Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) walked off the job Tuesday, November 19, to begin a strike protesting what the union calls unsafe working conditions. Negotiations between CN Rain and the union have been on-going for the past seven months with federal mediators being used in the past five months. The 72-hour strike… Read More
We have a Liberal minority government in Canada, and that’s what we’re focusing on today, with a brief explanation on one that means, and analysis from different ag sectors. On today’s show, we’ll hear the top ag news from RealAgriculture’s Jessika Guse, then, on the outcome of the election: Fawn Jackson of Canadian Cattlemen’s Association;… Read More
First, did you watch the Ag Leaders Debate last night? What were your thoughts? Email, tweet, or give us a shout (info below)! After host Shaun Haney’s update on some listener feedback, you’ll hear: The top ag news, with RealAgriculture’s news lead Jessika Guse; Climate change, ag talking points, and mainstream contradictions, with Jeff Nielsen,… Read More
Canada’s 11,000 dairy farmers are getting a pay out from the government over trade deal concessions, and America’s farmers have seen not one, but two government payments — but what about Canada’s 100,000 export dependent farmers impacted by global trade disruptions? The AGgrowth Coalition, an umbrella group representing export-dependent farmers, is calling on the federal… Read More
$15 billion in aid. That’s the amount the U.S. government announced on Monday for its producers through the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) as compensation for lost income stemming from the country’s trade war with China. This is not the first, but the second round of aid given, as a trade agreement eludes U.S. President Trump… Read More
In a move designed to “streamline decision making and empower the advocacy committees to build consensus and develop policy positions,” the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) has revamped its structure from a president, vice-president, and executive committee to a chair, vice-chair, and board member organization. Jeff Nielsen, of the Alberta Barley Commission, was elected chair,… Read More
The RealAg Radio duo, Shaun Haney, and co-host, Lyndsey Smith can be found at the Grow Canada Conference at Ottawa, Ontario this week. Today’s show is sponsored by Fortenza seed treatment, powered by Syngenta. Today’s guests include: Pierre Petelle, president and CEO of CropLife Canada Jeff Nielsen, Grain Growers of Canada newly minted chair Jonathan… Read More
From the emails sent to RealAgriculture, so far farm groups have not been very supportive of the new federal carbon tax policy. The plan, released on Tuesday, indicates farmers will be exempt from the fuel tax which goes into effect April of next year. It calculates to about four cents more at the pump, and… Read More
Several provincial and national farm groups say they are disappointed with the Canadian Grain Commission’s plan for dealing with its $130 million surplus, and that it underscores the need to update the federal agency’s mandate. The surplus has accumulated through user fees charged for grain inspection and other services — costs that were ultimately passed… Read More
Farm and grain industry groups are giving a big thumbs-up to the federal government for finally passing Bill C-49. The Transportation Modernization Act received royal assent on Wednesday, after gaining final approval from the Senate late Tuesday. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay will be joined by grain industry stakeholders at a Richardson elevator just north of Winnipeg… Read More
The scoop: Transport Minister Marc Garneau has decided to accept the Senate’s main grain-related amendments to Bill C-49 — the government’s long-awaited transportation legislation. Farm groups are applauding the minister’s decision, while urging MPs and Senators to agree on the amendments and to pass the bill before the summer break. The story: Farm groups are… Read More
Whether the government brings forward small business tax change legislation, the U.S. closes the border to Canadian cattle, or a bill (i.e. C-49) ends up locked in the Senate and going nowhere fast, our industry associations and member-based organizations lobby for change on behalf of farmers. According to Wikipedia, lobbying is defined as: the act of attempting… Read More
As the volume of grain backed up on farms in Western Canada grows, proposed transportation legislation that could help grain shippers address poor rail service remains stalled in the Senate. As it’s written right now, Bill C-49 — originally introduced in the House of Commons last spring — would give grain shippers the right to… Read More
With Australia and Japan saying they want to finalize the deal by March, Canadian agriculture groups are reiterating the importance of Canada participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (now officially known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership or CPTPP.) There have been serious questions about Canada’s participation in the Pacific trade deal after Prime Minister… Read More
The Grain Growers of Canada chose today, the inaugural Canada’s Agriculture Day, to launch its new logo and to unveil a completely re-designed website. The Grain Growers of Canada represents 50,000 active grain, oilseed and pulse producers through its 12 provincial and regional grower groups. Its mission and mandate are to pursue a policy environment that… Read More