Proposed Internet Cuts Spark Rural Outcry

“You don’t have access to do much business.” IAN WISHART, KAP Last week’s public outcry over a move to cut a federal program linking rural Canadians with the Internet may speak volumes about Internet service outside urban centres. The opposition to the government’s plan suggests Internet service in rural Canada isn’t nearly as good as

Coalition Attacks Prison Farm Closures

Acampaign against the closing of Canada’s prison farms could signal a new opposition aggressiveness against the Conservative government’s anti-crime agenda when Parliament reconvenes next month. Speakers at a panel discussion last week slammed Ottawa’s plan to shut down Correction Canada’s six prison farms, including the Rockwood Institution at Stony Mountain Penitentiary. The closures reflect the


KAP Refuses To Sanction Ag Ministers

Discontent with federal and provincial agriculture ministers failed to translate into policy at Keystone Agricultural Producers annual meeting last week. Delegates defeated two separate resolutions criticizing federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan Struthers. The first accused Ritz of behaving “in a manner, which is less than mature,

Canada Picks Up Wheat Exports To Africa From AWB

The Canadian Wheat Board has picked up some wheat export sales to Africa from AWB Ltd., because the former Australian Wheat Board can no longer guarantee supply, CWB chief executive Ian White said Jan. 28. “Some customers in Africa who used to get 100 per cent of their supply from the Australian Wheat Board have

Gun bill hasn’t died

I would like to put to rest any suggestion that my private member’s bill to end the long-gun registry ended with the government’s action to prorogue Parliament. I am pleased to inform you that Alex Binkley’s reports of the death of Bill C-391, which would repeal the long-gun registry, are highly exaggerated. In his Jan.


Canada Sees Ratifying Colombia Trade Deal

The Canadian government hopes to have Parliament ratify its free trade agreement with Colombia shortly after it resumes sitting on March 3, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said Jan. 21. The two countries negotiated the trade deal last spring, but it did not pass through Canada’s Parliament before the Conservative government suspended it last month until

FCWB Defends Wheat Board Against Ottawa In Court

“We’re saying a minister should not be able to change or override the regulations and the voting procedures of the Canadian Wheat Board just through a simple letter of instruction and a secret one at that.” – STEWART WELLS Allegations that Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz exceeded his authority by instructing the Canadian Wheat Board to

CashPlus Controversy Has Little Traction

Alittle over two years ago, the Canadian Wheat Board came up with a program called CashPlus for malting barley sales. Depending on who you listen to, it’s either been an absolute failure or a tremendous success. CashPlus was initiated at a time when the Conservative government was doing everything in its power to end the


Grant Welcomed But Core Funding Needed

“We need an operating budget. We have a small one.” – DAVE KOSLOWSKY, KILLARNEY FARMER AND FMAM SPOKESPERSON The province is kicking in $45,000 to help upgrade farmers’ markets and make sites more enticing places to visit. The funding follows the announcement of a fed-e ral initiative grant in November of $450,000 for the Farmers’

Carbon Emission Agreements Worry Cattle Producers

“You want to be harmonized.” – JOHN MASSWOHL, CCA Canada’s cattle producers are waiting nervously to see how international agreements on reducing greenhouse gas emissions will affect their industry. The immediate concern is about what will emerge from the United Nation’s world conference currently underway in Copenhagen. Nearly 200 nations are working toward a political