A Vancouver Island mayor whose municipality is at the centre of a debate over what constitutes a “farm” for municipal tax purposes will lead the province’s review of the bigger issue. Provincial Revenue Minister Rick Thorpe on Thursday named Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard as one of two co-chairs for the province’s farm status assessment review. […] Read more
Saanich mayor to head B.C. farm tax panel
Campaign to boost biodiesel awareness
A new program to boost awareness of biodiesel production and its environmental benefits among diesel consumers in Western Canada has picked up a $330,000 investment from Western Economic Diversification Canada. The program, called BioFleet, is expected to focus on boosting demand for biodiesel through information campaigns and “first-user incentives.” Partners in the project include the […] Read more
Initials set for Pool B feed barley
Initial payments for 2007-08 Pool B feed barley were released Friday by the Canadian Wheat Board, putting No. 1 Canada Western (CW) at $157.50 per tonne, or $3.43 per bushel. That’s the same initial price per tonne as for Standard Canada Western Hulless in Pool B, which works out to $4.14 per bushel for that […] Read more
CWB public affairs VP exits: report
The Canadian Wheat Board’s vice-president of farmer relations and public affairs has “left to pursue other interests,” the Winnipeg Free Press reported Friday. The newspaper quoted CWB spokespeson Maureen Fitzhenry as confirming Deanna Allen’s departure but providing no further details nor the specific reasons for her exit. “We cannot comment on personnel matters,” Fitzhenry said. […] Read more
PFRA gets new chief for reorganization
The federal Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) will get a new boss for its reorganization. Jamshed Merchant, who’s currently executive director of the federal National Land and Water Information Service, will serve at the same time as acting director-general for PFRA, replacing Harley Olsen effective immediately. Olsen, who also directed PFRA in an “acting” capacity, […] Read more
CTA expects “short delay” on revenue caps
The Canadian Transportation Agency is running behind schedule to set the price index that will cap railways’ revenue from hauling Prairie grain for 2007-08. The CTA said Wednesday it expects to have a new adjusted volume-related composite price index in place “as soon as possible in February 2008” but that there will be a “short […] Read more
Liberals propose pro-CWB legislation
The federal Liberal Opposition has put forward a private member’s bill it hopes will hem in the government’s plans to deregulate Prairie barley marketing. The bill, announced Thursday by Manitoba Liberal MP Ray Simard, proposes to put authority over changes to the Canadian Wheat Board Act in the hands of the CWB’s board of directors. […] Read more
Man. boosts labour standards for farm workers
Labour standards such as minimum wage and work breaks are among the new regulations Manitoba announced Thursday for the province’s farm workers. Amendments to the province’s Employment Standards Code — the first such changes affecting farms since 1957 — lay out new standards for workers on grain and vegetable farms. They also bring workers in […] Read more
Alta. Verified Beef funding deadline looming
Alberta beef producers who took part in a Verified Beef Production workshop have until March 31 to get funding for half the cost of related equipment. Eligible producers can get back 50 per cent of the cost up to a maximum of $750 for eligible livestock equipment including chutes and headgates that facilitate neck injections; […] Read more
Ont. dairyman to head farm products council
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has named southern Ontario dairyman William Smirle to chair the National Farm Products Council. Smirle, whose term runs to Feb. 14, 2010, is a partner in the family dairy farm at Morewood, southeast of Ottawa, and also worked as a teacher and principal in Ottawa. He also served as deputy […] Read more
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