Britain’s stunning decision to leave the European Union has significant consequences for Canada’s yet-to-be ratified bilateral trade deal with the EU. Until now, the expectation in Ottawa had been the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) would be ratified as early as 2017. Now, that timeline appears to be a pipe dream. EU leaders are focused […] Read more
Stories by Kelsey Johnson
House on summer recess but work continues on several fronts
Canadian MPs are officially on summer vacation. The House of Commons rose for its summer recess June 17, marking the end of eight months of political highs and lows for Prime Minster Justin Trudeau and his rookie Liberal government. Parliament is expected to resume sitting Sept. 19, although MPs will return to Ottawa June 29 […] Read more
Prison farm saga reopens as Liberals plan public meetings
The federal government is considering re-opening some of Canada’s closed prison farms. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced June 2 that the federal government is conducting a feasibility study restoring the two prison farms near Kingston, Ont. “This process will allow citizens, business leaders, and other stakeholders to share their visions for what the program […] Read more
Liberals tread unfamiliar ground on agricultural issues
It has grown into one of the key hot-button issues facing agriculture — the widening gap between how farmers farm and how people want their food produced. Addressing consumer desires in a social media, instant-information world is routinely a topic of conversation amongst agriculture folks. Typically, most of the attention is paid to the gulf […] Read more
Quebec dairy farmers demand action on diafiltered milk
The farmers are coming to Ottawa. At the time of writing, a convoy of Quebec dairy farmers is about to start driving their tractors to Ottawa for a June 2 rally on Parliament Hill, where they expect to be joined by Ontario farmers. The rally comes one month after Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced he […] Read more
GM food labelling: legislation needed to avoid confusion?
Has the GMO labelling debate officially arrived in Canada? Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced May 19 that they had approved AquAdvantage Salmon, a genetically modified fish, for livestock and human consumption. It’s the first time a GM animal has been approved in Canada. The approval extends to filets and livestock feed, […] Read more
Consultation is good, but decisions are part of leadership
If there is one word that summarizes the Trudeau government’s approach to governing thus far it would be consultation. The Liberals like to study things. Nine times out of 10 when asked about an outstanding issue or file, the response given is that a study is underway or Canadians need to be consulted. That’s all […] Read more
Fort McMurray fire prompts cross party co-operation
In politics, it’s often the moments that unite all sides that people remember the most. Far too often those moments are combined with a crisis. The fire in Fort McMurray, Alta., is no exception. As the wildfire ravaged the heart of Alberta’s oil country, in Ottawa the searing images of flames leaping alongside highways were […] Read more
Former NDP MP joins Green Party as eastern ag critic
The Green Party of Canada has added a second agriculture critic to its ranks. Former NDP MP Jean Rousseau, who lost his seat to Liberal Cabinet Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, has jumped ship and joined the fold of the Green party. Rousseau, who hails from Quebec, has been named the party’s agriculture critic for Eastern Canada. […] Read more
Agriculture committee at odds over issue to prioritize
The House of Commons agriculture committee, which earned a reputation under the previous parliament for being one of the few committees that routinely achieved cross party co-operation, has a dilemma. After three meetings, the committee is divided on a study topic for the remainder of the spring session. The Liberals, lead by Ontario MP Francis […] Read more
