Sixteen projects to help support Indigenous-led food system initiatives will receive $4 million from the federal government. “Our government is working to create a more inclusive agriculture sector that respects the values of Indigenous peoples,” said Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau in a statement. “These investments are intended to ensure that Indigenous peoples have equal opportunities […] Read more
D.C. Fraser
Stories by D.C. Fraser
Carbon tax hike impact on ag ‘small’
An increased carbon levy and other measures aimed at achieving Canada’s emissions targets won’t affect agriculture relative to other industries, according to a new report. The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) released the document June 23 assessing impacts of the government’s plan to exceed 2030 Paris reduction targets for Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. “Our assessment shows […] Read more
Ottawa’s focus on social issues threatens to slow trade deals
Canadian producers eagerly awaiting a trade pact with major Asian markets will have to exercise patience, and should be prepared for nauseating moral posturing by politicians. Bilateral talks with Indonesia are expected to formally open this year, setting the stage for broader negotiations involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a bloc of 10 […] Read more
Indonesia warns of ‘challenging’ trade talks with Canada
Canada is preparing to formally launch trade negotiations later this year with Indonesia, but already plans to include gender, environmental and labour provisions in a deal are being described as a challenge. The two nations have long flirted with the idea of a trade agreement, with Canada launching stakeholder consultations on the subject in January. […] Read more
Exporters keen on trade talks with Indonesia
Canada’s consultations on a potential free trade deal with Indonesia demonstrate a strong appetite for negotiations to continue. The two nations are expected to launch formal talks this year. Already 78 percent of respondents to a government consultation, launched in January, support a free trade agreement. Respondents, about one-third of which came from the agriculture […] Read more
Commodity groups split over supply management protection bill
MPs hear testimony about a private member’s bill that would prohibit future trade concessions affecting the sector
Commodity groups are split on predictable lines over a proposed law that would exclude supply-managed commodities from future trade negotiations. Bill C-216 was introduced as a private member’s bill by Bloc Quebecois MP Louis Plamondon as a means of protecting supply management. If passed, federal negotiators would not be able to involve tariffs or import […] Read more
Expectations should be low for UN’s Food Systems Summit
If current sentiments stay as they are now, Canadian producers should prepare themselves for disappointment coming out of the upcoming United Nations’ Food Systems Summit. Planned to take place in New York this September, the summit will look to launch new strategies to deliver on the UN’s 17 development goals. In Canada, dialogues have been […] Read more
Ag wants say on proposed climate law
Agricultural stakeholders continue to argue Canada’s proposed accountability law to achieve climate goals should be amended to include more industry representation. A parliamentary committee studying Bill C-12, the law that would set national targets for the reduction of greenhouse gasses, has been hearing testimony from witnesses throughout May and June. An advisory panel was named […] Read more
Poultry, egg compensation applications now available
Applications for the Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program are now being accepted. The program includes $647 million stretched over 10 years to help producers remain competitive, and is part of the government’s compensation for negotiating away parts of the supply managed markets. Producers are entitled to a dollar amount based on their quota holdings […] Read more
Agriculture has a role to play as country acts on reconciliation
Canadian agriculture has a role to play in reconciliation. The important role of reconciliation was once again made painfully clear when the remains of 215 children were found on the site of a former residential school in British Columbia. It is the latest example of why Canada’s residential school system has been described as “cultural […] Read more
