Policy processes

COVID emergency funds can help build a more robust food system

The pandemic shines a spotlight on vulnerabilities in our food system, providing the opportunity to use emergency supports to create the foundation for a more robust and resilient food system. Read more

Letter to Ag Minister – NFU request for AgriStablity program changes

COVID-19 is now helping all Canadians to understand the value of a strong family farming sector. We are hopeful that all of government will now take steps to enable Canada’s family farms to thrive and plan for the future. Read more

Union Farmer Newsletter: April 2020

Inside this issue … Public consultation on Canada Grain Act planned – A public review of the Canada Grain Act  is planned from April 1 to June 1, 2020. The consultation will deal with broad areas of policy and vision, with details to be developed in 2020-21 based on stakeholder feedback. Seed lobby sets up pilot Read more

Will Canada’s grain farmers be collateral damage in the rush to pass Bill C-4?

Bill C-4 included a series of omnibus style amendments to the Canada Grain Act that affect the Canadian Grain Commission which were not negotiated in CUSMA and have nothing to do with implementing the trade deal. Read more

Bill C-4 makes unnecessary and harmful amendments to Canada Grain Act

Bill C-4, the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement Implementation Act, amended certain existing laws to bring them into conformity with Canada’s obligations under the CUSMA Agreement. A review of witness statements shows that neither MPs nor witnesses delved into the actual text of Bill C-4, but assumed it was consistent with the CUSMA text. When the National Read more

NFU President Katie Ward speaks to Ag Committee on Business Risk Management programs

(Ottawa) — Today National Farmers Union (NFU) President Katie Ward urged the House of Commons Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee to support changes to Canada’s Business Risk Management Programs that will support a robust food system in Canada that can deliver both production and fair incomes in the face of shocks and disruptions such as the Read more

Unwarranted changes to Canada Grain Act must be removed from CUSMA Implementation Act

(Saskatoon) – Bill C-4, the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) Implementation Act, is being rushed through Parliament so fast that major discrepancies between the Act and the CUSMA agreement have been overlooked by witnesses and Committee members. Bill C-4 amends certain existing laws to bring them into conformity with Canada’s obligations under the trade agreement. However, its amendments to Read more

NFU calls for rebate on fuel used for on-farm grain drying

(Saskatoon) — Today, the National Farmers Union sent a letter to Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, outlining the urgent need for a rebate on pollution pricing fees currently being charged on natural gas and propane used for on-farm grain drying. In line with the Paris Agreement’s goals regarding food security and Read more

Pharmacare Now

In the wake of the federal election, our coalition of national and provincial organizations is calling on the new government to immediately implement universal, public pharmacare. Our large and diverse coalition represents health care providers, non-profit organizations, unions, workers, seniors, patients and academics from across the country. Within a minority Parliament, co-operation is more important Read more

Questions for 2019 Federal Election Candidates

NFU Questions for 2019 Federal Election Candidates - Agriculture and Farming into the Future Read more