D.C. Fraser Archives | Manitoba Co-operator

Fraser: The case against carbon pricing for farmers

The federal government continues to suggest the carbon tax imposed on Prairie farmers is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and may not be causing undue harm to the country’s agricultural sector. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau speaks publicly about “special considerations” for farmers, while at the same time openly questioning carbon pricing’s effect on their

Crops, Weather

Prairie provinces react to Bibeau’s questions on carbon price impact

By D.C. Fraser, GFM Network News January 9, 2020

Ottawa — The Saskatchewan and Manitoba governments continue attempts to convince the federal government’s carbon pricing program puts farmers at a disadvantage. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau recently suggested the carbon pricing system may not be disadvantaging farmers, questioning the impact of carbon pricing on agriculture, but saying she will continue to seek out more

Conservative leader Andrew Scheer in Winnipeg on Oct. 14, 2019, during the federal election campaign.

Farmit Manitoba, Op/Ed

Comment: Conservative leadership and the carbon price

The majority of ballots cast in the last federal election were for parties that support carbon taxes

By D.C. Fraser December 20, 2019

As the results of the most recent federal election poured in, pointing more and more towards the pollster-predicted minority Liberal government, I received a text from an old contact in Regina. He suggested the Conservative Party of Canada under Andrew Scheer’s leadership would never be able to form government. It wasn’t a unique opinion, but

Fraser: Bibeau buying time, BRM not a federal priority

By D.C. Fraser, GFM Network News December 19, 2019

The federal government is buying time when it comes to making drastic improvements to AgriStability and other business risk management (BRM) programs. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau recently announced minor, cost-free tweaks to AgriStability, during the same week the public was given an updated look at Canada’s fiscal situation. That update shows the Liberal government’s

Canadian cattle producers continue to miss market opportunities due to BSE, and Conservatives say a key deadline was missed.

Beef cattle, News

Conservatives criticize Liberals for missing BSE risk status deadline

Canada had an opportunity to boost its BSE risk ranking, which would improve market access

By D.C. Fraser December 19, 2019

The Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) is criticizing the federal government for missing a deadline to apply for a more favourable World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) designation for beef exports. CPC Agriculture Critic John Barlow says Canadian ranchers were given a “stunning setback” because the federal Liberal government missed a deadline this summer to

Crops, Weather

Grain groups give low marks to AgriStability tweaks

By D.C. Fraser, GFM Network News December 18, 2019

Ottawa — A recent meeting of the country’s agriculture ministers failed in providing effective support for farmers facing challenges, Grain Growers of Canada chair Jeff Nielsen says. Only minor changes were made to AgriStability, the main priority item on the agenda for the Ottawa meeting held Tuesday. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and her provincial

Crops

Feds, provinces plan minor tweaks to AgriStability

By D.C. Fraser, GFM Network News December 18, 2019

Ottawa — Minor changes are coming to AgriStability following Tuesday’s meeting between federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and her provincial counterparts. Major changes, however, will have to wait. A full review of federal business risk management (BRM) will be completed in April, with the findings discussed when the federal, provincial and territorial ministers meet again

Despite the real upset the CN Rail strike caused for several sectors, the almost immediate calls to end the strike with back-to-work legislation were premature.

Comment, Farmit Manitoba

Comment: No politician wins in CN strike

Partisan antics at the expense of farmers won’t play well with Canadians

By D.C. Fraser December 9, 2019

Elected officials took different approaches to handling the Canadian National Railway strike — but none of them come out of it looking good. When roughly 3,200 yard workers and train conductors represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference walked off the job Nov. 19, they did so in protest of safety concerns. They highlighted issues

Throne speech kicks off Parliament with nod to agriculture

By D.C. Fraser, GFM Network News December 5, 2019

The federal throne speech opening the first session of Canada’s 43rd Parliament further committed the Liberal minority government to combating climate change, supporting natural resource sectors and removing international trade barriers. Including a pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the speech, delivered Thursday in Ottawa, showed the government again demonstrating its commitment to a

Canada has a strong agri-food sector that ranks high in global measures of food safety performance.

News

Quest to brand Canada’s food is drawing industry-wide interest

A recent two-day forum in Ottawa explored how Canada’s policy framework needs to change

By D.C. Fraser December 2, 2019

Canada2020’s David McInnes has a tough time hiding his excitement when talking about the future of food in the country. Over a two-day event in Ottawa, numerous speakers and delegates brought forward suggestions of how to shape the next agri-food policy agenda, as part of the Canada Food Brand project. “There’s been a tremendous refocus

U.S. livestock: CME cattle, hogs firm on winter weather woes

CGC revises domestic canola usage downward

Prairie cash wheat: Bids mostly lower

GFM Network News