In a move most knew was on the way, American President Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs on $200 billion more of Chinese goods as of next Monday. A news release says he’s imposing the new tariffs, “to protect the interest of working men and women, farmers, ranchers, businesses, and our country itself.” Announced September… Read more »
Category: Politics
Trade minister says CPTPP will be among first things House debates
Federal Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr was in Saskatoon last week for the federal Liberal caucus meeting. Carr and Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, took the opportunity to address the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce in what was billed as a ‘fireside chat’. The discussion focussed mostly on the programs available to… Read more »
As harvest rolls, farmers hope communication will lead to better railway performance
The federal Liberal caucus met in Saskatoon, Sask. this week, providing the opportunity to host a hastily-called roundtable on grain transportation. The roundtable included government representatives, farmers, shippers, and railway executives. The purpose of the meeting, according to a government news release, was to provide “participants with an opportunity to share information, to address challenges,… Read more »
Saskatchewan shutting down livestock loan guarantee program
The Saskatchewan government has confirmed it will be shutting down its Livestock Loan Guarantee (LLG) program. The province cites a continued decline in participation as the reason why they made the decision. The program started back in 1984. As there’s more access to lending options these days, producers expressed confidence to the government that the… Read more »
Divided: New poll shines light on what Canadians think about supply management
37 per cent of Canadians want to end the supply management system and compensate farmers in order to secure a trade deal with the U.S., suggests one of the latest Angus Reid Institute (ARI) polls. On the flip side, 34 per cent of people surveyed say they stand firm on the system and trade-related restrictions… Read more »
Canada’s NAFTA hopes now rest with America’s congress
As the saying goes, what goes around comes around, and never has that been so true perhaps than with politics and current trade talks. Early in the NAFTA 2.0 negotiations the Team Canada approach was to penetrate the U.S. political system at all levels with its NAFTA lobbying. Whether it was governors, U.S. senators, or… Read more »
MacAulay announces $8.3 million for organic research
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay kicked off the second leg of his “Growing Canadian Agriculture” tour today in Mara, B.C. by meeting with organic farmers. MacAulay announced an $8.3 million commitment to the Organic Federation of Canada at his first stop. The organic research cluster, which will receive an additional $4.4 million in industry contributions, will focus… Read more »
Minister MacAulay heading out for second leg of national tour
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay is headed out on the second leg of his “Growing Canadian Agriculture” tour, starting in B.C. on Friday. The minister says the tour is an opportunity for him to see and hear firsthand the innovative work being done within the agricultural sector in Canada. “I’m looking forward to head out… Read more »
No big changes expected on supply management at Conservative convention
Update: Citing the Conservative Party of Canada’s support for supply management as one of his reasons, Maxime Bernier announced on Thursday afternoon that he has left the party with the intention of starting a new federal conservative party. Delegates are arriving in Halifax for the Conservative Party of Canada’s policy convention where there will be… Read more »
Farm kid turned Saskatchewan’s new agriculture minister
David Marit is no stranger to agriculture, having grown up and lived on the farm his entire life. Marit recently took over the position of Minister of Agriculture for Saskatchewan, after the unfortunate news that Lyle Stewart had to step down due to cancer treatment. “They’re massive shoes to fill,” Marit says. “The best advice… Read more »
MacAulay in South America: trade, market opportunities, and a G20 meeting
Although most people travel to Buenos Aires in the winter time, that’s where Canada’s minister of Agriculture and Agri-food is this week as he takes in the G20 agriculture ministerial meeting. Minister Lawrence MacAulay will join a large contingent of other agricultural ministers from Argentina, the U.S., Germany, Australia, and Japan. Senior officials from guest… Read more »
Tight steel supplies, added tariffs may drive up ag equipment prices
As steel and aluminum tariffs continue to loom in Canada from the United States, many in the ag industry wonder how the high prices will impact the cost of machinery in the future. President of Hi-Tec Profiles, Trent Meyer, says the cost of steel was already on the rise prior to President Donald Trump imposing… Read more »
Corn School: Ethanol powers the Honda Indy
Why is ethanol important to agriculture, the environment, and consumers? On this episode of the Corn School, RealAgriculture’s Bernard Tobin travels to the Honda Indy in Toronto for a firsthand look at how Ontario grain farmers are reaching out to consumers to increase understanding of biofuels and the role farmers play in powering cars in the… Read more »
MacAulay retains ag post in pre-election cabinet shuffle
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled the cabinet that will likely carry the reigning Liberal Party into the 2019 federal election. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay, who is in Vancouver for the annual federal-provincial ag ministers’ meeting, remains in his post following the shuffle. Rumours ahead of the announced changes were that MacAulay might… Read more »
KAP president steps down to seek federal Conservative nomination
The president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) has resigned his post to seek a nomination for the Conservative Party of Canada. Dan Mazier informed the board of directors for the general farm organization in Manitoba about his decision on Friday. He is seeking the Tory nomination in his home riding of Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa. Current MP… Read more »