Political wrangling over Bill C-49 continues in Ottawa as the bill still has not gained full approval from the House of Commons and the Senate. After Transport Minister Marc Garneau accepted some earlier Senate amendments and rejected others, the Senate once again debated the bill last week. It returned the legislation to the Commons May […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Lawsuit accuses canola buyer of predatory lending
A class action lawsuit filed last week in Regina Court of Queen’s Bench alleges Input Capital Corp. practises predatory lending. Morris Feduk, who farms near Melville, Sask., and five other plaintiffs from different parts of the province have launched a case against the Regina-based publicly traded company. Input offers streaming canola contracts in which it […] Read more
Transport bill sparks calls for quick approval
MPs approve or adjust grain amendments but others are rejected; House now sends proposed legislation back to Senate
Farmers are once again urging quick passage of Bill C-49 in the Senate after the long-awaited transportation legislation moved back to the upper chamber. The House of Commons May 3 approved Transport Minister Marc Garneau’s position on earlier Senate amendments to the bill. He approved some, including those related to grain shipping, with some adjustments, […] Read more
SARM lobbies for return of rural crime watch
Saskatchewan should have a provincial association of rural crime watch areas similar to Alberta’s, said the president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities. Ray Orb said he and his western Canadian counterparts had a good discussion about crime during the Western Canadian Association meeting at the SARM office in Regina in late April. “We […] Read more
4R fertilizer program extended
Saskatchewan and Fertilizer Canada have renewed their memorandum of understanding in support of 4R Nutrient Stewardship. The province and association that represents fertilizer manufacturers and distributors signed an agreement in 2016 to support the Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place program to promote proper fertilizer management. That agreement has been extended for […] Read more
Proposed poultry-dairy operation draws concerns
A proposed Hutterite colony and intensive livestock operation near Stenen, Sask., is drawing concern from nearby residents. The Hutterian Brethren Church of Crystal Lake has applied under the provincial Agricultural Operations Act for approval to establish a poultry and dairy operation just south of the village. The proposed location is also near the resort community […] Read more
Sask. family makes the switch from cattle to sheep
On the Farm Liezel and Larry Kennedy started by leasing a flock and then dived right in to the business in a big way
SHAMROCK, Sask. — Not everyone gets a trial run at farming, but Liezel and Larry Kennedy knew before they expanded from 60 to 600 sheep how things would likely go. They leased a flock that size, on their own farm, from a breeder who wanted to take a year-long sabbatical. “They had spent years developing […] Read more
Dugout water should be tested
As producers move cattle on to pastures this spring, they should consider the health of their water sources, particularly after last year’s drought conditions. Water is the most important nutrient to livestock, and poor water affects cattle growth and health. Last year near Shamrock in southern Saskatchewan, more than 200 cattle died in a single […] Read more
Gov’t accepts grain amendments
Canadian grain growers are relieved the government has accepted Senate amendments to its transportation bill related to grain movement and now say the legislation must be passed as soon as possible. However, Bill C-49 is not a done deal because the House of Commons rejected nine of the 19 amendments, including some related to air […] Read more
Rural Sask. backs carbon tax legal challenge
The provincial government asks the Court of Appeal to rule on whether the federal carbon tax plan is constitutional
There is widespread support from the rural and agricultural communities for Saskatchewan’s decision to challenge a federal carbon tax in court. The province launched its constitutional reference case April 25, asking the Court of Appeal to answer a specific question: “The Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act was introduced into Parliament on March 28, 2018, as […] Read more
