U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

COP26: Nations make new pledges to cut methane, save forests at climate summit

Dozens of countries join U.S.-led methane reduction effort, over 100 leaders pledge to halt deforestation by 2030

Reuters – Leaders at the COP26 climate conference have pledged to stop deforestation by the end of the decade and cut emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane to help slow climate change. In the early days of the two-week summit in Glasgow, Scotland, wealthy nations took some overdue actions to provide long-promised financial help

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomes Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie- Claude Bibeau into his cabinet on October 26.

Ag leaders say Bibeau reappointment means continuity in portfolio

Strong advocate on risk management, markets, and the environment needed, groups say

Manitoba ag organizations say they’re looking for support in business risk management, environmental stewardship and market access from freshly reappointed federal Ag Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. “We are definitely pleased to see that she’s reappointed. We can really continue where we left off,” said Carson Callum, general manager for Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP). Particularly because federal


After denying he had a drinking problem, Devin Dreeshen drew more criticism for posting this picture on social media. Critics said perching his iPad on a drinks cooler wasn’t amusing and others pointed to what appears to be a wine bottle under the desk on the right-hand side of the photo. Dreeshen resigned as ag minister Nov. 5.  Photo: Twitter

Alberta ag minister resigns among allegations of heavy drinking

Admitting he has a problem with alcohol, Devin Dreeshen resigned as Alberta’s minister of agriculture and forestry this morning. He has been replaced by Drumheller-Stettler MLA Nate Horner. “This morning, I offered Premier Jason Kenney my resignation as minister of agriculture and forestry and he has accepted,” Dreeshen said on Twitter on Nov. 5. “I

Protectionism and isolation are seeing a resurgence and the federal government needs to push back.

Comment: We need trade agreements that work

A top priority of the incoming government should be ensuring trade deals are respected

We have had an election and now government priorities are being set and ministers who will implement the plan are being selected. What would you tell them if you had the chance? The pork sector is hoping that policy-makers are focusing on securing international access for our products. Trade is critically important to Manitoba’s hog


Security wear face masks at the Greeley, Colorado, JBS USA meat packing plant where two staff members had died of COVID-19, April 8, 2020.   Photo: REUTERS/Jim Urquhart/File Photo

Coronavirus infections at U.S. meat plants far higher than previous estimates, House subcommittee hears

Cases and deaths from COVID-19 among workers at the leading U.S. meatpacking plants were three times as high as previously estimated, according to a report by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis seen by Reuters. The subcommittee surveyed major meatpackers Tyson Foods, JBS USA, Cargill, National Beef , and Smithfield Foods, which together control over 80 percent

The World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland on Oct. 28, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Denis Balibouse)

U.S. committed to WTO and wants it to succeed

Key Biden appointee says U.S. wants to see trade pact work

Reuters – Top U.S. trade negotiator Katherine Tai has affirmed the Biden administration’s commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO), saying consensus was possible on several trade and health proposals at a major meeting next month. The 25-year-old global trade body is facing questions about its relevance and director general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is under pressure to deliver quick reforms and clinch



The urban-rural divide in support for Canada’s major parties has been around for generations, but has dramatically intensified over the past 25 years.

Comment: The great societal divide

Canada’s split into two distinct political tribes, the rural and urban

After all the ballots were counted in the recent Canadian federal election, was anyone surprised that Gudie Hutchings, incumbent Liberal MP in the district of Long Range Mountains, Newfoundland and Labrador, had been re-elected? After all, western Newfoundland has been a Liberal stronghold since the days of Joey Smallwood. Nevertheless, Hutchings has become something of


Montecitorio, house of italian parliament, Rome. Italy.  Photo: masterlu/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Italy vetoes sale of seed producer to Chinese-owned Syngenta

Rome | Reuters – Italy has prevented Chinese-owned group Syngenta from buying vegetable seed producer Verisem, government officials said, underscoring Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s commitment to shield key assets from unwanted foreign bids. The decision, made at a cabinet meeting on Oct. 19 but not yet made public, marks the first time Italy has vetoed

“We do not want to take any options off the table..."

China may not change

U.S. officials say future moves will be tailored to Beijing’s actions

Reuters – U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai is seeking new talks with China over its failure to keep promises made in a “Phase 1” trade deal struck with former president Donald Trump. She will not pursue “Phase 2” negotiations over Beijing’s state subsidies and other structural issues. Senior Biden administration officials said Tai will pursue