As Donald Trump draws closer in his seemingly never-ending search to find his Agriculture Secretary, many people ask themselves what qualities is he looking for. We all have our own opinion of what he is looking for, but no one really knows. What we all do know is what qualities and characteristics appeal to us... Read More
Category: Canadian Agriculture Policy
Update: This story originally stated Miller's appointment begins March 13, 2017, but according to the ag minister's office, there was an error in the order posted by the Privy Council. As noted in the minister's official announcement on January 3, Miller's appointment begins February 13, 2017. The president of the Canola Council of Canada is... Read More
Don’t be surprised to see more hydro bill relief in sight in 2017 for rural Ontarians, says the province’s minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs. In a year-end interview, Minister Jeff Leal said that although the province has started finding ways to reduce energy bills, “there’s more to do.” He said he “wouldn’t be... Read More
Whether we're talking about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's national carbon tax commitment, the signing of the Canada-EU trade deal, the canola agreement with China, or Canada's primary trading partner electing Donald Trump, there was no shortage of agriculture-related news in Ottawa in 2016. This year also marked the Liberals' first full year in power, and... Read More
As America awaits the announcement of the Secretary of Agriculture, speculation rages on what the new Trump presidency will mean for agriculture. In Canada, the opportunistic wave of Trump or the backdraft are possible with so many election promises made and an eagerness to close many deals. At the recent Montana Grain Growers meeting in... Read More
Ontario has released its Pollinator Health Action Plan which includes focusing on four key stressors to honeybee and pollinator health and financial support and increased education for beekeepers. A re-iterated aspirational goal to "restore, enhance and protect" 1 million acres of pollinator habitat is also included in the plan. Found here, the plan is a... Read More
The federal government has announced it's dropping the four-year cumulative duration requirement — also known as the "four-in, four-out" rule — from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) effectively immediately. It's welcome news for agricultural employers and farm groups. “The feedback we received from agricultural stakeholders is very supportive of these changes," noted Portia MacDonald-Dewhirst,... Read More
The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers' board of directors is keeping its levy non-refundable. The board had one year to respond to a resolution passed at the organization's 2016 annual general meeting requesting the check-off be made refundable. SPG chair Tim Wiens informed members of the decision in a letter distributed December 13 (see below.) SPG is... Read More
Grain Growers of Canada has announced its executive for 2016/17, led by new president Jeff Nielsen. Nielsen, who served as vice president in 2015, represents the Western Barley Growers Association, and replaces Gary Stanford, who held the position for the three years and remains on the board representing the Alberta Wheat Commission. “It is an... Read More
A prediction earlier this week from a Canadian academic suggested Donald Trump’s presidency would cause food prices in Canada to rise in 2017. Here’s why. To make America great again, Trump has said he’s going to deport illegal immigrant workers. If he succeeds, that effort will include getting rid of the ballooning number of illegal... Read More