A group of self described 'like-minded' World Trade Organization (WTO) members met in Ottawa this week. The WTO reform was hosted by Jim Carr, minister of international trade diversification for Canada. Not included in this ‘like-minded’ group was Canada's closest neighbour and largest trading partner, the U.S. China also not included. The meeting, which took... Read More
Category: News
AT ISSUE The Ontario government recently announced extensive amendments to Bill 148, the former Liberal government's labour and wage reform bill which included a phased-in minimum wage hike. Included in the new "Making Ontario Open for Business Act," is a freeze on the next planned jump in the minimum wage, from $14/hour to $15/hour, until... Read More
As Mother Nature brought too little to no moisture during the growing season and then an abundance of a rain and snow during harvest, the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has extended its sample program. "We decided to extend the deadline for harvest sample submissions to make sure that as many producers as possible could take... Read More
It was an exciting day at Olds College as the United Farmers of Alberta Co-operative (UFA), announced it was making a hefty donation to create the UFA Innovation Lab located at Olds College Smart Ag Innovation Centre. Part of the $500,000 in funds will also go to support the college's Smart Farm. "Not only is... Read More
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has released its September flash report for new equipment sales. In Canada (shown below), the results continue to be mixed depending on the category. In 2018, 2WD tractors are up 8.0%, 4WD are virtually flat at 0.3% lower, and self-propelled combines are down 4.6% in comparison to the end of... Read More
The Organic Council of Ontario (OCO) has received funding to develop a data strategy specific to Ontario's organic industry. The funding, awarded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership program, will support a study to identify the most relevant data gaps in the organic industry, assess current and potential data tracking and collection points, and plan for... Read More
As Canadians await discussion of the USMCA in Parliament, United States President Donald Trump is threatening the future of the agreement over a Honduran caravan of asylum seekers heading to the U.S. border through Mexico. With a reported 7,000 caravan riders (and growing) as it passes through Mexico, a possible showdown at the U.S./Mexico border... Read More
Although many Albertans are still on edge about Bill 6, which takes effect on December 1, there's some good news for those who are going to have to upgrade their equipment or train new staff under the new regulations. The Alberta government recently announced $6 million in funding to be used towards costs farmers and... Read More
Reports last week that Kingston's Canada Royal Milk plant, owned by Chinese company Feihe International, might be in jeopardy following the signing of USMCA, were alarming and confusing, says the head of Kingtson's economic development corporation. "There is no immediate impact on Feihe Canada Royal Milk’s investment in Kingston or the forecasted job creation," says... Read More
A case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was found in Scotland this past week, in the area of Aberdeenshire. This is the first time of a recorded case of BSE in the UK since 2015. Back then, there was a case found in Wales. "I have activated the Scottish Government’s response plan to protect our... Read More