Now that we know more about how the Surplus Food Rescue program will work, there should be a recognition for its need beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was announced as part the federal pandemic response and comes with $50 million in funding to help move extra food to vulnerable Canadians. Now that details are available, there is clear indication the program
Opinion: Food recovery program should be permanent and expanded
The program isn’t a true win for farmers, but it’s better than food waste and total losses
Committee continues review of BRM programs
After being derailed by COVID response, it’s back to regular business for MPs
Members of Parliament continued their study into business risk management (BRM) programs offered by the federal government during recent virtual meetings of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. The study was interrupted by COVID-19, which prompted meetings specifically about government’s response to the pandemic, but during meetings on June 12 and June 17, the
Livestock producers say BRMs a poor fit for sector
Cattle and pork producers say the programs simply don’t understand the business model of their sectors
Canadian livestock producers say existing risk management programs aren’t working for their operations. In particular, representatives from the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the Canadian Pork Council singled out AgriStability during recent meetings of the parliamentary Agriculture and Agri-Food committee. AgriStability largely operates based on reference margin limits, but many cattle and pork producers have low eligible expenses,
Trade woes prompt ministerial discussion
Bibeau speaks to EU counterpart as WTO reports stark trade drop
Trade – or the lack of it – was at the top of the agenda during a June 23 discussion between federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and her European Union counterpart, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Janusz Wojciechowski. According to the federal government, the two discussed the importance of the Canada-EU relationship and reiterated
Opinion: Conservative front-runners both ag supporters
There are, however, important policy distinctions between Peter MacKay and Erin O’Toole
A new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) is expected to be crowned in August. For non-members of the party, this news might be easy to miss. COVID-19-related news has dominated headlines for months and it has been easy to disregard the leadership race that could determine who will be Canada’s next prime
Comment: Canadian food promotions shouldn’t be needed — but they are
Canadians enjoy a secure food system, but still have misgivings
Canadians are realizing in an unprecedented way the value of Canada’s food systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Friends and family are regularly discussing where their food comes from, at least in my circles. The desire to “shop local” has moved out of urban ‘hipsterville’ and into the mainstream, as folks across the country realize the
Two national campaigns launched for food supply chains
Food industry aims to inform consumers as COVID raises interest in food
The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity is launching a new campaign to inform consumers on how the food system works. “It’s Good, Canada” will share personal stories of Canadians working across the food supply chain and provide information about farming, transportation, processing, retail and production on its website, itsgoodcanada.ca. “It’s natural for Canadians to have an interest and
New pilot program for labour welcomed
Some well-established TFWs with solid foundation in Canada will qualify
Federal officials hope a new pilot program will help stabilize ongoing labour issues in certain sectors of the agri-food value chain, while also providing citizenship to some foreign workers. But critics contend more support is needed. “This pilot will help to ensure that farmers and processors have the much-needed skills, experience and labour so we can grow our economy and improve our living
Details on federal food surplus program expected in ‘days’
Ottawa already at work with businesses, minister says
Ottawa — Detailed plans of the federal government’s food buyback program are expected soon, according to Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. Ottawa tabbed $50 million of its COVID-19 response funds for agriculture to buy surplus food from farmers and redistribute it to communities in need. The challenge Bibeau and her federal colleagues are faced with is
No timeline yet set for BRM reforms
Changes put on hold along with ministers' meeting
Ottawa — Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has confirmed any reforms to business risk management (BRM) programs are being delayed. That confirmation came during a wide-ranging media availability Bibeau held Tuesday. In March, Tom Rosser, an assistant deputy minister at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), said the government is looking at a number of options
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
