The administration of cash advances has become a competitive business following legislative changes to the federal government’s cash advance program last year. With the passage of Bill C-18, each producer group that serves as an Advance Payments Program administrator (find a list here) can issue the short-term loans for all 45 crops and livestock types covered in… Read More
Tag: Canadian Canola Growers Association
Back in the winter of 2013-14 when Western Canada’s grain industry was bogged down in a massive rail backlog, the upcoming review of the Canada Transportation Act was viewed as an opportunity to improve the way the rail system moves grain. The review process began in May of 2014 and the final report written by… Read More
The canola industry has been among the most vocal advocates of Canada being part of a possible Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. So what’s in it for canola growers? According to industry estimates, canola exports could grow by $780 million if tariffs on Canadian canola oil and meal were eliminated across the TPP region. For this… Read More
Tucked into the federal rail legislation implemented last year was a requirement that’s supposed to hold grain buyers accountable for delivery dates in contracts with farmers. As of August 1, 2014, licensed grain companies in Western Canada that don’t accept grain during the timeframe defined in a contract are required to pay some sort of penalty to the producer…. Read More
While much of the public conversation has been focused on UPOV ’91 and plant breeders rights, changes are also being made to the federal government’s Advance Payments Program now that Bill C-18 — the Agricultural Growth Act — has become law. The amendments to the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act are supposed to make cash advances… Read More
Believe it or not, there are several opportunities, over many months, to shape a bill that’s presented in parliament. While, yes, hours of work are put into to drafting a bill that may become law, the parliamentary process allows for interested individuals or groups to have their say on what they want to see changed… Read More
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has decided it will not hear the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) Level of Service Complaint originally filed on May 26, 2014. In its decision, which responds to motions to dismiss from both railways, the CTA concluded there was not sufficient evidence to proceed with the complaint, according to a… Read More
The Canadian Canola Growers Association is investing $5 million in agriculture policy research at the University of Saskatchewan. The grower organization has announced a one-time contribution to establish the CCGA Agriculture Policy Chair in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. “Agriculture policy development is a cornerstone of the work we do at CCGA; we believe… Read More
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has announced a Stay of Default for the 2013-14 Advance Payments Program (APP) affecting grain farmers in Western Canada. The Stay extends the current repayment deadline of September 30, 2014 to March 31, 2015 for cash advances issued by the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA). “Many farmers have faced challenges selling… Read More
Bill C-30, the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act, received Royal Assent yesterday, May 29, 2014. The bill was introduced into the House of Commons on March 27 as a means to address level of service issues in Canada’s rail transportation system. The Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act includes amendments to the Canada Transportation… Read More
The Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) announced today that it has filed a Level of Service Complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency, contending that Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway did not fulfill their common carrier obligations for the movement of Western Canadian grains and oilseeds this crop year. “The breakdown of the Western… Read More
Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency released a notice of intent in September 2013 to change label requirements of neonictoinoid seed treatment products used on corn and soybean seed after it was determined that “…current agricultural practices related to the use of neonicotinoid treated corn and soybean seed are not sustainable.” The notice of intent… Read More
Bill C-52, the Fair Rail Freight Service Act, received Royal Assent on June 26, fulfilling the Government’s commitment to bring forward legislation aimed at improving rail service for industries that rely on it to transport their product, including agriculture. The canola industry, like many other crop types, relies on rail service to move large quantities… Read More
As of Monday, March 4, 2013, the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) is accepting cash advance applications for the 2013-14 Advanced Payments Program (APP). “This is the third year that we have accepted applications ahead of the April 1st program start date,” says Rick White, General Manager of CCGA. “By doing so, we provide farmers… Read More
After years of work and consultation, the federal government yesterday announced the Fair Rail Freight Service Act bill which includes an arbitration process when negotiations breakdown between shippers and rail companies and hefty fines levied against railways should they violate agreements. The amendment to the Transportation Act is an important milestone in balancing the commercial… Read More