When it comes to addressing climate change, there is no shortage of money changing hands. Here in Canada, the federal government tacked on a $20/tonne carbon price for Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick after these provinces failed to meet Ottawa’s targets on carbon pricing. Without a "price on pollution" the federal backstop has become... Read More
Category: Agriculture Policy
In presentations I frequently open up my talks discussing the agriculture challenges in Canada and the United States and then finish the opening by saying, "it could be worse, we could be in the UK." It always gets a laugh, but for farmers in the UK, a possible crash exit from the EU is no... Read More
Public speaking makes many people very nervous, but for others it's very natural. For Kaitlyn Kitzan its a talent she put to good use in the House of Commons this week as she represented Daughters of the Vote. The program is the brainchild of Equal Voice, a non-partisan group working to increase the number of... Read More
In terms of export markets, China has been the holy grail for agricultural commodity producers. Whether it's pork, beef, canola or wheat, the demand that China's growing middle class offers presents massive opportunities for Canadian farmers. Likewise in the U.S., farmers south of the border have relied heavily on export growth into China as domestic... Read More
On Wednesday's RealAg Radio, Kelsey Johnson, with iPolitics, joined show host Shaun Haney to recap what she saw and heard at both the house ag committee and trade committee meetings held Tuesday, April 2. At the ag committee meeting, Johnson says attendees heard from Viterra, Richardson International, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), whereas... Read More
Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister confirmed Wednesday that his province will be taking legal action against the federal government and its imposition of the carbon tax. “Last year, our government received legal advice the federal government has the constitutional power to impose a carbon tax, but only on provinces that do not implement plans of their... Read More
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association has announced Manitoba farmer Gunter Jochum will serve as its new president. Jochum was unanimously elected at a March board meeting and replaces Saskatchewan farmer Levi Wood. “I’m honoured to have the trust of the Wheat Growers board of directors to represent this dedicated group of people. Wheat Grower... Read More
Nearly every piece of equipment or machinery we use is powered by electronics and proprietary software. While electronics allows for many things — precision and variable rate applications, mapping and data collection, and even remote trouble shooting — it also creates a barrier to being able to fix something when something goes awry. Eric Wareham,... Read More
The week after coming off her first trip to Saskatchewan, federal Agriculture and Agri-food Minister Marie Claude Bibeau says she has sent a letter to China requesting to send a delegation. The news comes at a Monday afternoon update provided by the minister, who says the issue between Canadian canola exports and China remains a... Read More
In her first trip to Saskatchewan, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau spent the day in Saskatoon discussing the issue of China blocking Canadian canola shipments with producers and industry stakeholders. Trade Diversification Minister, Jim Carr was also present during the two part meeting held late last week. Bibeau says they're "ready to go" when... Read More