The number of Canadian organic producers and processors fell by nearly 300 in 2022 according to the latest industry stats. “There’s people coming in and there’s people going out,” said Tia Loftsgard, executive director of the Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA).
Organic operators down, acreage up: new industry stats
Total organic sales in 2022 was $10.26, billion up from $9.35 billion in 2021
Senate votes down C-234 amendments
Changes would have pulled barn and greenhouse heating from carbon price exemptions
The Senate voted today to reject amendments that would have seen barn and greenhouse heating removed from Bill C-234. In a sitting on the afternoon of Nov. 7, senators voted no to the adoption of amendments made by the committee for agriculture and forestry. Twenty-eight voted yes, and four abstained. The Senate then voted to […] Read more
Think outside the agriculture box for labour, ag and tech leaders say
Agriculture in the Classroom is reaching non-farming students with inspiration for ag jobs, panelists say
Ag and tech leaders encouraged employers to think outside the agricultural box when looking to hire workers in order to expand the labour pool. “I’m one of the lucky ones,” said Brenna Mahoney, general manager of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP). Mahoney entered the industry with no agriculture experience. She had training in human resources and […] Read more
Carbon tax exemption bill C-234 clears Senate committee
Divided senators defeated an amendment to make it more difficult to extend the bill's sunset clause
In final committee deliberations on Oct. 24, an amendment that would make it more difficult to extend the bill’s sunset clause was defeated with a tied vote.
Senate committee pulls barn, greenhouse heating from carbon exemption bill
Groups expressed disappointment over the amendment, which will also slow the bill’s progress
Groups expressed disappointment over an amendment to Bill C-234, which will not only remove barn and greenhouse heating from a proposed exemption from the carbon price but will also delay the bill’s progress.
Anti-activist bill back before Commons committee
Bill adds protections for biosecurity, farmers' mental health, Barlow says
A bill to create harsher penalties for unlawful entry onto farms and biosecure zones is back before the House of Commons after a previous iteration died on the order table in 2021. Conservative MP John Barlow brought forward Bill C-275, “an Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms),” as a private […] Read more
Carbon exemption bill nearing close of Senate deliberations
Farm groups hoped to see Bill C-234 made law in time for harvest
A bill to exempt propane and natural gas from the carbon price when used for grain drying and barn heating was nearing the end of its winding road through the Senate after an Oct. 5 meeting. Thursday morning the Senate’s committee on agriculture and forestry heard final witnesses speak on Bill C-234, which would amend […] Read more
Underused housing tax undue burden on farmers, ag groups say
Many farms can apply for exemption, but the process can be expensive, a letter to federal ministers says
Agriculture leaders say a federal tax on ‘underused’ housing is causing an unintended and undue burden on farmers. “We urge the government to exempt farmers from the requirement to file a [underused housing tax] return,” said a letter sent to federal ministers. The Canadian Canola Growers, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Canadian Cattle Association, Ontario Fruit […] Read more
NFU claims victory for wheat producers after CGC reversal
The changes would've seen the export grade standard applied to deliveries to country elevators
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling a reversal of wheat-grading changes a “tremendous success for farmers,” according to news release, Friday. On Friday morning, the Canadian Grain Commission repealed upcoming grading changes in response to complaints from producer groups. In a news release, the CGC simply stated it was repealing the alignment of primary […] Read more
CGC repeals grading changes in response to producer complaints
The new regulations would have seen export grade standards applied to deliveries to country elevators
Days before implementation, the Canadian Grain Commission repealed grading changes in response to complaints from producer groups. In a news release, Friday, the CGC simply stated it was repealing the alignment of primary and export tolerances for test weight and total foreign materials for Canada Western Red Spring, Canada Western Hard White Spring, Canada Western Extra […] Read more
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