(Assnat.qc.ca)

Quebec names new deputy ag minister

A former deputy minister for Quebec’s ministry of agriculture, food and fisheries has returned to the post after a few years in the consulting business. Marc Dion, 67, was announced Tuesday as deputy minister effective March 1, replacing Fernand Archambault as the ministry’s lead bureaucrat. Dion, a consultant in private practice since 2011, had previously […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Federation des producteurs acericoles du Quebec.)

Quebec extends organic conversion funding plan

A support program for Quebec farmers to convert crop, livestock or maple syrup operations to organic production will get an extension. Provincial Agriculture Minister Laurent Lessard on Monday announced the three-year, $4 million organic agriculture conversion support program set up in June 2015 will now run to the end of March 2022. The program offers […] Read more



Quebec Agriculture Minister Pierre Paradis. (MAPAQ.gouv.qc.ca)

Quebec agriculture minister temporarily sidelined

Quebec’s agriculture minister Pierre Paradis is off work temporarily with what’s reported to be a concussion. Premier Philippe Couillard announced Wednesday that Paradis’ responsibilities as minister of agriculture, food and fisheries would temporarily go to Transport Minister Laurent Lessard. News outlets in Quebec including Radio Canada, La Presse and TVA reported Wednesday that Paradis had […] Read more


Quebec OYF regional nominees Dominic Drapeau and Celia Neault and their four children – Kelly and Mavrick, 10-year-old twins, Alicia, nine and Liam, seven.

Outstanding Young Farmers Quebec: Dominic Drapeau and Celia Neault

Dominic Drapeau and Celia Neault are part of a four-generation family farm

Relying on the knowledge and advice of an expert team, strong family support, a well-planned goal, and a lot of hard work has helped a young southern Quebec couple build one of the most progressive and productive dairy farms in the province. Dominic Drapeau and Celia Neault say it is a combination of these and […] Read more




ALUS Canada has launched its first program in Quebec, with support from a regional arm of UPA. (CNW Group/ALUS Canada)

ALUS program expands to Quebec

The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program has made its move into a sixth province with a new project in Quebec’s Monteregie. ALUS Canada, working with the Monteregie branch of Quebec’s Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA), formally launched the program Wednesday at its first Quebec location, a farm near St-Jean-Baptiste, south of St-Hyacinthe. ALUS, in […] Read more


Fourth of July celebrations at Vermont’s State House in Montpelier. (Legislature.vermont.gov)

Quebec again ponders mandatory GMO labelling

Quebec’s agriculture minister has telegraphed an interest in following the lead of a next-door neighbour to require mandatory labelling for foods made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The province’s governing Liberals previously called for such a system, making a GMO label law part of their election platform back in 2003, but have been quiet about their […] Read more