By Dr. Sylvain Charlebois With the SNC Lavalin debacle and the subsequent resignation of Liberal politicians, here’s the score so far: two cabinet ministers, one MP, two senior bureaucrats, including the Clerk of the Privy Council Office, and it’s probably not over. The SNC Lavalin case refuses to go away and has been garnering global media… Read More
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last visited Winnipeg, Man., about a month ago for a funding announcement. According to his updated itinerary, he’ll be returning to the River City this week alongside Minister of International Trade Diversification, Jim Carr to meet with CEO and president of Richardson International, Curt Vossen. The meeting comes five days after… Read More
The news that China has blocked not just Richardson International’s exported canola, but all Canadian canola seed has sparked outrage among farmers across Canada. “It’s very frustrating to be shut out of our largest market. This is why you need your national organizations and your federal government constantly nurturing these relationships to keep trade functioning,”… Read More
The Canadian government needs to start being honest with itself and farmers. Talking a tougher game would be a great start. China has hijacked the Canadian canola industry. Until someone proves to me otherwise I will continue to say that China’s cancellation of a major grain company’s export license is political. Pretending that this is… Read More
Many questions still remain around why Chinese authorities blocked all canola export shipments from Richardson International about two weeks ago. For quite some time, China has been a major importer of Canadian canola. China’s imports account for roughly 4o per cent of of all Canadian exports of canola seed, oil, and meal. The Canola Council of Canada… Read More
Over the weekend, Members of Parliament held an emergency meeting to discuss the restriction of canola shipments from Richardson International to China. The news of the blocked shipments broke about two weeks ago, and China import officials say the revoked cargo was due to ‘hazardous pests’. Brandon-Souris MP, Larry Maguire says other MPs wanted this emergency… Read More
It was billed as an invitation to celebrate the coming into force of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement For Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as Canadian Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr made the final stop of a cross-Canada tour with trade commissioners from Global Affairs Canada at Saskatoon. The event was meant to convey a… Read More
There are a lot of anxious canola farmers in Canada at the moment – and with good reason. One of the most important export markets for Canadian canola has suspended imports from one of Canada’s largest and most storied grain companies, Richardson International. The most common feeling seems to be that it is just politics… Read More
Richardson International announced in 2018 it had made the decision to withdraw its funding and membership from the Canola Council of Canada. At the time, the withdrawal was not without controversy, and ultimately played a major role in the Canola Council of Canada making some structural changes in late 2018. With this week’s decision by… Read More
A representative from Richardson International says that this week’s revoked export license by China came after several weeks of complaints made by Chinese representatives regarding Canadian shipments of canola. While the complaints may have been made against more than just one company, its Richardson International now without the OK to ship to the economic super… Read More
When news announcers talk about “geo-political uncertainty,” or “bi-lateral trade disputes,” it all seems quite remote from the lives of most people. For Canadian farmers, though, it often hits very close to home because the overwhelming majority of Canadian agricultural production is exported. This is why when news that one of the Canada’s largest agriculture… Read More
Jim Everson, president of the Canola Council of Canada (CCC), says the fundamental strength and importance of Canada’s canola trade with China remains, but the recent finding of “hazardous pests” that has shut down Richardson International’s exports into the country is a “difficult thing” for the entire industry. At this point, the pests of concern… Read More
It has been a tumultuous 48 hours for the Canadian canola industry. After news broke that China had pulled Richardson International’s approval to ship into the country, we learn today via Reuters that now China is claiming that they discovered “hazardous pests” in shipments from Richardsons. If we can all agree that this finding” is… Read More
The Canadian canola industry was dealt a serious blow this week, and as the dust settles, farmers and industry are wondering if this is could be the first volley in a impending trade war. Reuters is reporting China has canceled Richardson International Ltd.’s registration to ship canola to the country. This is according to documents obtained… Read More
We’re talking rotation trade-offs in this edition of Wheat Pete’s Word — and, no, not just because your host Peter Johnson loves him some wheat crop. It’s all about year three benefits when looking at a three or four year rotations vs. two-year alternating crop plans, Johnson says, and the results could be as high… Read More