The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is hosting an agriculture debate, today, in Ottawa. Follow along on Twitter: #AgDebate, #Elxn42Ag. In attendance: Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Hon.Gerry Ritz Malcolm Allen, NDP Agriculture Critic Mark Eyking, Liberal Agriculture Critic Andrew West, Green Party candidate for Kanata-Carleton Yves Lessard, Bloc Québécois candidate for Beloeil-Chambly Moderator: Andrew Campbell,... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
When most of us think of a typical protest, images of cowboy hats and tractors don't generally come to mind. But, farmers have definitely played a role in shaping public policy (or at least garnering some attention) through protests. 1. Cows Against TPP Cows, milk, farmers and tractors hit the streets of Ottawa this week... Read More
Trade ministers from the 12 countries negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are expected to arrive in Atlanta today with the goal of concluding the trade deal. Both the domestic and export-oriented sectors of Canadian agriculture are well-represented at the meetings, which started at the chief negotiator level on Sunday. “The Trans-Pacific Partnership right now for... Read More
Since the day that the federal election was announced, I have wondered what the future will hold for Gerry Ritz. Now don't get me wrong Mr. Ritz is going to easily win his riding as there are reports he hasn't even had to open up a campaign office for his riding. With his seat secure,... Read More
Even with other major stories percolating — sex education in schools and the federal election among them — the Syrian refugee crisis has thankfully not been nudged off the front pages. Noble and determined efforts are underway everywhere to help the estimated Syrian refugees find new homes. Last week, the Ontario government pledged $10.5 million... Read More
Ontario corn and soybean growers and agronomists are upset about comments made by the provincial agriculture minister in Question Period this week regarding the government's new rules limiting the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments. Two seed company agronomists say Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal misconstrued their words after Leal was asked by Tory agriculture critic Toby... Read More
Update: A decision from the WTO on Canada's COOL retaliation plan is expected on December 7. The Canadian government is making its case to the World Trade Organization this week on why should be allowed to impose C$3.1 billion per year in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports in the dispute over country of origin labeling... Read More
This past week the PDQ (price and data quotes) website was launched for farmers across Western Canada. As noted by Tom Steve of the Alberta Wheat Commission, “This level of cooperation is encouraging and we look forward to improving the level of price transparency available for farmers and other industry stakeholders via PDQ.” In truth,... Read More
On a freezing cold late afternoon in February, 14 women gathered in a meeting room at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs office in Woodstock to talk about big-picture issues facing women in the agricultural sector. Maternity leave issues, and their impact on a career, were the focus of this meeting. They... Read More
It’s the first week of September and the west is waking up to some frosty mornings, while Ontario watches how high temps can climb with a humidex. This week has been a rather big one for many, as kids head back to school, harvest kicks into high gear, and, yes, our editor, Lyndsey Smith, has... Read More