We're just a year away (or less?) from a federal election, even as deadlines on huge trade deals, such as NAFTA and CPTPP, loom large. As the opposing Conservatives narrow their gap in the polls with the reigning Liberals, Official Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Scheer answers some tough questions on how the Conservatives would... Read More
Category: Canadian Agriculture Policy
If your harvest (or seeding or spraying) has ever been shut down because of a piece of equipment throwing an error code, you probably need to know about the building concern over right-to-repair rules and regulations. In case you haven't heard, there's a growing rumble out of the U.S. pitting farmers against equipment manufacturers in... Read More
Most livestock producers are aware that significant changes are coming to how they'll access antibiotic medication for animals as of December 1, 2018. Beginning then, several commonly used antibiotic medications (especially those important for human medicine) will no longer be available through your feed or animal supply store, instead being accessible only through your veterinarian.... Read More
The news Ontario's new government, led by Premier Doug Ford, has announced its plan to expand natural gas access to families and businesses throughout rural and Northern Ontario. Speaking at the 2018 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo this week, Premier Food says he plans to introduce legislation to develop a new natural gas program.... Read More
The future of any neonicotinoid product being registered for use in Canada is very uncertain, as Health Canada is currently proposing a ban or near ban on all uses of clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid. That said, Ontario's main farmer organization, Grain Farmers of Ontario, is calling for its province to scrap its provincial restrictios of... Read More
In a move most knew was on the way, American President Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs on $200 billion more of Chinese goods as of next Monday. A news release says he’s imposing the new tariffs, “to protect the interest of working men and women, farmers, ranchers, businesses, and our country itself.” Announced September... Read More
There are many who likely bristle at the thought of a foreign country investing in Canada, perhaps because most equate "investment" with "land buying." But when we're talking foreign direct investment, in this case, we're talking about companies investing in Canadian businesses, and vice versa. And, as J.P. Gervais, chief agricultural economist with Farm Credit... Read More
Federal Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr was in Saskatoon last week for the federal Liberal caucus meeting. Carr and Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, took the opportunity to address the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce in what was billed as a 'fireside chat'. The discussion focussed mostly on the programs available to... Read More
The federal Liberal caucus met in Saskatoon, Sask. this week, providing the opportunity to host a hastily-called roundtable on grain transportation. The roundtable included government representatives, farmers, shippers, and railway executives. The purpose of the meeting, according to a government news release, was to provide "participants with an opportunity to share information, to address challenges,... Read More
When I am completely overwhelmed with the task at hand (which is often), I sit down, make a to-do list, and break the task down into smaller, more achievable steps. I prioritize the most pressing issue first, or the one that simply must happen before the other pieces can fall into place. My hope, in... Read More