Union Farmer Newsletter: September 2023
In this issue: “Let them eat concrete” Ontario’s farmers are fed up with the Greenbelt giveaways Farmers unite to defeat Canadian Grain Commission’s (CGC) unfair change to grading standards NFU Read more
Take Action: Speak up to protect Ontario’s farmland for farming
UPDATE: The NFU-O is encouraged by the recent communications from the government, promising that Bill 97, if passed, would not affect the Proposed Provincial Planning Statement or have it go Read more
Letter – Protect the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve
On January 10, 2022 the NFU’s National President and NFU Ontario President sent the following letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling on the federal government to transfer ownership of Read more
Get big or get out the track hoe
How agricultural policy drives farmland drainage by Cathy Holtslander, Director of Research and Policy The National Farmers Union is a direct-membership organization made up of Canadian farm families who share Read more
NFU submission for Public Engagement on Permanent Public Transit Funding in Canada
In this consultation, the key point we would like to emphasize is that publicly funded rural inter-community public transit is needed to serve Canada’s rural and remote areas. Rural public transportation options have been eliminated over recent years, just when alternatives to private vehicles as a strategy to combat climate change and prevent rural depopulation is needed most. In most of Canada, rural and remote areas are underserved, with intermittent, expensive and sometimes unsafe transportation options; in many cases no public transportation is available. A safe, reliable, accessible, affordable and climate-friendly national public transportation system can be designed to serve both rural and remote communities and larger centers.  Such a system would provide greater autonomy, dignity and freedom to people including vulnerable women, youth, elderly, people with disabilities and health conditions and people living in poverty whose safety may depend on reliable transportation. Moreover, Canada’s National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls final report calls for “safe and affordable transit and transportation services… sufficient and readily available.” Read more
Letter: Budget 2022 – Economic Dignity for Farmers
While global crises multiply and intensify it is clear that we can no longer afford a food and agriculture system designed to maximize the ability of the most powerful to extract value with “just in time” and “lean” approaches while leaving farmers, workers and consumers and our communities to absorb mounting costs and burdens. Budget 2022 is the perfect time to begin building a policy framework that provides the economic dignity and resilience Canadians need to navigate our interdependent future with confidence. Read more
Taking Stock of Abattoir Regulations
How provincial rules help or hinder regional meat production
The NFU's Taking Stock of Abattoir Regulations report reviews provincial regulations on slaughter, meat processing (cut/wrap), and marketing across Canada. It highlights common points and differences among the regulations, and identifies where specific aspects of these regulations (or how they are applied) create barriers to local and regional meat production, as well as those pieces that support thriving local and regional food systems and local producers. Read more
Manitoba Cattle Farmers Face Rising Costs from Drought & Government
Brandon, MB—Manitoba cattle farmers are facing higher costs and may soon see falling prices.  Farmers may be on the eve of a severe cost-price squeeze. The NFU today sent a Read more
Priorities for the Next Agricultural Policy Framework
The National Farmers Union sent the following letter to each federal and provincial Agriculture Minister in the lead-up to their annual conference, which will be held virtually in July. At Read more
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. Read more