John Barlow, shown here in 2015, is the federal Conservatives’ new lead shadow cabinet minister for agriculture and agri-food. (Johnbarlowmp.ca)

Federal Tories’ former associate ag critic takes lead chair

Andrew Scheer’s federal Conservatives will have a familiar face in the agriculture critic’s chair when the House of Commons reconvenes next month. Scheer on Friday named John Barlow, the MP for the southwestern Alberta riding of Foothills, as the lead opposition critic for agriculture and agri-food. Barlow replaces Quebec MP Luc Berthold, who takes up […] Read more



(Dave Bedard photo)

Federated Co-op to close Calgary distribution centre

The main supply outlet for Co-op grocery stores in southern Alberta and British Columbia is set to close in April as one of its main users takes its business elsewhere. Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) announced Thursday it will close its Calgary food distribution centre in April, a decision it said will eliminate just over 200 […] Read more

Marie-Claude Bibeau speaks at a Montreal convention on March 7, 2019.  Photo: Allan Dawson/File

Bibeau remains federal agriculture minister in shuffle

Updated, Nov. 21— Quebec MP Marie-Claude Bibeau retains her role as federal minister of agriculture and agri-food in Wednesday’s cabinet shake-up for the Liberals’ minority government. Bibeau will join her colleagues — including returning Transport Minister Marc Garneau and new Labour Minister Filomena Tassi, a Hamilton MP and former minister for seniors — in having […] Read more



(Dave Bedard photo)

Impossible Whoppers contaminated by meat, suit claims

Reuters — Burger King was sued on Monday by a vegan customer who accused the fast-food chain of contaminating its meatless “Impossible” Whoppers by cooking them on the same grills as its traditional meat burgers. In a proposed class action, Phillip Williams said he bought an Impossible Whopper, a plant-based alternative to Burger King’s regular […] Read more


Smoke billows during a fire in an area of the Amazon rainforest near Humaita, Amazonas State, Brazil on Aug. 14, 2019. (Photo: Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino)

Brazil Amazon deforestation soars to 11-year high

Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil | Reuters — Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest rose to its highest in over a decade this year, government data on Monday showed, confirming a sharp increase under the leadership of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. The data from Brazil’s INPE space research agency, which showed deforestation soaring 29.5 per cent […] Read more



Excessive amounts of fall moisture in the form of rain and snow has practically ensured that grain drying will be necessary for any remaining crops to be harvested.  Photo: File

Carbon costs affecting grain drying for Prairie farmers

Opponents say the rebates won't fully cover the additional costs farmers must pay

Glacier FarmMedia – Farmers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta struggling to get their crops harvested will also be paying higher costs for drying thanks to the federal carbon levy. While the federal carbon price offers relief for gasoline and light fuel oil costs used in tractors and trucks, there is no exemption for grain drying […] Read more

Canadian International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr speaks at the first China-Canada economic and financial strategy dialogue in Beijing on Nov. 12, 2018.  Photo: Reuters/Jason Lee/Pool

Key federal minister in Canada/China dispute fighting cancer

Just days after two senior cabinet ministers from the Prairies were defeated in Monday’s federal election, the Liberal government is now facing the possibility of a third stepping away from cabinet. International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr from Manitoba announced on Friday that he has been diagnosed with a type of blood cancer known as […] Read more