The federal budget introduced by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Tuesday featured changes to how capital gains are taxed, as well as federal funding to develop biofuel production and artificial intelligence, but did not mention many topics and programs farm groups were hoping to see addressed. It also included many previously-announced measures, such as the... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
In March, under political pressure to do something about the housing crisis, the federal government announced changes to the amount of temporary residents that would be allowed in to Canada beginning May 1. On the surface, this may not seem to directly impact agriculture if farms and agri-businesses typically access the seasonal worker programs. However,... Read More
Grain Growers of Canada has published a set of policy recommendations for government to support Canada's grain sector in its "Road to 2050" sustainability inititative. The policy recommendations would see government partner with grain farmers to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, by increasing investment in public and private breeding research, expanding eligibility criteria and funding... Read More
Nearly 3,500 livestock producers in Saskatchewan who were eligible for drought assistance through the AgriRecovery program launched last October will be receiving a top-up of up to $50 per head from the federal and provincial governments. Provincial agriculture minister David Marit announced the additional payments during a visit to the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association head office... Read More
Canada is a trade-reliant nation across several industries, agriculture included. Canada's primary producers have mixed opinions on the real value of trade, however. In a recent RealAgristudies survey, only 52 per cent of Canadian farmers and ranchers perceive trade and market access as having a positive impact on their operations. This statistic, though seemingly modest,... Read More
B.C. wine of a 2024 vintage is going to be hard to find in the coming years, as vineyards and fruit producers in much of southern B.C. are reeling from a cold snap in January — the latest in a series of major challenges for the high value crops grown in the region. "I'm hearing... Read More
Canada is a major global player in the trade of bulk commodities and animal protein, that's clear. In addition, the increase in domestic processing of plant-based protein and pulse-based ingredients in the last five years has created more opportunities for processors to ship these types of products worldwide. Bill Greuel, CEO of Protein Industries Canada,... Read More
The Manitoba government is maintaining a 50 per cent school tax rebate for farm properties, while planning to collect an additional $148 million in school taxes from commercial and residential property owners. On Tuesday, Premier Wab Kinew's NDP government unveiled its first budget since being elected. The budget forecasts a provincial deficit of $2 billion... Read More
A fruit tree orchard can be viable for many, many years, but it also means that establishing an orchard requires significant investment. That investment should pay off in the years of harvesting the fruit, but as many in B.C. are struggling with, severe weather can cut yield potential weeks before the trees begin their spring... Read More
The union that represents more than nine thousand CN and CPKC railway workers is organizing a vote to approve strike action, raising the prospects of a rail work stoppage as early as late May if several deals are not reached before then. Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) will begin voting electronically on... Read More