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 moreTag Archives Dave Carey
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

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
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

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

Share concerns, build relationships with MPs, lobbyist says
Speak with your local MP on a regular basis and don’t be afraid to share your concerns with them regardless of their political affiliation, a long-time lobbyist told farmers. “Meet with your member of Parliament annually. That’s how you inform politicians. That’s where you can gain some real momentum and leverage. It only takes one […] Read more

Canola growers scramble to address federal policy issues
Another day, another issue for canola growers to tackle. From the federal government’s musing on reducing emissions from fertilizer use to trade matters to carbon pricing, policy dominates much of the work carried out by farmer organizations. The most recent concern surrounds amendments made in the Senate to Bill C-234 that removed barns and greenhouses […] Read more

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
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
Ag exporters want action on non-tariff barriers
Canada responded to American steel tariffs with a targeted set of retaliatory measures and that worked. The same should be done in agriculture.