Canada’s military commitments can signal we’re a good partner to the U.S. Seen here a Canadian Army M777 hotwitzer firing during military exercises in Adazi, Latvia.

More Canadian defence spending, more exports to U.S.

David MacNaughton, Canada’s former U.S. ambassador, isn’t sure Biden will be any less protectionist than Trump

The key to boosting Canadian exports to the U.S. could be more Canadian military spending, says David MacNaughton, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. from 2016 to 2019. “We have to become a better partner on security and defence if we expect to have some type of partnership and some kind of recognition on trade that



COOL refers to laws requiring retailers to identify the country of origin for specific commodities.

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

Many political and farm leaders in rural communities howl about the evils of “big government” and “socialism” even though big government social programs keep their communities from disappearing.

Comment: ‘Why are you giving extreme voices so much attention?’

Taking a break from a long-standing tradition is a sign of the divisive times

Around this time of year, I usually feature comments from readers whose views differ from those found here the previous 50 or so weeks. At least that’s how it has been for at least 25 years. Not this year, however, because I received a reader email Dec. 9 that asked me to stop highlighting these


Photo: iStock

Biden transition team holds talks with biofuel groups -sources

New York | Reuters – U.S. President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team has held calls with biofuel groups on topics including compliance with U.S. biofuel blending laws and Biden’s low-carbon climate vision, according to two sources familiar with the conversations. The discussions with biofuel trade groups as well as POET, a top company in the cellulosic

Rare U.S. soybean cargo unloads at Brazilian port of Paranaguá

Reuters – A ship carrying 30,500 tonnes of U.S. soybeans was unloading its rare cargo on Dec. 4, after getting all regulatory permissions and docking at one of Paranaguá’s berths, according to a spokeswoman for the port authority. Brazil, a net food exporter, sold so much of its soybeans to China, that little was left


Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a news conference on COVID-19 response on Nov. 6, 2020 in Ottawa. (File photo: Reuters/Patrick Doyle)

U.S. border restrictions to last a long time yet, Trudeau says

COVID would need to be 'significantly more under control'

Ottawa | Reuters — Canada will not agree to lifting a ban on non-essential travel with the United States until the coronavirus outbreak is significantly under control around the world, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday. Trudeau’s comments were a clear indication that the border restrictions will last well into 2021. The two neighbours



Comment: Election winds blowing big change in U.S.

In the recent U.S. election, one of the most prominent Dem losers was longtime ag committee chairman Collin Peterson. The race to be the new chair is already underway. The three front-runners — Georgian David Scott, Californian Jim Costa, and Ohioan Marcia Fudge — each represent a different direction. Scott and Fudge are stronger advocates

U.S. tests OK for CFIA chronic wasting disease certification

U.S. tests OK for CFIA chronic wasting disease certification

ELK | The allowance is meant to help producers enrolled in herd certification, but sending their animals to the U.S. for slaughter

elk The allowance is meant to aid producers enrolled in herd certification, but sending their animals to the U.S. for slaughter

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has eliminated one irritating piece of red tape for Canadian-born elk slaughtered in the U.S. Canada’s voluntary Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Herd Certification Program will now accept test results from American labs. Results can now come from labs certified under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health