Barren budget Thursday, March 4, 2010 by BETTER FARMING STAFFIf you’re looking for agriculture in this year’s federal budget, you’ll have to do a lot of reading between the lines.The industry received no mention in federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s budget speech and only passing mention in budget documents posted on Finance Canada’s website. These included $75 million over three years to Canadian cattle processing plants to improve their operations and $51.7 million over two years to the Canadian Grain Commission.In a news release last week, Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Laurent Pellerin noted that “the government has promised us that they put ‘farmers first’ and we expect this message will be delivered in the throne speech.”The $281 billion budget aims to reduce the Canadian deficit more than $4 billion from its high of $53.8 billion in 2009.Along with pledging $7.7 billion in infrastructure spending, highlights included:• $2.2 billion in stimulus spending to support areas of the country and industry hardest hit by the recession, including agriculture, small business and forestry;• $135 million over two years to the National Research Council Canada’s regional innovation clusters program;• $40 million over two years to launch a small and medium-sized enterprise innovation commercialization program;• $49 million to regional development agencies to support innovation;• Establishing a red tape reduction commission;• $7.2 million over two years to improve Canadian fish and seafood industry access to international markets;• Increasing the amount people can earn before paying federal income tax and being subject to higher tax rates;• Expanding eligibility for accelerated capital cost allowance for investment in clean energy generation;• Cutting administrative spending, including introducing a government salary freeze for workers and politicians, introducing tax changes and other initiatives with the goal of saving $17.6 billion over five years;• Introducing more employment insurance benefits and funding to retrain unemployed;• Reducing the federal corporate income tax rate to 15 per cent by 2012 from its 2010 rate of 18 per cent.“The crisis emerged more quickly and with greater force than anyone could have predicted,” says Flaherty in his budget speech. No banks in Canada have failed and the country is in a position to ensure the deficit it has amassed to counter the downturn are temporary. The country is performing better than the United States and other advanced economies in its recovery, he says. BF Dairy Farmers tackle quota availability Goat milk producers ponder change
New home for the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario Saturday, September 14, 2024 sy of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) has announced it has moved into its new office building in Ingersoll. Located at 274620 27th Line in Ingersoll, the new office will serve as the hub for CFFO’s ongoing efforts to... Read this article online
Canadian Ag Youth Council Welcomes new Members Saturday, September 14, 2024 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced the latest members to join the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council (CAYC). This update introduces nine fresh members alongside thirteen returning youths, marking a significant step towards involving young voices in agricultural... Read this article online
New CEO for Livestock Research Innovation Corporation Friday, September 13, 2024 Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) is promoting from within with the appointment of the organization’s newest Chief Executive Officer. Industry Services Manager Kelly Somerville has been tapped to assume the role as of September 3, replacing retiring CEO Mike McMorris.... Read this article online
Milwaukee Extended Anvil High Torque Impact Wrench Thursday, September 12, 2024 Measuring torque is a common on-farm task it can sometimes be a challenge to accomplish this for multiple and varied pieces of equipment, that where Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL™ 1" D-Handle Ext. Anvil High Torque Impact Wrench w/ ONE-KEY™ can provide value. Cordless tools create convenience,... Read this article online
Ontario and Feds look to strengthen the provincial agri-food sector Monday, September 9, 2024 The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced they will be investing an additional $3.5 million in the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) to support the development and adoption of new technologies for farmers, food processors, and agribusinesses that will enhance... Read this article online