Canadians will officially hit the polls this October. “A few moments ago, I met her excellency the governor general who accepted my request to dissolve parliament. Canadians will head to the polls on October 21,” says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The PM is seeking his second term as Canada’s leader. The Liberal Party of Canada’s… Read More
Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr has put out a statement in regards to the government’s talks with China over blocked canola exports. Earlier this year, China revoked the export license of a major Canadian canola company citing various pests were found in the product. Later, a second company was hit with the same… Read More
Canada’s relationship with China is complicated — it involves extradition, unlawful retribution arrests, non-tariff barriers, fake CFIA documents, and a spying telecom company. In the months since the recall of former Canadian ambassador to China John McCallum, the agriculture industry has been waiting very impatiently for a new ambassador. Agriculture’s hope has been that a… Read More
Just over seven months since Canada’s ambassador to China John McCallum was fired from his duties, the federal government has appointed a new ambassador. “I am pleased to announce Dominic Barton as Canada’s Ambassador to China,” says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “His years of experience in Asia, and the significant global economics expertise he has… Read More
What do Chinese government leaders think of Canada? Can our government correct a policy course that has put Canadian agricultural exports on the ropes and knocked canola and meat out of the globe’s most lucrative economy? Earlier this week, RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney put these questions to Charles Burton, senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier… Read More
The fury and confusion hasn’t quite settled, following the USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report released this week. “(It) doesn’t make any sense, and I think probably 98 per cent of the people, and market analysts, farmers, grain buyers, etc. all thought the exact same thing — probably actually 99.8 per cent,”… Read More
As residents of Manitoba gear up for both a provincial election slated for September and the federal election some time in October, the Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) have highlighted priority areas its members will be keeping a close eye on. “Manitoba’s 6,500 beef producers play a critical role in the local and national economy, creating… Read More
The official leader of the opposition Andrew Scheer was in Saskatoon, Sask., last week and gave a speech to both the Saskatoon chamber of commerce and at the annual general meeting of the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC). While at the DFC meeting, the topic of the new NAFTA/USMCA was brought up. Scheer tells RealAgriculture… Read More
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food along with the Minister of International Trade Diversification met with leaders of various Canadian pork and meat organizations earlier this week to discuss the latest in trade woes with China. “We are working closely with farmers, industry, provinces and exporters to restore market access to China as quickly as… Read More
Just days before the G20 Osaka Summit is set to take place, China has banned all Canadian meat exports. According to the Chinese Embassy in Canada, the investigation into last week’s Ractopamine findings “revealed that the official veterinary health certificates attached to the batch of pork exported to China were counterfeit” and reflects “obvious safety… Read More
As the Canadian government continues to look outside of China for exports, Export Development Canada (EDC) has announced an additional $150 million to its insurance for Canadian canola exporters. According to a news release, the added money will help exporters manage the risks and uncertainties that come with exploring new markets. “As Canada’s export credit… Read More
Grain Farmers of Ontario is asking federal political parties to consider both domestic and international market challenges ahead of the expected fall election. Grain Farmers of Ontario represents 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. Grain farming in Ontario accounts for approximately 40,000 jobs in the province and contributes at least $9 billion in… Read More
What do Canadians think of our agriculture and agri-food industry as the calendar closes in on a federal election later this year? A new poll published this week by Grassroots Public Affairs offers insight into Canadian public opinion on a range of agricultural issues and policies. Overall, Grassroots principal and senior consultant Peter Seemann says… Read More
Citing the government’s commitment to Canadian farmers and farm families, Minister of International Trade Diversification, Jim Carr, is headed to South Korea and Japan. The trade mission will also include Jeremy Harrison, trade and export development minister for Saskatchewan, along with Tanya Fir, trade and tourism minister for Alberta. “This trade mission to Japan and… Read More
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed Vice President Mike Pence to Ottawa today. This was the first time the Pence has been in the nation’s capital, and the country, with his current title. During time with the media, the prime minister told reporters, “millions of families on both sides of the border depend on the Canada-U.S…. Read More