Farm cash receipts increased by only 2.9 percent for the year when earnings from cannabis were removed from equation
New data from Statistics Canada shows farm cash receipts continue to trend upward, increasing in 2019 by 5.7 percent or $66.1 billion to mark the ninth consecutive year of increase and the largest single uptick since 2012. But that number is less impressive when cannabis is removed from the equation because it represents 2.8 percent […] Read moreAuthor Archives
Report suggests path forward for risk management reform
Among the long list of recent producer complaints to government, the concern over business risk management programs has been the most consistent. Other grievances remain. The carbon tax is an irritant, but the now-futile campaign against it has lost steam. Lack of labour and access to foreign trade markets are issues that can only be […] Read more
Ag committee hears mushroom farmers’ concerns
Members of Parliament sitting on the committee dealing with agricultural issues continue to hear concerns over the federal government’s response to COVID-19. During a May 27 meeting, members of the Canadian Mushrooms Grower’s Association raised “grave concerns” over the support they have received. Chief executive officer Ryan Koeslag said additional measures put in place by […] Read more
Cannabis carries farm growth in average year
New data from Statistics Canada shows farm cash receipts continue to trend upward, increasing in 2019 by 5.7 percent or $66.1 billion to mark the ninth consecutive year of increase and the largest single uptick since 2012. But that number is less impressive when cannabis is removed from the equation because it represents 2.8 percent […] Read more
Two national campaigns launched for food supply chains
The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity is launching a new campaign to inform consumers on how the food system works. “It’s Good, Canada” will share personal stories of Canadians working across the food supply chain and provide information about farming, transportation, processing, retail and production on its website, www.itsgoodcanada.ca. “It’s natural for Canadians to have […] Read more
Business management linked to mental health
A new report from Farm Management Canada is calling for action after determining that 75 percent of Canadian farmers reported being moderately to highly stressed about unpredictable interference and workload and financial pressure. However, how farmers plan their business and associated risks can help lower that statistic. The report, Healthy Minds, Healthy Farms: Exploring a […] Read more
CERB debate prompts reflection of ongoing labour issues
D.C. Fraser is Glacier Farm Media’s Ottawa correspondent. Reach out to him by emailing dfraser@farmmedia.com. The coronavirus pandemic is revealing a fundamental problem with our society — thousands of essential workers don’t make nearly enough money. The question is, how to fix it. It’s worth debating whether that responsibility should fall to private employers or […] Read more
Horticulture Council of Canada continues to warn of labour shortages
The Horticulture Council of Canada says the federal government is using inaccurate numbers to describe how many temporary foreign workers are in the country. During a May 19 virtual meeting of the standing committee on agriculture and agri-food, council president Brian Gilroy said food security continues to be threatened as a result of labour shortages […] Read more
Ag committee hears CERB hurting employers
Members of the parliamentary standing committee on agriculture and agri-food heard from industry leaders May 15 about the challenges brought on by the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit. CERB is available to Canadians who have stopped working because of COVID-19 and provides temporary income support of $500 a week for up to 16 weeks. Ron Lemaire, […] Read more
Digital committee meetings face technical, time limitations
Our members of Parliament should be applauded for their efforts to practise democracy during these trying times. To ensure social distancing remains in place, MPs have taken to meeting online over video chats to conduct parliamentary committee meetings. So far, they have proven challenging but workable. Recent meetings of the standing committee on agriculture and […] Read more
