The Hill
The Hill: Biofuel’s policy free ride is over
The government’s biofuel legislation looked like it was going to sail through Parliament. Then came headlines about a world food crisis, with biofuel pegged as one of the culprits
by BARRY WILSON
Even by the Ottawa standards of shifting political sands, the fall from grace of the government’s biofuel support and subsidy policy was breathtaking.
Not so long ago – let’s say the 2006 election campaign – all political parties were bully on biofuel as an environmental policy.
The Hill: Changing the name doesn’t change a program
That’s the verdict of producers on the new set of national farm programs announced on April 1. ‘To farmers,’ said one, ‘it all looks like the same old thing but less’
by BARRY WILSON
The April 1 launch of the much-hyped next generation of national farm programs was a low-key, modest affair. And, indeed, there was much to be modest about.
Ag Insight: The decline in Ontario’s commitment to agriculture and food research
While overall provincial spending has increased 70 per cent since 2002, expenditure in agricultural research has actually fallen. Yet it is essential to Ontario’s economy and to an affordable, safe and abundant food supply
by JIM DALRYMPLE
The recent Ontario budget indicates little commitment to agriculture and food research or to the importance of the agriculture and food industry to the economy.
The Hill: A minister who says what Ontario farmers want to hear
by BARRY WILSON
Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Geri Kamenz knew he was the skunk at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) garden party in late February when he praised federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz after a controversial speech.
The minister was saying what Ontario farmers want to hear, said the Ontario farm leader. He is delivering the goods. But most of Kamenz’ CFA comrades had a very different, more hostile view of Ritz and his performance at the late February CFA annual meeting.
The Hill: The anti-farm crusade by urban newspaper columnists
It is one thing to rage at the unfairness of their arguments. But it is also necessary to prove them wrong
by BARRY WILSON
Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Bob Friesen had it exactly right.
He began a letter to the National Post in late January with the opening line: “I continue to be absolutely mystified by the ongoing crusade of the National Post and its columnists against Canadian farmers and our national agriculture industry.”
The Hill: Once again, farm aid is seen as ‘too little, too late’
Though billions in aid could be available under the new federal-provincial support package, the industry was underwhelmed. ‘Welcome, but not enough’ was one verdict
by BARRY WILSON
It is a lesson that many generations of agriculture ministers have learned the hard way. Giving away money or making money available doesn’t always buy farmer praise or support.
The Hill: In today’s Parliament, agriculture is rarely on the radar
With few agricultural MPs on the Opposition benches, agricultural matters rarely come in that daily Question Period. Result: there is little pressure on the government to act
by BARRY WILSON
In January 2006, Canadians elected a Conservative government which arguably contains a higher percentage of rural and farm-connected MPs than any government since John Diefenbaker’s 1957 minority.
The Hill: Farmers feel left out of the Tory tax cut
The GST cut will mean little to farm businesses.
Where is the investment in infrastructure, they ask?
by BARRY WILSON
The federal Conservative government is in a giving mood this holiday season, promising Canadians more than $60 billion in tax reductions over the next five years.
Taxpayers will notice it when they file income tax returns next spring for 2007.
