Endangered Species Act change approved for further study Saturday, May 12, 2012 by SUSAN MANN A private member’s bill that would make it mandatory for the Natural Resources Ministry to consider social and economic factors as part of species recovery strategies squeaked through second reading Thursday. Proposed by Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott, Bill 73 passed by just one vote - the tally was 30 in favour, 29 opposed. The proposal has now been referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy for further study. No date has been set yet for committee hearings on the proposal that would amend the Endangered Species Act. “I’ll take the win,” Scott says of her proposed bill narrowly winning approval. As part of considering social and economic factors in species recovery and habitat protection strategies, Scott says that should include a cost-benefit analysis including job losses and the loss of land use. Scott, the Progressive Conservative natural resources critic, says she has heard repeated stories of people being afraid to report a discovery of an endangered species because of punitive restrictions that could be imposed on them. The current Endangered Species Act isn’t working for endangered species or landowners, she notes. Scott says she hopes the committee will hold public hearings as they discuss her amendment “and they need to travel outside Toronto. This is predominately a rural issue.” BF Feds eye tender fruit damage Different policies for different sized farms?
Tips for first year university students Friday, August 29, 2025 The final weekend of summer is here, and students across Ontario will be returning to class next week. That includes at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus, where staff, faculty, and volunteers are preparing to welcome a new crop of first year students. “There’s definitely a... Read this article online
Sterling buckle marks 170 years at Spencerville Fair Friday, August 29, 2025 For its 170th anniversary, the Spencerville Fair is presenting a distinctive piece of Canadian silverwork that reflects nearly two centuries of agricultural tradition. The 170th Anniversary Spencerville Fair Sterling Silver Buckle was designed and handcrafted by Alex Dordevic of TRIBE, a... Read this article online
Corn and Soybean Crops Fall Short in 2025 Predicts Great Ontario Yield Tour Thursday, August 28, 2025 Ontario’s 2025 corn and soybean harvest is shaping up to be one of the most challenging in recent memory, as persistent drought and heat have pushed yields below the Agricorp 10-year average say experts and master scouts Moe Agostino and Henry Prinzen of the 2025 Great Ontario Yield Tour.... Read this article online
Global grain trade gets a shake-up: What it means for Canadian farmers Thursday, August 28, 2025 The global grain and oilseed trading industry is undergoing a major transformation—and Canadian farmers should take note. A recently published study in the September 2025 issue of discussed how the traditional dominance of a few multinational giants is giving way to a more competitive,... Read this article online
Ontario Farmers Share Yield Strategies Amid Drought Wednesday, August 27, 2025 The Great Ontario Yield Tour held an event at Petersen Custom Farming in Osgood, Ontario, on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The farmer panel during lunch was one of the highlights of the event. Farmers and industry experts gathered to discuss yield strategies and the realities of this season’s... Read this article online