OTTAWA – The government begins 1997 on the lookout for a new president and chief executive officer for the Farm Credit Corporation. In mid-December, Gerry Penney was unexpectedly dropped as FCC president and CEO. Agriculture minister Ralph Goodale will give no detailed explanation for the decision, other than to say all things must change. He […] Read more
Stories by Barry Wilson
Farm lobby to turn up pressure
OTTAWA – Canada’s largest farm lobby group plans to use the political uncertainty of an election year to try to win its campaign against escalating government service fees. Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Jack Wilkinson said last week politicians are heading into a period when they become sensitive to criticism and anxious to please. It […] Read more
Farmers in Quebec are most subsidized
OTTAWA (Staff) – Quebec farmers are by far Canada’s most subsidized, according to Agriculture Canada figures. In 1995, just under half of Quebec’s $29,758 in average net operating farm income came from program payments, noted Agriculture Canada’s 1996 farm financial survey. In contrast, program payments made up 24 percent of net operating farm income in […] Read more
CFA predicts a wheat board win
OTTAWA (Staff) – Politicians and farm leaders are cautious about predicting the outcome of the February barley marketing vote. Jack Wilkinson has no such qualms. “The indications I’ve been getting is that with a clear question, the wheat board side will win,” said the president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. He said it would […] Read more
Farm profits paint thin picture
OTTAWA – There is a reality gap between financial pressures being felt by many farmers and the rosy vision of a financially stable farm sector offered at year’s end by Agriculture Canada, says a leading farm spokesperson. “I find it really frustrating and disappointing when people try to paint a picture that isn’t there,” Canadian […] Read more
Oat processing added to Sask Pool’s Saskatoon elevator
An oat groating plant will be built near Saskatoon as a result of Saskatchewan Wheat Pool’s decision to increase its investment in Can-Oat Milling. The pool announced Dec. 23 it would invest an additional $14 million in the Portage la Prairie-based oat processor, bringing its ownership level to 34 percent. “We hope to be consuming […] Read more
Federation president predicts CWB win
OTTAWA – Politicians and farm leaders are cautious about predicting the outcome of the February barley marketing vote. Jack Wilkinson has no such qualms. “The indications I’ve been getting is that with a clear question, the wheat board side will win,” said the president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. He said it would be […] Read more
Santa Claus will need to tighten his belt on the Hill
THE IMAGE seemed appropriate, both seasonal and political. As the House of Commons adjourned for Christmas last week, Liberal MP Stan Dromisky stood in full Santa Claus regalia to wish everyone peace. Or was that ‘piece’, as in … “after three years of damaging government cuts, it’s time Canadians were promised a piece of what […] Read more
Reform attacks Goodale for not trusting farmers’ intelligence
OTTAWA – Government-established rules for the February plebiscite on barley marketing are undemocratic and contemptuous of farmers, Reform MPs charged last week. During a Commons committee meeting on grain issues Dec. 12, Reformers painted agriculture minister Ralph Goodale as an arrogant and divisive politician for refusing to give farmers more choices in the vote, including […] Read more
Trade group says agriculture subsidies must go
OTTAWA – If it has not already happened by then, the next round of international trade talks will make it a priority to outlaw agricultural export subsidies, says Canadian trade minister Art Eggleton. Along with allies from the Cairns Group of medium and small-sized food trading nations, Canada last week warned the United States and […] Read more
