The combined enthusiasm of First Nations for agriculture, mixed with added interest from government and industry, is creating exciting opportunities, despite continued barriers. That enthusiasm was on display during FHQ Development’s two-day, Indigenous Agricultural Innovation Conference held virtually in September. Attendees heard from a diverse set of speakers, including Melissa Arcand, an associate professor in […] Read more
D.C. Fraser
Stories by D.C. Fraser
First Nations’ land claims pose opportunity
As the federal government continues to settle land claims with First Nations, the territory acquired is expected to become a “big opportunity” for Indigenous agriculture in Canada. Speaking at the Indigenous Agricultural Innovation Conference, held Sept. 21-22 and hosted by the File Hills Development Corp., experts in financing projected growth within First Nations agriculture. Coming […] Read more
Reconciling painful past may create hope
The Western Producer recognizes this year’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation with a package of stories and opinion pieces about past injustices and steps that are being taken for a brighter future. The other stories in this package are linked below. More than a century after its creation, no visible sign remains of the […] Read more
Prospective pollution policy aims to curb ‘carbon leakage’
Border carbon adjustments are coming to Canada; it is just a matter of when. Ten days before calling the election, the Liberal government announced consultations would officially begin on border carbon adjustments or BCAs. A policy paper detailing the policy was included. BCAs aim to reduce the so-called “carbon leakage” occurring when a company leaves […] Read more
Election muted Canada’s UN food ambition
Timing of UN Food Summit and Canadian federal election conflicted leaving sparse national representation at global event
Canada’s participation at the United Nations Food Systems Summit was muted. Taking place just days after the conclusion of the federal election, there were no official statements or commitments from Canada. The summit was designed to foster dialogue on how nations can create more sustainable food systems. Voters cast ballots on Sept. 20, days before […] Read more
First Nations farm focuses on health
Stephanie Cook planned on a career in family services. She never imagined that would lead to operation of a vertical farm that helps feed her northern Manitoba community. As a member of Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) near The Pas, 600 kilometres north of Winnipeg, Cook grew up surrounded by the impacts of colonization and the […] Read more
Indigenous farm growth bucks national trend
The 2016 Census of Agriculture found a higher proportion of women producing food than in non-Aboriginal populations
Aboriginal agricultural is becoming a growing trend, according to Statistics Canada in its analysis of the 2016 Census of Agriculture. By cross-referencing farm-level data from that census to numbers in the Census of Population, the federal agency produced its first portrait of Aboriginal peoples and agriculture. It found they represented one of the few agricultural […] Read more
Ambitious food security targets will need tangible action
Canada’s official strategy heading into the United Nations Food Systems Summit is to present bold, if abstract, vision statements. Beginning Sept. 23, the virtually held conference is steeped in anticipation: for more than a year, conferences around the world have taken place focusing on “bold new actions” to create a healthy and sustainable global food […] Read more
Liberals’ once promising prospects appear to be dwindling
As another federal election winds down, it’s discouraging to see so many Canadians once again disgruntled with their options, but I can’t blame them. Leading into this election, the governing Liberals had spent much of the political capital they earned following their 2015 victory. Optimism over electoral reform and climate change action, for example, was […] Read more
Support for farmers focus of ag debate
An agricultural debate ahead of the federal election gave representatives from political parties an opportunity to pitch their ideas to producers, resulting in debate over how best to support farmers. The Sept. 9 debate, hosted by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, had plenty of discussion about climate change and how best to support producers in […] Read more
