As slumping oil prices continue to hammer provincial coffers, the governments of Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador presented residents with fiscal plans they hope will help their provinces’ weather the oil price storm. The two budgets could not be more different. Alberta’s budget is dependent on borrowing for operational costs to ensure essential services like […] Read more
Stories by Kelsey Johnson
NDP faces task of finding leader while finding new direction
EDMONTON — Moments after he was unseated as the leader of the federal NDP, Tom Mulcair pleaded for unity from a room that was anything but. “The only thing that’s important is that we leave here united,” stressed a subdued Mulcair, who earned a measly 48 percent support in a party leadership review. “The person […] Read more
Access to affordable, healthy food top of mind at food event
Canadians have a love affair with food. Its integral role in social activity is reflected in the rise of foodies, budding chefs, reality cooking shows, gourmet food magazines and experiences as diverse as spaghetti dinners, food festivals, restaurant adventures and dinner parties. Our love of food is also widely visibly on social media. Facebook, Instagram […] Read more
Teaching kids to cook could bridge gap between farm, plate
I finally had my extended family over for Easter dinner last weekend. Actually, by the end of the weekend I’d thrown two Easter dinners — the latter being a more im-promptu affair with friends to deal with the 10 pound ham that had taken over my precious fridge space. But that’s another story. On Sunday […] Read more
Feds must take measures to address farm worker shortage
A shortage of nearly 60,000 farm workers is costing Canadian producers big bucks, a new survey has found. The survey by the Conference Board of Canada for the Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Council determined the ongoing labour crunch cost producers $1.5 billion in lost farm cash receipts in 2014. Seventeen percent of the 1,037 people […] Read more
Federal Budget 2016
Canada’s fiscal books are heading back into the red. The federal government will post a $29.4 billion deficit in the 2016-2017 fiscal year, Finance Minister Bill Morneau revealed this afternoon. It’s a shortfall that’s nearly three times the $10 billon promised during the election campaign. That deficit is expected to grow to $98.9 over four […] Read more
CANADA BUDGET 2016: Who got what?
By Kelsey Johnson Canada’s fiscal books are heading back into the red. The federal government will post a $29.4 billion deficit in the 2016-2017 fiscal year, Finance Minister Bill Morneau revealed this afternoon. It’s a shortfall that’s nearly three times the $10 billon promised during the election campaign. That deficit is expected to grow to […] Read more
Balance needed in climate change policies regarding agriculture
The recent first ministers meeting left no doubt that the ongoing political efforts to come up with a coherent climate change policy is a complex and confusing task. After several days of conversation in Vancouver, Canada’s leaders basically agreed to disagree on the best way forward around carbon pricing, at least until more study has […] Read more
Liberals pressured to act quickly on transportation review
Former cabinet minister David Emerson’s highly anticipated review of the Canada Transportation Act puts forward 60 recommendations on how to improve the transportation system. Transport minister Marc Garneau made Emerson’s year-long review public Feb. 25. It looked at Canada’s transportation system as a whole, including air, marine, road, and of course, rail, including grain transportation. […] Read more
First Liberal budget should raise Canadians’ eyebrows
Finance minister Bill Morneau is expected to present his first budget to Canadians March 22, but the Liberal government’s first official fiscal accounting comes at a price — an expected near $20 billon deficit. The rookie minister made the announcement Feb. 22 during a news conference in Ottawa and reassured Canadians who might be worried […] Read more
