Agriculture had some ambassadors at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s tariff summit in Toronto, Feb. 7, though some said more representation would have been better.

Ag sees small representation at tariff summit
Looming threat of U.S. tariffs discussed

CFA delegates want interest-free portion of APP back at higher limit
Politicians grilled on intentions toward carbon price exemption bill
Federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay said Feb. 27 he couldn’t move the interest-free portion of the Advance Payment Program back up to $350,000.

Robinson named to Senate
Former CFA president brings agricultural and business acumen to Canada’s upper house
Mary Robinson, former president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, has been appointed to the Senate.

Federal leaders vie for farmer support at CFA
Ottawa seems to be sitting up and taking notice of agriculture
Reading Time: 3 minutes Ottawa —The meeting hall was buzzing March 6 as those at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s annual meeting awaited the arrival of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The last-minute addition to the agenda had been quietly rumoured for several days but only confirmed on the opening morning of the event. A longtime member of the Parliamentary […] Read more

Former OFA president to lead CFA
Keith Currie acclaimed to replace Mary Robinson
A former president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture is taking the helm of Canada’s largest general farmers’ organization. Keith Currie of Collingwood, Ont. was acclaimed as the new president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture this week during the CFA’s annual general meeting in Ottawa. As CFA president, Currie replaces Mary Robinson of Albany, […] Read more

Feds open up consultations for sustainable ag strategy
Producer groups to have reps on advisory committee
The federal government has enlisted farm groups on the ground floor of consultations toward development of a long-term strategy to “amplify” the adoption and use of sustainable practices in agriculture over the next year. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Dec. 12 announced the launch of public consultations on strategy development, running from now through March […] Read more

CFA’s Hay West program up and running
Program website now online
A revival of the “Hay West” initiative, aimed at shipping feed from Eastern Canada to supplement drought-dented supplies in the West, has gone live. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture on Friday announced its Hay West 2021 initiative is “now operational and seeking applicants to both receive and supply hay.” Applicants interested in either supplying or […] Read more

Ontario MDS volunteers already moving hay west
Disaster response group spearheading program separate from CFA plan
It’s in the spirit of co-operation in difficult times that a group of Ontario farmers have launched a hay donation program to assist their Saskatchewan counterparts. Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Canada, a volunteer organization that provides assistance in the aftermath of disasters in Canada and the U.S., is organizing the latest iteration of Hay West […] Read more

Plans afoot to move hay from East to drought-hit West
CFA, BFO spearheading Hay West-style initiatives
Farm groups are spearheading new plans to get livestock feed from Eastern Canada to drought-damaged regions of the western provinces and northwestern Ontario. Details are still pending, but the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) announced Aug. 12 it has started work on a “Hay West” initiative to get surplus hay “to those struggling in the […] Read more

Federal budget plays to mixed reviews from ag groups
Funding for green initiatives, carbon pricing rebate plan hailed
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) says it is “pleased” the 2021 federal budget included some of the recommendations it had made. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s first budget, released April 19, included significant spending to help producers transition to a greener economy and cited agriculture as a foundational pillar of Canada’s future. “CFA will be […] Read more