Demand is very strong for several products, including food.

Comment: The ‘COVID tax’ at the grocery store

Food inflation is a likely ballot box issue this election, but there are policy roots

The ballot booth question will likely differ depending on what you really care about. But since everyone eats and most try to manage a limited food budget, the most important electoral issue will likely be inflation. Or at least it should be. Everything is costing more, including food. And the worst is yet to come,

COVID-19 and Elections Canada related signs seen inside Edmonton Expo Center in Edmonton, Alta.

Comment: Your voice matters this election – let it be heard

Vote. This is your chance to ensure agriculture’s voice is heard in government

Political campaigners have an adage, “public policy is set by those who show up.” We are in the middle of a federal election and now is the best time for individual producers to influence policy. Now is the time for you to actively participate in the political process and let your voice be heard, and


Comment: Is it worth voting Conservative again?

ELECTION | There are perils in being seen as a too-reliable voting bloc

Producers on the Prairies are expected to once again support the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC). Polling suggests the CPC vote share could be on the rise, and there is a chance the party sweeps all the seats in Saskatchewan again – this time with a higher share of the vote than in 2019. We’ve

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Dave Epp, Yves Perron and Alistair MacGregor laid out their parties’ positions in an agriculture leaders’ debate on Sept. 9, 2021. (Video screengrab from Canadian Federation of Agriculture via YouTube)

Federal support for farmers focus of ag leaders’ debate

AgriStability, carbon levy exemptions, supply management among topics

An agricultural debate ahead of the federal election gave representatives from political parties an opportunity to pitch their ideas to producers, resulting in debate over how best to support farmers. Thursday evening’s debate, hosted by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, had plenty of discussion about climate change and how best to support producers in a


Nova Scotia Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow. (PCPartyNS.ca)

Rookie Nova Scotia MLA named agriculture minister

Greg Morrow sworn in Tuesday

A radio news director from eastern Nova Scotia has been tapped as the provincial agriculture minister for incoming Premier Tim Houston’s Progressive Conservatives. Greg Morrow, the new MLA for Guysborough-Tracadie, was sworn in Tuesday along with the other members of Houston’s 19-member cabinet. Houston’s Tories ousted Iain Rankin’s Liberal government in the Aug. 17 provincial

Canada's 44th federal election will be held on Monday, Sept. 20.

Agriculture recognition election goal

Sectoral leaders say industry will do its best to push its issues onto the agenda

If agriculture garners attention during the 2021 election campaign, it will likely be as part of a larger discussion as candidates duke it out over climate change, an emerging green economy and post-pandemic recovery. That’s the perception of a number of observers in the province’s agriculture sector who recently spoke to the Co-operator. Why it matters:


John Lohr. (PCPartyns.ca)

Nova Scotia Tories’ ag critic returns as party wins election

PCs oust incumbent Liberals, form majority

The agriculture critic for Nova Scotia’s opposition Progressive Conservatives is set to return to the legislature, this time as part of a majority government, following Tuesday’s provincial election. As of about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Tim Houston’s PCs were elected or leading in 31 of 55 ridings, followed by Iain Rankin’s incumbent Liberals with 17 and

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walks to the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, 2018. If an election is called, the federal Liberals will look to turn its perceived support into a stronger mandate.

Opinion: As an election looms

It’s looking like a fall election is increasingly likely, but it will only come when the government triggers it

There’s a sense of excitement, and dread, in Ottawa as an election sits on the horizon.  We don’t know when an election is coming, but politicians and staffers are preparing to hit the campaign trail.   Here is what is clear now.   First, Parliament is scheduled to resume sitting Sept. 20. The minority Liberals survived the most recent session without


Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves a news conference at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa on June 25, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Blair Gable)

Parliament rises as farm succession bill passes

Manitoba MP's private member's bill clears Senate

With the possibility of a fall election looming, MPs rose from the House of Commons on Wednesday, marking the end to a parliamentary session featuring a handful of laws impacting agriculture. Brandon-Souris MP Larry Maguire saw his private member’s bill, aimed at lowering taxes on the sales of farms and other small businesses, pass in

Comment: The bold choice

The front-runner for U.S. agriculture secretary would be a break with tradition

It’s a challenge to find one person with the combined skills of a farmer, rancher, forester, food aid administrator, tribal leader, attorney, economist, conservationist, miner, insurance expert, food scientist, and finance specialist to fill the about-to-open job of the secretary of agriculture. In fact, that person — described, in part, by the titles of the