Doug Ford's provincial government has revealed its next budget, a process that was interrupted for several months by the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a very large budget — $187 billion — with a projected record-breaking deficit $38.5 billion. Budget spending revolves around current and possibly on-going pandemic disruption for several years, and is split into three... Read More
Category: Canadian Agriculture Policy
A new agency has been established to promote the pork industry and fund research in Canada. The Canadian Pork Promotion and Research Agency (PRA) was announced today by Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau. Initiated by former Canadian Pork Council (CPC) chair, Jurgen Preugchas and a small group of producers, the effort to establish... Read More
A lack of agriculture having any sort of place in the recent throne speech deserves due criticism, as agriculture is an economic driver that will help see the country through to the other side of the pandemic, says a senator from southern Ontario. "The government frequently speaks about its commitment to agriculture, yet in the... Read More
It's not just any farmer who thinks, "I should invite all of North American ag Twitter to my farm," but Jeff Bennett is not just any farmer. Grain farmer, board member, and sometimes bison rancher, Bennett farms near Dodsland, Sask., with his wife Shilow and their two kids. Bennett recently stepped in to the full-time... Read More
The dates have finally been announced for the twice-delayed federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) agriculture ministers' meeting that was originally scheduled to be held in Guelph, Ont. in July. The ministers will hold their annual FPT meeting over two virtual sessions on November 20 and November 27, with a joint communiqué to be released at... Read More
After a goodwill request to meet to build trust and discuss the re-establishment of a Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) that represents all provinces at a national level, the CSF has responded with a resounding no. Marc Carere, chair of Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF), committed to the membership an open and transparent process regarding any discussion... Read More
Almost everyone who lives in a rural area is well aware of the challenges with infrastructure and services — from keeping schools open, to attracting and retaining doctors, to building roads and fixing bridges. Fewer though are likely fully aware of just how far behind their local town or municipality has fallen in keeping up... Read More
The Alberta government says part of "prioritizing jobs for Albertans" includes making changes to the temporary foreign worker (TFW) program in the province. Alberta's government plans to limit the number and types of jobs available to new TFWs — making jobs "available for unemployed Albertans," according to a press release. As of November 1, additional... Read More
The Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) held its annual general meeting October 23, via Zoom, and the chair's opening report directly addressed the ongoing issue of dissension within the membership and the Canadian sheep industry as a whole. "I am frustrated by the distrust in our industry that has led to too many acrimonious and hostile... Read More
Most of us learned early that you need to keep your promises if you want to be trusted. In politics, however, promises are rarely kept; instead, they're wiggled out of, often after an election, giving politicians a terrible reputation in the trust department. In the last several years, supply management has not prevented Canada negotiating... Read More