Organizations say increasing the inclusion rate will affect intergenerational transfer and decrease the number of family farms
REGINA — The farm lobby against federal changes to the capital gains inclusion rate is gathering steam. Grain Growers of Canada launched ProtectFamilyFarms.ca last week after revealing research showing family grain farmers would face 30 per cent more in taxes if the rate rises from one-half to two-thirds. The online lobby allows farmers to contact […] Read moreTag Archives Keith Currie
Ag Canada’s climate programs found lacking
A report from the auditor general’s office says initiatives designed to help farmers reduce emissions have shortcomings
REGINA — Agriculture Canada says it will do better after a report from the auditor general’s office criticized its attempts to deal with climate change. The report from the commissioner of the environment and sustainable development said the department has known since 2015 that it had to address greenhouse gas emissions. However, programs to help […] Read more
Farm debt has room to grow
At the end of 2017, Canadian farm debt topped $100 billion. At the time, it was a bigger number than the national debt of 135 countries, noted Country Guide columnist Gerald Pilger. As of 2022, the most recent year on Statistics Canada’s published record, it reached $138.9 billion. Interest rate increases since early 2022 also […] Read more
Federal budget draws mixed reaction from Canadian ag groups
Livestock tax deferral, capital gains exemption praised; overall lack of investment in agriculture noted
Glacier FarmMedia – The 2024 federal budget, released Tuesday afternoon has drawn mixed reactions from ag groups across Canada. While some have praised aspects of the plan, others have condemned the lack of attention paid to agriculture and farmers. The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) stated that they were “cautiously optimistic” to see recognition of the […] Read more
Remove carbon tax throughout the food chain: professor
University researcher tells House agriculture committee that Canada’s food security could be at risk if it isn’t competitive
REGINA — The head of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University says the carbon tax should be removed from all players in the food chain. Sylvain Charlebois told the standing agriculture committee he had recommended this earlier, during testimony at the finance committee. He said the tax should be paused “for all companies related […] Read more
Carbon pricing exemption bill in doubt after senate amendment
REGINA — The Senate amended Bill C-234 Dec. 5, leaving its future very much in doubt. By a narrow 40-39 margin, senators voted in favour of Independent Senators Group Pierre Dalphond’s amendment to remove heating and cooling of barns from the bill that would have exempted propane and natural gas from carbon pricing. An exemption […] Read more
Liberal MP introduces pathway for quicker regulatory approval
Seed, feed and pest control legislation would be amended to allow faster approval of products from other countries
Kody Blois, Liberal MP and chair of the House of Commons’ agriculture committee, has introduced a bill to make it easier for seed, feed and crop protection products to move into Canada. Private member’s Bill C-359 would amend the Seeds Act, Feeds Act and Pest Control Products Act to provide a 90-day provisional registration for […] Read more
Agriculture ministers to meet next week
The head of Canada’s largest producer organization expects the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy to be top of mind during meetings next week. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is scheduled to hold meetings with agriculture ministers ahead of their annual federal-provincial-territorial meeting July 19-21 in Fredericton. President Keith Currie said farmers appreciate the extra $250 million in […] Read more
