2025 wildfire season 'especially devastating,' say federal ministers
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Global News
27 minutes ago
- Global News
Enhancements announced for federal AgriStability program to combat drought, tariffs
The federal and Saskatchewan governments have announced significant adjustments to the AgriStability program for the 2025 crop year aimed at providing additional financial relief to producers facing trade instability and non-ideal weather conditions. In a recent virtual meeting, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, and Saskatchewan's Minister of Agriculture, Daryl Harrison, unveiled changes to improve AgriStability's support for farmers. MacDonald emphasized, 'We are working together to deliver for producers right across the country to make sure our programs work for them. That is why, at our meeting last week, we agreed to make changes to AgriStability so that producers facing trade uncertainty and dry conditions have more protection.' For 2025, AgriStability participants will see their compensation rate increase to 90 per cent from 80 per cent. This change means farmers experiencing a significant decline in their margins will receive 90 cents for every dollar of loss. Story continues below advertisement Additionally, the maximum payout per operation is rising to $6 million from $3 million. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Supporting producers with immediate changes to AgriStability increases the effectiveness of the program,' Harrison said. 'Reliable and effective business risk management programs help protect against large declines in producers' margins and are an important tool for a strong agricultural sector in Saskatchewan.' Bill Prybylski, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), welcomed these changes but noted there is still room for improvement. 'It's nice to see that the compensation level increased from 80 to 90 per cent, but we're still only looking at a 70 per cent coverage level. So, there's still areas of the programming that we would like to see improved.' Saskatchewan's agricultural sector is currently facing a combination of challenges, from tariffs on key exports like canola and pork to severe drought conditions affecting various regions. The changes to AgriStability come at a crucial time for farmers who are dealing with both immediate and ongoing financial pressures. While some livestock producers will need to wait until 2026 for changes to feed inventory pricing, this adjustment is expected to better reflect the real-world conditions of farms, particularly during drought years. 'We're optimistic about the changes for livestock producers, particularly in drought-stricken areas,' said Prybylski. 'But there's still more work to be done to make sure the program fully addresses the unique needs of farmers across the province.' Story continues below advertisement The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) has already started implementing the updates, and producers are encouraged to review their eligibility. The deadline for enrollment in AgriStability for the 2025 program year has been extended to July 31, 2025.
CTV News
27 minutes ago
- CTV News
U.S. boycotts ‘clearly' having impact, B.C. premier says following ambassador's remarks
B.C. Premier David Eby appears in Vancouver, on Monday, May 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck B.C. Premier David Eby is encouraging residents to continue spending their vacations within Canada following remarks from the U.S. ambassador Monday morning. Pete Hoekstra, an appointee of U.S. President Donald Trump, appeared at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region summit in Bellevue, Wash., where he was asked about the decrease in Canadians crossing the border. 'Canadians staying home, that's their business,' Hoekstra said, in audio of the event provided by Eby's office. 'If you want to ban American alcohol, that's fine. It doesn't necessarily send real positive signals in terms of their treating us well. There are reasons why the president and some of his team refer to Canada as being mean and nasty to deal with.' Data from U.S. customs shows the number of travelers crossing the border from Canada has declined sharply since last year, amid ongoing concern and frustration over Trump's comments about the country becoming the 51st state. Eby responded to Hoekstra's remarks in a statement Monday afternoon, saying: 'Clearly, our efforts are having an impact.' 'I say to my fellow Canadians: Keep it up. Keep buying Canadian. Keep your vacations Canadian,' the premier said. 'We won't take these attacks our jobs, our economy and our sovereignty, lying down. We'll stand strong together.'
CTV News
27 minutes ago
- CTV News
Saskatchewan announces trade-related memorandums of understanding with Manitoba, PEI
Premier of Saskatchewan Scott Moe speaks to media following the First Minister's Meeting in Saskatoon, Sask., Monday, June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards Saskatchewan has now added two more provinces to its list of improved interprovincial trade partners, as leaders from across Canada continue to move toward more integration in the face of U.S. tariffs. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with his opposite numbers in Prince Edward Island and Manitoba on Monday. The agreements include a framework for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales between the provinces, in addition to measures aimed at boosting interprovincial labour mobility and investment while strengthening public safety and maintaining Crown corporations. A similar MOU was signed between Saskatchewan and Ontario prior to the first ministers meeting in Saskatoon in early June. The total value of interprovincial trade between Saskatchewan and PEI was $44.25 million in 2021 – while trade with Manitoba totalled $6 billion. The announcements come as provincial premiers gathered for three days of meetings in Muskoka, Ont. and just days after Moe called on all provincial leaders to join the New West Partnership. 'You see numerous memorandum of understandings being signed, various pieces of legislation building on, not only the Canadian Free Trade Agreement that we have and some of the exemptions that are being removed, but maybe a discussion today about moving forward with a little bit more expansive agreement,' Moe said told reporters, referring to his New West Partnership pitch. 'These are all steps. They're steps in the right direction. We need to have free and open trade between our provinces.'
