QUEBEC CITY — While trade disputes and risk management programs grab immediate headlines, Canada’s agriculture ministers say resolving the labour shortage is a top priority for the sector’s long-term health. At their recent annual meeting, ministers reviewed concerns about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and agreed they have to find solutions to the challenges of […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Food guide not opposed to meat consumption: dietitian
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — The message to eat more plants is nothing new, says dietitian Carol Harrison, and it doesn’t mean eating less meat. Harrison said many have interpreted the new Canada’s Food Guide recommendations to eat more plant-based protein as a directive to eat less red meat. However, she said the guide does not […] Read more
Self-defence requires knowing how far to go, says lawyer
People can defend themselves and their property from thieves, but have to know how far they can take that, a lawyer said during a presentation at Canada’s Farm Progress Show earlier this summer. Talon Regent, a defence lawyer in Moose Jaw, Sask., who previously worked as a federal drug crimes prosecutor, said people at risk […] Read more
Saskatchewan and Ontario work together on agricultural priorities
QUEBEC CITY — Agriculture ministers from Saskatchewan and Ontario say their two provinces will collaborate on priorities that support the sector’s growth in both provinces. Saskatchewan’s David Marit and Ontario’s Ernie Hardeman held an inaugural meeting under a memorandum of understanding for free trade signed by their premiers last fall. They met before the federal-provincial-territorial […] Read more
Feds tight-lipped on trade dispute help
QUEBEC CITY — A call last week from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture for immediate federal help for farmers affected by trade disputes has not been answered. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said resolving disputes, especially those with China over canola, pork and beef, remains a top priority. However, she said improving existing business risk […] Read more
Premiers look to reduce internal trade barriers
SASKATOON — Alberta was the first to move, eliminating half of its exceptions to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, after premiers recently committed to improve internal trade. Procurement by several Alberta agencies, including the purchase of local food under the Supporting Alberta’s Local Food Sector Act, is no longer restricted. “Since when are Alberta companies […] Read more
Pasture swap operates under temporary arrangement
A land swap between Ottawa and Saskatchewan is taking longer than expected but an interim agreement is allowing ranchers who used three former federal pastures to continue grazing cattle. The Govenlock, Nashlyn and Battle Creek pastures in southwestern Saskatchewan are part of the swap necessitated by the transfer of all former Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration […] Read more
Ag ministers commit to AgriStability changes
QUEBEC CITY — Canadian agriculture ministers are promising changes to AgriStability in time for the 2020 program year. Just how extensive those changes will be is unknown. Coming out of their annual meeting in Quebec City last week, ministers said they need more data before committing to improve the program that is supposed to help […] Read more
Increased food complexity requires a little clarity
The deep-fried Twizzlers at this year’s Calgary Stampede were all that one could expect. That’s more than can be said for many foods entering the gastronomic realm. They are simultaneously more — and less — than many would expect. Case in point, the “Marrot.” A creation of fast-food chain Arby’s, it looks and tastes like […] Read more
Ag ministers promise no immediate help
QUEBEC CITY — Canadian farmers won’t be getting immediate help to deal with trade disruptions, nor will they see any changes to business risk management programs this year. The federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers concluded their meeting in Quebec City today with an agreement to meet again to discuss potential changes to AgriStability. Officials […] Read more
