The first phase of a trade deal between China and the U.S. has been agreed upon by both parties. United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer says U.S. President Donald Trump has “focused on concluding a Phase One agreement that achieves meaningful, fully-enforceable structural changes and begins rebalancing the U.S.-China trade relationship.” As part of… Read More
With U.S. Democrats agreeing to changes on the USMCA, there is now a path for the agreement to seek ratification in all three countries. After the deal was announced, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food Marie Claude Bibeau and USDA Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue spoke about the agreement on the phone, with Bibeau later taking… Read More
Federal ministers have received their marching orders from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the 43rd Parliament. For minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Marie-Claude Bibeau, those orders include several initiatives focused on trade, economic development, tax treatment of farm succession, food waste, and water quality. The mandate letter lays out what Trudeau’s government prioritizes… Read More
Shovels will hit the ground in early 2020, pending final regulatory approvals, to build two new grain elevators for G3. The first, located at Vermilion, Alta., will have a capacity of 34,000 tonnes and will be located on the CN Rail line. The second elevator, located at Swift Current, Sask., will have capacity of 42,000… Read More
Andrew Scheer has announced his resignation as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Scheer made the announcement in the House of Commons December 12, 2019. The news isn’t a shock to many, as the leader lost the latest election to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; however, Scheer did vow less than three weeks ago to retain… Read More
Full details are still in the works, but it appears that the cattle industry — dairy included — will get a two-year delay on enforcement of new transport regulations set to come into force in early February. The federal minister of agriculture, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced at a parliamentary reception this week that the grace period… Read More
Less than three weeks before Christmas, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry have laid off staff. A total of 22 managers from a variety of programs were given the option to opt out and receive severance. Another 20 managers have received working notice. “Alberta has a spending problem, and tough decisions need to be made to chart… Read More
Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America have signed off on the final details of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The overall revamping of the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement was accomplished at the end of September, 2018, and negotiators have been on the file ever since to move the agreement closer to… Read More
With the new year just around the corner, Canada’s Farm Progress Show has announced some key changes for the 2020 show. First off, there’s a new name — Canada’s Farm Show. “We have been working hard with the advisory committee behind the scenes to build a new direction for the show,” says Tim Reid, president… Read More
As the 43rd session of parliament opened Dec 5th, the Governor General laid out the government’s priorities going forward. This year’s throne speech was titled “Moving Forward Together,” and key priorities outlined were: fighting climate change, strengthening the middle class, walking the road of reconciliation, keeping Canadians safe and healthy, and positioning Canada for success… Read More
The Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) will be bringing on Dave Carey as its new vice-president of government & industry relations. Carey will be responsible for managing relationships with government and industry stakeholders, as well as advocating on issues, programs, and policies that “enhance the success of Canadian canola farmers,” according to a press release…. Read More
For the month of November, Canadian Pacific (CP) moved more grain and grain products than any other month in its history. The company delivered 2.74 million metric tonnes (MMT) during November, beating the October 2019 all-time record of 2.66 MMT. “CP achieved great things last month for the Canadian grain supply chain in close collaboration… Read More
A new study shows the average Canadian family will pay $487 more on food in 2020. Canada’s Food Price Report was released this week by the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute (AFI) in collaboration with Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab. The forecast shows the average Canadian household total grocery bill will rise to $12,667…. Read More
The Alberta government has introduced its new police funding model that will increase the amount of RCMP officer and civilian positions. The Provincial Police Service Agreement (PPSA) will be a cost-sharing initiative between both the federal and provincial governments along with the addition of small and rural communities beginning to pay a portion of the… Read More
AgScape, Ontario’s branch of Agriculture in the Classroom-Canada, is hoping other farmers will be like Jim McMillan and consider its organization when it comes to their next charitable donation. Launched this week is this Fill the Shoes of Tomorrow’s Agriculture Leaders campaign aimed to raise money for the development and delivery of hands-on programs to help kids… Read More