The Senate needs to pass Bill C-282 to prevent future trade negotiators from bargaining away more of Canada’s supply-managed dairy, poultry or egg markets, now served by Canadian farmers and benefiting the Canadian economy and food system. The House of Commons passed this bill with over 80 percent of MPs in favour. To become law, […] Read more
Opinion
Canada’s war brides remembered
Remembrance Day is fast approaching, and the Western Producer is marking the occasion in this week’s Farm Living section. A story by Sheri Hathaway on page 17 looks at government efforts during both world wars to recruit women to work on farms to fill the gap left by men joining the armed forces. On pages […] Read more
The good, bad and ugly of private member’s bills
There may have never been another time when private member’s bills in Ottawa have had such importance to agriculture. Three bills come to mind representing good, bad and ugly. Let’s start with ugly, Bill C-293. It passed through the House of Commons and is in second reading in the Senate. How it ever received support […] Read more
Avoid surprises with tax estimates before end of the year
Do you know how much cash basis taxable income you have right now? Cash basis taxation for farmers is unique and gives a lot of flexibility for taxable income planning. However, this can create massive tax liabilities if you have too much cash basis taxable income. Many producers wait until winter to get their books […] Read more
Ag should prepare for shifting political winds
This is being written one day ahead of Saskatchewan election results. My prediction, for what it’s worth, is an NDP win. If that’s the case, a lot of farm organizations are going to wish they had taken more opportunities to connect with the NDP while the party was in opposition. A year ago, the NDP […] Read more
Memories of Halloween from yesteryear
Growing up on a farm meant we didn’t have the same access to the dense rows of neighbourhood candy distribution outlets (houses) as did my city friends at Halloween. But while I don’t have many vivid memories of trick or treating in those days, I do remember pillowcases full of candy, so my parents obviously […] Read more
Agriculture’s policy risk clear as mud
The Canadian agriculture and food sector has many things going right. It is a major economic contributor, with products that have a lower environmental footprint at a time when Canada’s role in global food security is increasingly clear. Those fundamentals drive a lot of optimism in the sector. But — and it is a big […] Read more
‘New U.S.-China trade war could cost farmers billions’
Let’s pause to consider the-above headline. First, it’s a quote; I didn’t write it. That’s important because the third rail of today’s ag journalism — the deadly, high voltage topic that can burn your career — is Donald J. Trump. Question a Trump-related topic such as tax cuts, tariffs or immigration and you’re quickly tagged […] Read more
Consult with farmers as keepers of land, water
The Canada Water Agency became official earlier this month, and the agricultural community appears to be on board. “With them being located here in our own backyard, KAP will have a unique opportunity to be on the ground and bring forward the perspectives of Manitoba producers to help inform their work,” Brenna Mahoney, general manager […] Read more
Letters to the editor – October 31, 2024
Story did dairy farmers a disservice Re: page 29 story in the Oct. 24 issue of the Western Producer. Before copy and pasting libellous statements denigrating Canada’s dairy industry, perhaps the Western Producer should actually try some original reporting and investigation. It is not a fact that “6.8 billion litres of milk have been discarded […] Read more
