Joe Dales's Blog – August 2009 Archive (1)

AAFC cutting 665 positions

The cuts are part of the prime minister’s promise to reduce the public service

Canada And Ontario Investing $20 Million To Protect Local Farmers And Agribusinesses

The governments of Canada and Ontario announced they are investing up to $20 million through the new Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative to help farmers, food processors and agribusinesses sell more Ontario grown products around the world. Officials say the Initiative will fund a variety of projects to increase competitiveness for farmers and agribusinesses and support their expansion into new and international markets as part of the provincial government’s plan to protect Ontario’s agribusiness sector. As part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, this investment supports the province’s Grow Ontario Strategy to give farmers and businesses the tools they need to build long-term resiliency, create good-paying jobs and stay competitive in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty. “Expanding markets for Ontario food products ensures farmers and food processors have more reliable export opportunities,” said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister

Northern BC canola farmers remain cautious as Chinese tariffs set to ease

Canola farmers and business leaders in northeast B.C. are welcoming the expected relief from easing Chinese tariffs, but say the industry still faces uncertainty going into this year’s growing season. “A deal doesn’t mean a sale,” said Les Willms, who grows between 1,300 and 1,500 acres of canola each year at his family farm in Rose Prairie, north of Fort St. John, B.C. Like many farmers in the Peace region, Willms is watching closely to see whether a new deal announced last week between Canada and China leads to renewed demand and a rally in prices in the coming weeks. Under the deal, China is expected to lower tariffs on some Canadian canola products by March 1. In exchange, Canada will allow up to 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles in the country at reduced tariffs. It follows months of uncertainty after China imposed retaliatory tariffs last year in response to Canada’s decision to slap 100 per cent duties on Chinese EVs. “Hopefully we'll get some cargos going into Asia,” W

Carney's Canada-China deals are the product of months of diplomatic hustle

The agreements Prime Minister Mark Carney brokered over the two days of his Beijing visit are the result of months of diplomatic work and cultural knowledge, international relations experts say. Carleton University international affairs professor Fen Osler Hampson said Carney "would have not gotten on the plane" without knowing first he had "something big, some big bacon to bring back home." "The team supporting the ambassador would have definitely been working overtime on this one." On Friday, Carney announced China had agreed to lower agricultural tariffs in exchange for some access for Chinese electric vehicles to the Canadian market, and that Beijing had agreed to eventually loosen its visa requirements for Canadian visitors. A day prior, he oversaw the signing of agreements touching on finance, pet food, lumber, oil and green technology. Asia Pacific Foundation vice-president Vina Nadjibulla said the agreements are the product of "an iterative process" of discussions between

Province celebrates evolution of agriculture at 49th annual Ag Days

The Manitoba government is welcoming thousands of producers, manufacturers, processors and retailers from across Canada, the United States and internationally to celebrate the evolution of agriculture at the 49th Annual Manitoba Ag Days, taking place this week at the Keystone Centre in Brandon. “Manitoba farmers and agri-businesses are innovators who continue to adapt to challenges such as climate variability and market fluctuations,” said Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn. “Ag Days provides an important platform to share knowledge, showcase cutting-edge technologies and strengthen Manitoba’s position as a leader in agricultural excellence. Our government is committed to supporting this vital sector through strategic investments in research, innovation and sustainable practices.” The three-day event will showcase the latest in agricultural technology, equipment and research, with speakers from across the world presenting throughout the exposition. A new vendor’s market will highligh