As the federal government starts a review of the grain handling and transportation system, prairie provincial governments are warning against the seductive appeal of simple solutions or radical market proposals. They are urging caution when evaluating proposals to move totally away from government regulation to a commercial, market-based system of organizing grain movement. Before abandoning […] Read more
Stories by Barry Wilson
Provinces miffed they weren’t invited
Saskatchewan agriculture minister Eric Upshall says he has no intention of being outside looking in when a review of the grain handling and transportation system starts later this year. And he is angry that prairie agriculture ministers were excluded when federal cabinet ministers met industry players July 25 in Winnipeg to begin planning the review. […] Read more
Winnipeg MP gets ag position
Winnipeg Liberal MP John Harvard figures he will be a prairie point man for Ontario-based agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief. The former CBC reporter and nine-year House of Commons veteran has been appointed parliamentary secretary to the agriculture minister. “I want to be the eyes and ears for the minister, especially here in the West,” Harvard […] Read more
Canada’s female MPs at a record 20 percent
The mid-June day Edmonton lawyer Anne McLellan was named Canada’s justice minister, a reporter pressed prime minister Jean ChrŽtien for an explanation of the appointment. It is a delicate portfolio dealing with gun control in the West, the legality of Quebec separation, a justice department under allegations of incompetence and lingering questions about the performance […] Read more
Farm leaders are fed up with Agriculture Canada
Ears should have been burning last week at Agriculture Canada and its affiliated agencies. As farm leaders gathered in Thunder Bay for the annual summer Canadian Federation of Agriculture meeting, they were scathing in their assessment of the federal department that is supposed to be their window on the government. They seemed in a surly, […] Read more
Grain will move next winter, industry vows
Prairie grain will move to port this winter without a repeat of last year’s traffic snarls, overflowing farmer bins and multi-million dollar demurrage bills, leaders of the grain handling and transportation sector promised last week. Farmers and politicians who heard the promises were prepared to believe them. “There is a high level of confidence that […] Read more
Transportation review sparks talk of radical changes
The federal government and the grain industry have agreed to launch a review of the grain handling system late this year which could revolutionize the system. The industry-led, government supported review will examine virtually all aspects of how grain is handled and moved. It is expected to start late this year, report by next year […] Read more
Liberals promise to dust off unfinished farm legislation
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Liberal government plans to act quickly this autumn to reintroduce a bevy of farmer-affecting legislation it did not get through the last Parliament, agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief promised last week. Among them will be changes to the Canada Labor Code to ensure export grain cannot be held up by third-party […] Read more
CFA sees need for Sask. farm lobby
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The president of Canada’s largest national farmer lobby group says he has been encouraging Saskatchewan farmers to consider creating a new general farm organization. Jack Wilkinson, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, said the province and the farm community would benefit if a new, more-inclusive farmer voice was organized. “In […] Read more
Consumers unaware of food inspection loopholes
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – While Canada’s food supply is generally safe, the inspection system is not as foolproof and comprehensive as many consumers assume, says an executive of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. “The food supply is very safe but there are gaps,” Ron Doering, inspection agency executive vice-president, said last week during a meeting […] Read more
