Farm organizations give Commons agriculture committee a list of priorities that wouldn’t cost government a lot of money
REGINA — A one-meeting hearing of the agriculture industry’s priorities yielded a long list to the House of Commons’ agriculture committee last week. The committee called witnesses in advance of the fall economic statement, expected later this month, looking for no- or low-cost priorities. Both the Canadian Canola Growers Association and Canadian Federation of Agriculture […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
House committee told federal tax policy hurts farm transfers
Producers, organizations say intergenerational farm transfers are at risk from capital gains changes made earlier this year
REGINA — Farm organizations continue to strongly oppose changes to the capital gains inclusion rate, telling the standing agriculture committee last week that federal tax increases hurt intergenerational farm transfers. As of June 25, the inclusion rate is 50 per cent for capital gains up to $250,000 and two-thirds on amounts over that. The increase […] Read more
Bill C-282 opponents urge Senate not to pass it
A Senate committee is studying legislation that would make supply management off limits in future trade negotiations
REGINA — Canadian agricultural exporters mounted a full court press against Bill C-282 last week, while the Senate committee studying the bill heard former ambassadors and federal ministers say it’s bad policy. The bill to protect supply management in future trade negotiations appears to have support from several members of the committee on foreign affairs […] Read more
Sask. Party remains rural, loses urban cabinet ministers
Rural-urban divide now a concern as premier chooses a cabinet that could include only one MLA from Regina, Saskatoon
REGINA — The rural-urban split following Saskatchewan’s Oct. 28 election has dominated post-election discussion and overshadowed the Saskatchewan Party’s fifth consecutive majority win. The official count will be held Nov. 9, but after two preliminary counts, Elections Saskatchewan said the Sask. Party is elected or leading in 34 seats, all of them rural and small […] Read more
Quality good, yields variable in Sask.
Most areas hope for good moisture this fall and winter to get soil into good shape for next spring
REGINA — Saskatchewan crops are in the bin, and the province says yields were above the 10-year average for most of them. Durum, canola, oats and mustard yielded below average, according to the final 2024 crop report issued Oct. 30. There are regional differences in both yield and quality, depending on rainfall amounts through the […] Read more
N.S. farmers face similar challenges to Prairies
Farms may be smaller than those in the West, but they also deal with succession planning, economics and sustainability
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia farms may be small compared to most Prairie operations, but they face similar issues. Farmers on a panel at the Canadian Farm Writers Federation annual conference in early October said succession planning, economics and sustainability are among them. Amber Creamer, policy manager with the provincial agriculture department, said there are 2,050 […] Read more
Sask. farmers report good crop quality, variable yields
Most areas are hoping for good moisture through the fall and winter to get soils into good shape for next spring planting
REGINA — Saskatchewan crops are in the bin, and the province says yields were above the 10-year average for most of them. Durum, canola, oats and mustard yielded below average, according to the final 2024 crop report issued Oct. 30. There are regional differences in both yield and quality depending on rainfall amounts through the […] Read more
Wetland advocates hoped Sask. election would talk water
REGINA — A group pushing for a wetland policy says it should have been a Saskatchewan election issue. Wetlands for Tomorrow includes scientists, farmers and conservationists. Last week at a news conference near Wascana Lake in Regina, spokespersons said everyone should work together toward a common goal of water quality. “The province of Saskatchewan really […] Read more
Old water management concept continues to work
Nova Scotia producers who farm near the Bay of Fundy still use a dike system that was initially built 400 years ago
MASSTOWN, N.S. — Agricultural water management in Nova Scotia relies on a centuries-old method of keeping salt water at bay. The province’s dikeland system was established about 400 years ago and is still in use on tidal rivers in the Bay of Fundy area. It protects about 45,000 acres of farmland, as well as critical […] Read more
Senate won’t fast-track supply management bill
Bloc Quebecois makes bill’s immediate passage a condition of preventing an early election, but senators will not budge
REGINA — The Senate committee on foreign affairs and international trade appears to be staying the course on Bill C-282, despite pressure to move it along quicker. International trade minister Mary Ng and others wrote to the committee earlier this month, twice asking it to expedite the bill that would protect supply managed sectors in […] Read more
