Rallies continued in Alberta today, with many farmers and ranchers asking the NDP government to slow or halt Bill 6 – The Enhancement of Protection of Farm and Ranch Workers Act. “Alberta is the only province where OHS legislation does not apply to farms and ranches,” according to the Alberta Government’s FAQ page. “Alberta’s farm... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
Alberta's crop commissions have joined forces in urging the provincial government to delay the implementation of its new farm safety and labour legislation to further consult with farmers. “The current government process is causing fear and uncertainty to grasp the industry. Farmers can provide good input and are the subject matter experts on what will... Read More
Farmers and ranchers made their way to the Alberta Legislature today, to voice opposition to Bill 6. Their concerns were largely centred around the loss of a 'lifestyle,' and the 'family farm,' should the bill move forward. The rally was organized on Facebook, with another planned for Monday. Related: Alberta Labour Minister’s Perspective on Bill... Read More
Last week, the Alberta government announced the introduction of Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranchers Workers Act. Farmers have engaged in a hefty amount of debate on the new legislation. As the Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour states in the interview below, “this is a complex bill.” Read: Farm Safety... Read More
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is hoping the arrival of new federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay will mark a change in the impact farmers have on public policy. MacAulay’s been on the job for less than a month, but so far Ron Bonnett likes what he sees. The CFA president received a call from the... Read More
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture has re-elected Don McCabe as its president for 2016. The Lambton County farmer was unopposed for the position, which he won for the second consecutive year during the OFA’s annual meeting in Toronto this week. Despite being acclaimed, there were some challenges for the returning president regarding how he and... Read More
The eight experts who comprise the province’s Agri-Food Growth Steering Committee, tasked last fall with developing recommendations to address Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s jobs-and-exports challenge, have spoken. And what they had to say in a two-page letter full of advice to agriculture and agri-food minister Jeff Leal could have a profound effect on the agri-food... Read More
The Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (GLASI) has new application rules, deadlines and funding levels to better help farmers take advantage of the program. GLASI is targeted to farmers in the Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair watersheds, and Lake Huron’s southeast shores watershed, to help implement Better Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce phosphorus loading... Read More
Official Opposition leader Rona Ambrose unveiled the Conservatives' shadow cabinet on Friday, assigning experienced MPs and former cabinet ministers to new critic roles. Former Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has been tapped to serve as International Trade critic, a natural fit following his work on building market access as ag minister. Ritz will closely follow the... Read More
The Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act was introduced today to the Alberta Legislature. “Everyone deserves a safe, fair and healthy workplace. With this bill, workplace legislation will now extend to farms and ranches," said Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour, Lori Sigurdson. "The rules we implement must respect the unique qualities... Read More