(Dave Bedard photo)

Manitoba pulls less-loved ag tax credits in budget

Reading Time: 3 minutes More funding for agriculture innovation in Manitoba’s latest provincial budget will be offset in part by an immediate end for several of the less popular tax credits available for farm use. Provincial Finance Minister Cameron Friesen on Tuesday laid out a 2017-18 budget with an overall $840 million deficit, based on a four per cent […] Read more

(Grainews file photo by Lee Hart)

Tax treatment of deferred grain cash tickets under review

Reading Time: 2 minutes Grain growers in Canada who take deferred cash purchase tickets for crops are being asked whether it’s time to get rid of the rule that allows income from those tickets to be put off to the following tax year. Tucked into federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s budget on Wednesday was an announcement of public consultation, […] Read more


Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau in the House of Commons March 22. (Budget.gc.ca via YouTube)

Agrifood a pillar in federal budget’s ‘innovation’ plan

Reading Time: 4 minutes The federal government’s latest budget puts up Canada’s agrifood sector as one of six “key areas” to benefit from a new national “Innovation and Skills Plan.” Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Wednesday unveiled a budget projecting $330.2 billion in expenses in 2017-18 against budgetary revenues of $304.7 billion, for a $28.5 billion deficit. The […] Read more

Nova Scotia Finance Minister Randy Delorey lays out the budget for reporters Tuesday in Halifax. (NovaScotia.ca)

Nova Scotia pledges food donation tax credit in budget

Reading Time: 2 minutes A tax credit for Nova Scotia farmers who donate produce to local food banks is among the policy plans laid out in the province’s latest budget. Finance Minister Randy Delorey’s budget on Tuesday showed an overall $17.1 million net surplus position on $10.15 billion in total expenses and $10.26 billion in total revenues (minus $110.3 […] Read more


Confederation Building, St. John’s, N.L. (Gov.NL.ca)

Newfoundland, in cost-cutting mode, scraps agrifood fund

Reading Time: 2 minutes A fund meant to support large-scale agrifood projects in Newfoundland and Labrador is a victim of spending cuts in the province’s latest budget. Finance Minister Cathy Bennett on Thursday mapped out an overall $8.48 billion provincial budget for 2016-17, with an expected deficit of $1.8 billion and a list of “measures to reduce spending.” For the […] Read more

(Government of Alberta via Flickr)

Alberta to shut livestock, grain agencies in budget

Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta’s farmers will be spared the new fuel levy planned for next year in the province’s latest budget, but can expect a number of farm agencies to close in the meantime as the province moves to curb spending. Provincial Finance Minister Joe Ceci on Thursday announced a 2016-17 budget with projected revenue of $41.38 billion, […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Budget to boost ag research infrastructure, rural broadband

Reading Time: 3 minutes Funds to fix up Canada’s agricultural research stations and food safety labs and a new program to boost rural broadband coverage are among the nuggets for the farming sector in Tuesday’s federal budget. Overall, the Liberals’ first budget is based on $287.7 billion in revenues for 2016-17, against $291.4 billion in program expenses and $25.7 […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Farm business tax credits on tap in Manitoba budget

Reading Time: 2 minutes Expansions and extensions for tax credits of use to Manitoba farmers and small agribusinesses were laid out Thursday in the province’s latest budget. Finance Minister Greg Dewar’s plan calls for an expansion of the province’s small business venture capital tax credit, broadening its list of eligible businesses to include “non-traditional farming” ventures, as well as […] Read more


Eyes on election, Tories balance budget with asset sales

Reading Time: 2 minutes Ottawa | Reuters — Canada’s Conservative government, seeking re-election this year, delivered a federal budget Tuesday that promised a slim surplus despite the oil price crash, while offering goodies to seniors and small businesses and boosting security spending. It will mark Canada’s first surplus in eight years, accomplished with the help of the sale of […] Read more

N.S. consolidates inspections in cost-cutting budget

Reading Time: 2 minutes Nova Scotia is set to gather its agricultural, environmental and public health inspection work into one department, along with other consolidation and cuts in its latest budget. Finance Minister Diana Whalen’s 2015-16 budget, released Thursday, calls for consolidation of inspection, compliance and enforcement functions in its Natural Resources, Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment departments, plus its […] Read more