An Alberta Conservative MP is trying to tackle rural crime by introducing a law that would punish more severely those accused of targeting remote, and vulnerable, people or property. Red Deer-Lacombe MP Blaine Calkins introduced his private member’s bill for first reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday. “Rural Canadians too often don’t feel
Rural, remote crime targeted in Tory MP’s bill
Bill would consider crimes' settings during sentencing
Federal budget plays to mixed reviews from ag groups
Funding for green initiatives, carbon pricing rebate plan hailed
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) says it is “pleased” the 2021 federal budget included some of the recommendations it had made. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s first budget, released April 19, included significant spending to help producers transition to a greener economy and cited agriculture as a foundational pillar of Canada’s future. “CFA will be
Federal budget to offer direct payments to farmers for carbon pricing
Other new 'green growth' funding also on deck
The federal government’s 2021 budget offers up new spending to support farmers combatting climate change through targeted investments — and, in some cases, direct payments. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland released the budget Monday, showing the majority of new spending will take place over three years and be largely focused on “green growth.” “Budget 2021 announces
ASEAN trade pact looms as Canada explores bilateral deals
The smaller deals are seen as building blocks for a larger regional agreement
Canada continues to pursue a multilateral free trade agreement with Southeast Asian nations, and those involved with negotiations say bilateral deals in the region could lead to larger pacts. The pursuit of a free trade deal with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a block of 10 member states, began three years ago but
Agriculture groups share thoughts on WTO reform
Organizations say the WTO remains the best path forward for the country
Meetings held by Canada’s International Trade Committee garnered responses from farm organizations expressing broad support for efforts to continue reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO). The country’s chief negotiator, Steve Verheul, told committee members in early March that even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, “… the multilateral trading system was facing an increasingly challenging environment,
Conservatives’ new climate plan puts price on carbon
New poll ranks carbon tax costs highest among farmers' springtime concerns
Canada’s ag sector is expected to serve as a carbon sink, a renewable fuel source and a beneficiary in the federal Conservative Party’s new climate change plan — which now includes putting a price on carbon. Party leader Erin O’Toole announced the new plan Thursday — after a long campaign of vehemently opposing such policy.
Agriculture, agrifood wish lists pile up ahead of long-delayed budget
Freeland's budget due out Monday afternoon
Agriculture and agrifood sector stakeholders will learn Monday which of their requests make their way out of the pile and into a long-awaited federal budget. Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s 2021 budget is scheduled to be released Monday in the House of Commons, at about 4 p.m. ET. Canadians didn’t get a 2020 budget: it
Opinion: Feds came with cash, Prairies didn’t
The western provinces want to blame the feds for failing to fund, while keeping their own purses closed
The Prairie provinces are being disingenuous in their failure to take responsibility for AgriStability reform talks that floundered largely due to their tight pockets. Yes, the AgriStability saga between Prairie provinces and the federal government continues, despite the two sides agreeing on a major reform. After more than a year of back-and-forth negotiations, provinces agreed
Opinion: Court puts Prairie provinces on carbon spot
The Supreme Court of Canada has given some provincial governments additional incentive to develop their own carbon plans. In a 6-3 split decision on March 25, the high court ruled the 2018 law putting a floor price on carbon emissions is constitutional. Prairie premiers upset with the decision will now have to develop and implement
Whole-farm income insurance program gaining traction
The proposal is sure to be a topic of discussion at intergovernmental meetings later this year
Support for an alternative program to AgriStability continues to gain momentum. Canadian agricultural ministers are continuing to consider replacing AgriStability with a margin-based income protection program as soon as 2023. Complaints of AgriStability being costly and ineffective, particularly on the Prairies, prompted governments in those jurisdictions to explore other options. Talks to reform AgriStability thus
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