In the pre-election speculation that is the oxygen of Parliament Hill these days, Reform Party prospects routinely are discounted. Dreams of expanding the party beyond its western base are seen as fanciful.Letters to the editor letters Rail service To the Editor: The agitators had their wish and couldn’t rest until we got rid of the […] Read more
Stories by Barry Wilson
Early election call may delay CWB reform
The growing likelihood of a June federal election throws into serious doubt whether the Liberal government will be able to make good on its promise to reform the Canadian Wheat Board this year. It is a simple matter of timing. An election on June 2 or June 9, as Liberal insiders are speculating, would have […] Read more
Farmers insulated from labor strife
Federal legislation guaranteeing that export grain will flow through west coast ports even if a labor dispute is blocking movement of other commodities could win House of Commons approval as early as this week. It will then go to the Senate for final debate and approval before an expected spring or autumn election. However, critics […] Read more
Coarse grain price to take 10 percent dip
Prices for coarse grains will fall about 10 percent from last year, following corn prices in the United States. The head of the market analysis department at Agriculture Canada told last week’s Grain World conference here he expects global supplies and consumption to rise this year. “One of the big uncertainties will be the relationships […] Read more
Farmers want ChrŽtien to get tough with U.S.
Canadian farm leaders are asking prime minister Jean ChrŽtien to take a blunt trade message to the American White House next month: honor the free trade agreement and quit trying to bully Canadian traders. ChrŽtien travels to Washington in April to meet president Bill Clinton. The farm lobby says it is time the Americans were […] Read more
Feds’ pesticide review agency gets more heat
A federal government spokesperson last week continued to defend the record of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency in the face of growing complaints from Liberal and opposition MPs. Critics should read the PMRA’s defence of itself, Toronto-area MP Joseph Volpe told fellow Ontario Liberal Rose-Marie Ur March 5. “I think they will find it to […] Read more
Reform says endangered species is election issue
Alberta Reform MP Leon Benoit figures the Liberals have a political tiger by the tail as they try to push endangered species legislation through Parliament in an election year. “We will fight this bill as it is,” Benoit said last week. “This is building in the countryside. Cattlemen and landowners just don’t think it’s fair.” […] Read more
Only formalities left for new food inspection agency
& Courtney Tower Freelance writer news With some misgivings, the Senate last week approved legislation that will allow the April 1 launch of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The formality of proclaiming the legislation into effect will take place this week or next. Once functioning, the agency will gather together more than 4,000 employees who […] Read more
Air time gets split among political parties
When the next election campaign begins, each political party will be allowed to purchase a limited number of broadcast minutes for advertising. Under the Canada Elections Act, total air time available for purchase is 390 minutes from each broadcaster. This year, the parties could not agree so two weeks ago, an arbitrator appointed by the […] Read more
OTTAWA NOTEBOOK
Canadian farmers received a record $28.3 billion last year in farm cash receipts, Statistics Canada has reported. The big gains came in wheat, barley, corn and hogs with receipts from hog sales showing the greatest jump – up 31 percent to $2.95 billion. Wheat receipts were up 24 percent on the year to $3.48 billion, […] Read more
