WHO ARE the most influential and effective agricultural and food industry lobbyists in Ottawa? And what makes a good lobbyist? Knowing the political system and its key inside players obviously is a prerequisite as are the ability to be persistent without being grating, the ability to work both sides of the partisan aisle and the […] Read more
Opinion — page 689
Lobbyist list has strong inclusions, odd omissions – Opinion
Crisis creates hope for renewal – Opinion
Horejsi is a wildlife scientist from Springbank, Alta. The winds of change have been blowing stronger in North America since that day in November 2008 when Barack Obama became president of the United States. As the new world leader visits Canada, it should spur us to contemplate where Albertans and Canadians are and not only […] Read more
Obamamania turns Ottawa on its ear – Editorial Notebook
When Obamamania swept into Ottawa for little more than seven hours last week, the downtown closed down. For those of us who work on Parliament Hill, it meant cars could not make it to the Hill parking lot, buses were dropping us off 10 blocks before the normal destination and big guys with guns were […] Read more
Stock markets seem biggest gamble of all – The Moral Economy
TO understand what’s happening in the economy today, you need to understand one fact. The New York Stock Exchange is the largest gambling casino in the U.S., maybe the world. The Toronto Stock Exchange is the largest gambling casino in Canada. Let me explain by talking about a mythical company, Acme Mechanical. It has buildings, […] Read more
Letters to the editor
Water smart; Simple living; Good report; Producer sympathy; Vote explanation; Economic tale; Thanks, Ryan Water smart Make a start, be water smart. Such advertisements sponsored by the Manitoba government appeared in daily and weekly newspapers explaining how small changes would protect and save our precious water. All well and good. However, while Manitobans are choosing […] Read more
Going Organic network is really cooking – Organic Matters
Food is central to any culture. GO, the Going Organic network in Alberta, is sharing its culture with the launch of GO – a Culinary Community. This cookbook profiles members of the organic community, who share their connection with food, as well as their recipes. The community is a broadly based group of people who […] Read more
Tax free account a present from the tax man – Taking care of business
A new savings vehicle from the federal government that started Jan. 1 is intended to let us reduce our tax burdens and save for our futures. People 18 and older can contribute a maximum of $5,000 each year to the Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA). It will be indexed with inflation so that contribution limits […] Read more
Feb. 24, 2009
Johanna brought Vivian home with her this morning. This plump, vivacious woman is the secretary to the director of the Mindola Ecumenical Foundation, a large institution. She also operates a small farm of about 25 acres some distance from town, and a two-hour walk from the main road in the rainy season. She is out […] Read more
PROs, forecasts, dismal scientists
No one expected the 2009-10 PROs to be above last year’s PRO at this time (almost $11 per bushel for high quality wheat), or even as good as the present 08-09 PROs, but the reality of the $7.87 per bushel PRO for 1CWRS 13.5 put a bit of a pall over this world’s GrainWorld conference […] Read more
Feb. 20, 2009
This morning there was a big fat cockroach about an inch long lying on its back by the stove. I grabbed a broom. Hardly outside, right side up again, it scurried away. Ugh! We actually haven’t had much in the way of creepy crawlies until now. We spent a great day in Mpongwe on Wednesday. […] Read more
