Full funding for the new International Trade Centre at Evraz Place has been secured through contributions from Canadian Western Agribition and the Regina Hotel Association. Agribition announced a $1 million investment and RHA will invest $3 million in the $37-million project. The federal, provincial and municipal governments have already announced they would provide $33 million. […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Lone Liberal represents Sask.
Saskatchewan has gone from 13 representatives on the government side of the House of Commons to just one. But that one is Ralph Goodale, in Regina-Wascana, who last week won his eighth straight campaign and is destined for a top cabinet post. He has already served in agriculture, finance, public works and other portfolios. He […] Read more
Will the West be singing the blues?
Prairie farmers are on the outside looking in after sticking with the Conservatives in last week’s election. However, the effects of that in terms of policy and the ability for farm issues to gain the ear of the future government have yet to be seen. Many farm leaders said they have cultivated good relationships with […] Read more
Ritz resolved to follow through on trade deals
Gerry Ritz assessed the federal election results in his usual blunt manner. “I think they suck,” the agriculture minister said in an interview last week after the Liberals swept to power with 184 seats and the Conservative government fell to official opposition status with 99. But that’s democracy, he said, and now his role changes […] Read more
Lender appeals Sask. land ownership rules
Under new rules, financing must be made through a registered Canadian financial institution or resident
The Saskatchewan government has tightened farmland ownership rules, saying the restrictions will benefit young farmers and new entrants. However, a finance company that has appealed a court decision that found it couldn’t lend money to young farmers because its capital comes from foreign investors says the restrictions will limit farmers’ options. The appeal is set […] Read more
What a Liberal majority gov’t means for farmers
Farm leaders say they don’t expect the Oct. 19 win by the Liberals and Justin Trudeau to change Canada’s commitment to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Trudeau was non-committal on the trade deal signed during the 78-day election campaign, saying his party supported free trade but he wanted to see details before endorsing it. He promised a […] Read more
Sask. plans to tighten farmland ownership rules
As expected, the Saskatchewan government will tighten farmland ownership rules. Agriculture minister Lyle Stewart introduced amendments to the Farm Security Act yesterday to clarify who can own and finance farmland. When passed, the amendments will make pension plans, administrators of pension fund assets and trusts ineligible to buy farmland. All financing will have to be […] Read more
Parties reveal ag platforms
With the exception of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and concern about the trade deal’s effect on supply management, agriculture has not made election campaign headlines. The days of agricultural platforms, announced by each party at a geographically and politically advantageous location, seem to be over. This time, leaders made their obligatory stops at farms and all […] Read more
Trade, risk management top list of issues for Ontario, prairie farmers
GUELPH, Ont. — The issues facing farmers in southern Ontario during this election campaign aren’t so different from those in the West. Business risk management and trade top the list. The fact that these issues weren’t discussed through most of the campaign grates a little, say farm leaders. “The timing of the election makes the […] Read more
NDP ag critic had much to learn
WELLAND, Ont. — Malcolm Allen was a little surprised when then-NDP leader Jack Layton asked him to be deputy agriculture critic after his election to Parliament in 2008. Allen is an electrician by trade with a background in union work. It made sense that Layton asked him to be the critic for skills training. But […] Read more
