Despite voting against a bill to exempt certain farm fuels from the carbon tax, the governing federal Liberals say tax relief for grain drying is coming. Conservative MP Philip Lawrence’s private member’s bill C-206, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (qualifying farming fuel), passed second reading in the House of Commons
Grain drying relief moving forward, one way or other
Governing Liberals telegraph plans to introduce their own measure
Manitoba ‘the Silicon Valley of plant-based protein’
Regulatory burdens are holding back the sector's true potential, one industry leader says
The person tasked with opening the world’s largest pea protein facility says Manitoba “can be the Silicon Valley of plant-based proteins” – but regulatory changes are needed. Dominic Baumann, CEO of Roquette Canada, made the bold declaration during a virtual event put on by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) focusing on investment and sustainability
Canada hails new WTO chief
Trade body names first African, and first female, DG
Canada is lending its support to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) choice for its new director general. Ngorzi Okonjo-Iweala was chosen Feb. 15 by WTO members as the international trade body’s new head, making her the first woman and the first African to serve in the role. Mary Ng, Canada’s minister of small business, export
Budget could include new BRM program, ag labour plan
Proposal for 'AgriResilience' program goes to Freeland
A new pre-budget report from the House of Commons’ finance committee is recommending several measures directly related to agriculture — including sought-after tweaks to AgriStability and creation of an entirely new business risk management program. The multipartisan committee heard testimony and received submissions from more than 800 groups and individuals. Mostly-virtual meetings took place in
Advisory council named to steer national Food Policy
Development of Canada’s Food Policy is taking a major step forward with the naming Friday of a new advisory council featuring industry, academic and government members tasked with guiding the policy. Public consultations on a “Food Policy for Canada” started in 2017, leading to the release of a 2018 report from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
PBO estimates cost of expanded carbon tax exemption
Estimates are based on expected consumption over the next half-decade
A report from Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) says the cost of exempting more farm fuels from carbon pricing will cost $235 million over the next five years. Conservative MP Philip Lawrence introduced a private member’s bill in February 2020 that would extend the exemption for qualifying farming fuel to marketable natural gas and propane,
Tim Hortons extends egg quality program
Restaurant chain has been working with egg producer to promote its quality assurance mark
Tim Hortons has extended its Egg Quality Assurance certification program with Egg Farmers of Canada. “We know Canadians value quality ingredients produced right here in Canada, and we are proud to partner with Tim Hortons to strengthen the connection between our farms and their menu items,” said Roger Pelissero, chair of Egg Farmers of Canada
Foreign workers to lose some travel exemptions in March
Temporary foreign workers (TFWs) travelling to Canada won’t need to quarantine in a government-supervised hotel when they get here – for now — but by mid-March, Ottawa will put more stringent measures in place. Starting Feb. 22, non-essential travellers and essential workers arriving in Canada will be tested for COVID-19 upon their arrival. Non-essential travellers
COOL call alarms Canada
New USDA head ‘happy’ to work on WTO-compliant country-of-origin labelling laws
The likely U.S. secretary of agriculture says he’ll be “happy” to again advance country-of-origin labelling (COOL) policies. Tom Vilsack, during his Feb. 2 confirmation hearing of the Senate Agricultural Committee, confirmed he is open to reintroducing COOL laws – if they comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) standards. COOL refers to laws requiring retailers to
CFA seeks continued ag support in next federal budget
Federation also presses for Buy Canadian campaign, processing support
Federal budget consultations are underway, with agricultural groups lobbying the government to support the industry further in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Jan. 25 launched pre-budget consultations and since then, her schedule has involved several meetings with stakeholders. “We want to hear ideas from Canadians, from all walks of
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