Uncollectible loans and unsustainable agriculture Sunday, April 3, 2011 The Nova Scotia government wrote off $16.2 million in bad loans from 2008. The loans included more than $1 million in uncollectible student loans, and smaller amounts for pharmacare premiums and unpaid fees. But by far the majority of the uncollectible loans had been made by the Nova Scotia agriculture department. "This unusually high amount is due to defaulted hog loan accounts under the Farm Loan Board," said a ministry of finance press release."For many years, hog farming in Nova Scotia was heavily subsidized by government," the release went on. "When government support was discontinued in 2007-08, many hog farmers were unable to sustain their business due to low pork prices and rising production costs."The Canadian Pork Council's public relations manager, Gary Stordy, says the Nova Scotia industry has collapsed. There are six pig farms left, compared to more than 80 four years ago.Many provinces offer loans to producers of various commodities, Stordy says. Another pork example is Big Sky Farms Inc. in Saskatchewan. The province now has a stake in the embattled company. BP Inconsistent reports on red meat The 'bacon bubble' that didn't burst
Canada Launches Carbon Market Working Group and Agriculture Watches for Opportunities Friday, October 23, 2026 Federal, provincial and territorial governments have launched a new working group to explore ways of improving cooperation among carbon markets across Canada, a move that could eventually have implications for Canadian agriculture. The announcement, made by Federal, provincial, and... Read this article online
Ag workers act quick to put out Sask. grain dryer fire Thursday, October 22, 2026 A Saskatchewan farm business is recognizing its employees and the community for springing into action to put out a fire. “Thankfully, thanks to the quick response and teamwork of our staff, neighbours, and the Borden Fire Department, the situation was brought under control quickly, with... Read this article online
Bernard Sévigny appointed ag minister in Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s government Thursday, October 22, 2026 Bernard Sévigny, a former TVA journalist and the former mayor of Sherbrooke is Quebec’s new minister of agriculture, fisheries and food. Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon revealed Sévigny, the MNA for Richmond, and the rest of his Parti Québécois cabinet during an Oct. 21 swearing-in... Read this article online
Alberta votes to remain in Canada Thursday, October 22, 2026 The majority of Albertans want their province to remain part of Canada. During the Oct. 19 provincial referendum, when asked if Alberta should remain a Canadian province or if the provincial government should begin the legal process of holding a binding referendum on possible separation,... Read this article online
UFA Opens New Cardlock and Bulk Petroleum Site in Outlook, Saskatchewan Thursday, October 22, 2026 United Farmers of Alberta (UFA) has expanded its petroleum network with the opening of a new Cardlock and Bulk Petroleum site in Outlook, Saskatchewan, providing agricultural producers, transportation companies, and commercial operators with expanded access to fuel and lubricants in one of... Read this article online