Canadian National Railway (CN) has labour peace with its signals and communications workers through to the end of 2024 coming out of binding arbitration. The 750-odd workers, represented by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) System Council 11, had agreed to take their dispute with CN to arbitration in early July, ending a 17-day strike. […] Read more
Arbitration leads to deal for CN signals staff
IBEW held 17-day strike in summer
Pork packer Olymel laying off dozens of managers
Market unpredictability, 'growth challenges' cited
Major Canadian pork and poultry packer Olymel has laid off 57 people from its management ranks and eliminated another 120 administrative positions, citing the company’s current “market context and growth challenges.” Olymel, the meat packing arm of Quebec-based Sollio Cooperative Group, said Tuesday its affected employees were notified Monday and have received their layoff notices. […] Read more
Barlow remains ag critic in Conservatives’ new shadow cabinet
Poilievre also names two associate critics for ag file
The federal Conservatives’ point person on agriculture will remain at that post under the party’s new leader. John Barlow, MP for the southwestern Alberta riding of Foothills, was named Wednesday as the Conservatives’ “shadow minister” for agriculture, agri-food and food security. Pierre Poilievre, who was named Sept. 10 as the official opposition party’s new leader, […] Read more
Farmers get week to dispute grain grade, dockage
Window widened following consultations
Prairie farmers who want to dispute a grain elevator’s call on their grain’s grade and dockage now officially have up to a week to do so. The Canadian Grain Commission on Oct. 3 announced amendments to the Canada Grain Regulations are now in effect allowing grain growers more time — seven calendar days, to be […] Read more
DLF Pickseed to shed ‘Pickseed’
Danish firm streamlines North American brand
A historic Canadian name in the forage seed business is about to end its run, as its owner tightens up its branding in North America. Danish forage and turf seed firm DLF announced Oct. 6 it has “unified its brand and business” under that name, dropping the “DLF Pickseed” moniker it had used in North […] Read more
Alberta RCMP spike grain truck to recover canola
Two suspects arrested, charged
RCMP in central Alberta say they’ve recovered a “significant amount” of canola and arrested and charged two people after a grain truck suspected in an alleged canola theft was halted by a spike belt. In a release Tuesday, RCMP at Bashaw — about 80 km northeast of Red Deer, in Camrose County — said they […] Read more
Quebec ag minister cruises to re-election
Legault's CAQ scores bigger second majority
Quebec’s incumbent agriculture, food and fisheries minister will be returning to the province’s legislature as part of an even larger government caucus. Preliminary results in Monday’s provincial election put Francois Legault’s Coalition avenir Quebec (CAQ) in a solid majority government position with 90 of 125 seats, followed by Dominique Anglade’s Liberals, remaining in official opposition […] Read more
Dairy commission fills board vacancy
Green tech CEO named to commissioner spot on CDC board
Concerns that the Canadian Dairy Commission could be caught short at its board table have been resolved with a new appointment to a vacant commissioner’s chair. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Sept. 27 announced Shikha Jain will be the CDC’s commissioner for a four-year term effective Sept. 15. Jain, who lives at Guelph, is […] Read more
Pot producer Canopy Growth to shed retail stores
Company working on 'path to profitability'
In full cost-cutting mode, Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth Corp. is set to shed a significant chunk of its vertical integration model by selling off the retail pot shops it owns across the country. Smiths Falls, Ont.-based Canopy announced Sept. 27 it has an agreement in place with OEG Retail Cannabis — already the owner/operators […] Read more
Saskatchewan, Ontario ban birds at events
Bans back on as fall migratory season underway, avian flu cases stack up
At least two provinces now have bans in place on birds being brought to fall ag fairs and other such events, as cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza pick up again in Canada’s domestic birds. Ontario — which had such a ban in place this spring — reinstated it effective Sept. 23 through to Oct. […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
