More social disruption predicted if COVID-19 vaccinations required for interprovincial trucking; expert warns of inflation
The federal Conservative critic for national supply chain resilience says Ottawa should expect more trucker demonstrations and blockades if it pushes ahead with additional vaccine mandates that affect interprovincial truck traffic. Prince Albert MP Randy Hoback said Ottawa’s policies promoting mandatory vaccinations in the commercial trucking industry have already caused avoidable frustration among many truck […] Read more
Brian Cross
Stories by Brian Cross
FCC projects producers will plant more canola this year
Farm Credit Canada believes strong global, domestic demand will prompt farmers to seed five percent more of the crop
Economists at Canada’s largest farm lender project a 4.8 percent increase in western Canadian canola acres in 2022 and a 3.1 percent increase in Canadian soybeans plantings. In its 2022 ag economic outlook held late last month, Farm Credit Canada said a continuation of strong global and domestic demand for oilseeds will likely translate into […] Read more
Wheat growers demand emissions target input
Producers want to be included when feds decide how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from fertilizer use
Wheat growers in Alberta are demanding a say in how Ottawa achieves federal greenhouse gas emissions targets in the agriculture sector, particularly when it comes to commercial fertilizer use. At its annual general meeting held in January, the Alberta Wheat Commission passed a resolution demanding the AWC and like-minded crop commissions be included in discussions […] Read more
CN makes leadership change
Canada’s largest railway company is getting a new top executive. Canadian National Railway announced Jan. 26 that Tracy Robinson will serve as the company’s new president and chief executive officer, effective Feb. 28. Robinson will replace outgoing CN president JJ Ruest, who announced his retirement late last year. Ruest will continue to serve in an […] Read more
BLOG: Trucker unrest result of misguided public policy
Vaccine mandates affecting the trucking industry have understandably prompted a determined and outraged response from a number of Western Canada’s truckers and rural residents. A proportion of Canada’s commercial truckers who drive big rigs are opposed to federal rules that limit their mobility, as well as their ability to earn a living. Similarly, many farmers […] Read more
Plenty of clouds on horizon to threaten nitrogen outlook
North America’s red-hot fertilizer market is beginning to show signs of cooling — a welcome development for Canadian growers who still haven’t closed a deal on spring nitrogen supplies. But there’s still no shortage of wild cards clouding the outlook for North American fertilizer, warned Josh Linville, a market analyst with American consulting firm StoneX. […] Read more
Feds developing emissions programs for CAP: Horner
Alberta agriculture minister Nate Horner confirmed last week that Ottawa is developing “tools” that could be applied to future Canadian Agricultural Partnership programs to support its efforts to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. At a November 2021 meeting in Guelph, Ont., federal, territorial and provincial agriculture ministers issued the Guelph Statement, which was billed […] Read more
Grain act changes could alter commission’s role
The Canadian Grain Commission’s role in grain grading and oversight was a major theme during recent consultations
This is the second story in a three-part series looking at the Canada Grain Act review process. Modernizing the Canada Grain Act could have a far-reaching impact on the Canadian Grain Commission, the federal agency responsible for regulating Canada’s grain trade. But which aspects of the CGC’s operations are likely to be changed? Which services […] Read more
Grain act review includes CGC administration
Federal initiative will look at effectiveness of Canadian Grain Commission’s governance model, funding and mandate
This is the first story in a three-part series looking at the Canada Grain Act review process. The next story will look at potential changes to Canadian Grain Commission programs and services. A federal initiative to update the Canada Grain Act remains on track but timelines for its completion are unclear, government officials confirmed last […] Read more
Thunder Bay grain down two million tonnes
Cargo volumes totalled 8.5 million tonnes, about six percent lower than the port’s five-year average of 9.1 million tonnes
Another navigation season is in the books at the Port of Thunder Bay in Ontario. The 2022 shipping season concluded Jan. 14 with the departure of MV Manitoulin, which was carrying a shipment of western Canadian wheat. Total cargo volume at the northern Ontario port during the 2021 shipping season totalled about 8.5 million tonnes, […] Read more
