Editor’s note: This episode of Frontlines was recorded June 5, 2026. Despite the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and rising concerns over global energy supplies, financial markets continue to signal confidence, creating what geopolitical analyst Jacob Shapiro of Bespoke Group describes as one of the more surprising economic disconnects of recent years. Speaking... Read More
Category: Politics
The Carney government wasted no time on Monday reconfiguring committees with its newly-secured majority in the House of Commons. Shortly after the three Liberals who won byelections took their seats for the first time, MPs approved a motion adding two Liberals to all current committees. The Standing Committee for Agriculture and Agri-Food now consists of... Read More
As planters and air seeders begin to roll, a different kind of groundwork is being laid in Ottawa. Bill C-273, the Facilitating Agricultural Regulatory Modernization Act—or simply, the FARM Act, is a new private member's bill aimed at speeding up approvals of new seed, feed, pest control, fertilizer, and veterinary products in Canada. The bill... Read More
The Canadian government expects to reduce annual spending on operations by $27 million following the closure of seven Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research facilities. New financial details were disclosed in a letter from Deputy Minister Lawrence Hanson to members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food earlier this week. The... Read More
Canada's approach to trade with the U.S. and the imminent re-negotiation of the North American trade deal must go beyond emotional arguments and appeals to friendship, according to Manitoba's senior representative to the U.S. Former CTV and CBC journalist Richard Madan was hired last June to open a provincial office representing Manitoba's interests in the... Read More
Escalating conflict in the Middle East is raising serious concerns about global energy flows, economic stability, and the broader geopolitical order—issues that could have downstream impacts on Canadian agriculture and trade. In this Frontlines episode, Shaun Haney of RealAgriculture and Jacob Shapiro of Bespoke Group unpack the rapidly evolving situation involving Iran, the United States,... Read More
The New Democratic Party’s bid to regain national relevance and official party status will reach a pivotal moment this weekend as the new NDP leader will be chosen at the party's convention in Winnipeg. The party hit its high-water mark 15 years ago, winning 103 seats and 31 per cent of the vote to finish... Read More
I'm not sure if there's any one way to measure the success of a prime minister. If it's adding seats, gaining in public opinion polls, and traveling abroad, Prime Minister Mark Carney has had a 5-star year. But if it's getting legislation passed in parliament, taking questions in the house, or improving the average Canadian's... Read More
War in Iran and blockage of a key global oil shipping route have sent diesel prices sharply higher, creating uncertainty for world energy supply and farmers who rely heavily on diesel. Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, joined RealAg's Shaun Haney to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the... Read More
The sudden and serious military action in the Middle East is raising new questions about energy markets, trade flows, and input costs — all factors that can quickly ripple into agriculture. In this Frontlines episode recorded Monday, March 9, RealAgriculture’s Shaun Haney speaks with Jacob Shapiro of the Bespoke Group to unpack the geopolitical implications... Read More