The federal government announced Thursday that, effective May 1, some sectors would be allowed no more than 20 per cent of their workforces to be made up of temporary foreign workers (TWFs) brought in via the low wage stream—down from 30 per cent since 2022.
Agriculture workers not mentioned in TFW rule changes
Food processing sees foreign worker limit reduced by ten per cent; construction, healthcare exempted
Consumer food-buying behaviour changing rapidly
Inflation-strapped buyers turn to more discounts, cut their food-buying budgets
Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia — Canadian consumers have dramatically changed their grocery-buying patterns in the past year as food prices and housing inflation have squeezed their budgets. Demand and product changes in the food supply chain will affect farm commodities. Grocery store sales are down in Canada, even with product value inflation, which means less demand for […] Read more
Protein sector faces labour crunch: report
Nearly two thirds of agri-food companies can't hire all the workers they need
Government, industry and educational institutes must act now to address the labour challenges confronting the emerging plant-based protein industry in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, according to a new report.
Feds plan to invest in processing projects
The money comes from a fund earmarked to help supply managed sectors hurt by trade deal
The federal government will invest $89 million in 49 processing projects in the supply managed sector. Agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay was in Ingleside, Ont., at the Lactalis Canada cheese plant to make the Feb. 5 announcement. The projects are through the six-year, $397.5-million Supply Management Processing Investment Fund, which is part of Ottawa's commitment to help sectors that lost market share due to trade agreements.
Milk concentration project back on track
First of its kind dairy facility had to overcome regulatory challenges
Reading Time: 3 minutes After breaking ground last August, construction on the Western Milk Pool’s $70-million Dairy Innovation West facility is gaining momentum. “We have shovels in the ground as of now, pilings in and we’re getting ready as winter approaches,” CEO Nolan Berg said at a December dairy conference in Winnipeg. “We’re getting that all set up so […] Read more
Feds earmark $400,000 to tofu production automation
Quebec tofu manufacturers have seen high demand in recent years
A Quebec tofu-maker has received a $400,000 federal loan to help automate its organic tofu production facility.
You grow food, but have you ever thought about making it?
Reading Time: 3 minutes It doesn’t sound like a farm show — and it’s not — but primary producers are one of the target audiences for the soon-to-be-launched Agri-Food Innovation Expo. “The initial event is a conference with a small trade show, with a bit of a focus on those who wish to expand their farm business and get […] Read more
Italy moves to ban lab-grown food in drive to protect tradition
Ag lobby praises government move; angry reactions from food companies, animal rights groups
Rome | Reuters –– Italy’s government on Tuesday approved a bill banning the use of laboratory-produced food and animal feed as it aims to safeguard the country’s agri-food heritage, its agriculture minister told a news conference after a cabinet meeting. If the proposal is passed by parliament, Italian industry will not be allowed to produce […] Read more
U.S. to crack down on child labour amid massive uptick
Food processing plants among alleged offenders
Washington | Reuters — The Biden administration in the U.S. announced measures to crack down on child labour on Monday amid a steep rise in violations and investigative reports by Reuters and other news outlets on illegal employment of migrant minors in dangerous industries. U.S. officials said the Labor Department had seen a nearly 70 […] Read more
Business leaders back tax credit to spur more agri-processing
Province to offer 12 per cent tax credit for large-scale value-added projects
Reading Time: 3 minutes A new provincial tax break aimed at boosting the province’s agri-processing sector is getting a thumbs up from business leaders. “We are truly involved in a global economy that includes a rise in demand for food exports,” said Rich Vesta, owner of Harmony Beef, who hosted a government press conference announcing the tax credit. “With […] Read more
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