Media Releases

Strengthening the Canada Grain Act and the CGC is critical to farmers’ future

"Changes in the grain handling system since the last major review of the Act have resulted in gaps where CGC lacks the authority to fully safeguard farmers’ interests. The need for a strong regulator has not gone away,” said NFU 2nd VP Stewart Wells. The Act is the solid foundation of our grain economy, our farmers’ livelihoods and our domestic and international customers’ confidence. The NFU is pleased to offer recommendations for making the CGA and the CGC even stronger

Federal Budget Creates Important Programs to Reduce Agricultural GHG Emissions

Today’s federal budget committed significant new money to programs to help reduce agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  New funding in Budget 2021 includes: $200 million over two years to fund programs to improve nitrogen fertilizer-use efficiency, accelerate cover crop adoption, and expand rotational grazing. In addition to new spending, the Budget allocates existing funds to create new programs, including: $60 million, over two years, from previously announced funding, for a reverse auction pilot program to protect wetlands and trees on farms;  $10 million to help farmers adopt clean energy solutions and begin to transition off fossil fuels; $50 million to help farmers purchase more efficient grain dryers; and Approximately $100 million of the money that farmers currently pay in carbon levies on natural gas and propane will be rebated back to farmers.   

Rural Women Welcome Announcement of Childcare Funding in Federal Budget

 The National Farmers Union (NFU) is pleased to see action being taken toward meaningful implementation of a universal child care program with the significance of $30 Billion allocated to the Early Learning and Child Care and Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care program marking a good first step.

NFU Statement on the International Day of Peasant Struggle: Food Sovereignty in Canada

The theme for this year’s International Day of Peasant Struggle is #NoFutureWithoutFoodSovereignty, so let’s take this opportunity to reflect on a few of the many NFU campaigns that embody the spirit of food sovereignty: Seed activism, Indigenous Solidarity, Climate justice work, supporting UNDROP. The NFU’s food sovereignty journey is a work in progress, as we strive to self-educate to better work in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and communities of colour across the country. This April 17th, the NFU stands in solidarity with all those who believe there is #NoFutureWithoutFoodSovereignty 

NFU welcomes retroactive removal of AgriStabilty margin cap

Yesterday’s announcement that the reference margin limit has been retroactively removed from AgriStability is good news, Reinstating a 15% margin loss trigger would make the program useful for more farmers, making AgriStability more equitable. It would be a shame if the three prairie premiers were to stand in the way of making AgriStability a better program that could help farmers all across Canada make it through tough times.

Supreme Court Decision on Carbon Pricing Important Step Forward

Le français suit NEWS RELEASE     MARCH 25, 2021 The National Farmers Union (NFU) applauds today’s decision of the Supreme Court of Canada to declare the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA) constitutionally valid.  This decision confirms the federal government’s jurisdiction to take strong national leadership action to curb greenhouse gas emissions and safeguard

NFU announces new report: Imagine if – A Vision of a Near-Zero-Emission Farm and Food System for Canada

MEDIA NOTICE MARCH 18, 2021 EMISSIONS REDUCTION IN FARM AND FOOD SYSTEMS CAN BE PART OF A BRIGHT AND POSITIVE FUTURE: NEW REPORT SHOWS THE WAY SASKATOON, SK—A new report takes a 2030 viewpoint and invites readers to imagine a wide range of government policies and on-farm measures implemented throughout the 2020s to reduce food-

Indigenous, Environmental, and Agricultural Organizations across Saskatchewan call on the Province to halt the liquidation of Crown land

Indigenous, environmental, and agricultural organizations throughout Saskatchewan have come together to call on the provincial government to halt the sale of treaty land to private owners. Since 2007, the Province has auctioned off over 2 million acres of Crown land – totalling an area larger than Prince Albert National Park – with sweeping implications for

Protection of Manitoba’s Democracy is Critical, says NFU

(Garland) — The National Farmers Union (NFU) in Manitoba objects to Bill 57, the Protection of Critical Infrastructure Act on the grounds of both substance and process. In November, the government introduced Bill 57 and passed it at First Reading without revealing its contents. This is unacceptable in a democracy. Not only is the bill’s apparent

National Farmers Union Opposes Alberta Open-Pit Coal Mines

The National Farmers Union (NFU) opposes the Alberta government’s decision to rescind forty-four-year-old coal policy protections.  With this move, the government is permitting development of open-pit coal mines on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. The government proceeded without public consultation. The NFU supports the ranchers, farmers, and First Nations opposed to this environmentally