Shaking effects of canola tariffs could take years says economist
It could take years before Canadian canola totally recovers from trade disruptions with China. That’s according to Farm Credit Canada’s chief economist, J.P. Gervais.
In a webinar in late August, Gervais reminded listeners what happened to other countries that fell afoul of China. Earlier in the decade, Australia saw trade to China plummet after it called for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19. China put tariffs on everything from barley to wine, cotton and lobster. It took five years for barriers to be completely lifted.
Last month, canola futures fell after China announced the nearly 79 per cent tariff on Canadian canola seed. However, prices haven’t dipped nearly as much as expected—possibly boosted by the biofuel sector. Some canola is also finding its way to China through alternative routes.
Late this week, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office said it would soon announce measures to help canola farmers. Carney also said he and other senior officials would work to resolve the dispute with China.
Poilievre says Conservatives would scrap TFW program
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said this week that his party would permanently end the temporary foreign worker program. It would also create a standalone agricultural worker stream.
Poilievre said the Liberal government was using the immigration system to “pad the pockets of corporate elites” at the expense of Canadian jobs. He cited Canadian unemployment as the main reason to end the foreign worker program.
More than 78,000 agricultural jobs were filled by foreign workers in 2024. Many farms bring in workers through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, though farmers and food producers may also hire through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Prime Minister Mark Carney responded, saying the current program has a role. He said it’s clear that immigration policies can be improved, and the government is working on this.
Simplified BSE testing sees good uptake
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it’s encouraged by cattle producers’ response to a new BSE surveillance program.
The program was put in place earlier this year to meet new, streamlined international standards.
It received 152 samples of risk material by early August, and paid 102,000 dollars to veterinarians, cattle producers and deadstock collectors for services rendered.
Classical BSE hasn’t been found in Canada since 2015, though an atypical case popped up in 2021. However, Canada needs to demonstrate to trading partners that it has effective surveillance, said Canadian Cattle Association vet Leigh Rosengren.
If producers are concerned about an animal, it’s critical to contact their veterinarian, Rosengren said. This is likely the easiest way to enter the surveillance system. Canada also has an online BSE surveillance candidate questionnaire to make things easier for producers.
