Ontario has introduced its draft legislation to increase security on farms — the Security From Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2019. The focus, certainly, is on the biosecurity and food risk associated with non-authorized people traipsing through farms and interfering with animals on their way to slaughter. The act, likely to be passed in... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
Full details are still in the works, but it appears that the cattle industry — dairy included — will get a two-year delay on enforcement of new transport regulations set to come into force in early February. The federal minister of agriculture, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced at a parliamentary reception this week that the grace period... Read More
After two years of negotiating, debate, and threats of destruction, the renegotiated NAFTA deal has a clear path to a congressional ratification with the Democrats and the U.S. President agreeing to the required changes. For agriculture, the USMCA — new NAFTA or CUSMA, whatever you want to call it — has always been about stability,... Read More
For decades now we have frequently heard phrases like, "We need to speak as one," or "We are better together than fighting among ourselves," when it comes to agriculture policy in this country. While the phrases have been uttered, there never seemed to be any real action. Now, don't get me wrong, a historical lack... Read More
Collaboration is one thing that many agriculture groups already do, but can you imagine the work that could be done if everyone — yes, everyone — was working together to reach one goal? That's the message astronaut, author, and public speaker Dr. Dave Williams gave while speaking at this year's Public Trust Summit. "There's always... Read More
Black swan events have transformed agriculture. From the invention of canola to precision agriculture and the emergence of the African Swine Fever (ASF), these extreme and unpredictable events — both good and bad — continue to shape the industry's future. Is Canadian agriculture and the agri-food system resilient enough to absorb the potential negative impacts... Read More
As the 43rd session of parliament opened Dec 5th, the Governor General laid out the government's priorities going forward. This year's throne speech was titled "Moving Forward Together," and key priorities outlined were: fighting climate change, strengthening the middle class, walking the road of reconciliation, keeping Canadians safe and healthy, and positioning Canada for success... Read More
Five Canadian seed-based associations are finalizing the process of merging into one, industry-wide organization, and while the move is a welcome one across the industry, the process comes at a challenging time in the agriculture industry. Still, the move is needed and a positive one, say industry participants. The Seed Synergy process is to create... Read More
There is a new seed organization in the works for Canada. The actual name has yet to be decided and several details have are still to be hammered out, so for now it will be called "NSO" short for — you guessed it, new seed organization. But while the new name and governance is not... Read More
The Alberta government has introduced its new police funding model that will increase the amount of RCMP officer and civilian positions. The Provincial Police Service Agreement (PPSA) will be a cost-sharing initiative between both the federal and provincial governments along with the addition of small and rural communities beginning to pay a portion of the... Read More