Justin Trudeau has promised to end boil-water advisories on First Nations, but some could fix the problem themselves by working with neighbours if First Nations controlled their land, says University of Guelph agricultural economist and McCain Family Chair in Food Security, Brady Deaton. “With respect to land, I am arguing the Indian Act basically removes
Local control key to better resource management
Brady Deaton, the University of Manitoba’s 9th annual Kraft Lecturer, says the Indian Act prevents First Nations from taking action to improve their citizens’ well-being
Still some potential pitfalls in proposed federal tax reforms
Accountant hopes effects are manageable
The federal government’s revised tax change proposals have got rid of the most egregious problems, but a few provisions could still cost farmers money. That’s according to Mike Poole, a Brandon-based accountant with MNP, at a recent Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) advisory meeting. “I think it’s relatively small and manageable,” Poole told reporters after speaking
Manitoba’s ‘climate and green’ plan good policy, smart politics
It's often easier and safer to oppose something than to come up with a plan and implement it
The “Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan” is smart politics, but more importantly could be good policy. That latter hinges on the plan to cut carbon emissions by up to 2.6 million tonnes by 2022 working. But there’s a possibility it might not be implemented, or at least not fully. The federal government says Manitoba’s flat
Streamlined, improved KAP checkoff takes effect Dec. 1
Bill 35 went from second reading to Royal assent in just four and a half days
The Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) will have an improved membership checkoff in place Dec. 1, the start of its new fiscal year, thanks to legislation that was passed and given royal assent Nov. 9 and 10, respectively. Bill 35, the Agricultural Producers Organizations Funding Act, passed third reading unanimously in Manitoba legislature, following a marathon
CN car fulfilment dropped in weeks 11 and 12
However, the company says it is bringing more crews and power online to pick up the pace
CN Rail is still struggling to fulfil grain car orders in Western Canada, according to statistics collected by the Ag Transport Coalition (ATC). A CN spokesperson says the company is committed to meeting grain company needs. To that end CN has ramped up hiring and this quarter will add another 250 new crew members, Kate
C-49 Transportation Modernization Act off to Senate
Bill C-49, the Grain Modernization Act, has passed third reading in the House of Commons and now goes to the Senate for debate. Farmers and grain companies hope if it becomes law the railways will be obliged to sign level-of-service contracts backed by financial penalties. Read more: Mixed reactions from farm groups to Bill C-49
Commodity merger gets chilly reception from some
Some farmers worried over loss of input
The Keystone Agricultural Producers’ (KAP) meeting room was chilly, then Starbuck farmer Ed Rempel explained why. “Well Mr. Chairman, I think hell just froze over because I agree with everything Butch Harder just said.” The room erupted with laughter. Harder, a KAP District 3 representative who farms at Lowe Farm, had just told KAP’s fall
Carbon tax could translate into more demand for canola
“Nobody like taxes… but there is also going to be some opportunities,” as a result of Manitoba’s climate and green plan, Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) president Chuck Fossay told the Keystone Agricultural Producers’ advisory council Nov. 2. While the plan includes a flat $25-a-tonne carbon tax starting sometime next year, it also says if
Mazier defends KAP’s approach on ‘made-in-Manitoba’ carbon tax
He says the position was developed democratically and KAP got much of what it wanted to reduce the negative impact on farmers
A year after the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) opted to participate as the provincial government developed “A Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan,” some KAP members are asking why the farm organization doesn’t oppose a carbon tax. “I find this entire carbon tax thing to be a complete fiasco and I view our prime minister (Justin
First woman acclaimed to Manitoba Canola Growers’ board
Dacotah farmer Pam Bailey becomes board's first female member
The Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) doesn’t need to run an election for directors this fall so the association’s first optional online voting won’t be held. However, the association made history in a different way — acclaiming its first woman director. Four directors’ positions were open and only four people had thrown their hats in