There were never many reasons to be optimistic federal and provincial governments would find a short-term solution to long-held concerns over Canada’s business risk management (BRM) programs. Another delay to a meeting of federal and provincial agriculture ministers to discuss the issue shouldn’t change this. Originally scheduled to happen in July, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted
Comment: Delay to federal-provincial meetings disappointing but necessary
Federal program to protect farms, workers from COVID-19 underway
'Highest-risk' farming operations to get priority, Bibeau says
Applications are now open for a federally-administered $35 million emergency on-farm support fund to help limit the impacts of COVID-19 on farms and on-farm workers. Aimed at farm workplaces and employee living quarters, the fund is being managed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), but cost-shared with participating producers at a 50-50 level. Money is
Hog producers want $50 million invested in ASF prevention
Disease outbreak would rapidly outstrip the impact of BSE, Canadian Pork Council says
Canada’s hog producers are calling on the federal government to invest $50 million over three years to combat African swine fever (ASF). In an open letter released Sept. 11, chair of the Canadian Pork Council Rick Bergmann spells out the impact an outbreak of the disease would have on the industry. The call comes on
Federal irrigation pledge seen flowing mainly to Prairies
Infrastructure plan also includes promised broadband support
Prairie provinces will receive the bulk of Ottawa’s $1.5 billion commitment to support irrigation projects, according to federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday launched a three-year, $10 billion infrastructure plan aimed at five different sectors, including agriculture. The $1.5 billion is expected to result in 700,000 acres of irrigated land.
Feds pondering more self-reliance in Canada’s food
'Even if we are already in a good position, we can always do better,' Bibeau says
Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau is looking for ways to make Canada’s food supply more autonomous. In an interview Thursday, Bibeau pointed to her minority Liberal government’s pledge in the throne speech to further support the food value chain. That could mean a review of food infrastructure across the country, according to Bibeau. Specifics aren’t yet
Canada not benefiting from CETA, Bibeau says
Ex-premiers write to Ottawa with critique of EU's continued trade barriers
Canada is not benefiting from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union (EU), federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau grants. Expected to spur $1.5 billion in new agri-food exports, the free trade deal has fallen short of those targets since its implementation in 2017. In a letter Monday to Prime Minister Justin
Comment: Wait to see green economic restart before criticizing
It makes little sense to criticize a plan before any details are available. What Canada’s new finance minister means when she speaks of a green restart to the economy will largely remain a mystery until the Sept. 23 throne speech – but government has signalled the post-pandemic economy will be heavily influenced by climate change.
Throne speech commits to rural broadband improvement
Rural health care, water management also on deck
The federal minority Liberal government is promising job creation, better rural internet access and a commitment to combating climate change in its newly revealed legislative plans. In an ambitious throne speech delivered Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s party committed itself to implementing universal child care and extending or enhancing many of the economic measures put
Feds roll out Surplus Food Rescue Program dollars
Seven groups will distribute excess food to those in need
Food Banks Canada and seven other organizations have been selected by the federal government to redistribute excess food supplies to communities in need. The Surplus Food Rescue Program was created in May with $50 million in funding as part of Ottawa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We wanted the projects to be all inclusive, from
Comment: Time to improve conditions for foreign workers
Temporary foreign worker programming earneda hot seat this year due to workers falling ill with COVID-19
Now is the time for the Canadian government to overhaul the country’s foreign worker program. It is the right thing to do and will benefit Canadian agriculture. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many of the shortcomings of the current program, which sees thousands of people come to Canada each year to work on farms across
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