Former PM Stephen Harper and economists speak about U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods during the Canadian Crops Conference 2025 in Edmonton.
Tag Archives Canadian Crops Convention
Tariffs, trade dominate discussion at Canadian Crops Convention
Former prime minister Stephen Harper says enforcement of tariffs was “darkest day” for Canada
VIDEO: Canadian Crops Convention offers hope on trade
Erin Gowriluk of the Canada Grain Council said tri-national co-operate remains alive outside government
The Canadian Crops Convention kicked off in Edmonton today, under the shadow of U.S. tariffs and Canadian counter-tariffs. But it wasn’t all gloom and doom. In fact one of the key organizers, Erin Gowriluk of the Canada Grains Council struck a positive tone, noting that many of the key issues of the grain sector remain […] Read more
Historian calls Canada mediocre and stagnant
Policy analyst gives a bleak assessment of the country’s world status but holds out hope for change
Canada is a morass of mediocrity and misspent opportunities, historian and policy analyst Ken Coates told the Canadian Crops Convention. In general: “We’re looking at the edge and we’re not doing very well.” On the economy: “We’re going the wrong way.” Compared to similar nations: “There are countries that are passing us by.” On retaining […] Read more
Someone needs to talk tough on trade — Canada, anyone?
Canada is good at building coalitions and consensus. Maybe it’s time to get tougher. “Why are you so concerned about upsetting people?” posed CropLife International President Emily Rees at the Canadian Crops Convention. Canada could benefit from being “a little less sorry and not having the same fear of upsetting trade partners and being a […] Read more
Canada urged to take stronger leadership role in trade
Speakers point to country’s influence around the world due to its exporting of food products to almost 200 countries
It’s time for Canada to step up if it wants to keep the rules-based trading order alive, farmers heard at the Canadian Crops Convention. Without rules-based trade, agricultural exporters will be playing in a game controlled by others. “Canada should play a bigger and stronger role,” said Emily Rees, president of CropLife International, which represents […] Read more
Women given chance to learn about railroading
Janet Drysdale is a prominent woman in the railroading world. However, she’d rather not be exceptional for being a woman. “In order to be able to grow … we have to be able to attract more diversity,” Drysdale, a vice-president with Canadian National Railway, said in an interview at the beginning of the Canadian Crops […] Read more
VIDEO: Updates from Canadian Crops Convention
Despite continuing problems with weather across much of Western Canada, the country managed to produce an 18 million tonne crop in 2023, something which would have been unimaginable 20 years ago, when the goal was to get up to seven million tonnes per year. Canola Council of Canada President Chris Davison highlighted the growing balance […] Read more
Entrepreneur says Indigenous people face ag challenges
First Nations members must deal with cultural and legal barriers as they attempt to participate in agricultural industry
OTTAWA — Kendal Netmaker, a Saskatoon entrepreneur and speaker from Sweetgrass First Nation in Saskatchewan, said Indigenous people would like to be asked to work in agriculture. Many won’t apply for a job because they believe their culture and history mean they don’t have a chance. He told the Canadian Crops convention that decades of […] Read more
VIDEO: Farmers encouraged to use Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy
OTTAWA — An international relations expert urged Canadian farmers to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the country’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Janice Gross Stein, who was co-chair of the advisory committee that helped create the strategy, said the market is the fastest growing for exports and will account for 60 percent of the world’s growth. […] Read more
VIDEO: Building bridges to indigenous communities
Western Canadian society has a wall running straight down its middle, dividing the world into Indigenous and non-Indigenous spheres. Breaking that wall down is in everyone’s interest, according to Kendal Netmaker. The Saskatoon-based Indigenous entrepreneur, author and consultant told the Canadian Crops Convention his priority is removing that wall. “We need to knock it down […] Read more
