A private member’s bill that wants to take supply management off the trade table is at the centre of attention in Ottawa. | File photo

Supply management bill moves slowly through Senate

A private member’s bill that wants to take supply management off the trade table is at the centre of attention in Ottawa


REGINA — Clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-282 in the Senate is not expected until November, after the Bloc Quebecois deadline for triggering a federal election. Passing the private member’s bill to protect supply management in future trade agreements by Oct. 29 was one of BQ leader Yves-Francois Blanchet’s demands when he voted against recent Conservative […] Read more

Administration of APP could change

WHITEHORSE — Farmer-led organizations could lose their ability to run the Advance Payments Program, the largest administrator warned recently. About 30 organizations handle the program on behalf of the federal government. Dave Carey, vice-president of government and industry relations at the Canadian Canola Growers Association, said Ottawa is considering handing national administration to Farm Credit […] Read more

The agriculture sector is concerned that Bill S-243 would undermine access to farm loans.  |  Getty Images

Ag sector fears Senate bill’s effect on lending

Private member’s bill would require financial institutions to align their lending decisions with government’s climate goals

A coalition of 17 major farm groups is opposing a bill that would tie the decisions of lending institutions to Canada’s climate goals. The Agriculture Carbon Alliance, which pushes for recognition of farm sustainability, argues that Bill S-243 could lead to higher borrowing costs and more red tape for farmers. Bill S-243, the Enacting Climate […] Read more


Bill S-243, a private member's bill introduced by Senator Rosa Galvez in early 2022, proposes to "align the financial sector with climate commitments through various measures," says a legislative summary of the bill. | Screencap via sencanada.ca

Carbon Alliance worries bill could add red tape, cost to farm lending

Private members bill proposes to add climate accountability strings to financial sector

Glacier FarmMedia – A bill under consideration in the Senate could add red tape and extra cost to ag lending, representatives from the Agriculture Carbon Alliance told senators April 18. “Anything that makes capital more expensive right now, what with where interest rates are, where prime is, is a concern for farmers,” said Dave Carey, […] Read more

Agriculture Carbon Alliance co-chair Scott Ross said passing the amended version of the bill creates unjust inequity for farmers who have to pay carbon prices on essential activities. | twitter.com/@Adam_Pukalo photo

Carbon exemption bill back in House

REGINA — Bill C-234 was first on the agenda when Parliament returned Jan. 29 as members debated a motion to tell the Senate it was wrong. Ontario Conservative MP Ben Lobb, who introduced Bill C-234 two years ago, is now asking MPs to send a message “that this House disagrees with the amendments made by […] Read more




Bill C-234, which would exempt natural gas and propane used to dry grain and heat and cool barns and greenhouses from the carbon tax, has met with a rocky reception in the Senate.  |  File photo

Farmers asked to rally support for Bill C-234

Senate to vote soon on carbon tax exemption bill, and the chamber is accused of delaying tactics to keep it from passing

The fate of Bill C-234 in the Canadian Senate has become a numbers game. Bill supporters are urgently asking farmers to contact their senators to explain how important it is that they are in Ottawa Nov. 21 to vote. Senators must be present in the chamber to vote, unlike members of Parliament who can vote […] Read more


A private member’s bill has been amended in the Senate to remove barns and greenhouses from carbon tax exemption.  |  File photo

Producers oppose carbon tax bill amendment

A Senate amendment to a private member’s bill would exempt grain drying but not barn heating and greenhouses

Farm organizations and farmers across the country urge senators to defeat an amendment to Bill C-234 that removed barns and greenhouses from a potential carbon pricing exemption. The proposed changes mean the bill, which would amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, would exempt natural gas and propane used for grain drying but not barn […] Read more