Reading Time: 2 minutes Five months and counting since the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement came into force, the U.S. government has launched a CUSMA challenge of how Canada applies tariff exemptions on dairy imports. U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer said Wednesday he has served Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng with written notice that the U.S. is “exercising its rights to […] Read more
U.S. throws down CUSMA challenge on Canada’s dairy import limits
Filing challenges Canadian tariff rate quota reserved for processors
CFIA to consult on new near-meat, non-meat guidelines
Clarity for labels, promotion, composition to be considered
Reading Time: 3 minutes “Greater clarity” in federal guidelines for the makeup and labels of “simulated” meat and poultry products is the end zone for a new round of consultations underway for the next month. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Tuesday announced the launch for the public consultation, which includes an online survey and runs until Dec. 3. […] Read more
Consultations begin online for replacing Alberta’s Bill 6
Reading Time: 3 minutes A new online survey and direct consultations this summer are expected to inform the new Alberta government’s plans to swap out its predecessor’s legislation on farm and ranch worker protection. Alberta’s governing United Conservatives — who made repeal and replacement of Bill 6 a core plank of their platform before unseating the NDP government back […] Read more
Federal ‘Product of Canada’ food guidelines under review
Reading Time: 2 minutes Food processors wanting to make “Product of Canada” or “Made in Canada” label claims for their wares might not have to be as strict on their use of Canadian ingredients, under proposed changes to labelling guidelines. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Monday announced public consultations and a public comment period, to run until June […] Read more
Negotiators fail to reach NAFTA deal
Reading Time: 2 minutes Washington | Reuters — Senior U.S., Canadian and Mexican officials on Friday ended a week of talks without a deal to modernize NAFTA, agreeing instead to resume negotiations soon, ahead of a deadline next week issued by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan. The failure to secure a quick deal underscores uncertainty over the […] Read more
‘Cellared in Canada’ wine label on way out
Reading Time: 3 minutes An often-used euphemism for wines made in Canada from blends using imported product is set to disappear from wine labels. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced the voluntary statement “Cellared in Canada” will no longer be used on labels for wines blended in Canada, as per revisions made in March to the agency’s wine […] Read more
Super cluster aims to break down industry silos with data
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Smart Agri-Food Super Cluster aims to use efficient and powerful data to create better collaboration within the agriculture sector. It is one of nine super clusters in the running for $950 million in federal funding for super clusters that make a broad economic impact. Another agriculture sector cluster, the Protein Industries Canada Supercluster, is […] Read more
Consultations close on tax planning proposals
Reading Time: 3 minutes Calls from farm groups and federal opposition politicians for further consultations on a proposed overhaul of the private corporation tax system have been shut down in the House of Commons. A motion Tuesday from Ontario Tory MP Pierre Poilievre, vice-chair of the Commons finance committee, calling for consultations to continue beyond their Monday deadline through […] Read more
Deadline extended for comment on cash ticket deferral
Reading Time: 2 minutes Public consultations on the income tax treatment of deferred grain cash tickets, with an eye toward “potential elimination” of farmers’ option to defer grain income, have been extended by two months. The federal government on Tuesday said the consultation, first announced in Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s March budget and due to end Wednesday, will instead […] Read more
Grain Commission seeks farmer input on surplus funds
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Canadian Grain Commission is looking for grain growers’ input on how best to draw down a surplus built mainly from the user fees paid into its revolving fund — and on a new formula for future user fees. A combination of “higher than expected grain volumes and lower than expected spending” in the past […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
