Feb 26 2019 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Ottawa—New federal livestock transportation regulations are disappointing when it comes to the best outcome for animals and poultry being shipped, agrifood groups say. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association said in a statement the Canadian Food Inspection Agency should have waited for the completion of research funded in part by Agriculture Canada on best practices to ensure […]
Feb 25 2019 — Ciara O’Riordan — National Newswatch — As campaigns in Canada gear-up ahead of the country’s 43rd federal election this October, many are wondering how this year’s election campaigning will compare to previous years. As in Europe and the US, Canadian politicians will find it hard to ignore the challenges that disinformation campaigns and the continued rise in populist movements will certainly […]
Feb 23 2019 — Don Lenihan — National Newswatch — Never waste a good crisis. Winston Churchill’s words must be ringing in the PM’s ears. First, the SNC-Lavalin controversy swallowed his star Indigenous minister, then it took his principal secretary. No one knows what’s next, but a crisis this surely is. So, can any good come of it for the Liberal government? Maybe, and it […]
Feb 21 2019 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Government payments transformed from a lifejacket to an enabler for the sector. Ottawa—In the graphs and understated prose of the Farm Income, Financial Conditions and Government Assistance Data Book compiled by Agriculture Canada is the story of a remarkable turnaround in the farm sector during the last decade. Based on 2016 numbers, the Book […]
Feb 20 2019 — John Milloy — National Newswatch — Gerald Butts has resigned and Ottawa is awash with speculation about the next chapter in the SNC-Lavalin affair. My take on it is simple — I have absolutely no idea. And in the interests of full disclosure, I worked with Gerald at Queen’s Park and found him to be a capable and honourable fellow. What I do know, however, is that as the dust settles on this […]
Feb 19 2019 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — The federal government has to take a bigger picture view of helping them to adjust. Ottawa—Chicken, turkey and egg producers will take a serious hit in the coming years from increased imports allowed under free trade deals and they want the federal government to take big picture view of helping them to adapt. That […]
Feb 12 2019 — Glen Pearson — National Newswatch — As research polls go, it was pretty remarkable. The Pew Research Centre poll released recently tells of a more frightening and insecure world with American in it. That’s revealing, since the United States has been central to the economic, military, trade and intellectual global frameworks since the Second World War. A look at the numbers […]
Feb 9 2019 — Don Lenihan — National Newswatch — Franz Kafa couldn’t script it better. The Trudeau PMO stands accused of interfering in a legal process and the former Attorney General is the only one who can clear the air; but she refuses to do so, citing solicitor/client privilege. Meanwhile, the prime minister, her client, twists in the wind yet, inexplicably, fails to waive […]
Feb 9 2019 — Dave Lovekin and Dylan Heerema — National Newswatch — Challenges and opportunities for hybrid microgrids. Vast distances separate Canada’s remote communities from their neighbours — and the energy systems many of us take for granted when we flip a switch. Since remote communities are not connected to either natural gas infrastructure or the North American electricity grid, they must produce their own energy […]
Feb 6 2019 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Ottawa–Transport Minister Marc Garneau surprised the Hamilton and Oshawa port authorities Feb. 5 by proposing they be amalgamated into a new entity. Equally surprising he didn’t include the Toronto Port Authority in the equation. “This action is being taken to improve port efficiencies and planning in the region,” Garneau said in a statement. The port […]
Feb 5 2019 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Backers in the agrifood industry are aiming to have program ready this fall. Ottawa—A lot of behind the scenes work has gone into an agrifood industry led initiative to make the Canada Brand a draw to consumers around the world. The goal is to have the strategy ready for whomever forms the government after […]
Feb 5 2019 — Don Lenihan — National Newswatch — Senate hearings on C-69 are about to begin and the critics are lining up. It will be a critical test of the government’s approach to climate change AND of the new senate’s role as a house of sober second thought. There’s a lot hanging in the balance and senators need to get this right. So, […]
Feb 4 2019 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — 4-H, Farm Management Canada and Farm Credit trying to raise awareness. Ottawa – Rural Canada will see the rollout this year of several programs to raise awareness of mental health issues, the Commons agriculture committee has been told. 4-H Canada will launch a healthy living initiative in three phases to support the mental and […]
Feb 4 2019 — Sandeep Prasad and Julie Delahanty — National Newswatch — When it comes to standing up for sexual and reproductive health and rights, Canada is back. There is a crisis of leadership on global development and nowhere is that more evident than in the area of sexual and reproductive health. Canada’s support for women and girls to exercise their rights to bodily autonomy, make choices […]