A law being introduced by the NDP vows to help fight food insecurity and support farmers. MP and NDP agriculture critic Alistair MacGregor introduced a private member’s bill to create a National Soil Health Strategy for Canada. The law would help maintain, enhance and rebuild the capacity of soils, according to the NDP. “Healthy soils […] Read more
Stories by Glacier FarmMedia
MP’s bill targets rural crime with harsher sentences
A Conservative MP is trying to tackle rural crime by introducing a law that would punish more severely those accused of targeting remote and vulnerable people or property. Red Deer-Lacombe MP Blaine Calkins brought his proposed law to parliamentarians on April 20. “Rural Canadians too often don’t feel safe in their own homes. Many have […] Read more
Budget is big step for supporting farmers, but more needed
The 2021 budget takes a gigantic step in supporting farmers against climate change, but more is still required. Much of what we saw in Chrystia Freeland’s long-awaited first budget was in line with the green investments telegraphed by the Liberals in the weeks leading up to April 19. Because a significant debate around carbon pricing […] Read more
MP introduces bill to tackle rural crime
A Conservative MP is trying to tackle rural crime by introducing a law that would punish more severely those accused of targeting remote and vulnerable, people or property. Red Deer-Lacombe MP Blaine Calkins brought his proposed law to parliamentarians on April 20. “Rural Canadians too often don’t feel safe in their own homes. Many have […] Read more
Budget to pay farmers for carbon pricing, green funding
New spending totalling $104.1 billion in the recently announced federal budget is designed to support farmers combatting climate change. Some producers will also receive direct payments as a result of carbon pricing. Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland released the budget April 19, showing the majority of new spending will take place over three years and […] Read more
Budget receives mostly positive reviews
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture says it is “pleased” the recent federal budget included some of its recommendations. Federal Finance Minister Chyristia Freeland’s first budget included significant spending to help producers transition to a greener economy, naming agriculture as a foundational pillar of Canada’s future. “CFA will be working closely with the federal government to […] Read more
Implementation officer position proposed for trade
CAFTA says it would help monitor implementation of trade agreements, but Canada’s chief negotiator isn’t so sure
A national coalition focused on agricultural trade is calling for the creation of a trade implementation position within Global Affairs Canada. However, the country’s chief negotiator is spilling cold water on the idea. In its list of priorities for 2021, the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance said the creation of such a position is needed in […] Read more
Trade compensation details unveiled for feather sectors
The federal government says $630 million of the funding will be for on-farm investment with the remainder for market development
Canada’s chicken, egg and turkey farmers are expected to soon receive long-awaited programs that will compensate them for market losses stemming from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Producers had already been told they would be getting $691 million over 10 years, but on April 13, Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau revealed details of the funding, which […] Read more
Health officials should follow advice of migrant advocates
Reports of vaccinations for seasonal farm employees and workers at processing plants is encouraging, but more attention must be paid to the needs of international farm workers. Despite the federal government failing to adopt more assertive measures dictating when these essential workers will receive their shots, many provinces are starting to report COVID-19 vaccinations are […] Read more
Federal Conservatives unveil carbon plan
The Conservative Party of Canada’s climate change plan now includes putting a price on carbon. Party leader Erin O’Toole made the announcement April 15 after a long campaign of vehemently opposing such policy. Backed by credible and professional modelling, the proposed plan forecasts reducing emissions at the same rate as Canada’s current policy. O’Toole is […] Read more
