate a more volatile and complex operating environment. In this Ag Policy Exchange webinar, co-hosts Shaun Haney of RealAgriculture and Tyler McCann with the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) unpack how current business risk management (BRM) tools are struggling to keep pace with... Read More
Saskatchewan has announced the Emergency Use Registration for two per cent liquid strychnine has been expanded to allow a broader range of Saskatchewan rural municipalities (RMs) access management of Richardson's ground squirrels (a.k.a. gophers) until November 2027. Last week, the Saskatchewan and Alberta governments announced areas where the emergency use registration would apply. Saskatchewan's initial... Read More
Rising fertilizer prices and ongoing questions about supply have many Ontario growers watching the market closely this spring. But according to insights shared at the first Ridgetown Agribusiness breakfast meeting this week, availability—not price—may be the more important factor shaping fertilizer decisions as the 2026 planting season approaches. Southwest Ag Partners agronomist Jason Van Maanen... Read More
By Margaret Zafiriou This past year has been one for the books – such a lot has changed from a year ago. These dramatic changes have had repercussions for Ontario consumers, the economy, and for the province’s agriculture and agri-food sector. Record high population growth, lack of housing affordability and food security concerns, on top... Read More
Escalating conflict in the Middle East is raising serious concerns about global energy flows, economic stability, and the broader geopolitical order—issues that could have downstream impacts on Canadian agriculture and trade. In this Frontlines episode, Shaun Haney of RealAgriculture and Jacob Shapiro of Bespoke Group unpack the rapidly evolving situation involving Iran, the United States,... Read More