The federal government has unveiled the draft regulations for its Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System, which is designed to facilitate the generation and trade of credits for projects and practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “The development of the Federal Greenhouse Gas Offset System will mean farmers can be recognized and rewarded for reducing greenhouse-gas… Read More
David MacNaughton, who served as Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S from 2016 to 2019, says that while the Canada-U.S. leadership relationship is much improved under President Joe Biden, Canada still needs to proceed with caution. Yes, President Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have kicked off their relationship with friendly words of warmth and a… Read More
It appears the Biden and Trudeau governments are seeing many issues through a similar lense so far, especially when it comes to fighting climate change, enabling diversity, and a belief in science. Tuesday morning, Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food Marie-Claude Bibeau and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack met virtually, to discuss the importance of the… Read More
Nearly a dozen agricultural commodity groups are joining shippers from other industries in calling on the federal labour minister to step in to prevent a looming strike at the Port of Montreal later this month. After going on a 12-day strike in August 2020, a truce between 1,125 workers with the Longshoremen’s Union CUPE Local… Read More
A national coalition of industry-wide farm organizations have launched the Agriculture Carbon Alliance (ACA). The goal of the alliance is to ensure that “Canadian farmers’ sustainable practices are recognized through a policy environment that maintains their competitiveness, supports their livelihoods, and leverages their critical role as stewards of the land,” the organization says. As of March… Read More
Swirling around in the news lately is the Canada Grain Act review, and while it’s not the sexiest subject in the realm of ag these days, it’s still incredibly important. We’re going to make it interesting for you, we promise. Our host Shaun Haney’s on for today’s Freestyle Friday LIVE! and he’s got the docket… Read More
Last month, the federal government announced it was launching consultations for a full review of the Canada Grain Act. Producers, grain companies, exporters, and all points of the value chain will have a chance to have their say on what they think should be changed in the act. Brett Halstead, chair of the Saskatchewan Wheat… Read More
A Conservative MP’s private member’s bill that aims to exempt propane and natural gas used on farms from the federal carbon tax was approved at second reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday night. MPs from the Conservative, New Democrat, Bloc and Green parties voted in favour of Ontario MP Philip Lawrence’s Bill C-206,… Read More
What goes on behind the doors of a lobbyist’s office? What even is a lobbyist and what can they achieve for agriculture? Our guest today is Dave Carey, vice president, government and industry relations of Canadian Canola Growers Association, who’s just been named part of the Top 100 Lobbyists in Canada by The Hill Times…. Read More
One of the silver linings of COVID-19 is that it has shone a spotlight on Canadian farms and food production, says the federal agriculture minister. Marie-Claude Bibeau joined Shaun Haney for Canada’s Agriculture Day to highlight the event and discuss several key agriculture policy files. Bibeau also delivered the opening remarks at Agriculture More Than… Read More
Sitting on multiple boards during a lifetime is an invaluable experience. Having dedicated board members involved in policy and agriculture commissions can spark real change for agriculture in Canada. Jeff Nielsen spent time as a director of the Alberta Barley Commission, and as the chair — through the position’s various names — of Grain Growers… Read More
The Western Canadian grain trade, with the support of the Prairie provinces, is launching a campaign to push for changes to “outdated and problematic” federal rules around the oversight of Canada’s ports, mainly driven by cost increases at the Port of Vancouver over the last few years. The Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA) says its… Read More
Grain companies have laid out their priorities for the current review of the Canada Grain Act, with consultations underway until April 30. There have been multiple attempts to update the Act going back to the early 2000s, but they’ve all been derailed before reaching the point where the legislation was changed. As Wade Sobkowich, executive… Read More
Everyone has a different motivation to get involved in agricultural policy — sometimes family is an influence, other times it’s the drive to advocate on behalf of a certain commodity. Essex, Ont., farmer Brendan Byrne was elected at the beginning of February to the position of chair for Grain Farmers of Ontario. Before being appointed,… Read More
Sometimes when you find yourself waiting in line at the elevator you get grouchy. Sometimes though, you find yourself leveraging that grouchiness into a role in shaping agricultural policy. Devon Walker runs a grain farm near Lashburn, Sask., with his wife and their three girls, and just recently transitioned to the full management of the… Read More
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