Endangered Species Act change approved for further study Saturday, May 12, 2012 by SUSAN MANN A private member’s bill that would make it mandatory for the Natural Resources Ministry to consider social and economic factors as part of species recovery strategies squeaked through second reading Thursday. Proposed by Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott, Bill 73 passed by just one vote - the tally was 30 in favour, 29 opposed. The proposal has now been referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy for further study. No date has been set yet for committee hearings on the proposal that would amend the Endangered Species Act. “I’ll take the win,” Scott says of her proposed bill narrowly winning approval. As part of considering social and economic factors in species recovery and habitat protection strategies, Scott says that should include a cost-benefit analysis including job losses and the loss of land use. Scott, the Progressive Conservative natural resources critic, says she has heard repeated stories of people being afraid to report a discovery of an endangered species because of punitive restrictions that could be imposed on them. The current Endangered Species Act isn’t working for endangered species or landowners, she notes. Scott says she hopes the committee will hold public hearings as they discuss her amendment “and they need to travel outside Toronto. This is predominately a rural issue.” BF Feds eye tender fruit damage Different policies for different sized farms?
Parliament’s shut down leaves farmers vulnerable Wednesday, January 22, 2025 In March 2025, Canada's agriculture sector and broader supply chain will face a another setback with the expiration of the extended interswitching pilot program. With Parliament prorogued until March 24th, there is effectively no opportunity to renew or make the program permanent before... Read this article online
Peavey Mart Closing 21 Stores in Ontario Wednesday, January 22, 2025 Peavey Industries LP (“Peavey”) has announced the closure of 21 Peavey Mart stores in Ontario and one store in Nova Scotia as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its operations and ensure long-term sustainability. The decision is part of an effort to streamline Peavey’s retail... Read this article online
$10 million investment supporting Ontario ag mental health Wednesday, January 22, 2025 On January 22, 2205, the Ontario provincial and federal governments announced that two initiatives designed to meet the mental health needs of the agricultural community will continue for the next three years thanks to close to $10 million in new funding. With this new funding, the... Read this article online
Tariffs and their impact on farming Wednesday, January 22, 2025 The swearing-in of a new government in Washington, DC, has brought concerns about potential tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports. With approximately 60% of Canada’s agricultural exports heading to the United States, such measures could significantly impact farmers and consumers... Read this article online
Dynasty kidney bean wins U of G Innovation of the Year award Wednesday, January 22, 2025 A kidney bean variety developed at the University of Guelph has won the school’s Innovation of the Year award for 2024. The award went to Dynasty, which Dr. Peter Pauls, a professor at the Department of Plant Agriculture at the Ontario Agricultural College, and research technician Tom... Read this article online