Latest news with #BillPrybylski
National Observer
4 days ago
- Business
- National Observer
'This is our livelihood': Farmers prepare for hit from new China canola tariff
Farmer Bill Prybylski says China's planned tariff on canola seed wasn't factored into his business equations this year. The president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan says the 75.8 per cent preliminary duty, announced Tuesday, has already caused canola prices to fall by $1 per bushel. That translates to a loss of about $200,000 for his farm. 'That's a pretty significant financial hit,' said Prybylski, who farms northeast of Regina near Yorkton. 'Most canola producers will be seeing the same thing, just depending on their number of acres and yields.' Canola is considered a high source of farm revenue for Canadian producers, but it's also among the most expensive to grow. Many farmers have begun harvesting their crops and are planning to sell them at local elevators, possibly at lower prices than they were a few days ago. Dean Roberts, who farms near Coleville in west-central Saskatchewan, said canola makes up about a quarter of his operation. 'It's a very important crop and our second largest customer just effectively closed their market to us,' said Roberts, chair of SaskOilseeds. '(The tariff) is very impactful to individual farmers, because this is our livelihood, this is how we feed our families, this is how we keep our operations going.' Andre Harpe, a farmer near Grande Prairie in northern Alberta, said the tariff announcement was an "absolute shock." "After the harvest, then decisions will start being made on how many acres of canola are we going to grow (next year)," said Harpe, who is also board chair of Alberta Canola. China has said the tariff would start Thursday, nearly a year after Beijing launched an anti-dumping probe into Canadian canola. The investigation is in response to Canada's 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. Ottawa has said China has until September, when its investigation formally ends, to make a final decision on the duties, but it can extend the deadline by six months. China's Ministry of Commerce argued Canadian canola companies were "dumping" the product into the Chinese market, hurting its domestic canola oil market. Ottawa and canola farmers have rejected that claim, saying companies are following international rules-based trade. Dumping is a trade practice where exports from one country flood a foreign nation's market with goods at prices lower than what the commodities cost domestically, undercutting local industry. The Canadian Canola Growers Association says the industry contributes more than $43 billion to the country's economy and employs roughly 200,000 people. China is the largest export market for Canadian canola seed, taking up about 67 per cent of Canada's shipments — worth billions of dollars. Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu were to meet Wednesday with canola groups to discuss the issue. The ministers have said they remain ready to speak constructively with Chinese officials to address their trade concerns. Last year, Ottawa imposed its tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles and 25 per cent tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum. Beijing retaliated with 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian canola meal and oil. China's latest move on canola seed now means all canola products face levies. Conservative member of Parliament Michelle Rempel Garner said the tariffs were "completely avoidable" and require an immediate response from the Liberal government. "As a western Canadian, I cannot stress how devastating this is to our economy and to our agricultural producers," the Alberta MP told reporters on Parliament Hill. Opposition Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a statement Ottawa should respond by cancelling a $1-billion federal loan it gave to BC Ferries, which is purchasing Chinese-made ships. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew urged the federal government to support farmers with the electric vehicle revenues it has collected from China. He estimated those tariffs have provided Canada with $100 million, while China's levy has already wiped out $1 billion in canola values. "Let's get some of that money out the door to help our industry here in the West, the same way we've seen other industries supported," he told reporters in Winnipeg. The issue has caused some to talk about western alienation, he added. "A lot of people have said, 'Well, no, you can't lift these EV tariffs because it might piss off (US President) Donald Trump.' But (I think) that's a hypothetical. This thing that we're talking about here that canola producers are facing, this is real." Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with assistance from Ottawa, have offered increased supports to producers through the AgriStability farm income stabilization program. It aims to increase compensation rates for farmers should their margins decline. Prybylski said while the program is helpful, it won't be enough to weather the tariff storm. He said he's counting on Ottawa to negotiate a settlement with Beijing. 'The consensus is that these tariffs are in retaliation for the (electric vehicle) tariffs Canada implemented against China. We need the federal government to be at the table,' he said. Producers who've already locked in their canola at a future price on a contract shouldn't expect an immediate hit, Prybylski said. But he worries for those who don't have contracts and need to sell immediately. Roberts said there's not much farmers can do, as many sell their crops around harvest time to generate much-needed cash to pay off inputs and debt. 'We're price-takers in the market,' he said. 'I'm a long way from Ottawa. I'm even further from Beijing. So for me to understand what the right decisions are is very tough. But I do know the implications of my farm gate are very, very real.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2025.
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
'THIS IS OUR LIVELIHOOD': Farmers brace for hit from China's canola tariff
Published Aug 13, 2025 • 4 minute read China has said a new canola tariff would start Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, nearly a year after Beijing launched an anti-dumping probe into Canadian canola. Photo by Ian Kucerak / Postmedia Network Farmer Bill Prybylski says China's planned tariff on canola seed wasn't factored into his business equations this year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan says the 75.8% preliminary duty, announced Tuesday, has already caused canola prices to fall by $1 per bushel. That translates to a loss of about $200,000 for his farm. 'That's a pretty significant financial hit,' said Prybylski, who farms northeast of Regina near Yorkton. 'Most canola producers will be seeing the same thing, just depending on their number of acres and yields.' Canola is considered a high source of farm revenue for Canadian producers, but it's also among the most expensive to grow. Many farmers have begun harvesting their crops and are planning to sell them at local elevators, possibly at lower prices than they were a few days ago. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Dean Roberts, who farms near Coleville in west-central Saskatchewan, said canola makes up about a quarter of his operation. 'It's a very important crop and our second largest customer just effectively closed their market to us,' said Roberts, chair of SaskOilseeds. '(The tariff) is very impactful to individual farmers, because this is our livelihood, this is how we feed our families, this is how we keep our operations going.' Read More Andre Harpe, a farmer near Grande Prairie in northern Alberta, said the tariff announcement was an 'absolute shock. 'After the harvest, then decisions will start being made on how many acres of canola are we going to grow (next year),' said Harpe, who is also board chair of Alberta Canola. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. China has said the tariff would start Thursday, nearly a year after Beijing launched an anti-dumping probe into Canadian canola. The investigation is in response to Canada's 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. Ottawa has said China has until September, when its investigation formally ends, to make a final decision on the duties, but it can extend the deadline by six months. China's Ministry of Commerce argued Canadian canola companies were 'dumping' the product into the Chinese market, hurting its domestic canola oil market. Ottawa and canola farmers have rejected that claim, saying companies are following international rules-based trade. Dumping is a trade practice where exports from one country flood a foreign nation's market with goods at prices lower than what the commodities cost domestically, undercutting local industry. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Canadian Canola Growers Association says the industry contributes more than $43 billion to the country's economy and employs roughly 200,000 people. China is the largest export market for Canadian canola seed, taking up about 67% of Canada's shipments — worth billions of dollars. Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu were to meet Wednesday with canola groups to discuss the issue. The ministers have said they remain ready to speak constructively with Chinese officials to address their trade concerns. Last year, Ottawa imposed its tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles and 25% tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum. Beijing retaliated with 100% tariffs on Canadian canola meal and oil. China's latest move on canola seed now means all canola products face levies. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner said the tariffs were 'completely avoidable' and require an immediate response from the Liberal government. 'As a western Canadian, I cannot stress how devastating this is to our economy and to our agricultural producers,' the Alberta MP told reporters on Parliament Hill. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with assistance from Ottawa, have offered increased supports to producers through the AgriStability farm income stabilization program. It aims to increase compensation rates for farmers should their margins decline. Prybylski said while the program is helpful, it won't be enough to weather the tariff storm. He said he's counting on Ottawa to negotiate a settlement with Beijing. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The consensus is that these tariffs are in retaliation for the (electric vehicle) tariffs Canada implemented against China. We need the federal government to be at the table,' he said. Producers who've already locked in their canola at a future price on a contract shouldn't expect an immediate hit, Prybylski said. But he worries for those who don't have contracts and need to sell immediately. Roberts said there's not much farmers can do, as many sell their crops around harvest time to generate much-needed cash to pay off inputs and debt. 'We're price-takers in the market,' he said. 'I'm a long way from Ottawa. I'm even further from Beijing. So for me to understand what the right decisions are is very tough. But I do know the implications of my farm gate are very, very real.' — With files from Kyle Duggan in Ottawa and Jack Farrell in Edmonton. Toronto Maple Leafs Editorial Cartoons World Columnists Celebrity
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Uncertainty is the only thing that is certain': Sask. farmers react to Chinese duty on canola
Canola producers say they're not surprised about China's latest move in its ongoing trade war with Canada. "Everybody was kind of expecting this day to come. It was just a matter of when and what level the tariffs were going to be applied at," said Bill Prybylski, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan. On Tuesday, China's Ministry of Commerce announced a 75.8 per cent preliminary duty on Canadian canola seed after an anti-dumping investigation it began last year. China claims the "dumping" of Canadian canola into the Chinese market is hurting its domestic canola oil market. The investigation — and the 100 per cent tariff levied on Canadian canola oil and meal in March — were launched in response to Canada's 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. Ottawa has said China has until September, when its investigation formally ends, to make a final decision on the duties, but it could extend the deadline by six months. 'Caught in the middle' While the latest round of canola tariffs were expected, that doesn't make the process any less frustrating for producers like Prybylski. "We feel like we're caught in the middle of a trade war that we neither wanted, or started, or have any influence on," he said, speaking with CBC News from his farm near Yorkton, Sask., about 175 kilometres northeast of Regina. Multiple agricultural and canola associations say China's move effectively shuts Canadian canola out of the Chinese market. According to the Canola Council of Canada, China is the largest market for canola seed and the second largest market for Canadian canola. The latest data provided by the council shows Canada's canola exports to China totalled $4.9 billion in 2024. For now, producers are cautiously watching the price of canola. Rick White, president and CEO of the Canada Canola Growers Association, said it is too early to tell what those prices might look like. But with the harvest of this season's crop set to get underway in the coming weeks, there's no doubt this is going to be "economically painful," he said. "The price is likely to sag, the opportunity to deliver will likely be slowed and it could be a rough road here for the next year," White said. Prybylski agreed, saying he believes many producers will likely have to sell their products at a loss. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe lamented the new duty's effects on producers in the province. Speaking in Saskatoon on Tuesday, Moe said he has reached out to Prime Minister Mark Carney to speak with him on the issue and get it "dealt with immediately." Moe said the Canadian canola sector is larger than the steel, aluminum and electric vehicle industries combined. "Our federal government cannot sacrifice a $43-billion canola industry, 200,000 jobs in that industry that is largely based, in fairness, in Western Canada, to protect the fledging electric vehicle industry, largely based in Eastern Canada," Moe said. WATCH| Canola farmers feel forgotten amid trade war, ongoing Chinese tariffs: In early June, Canadian and Chinese trade ministers committed to meet to address trade issues. In a post on social media Tuesday, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said officials from both countries met four days ago and discussed trade and ways to deepen co-operation. The Prime Minister's Office deferred comment on China's latest canola tariff to the minister of international trade, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Saskatchewan Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck urged Moe to visit China immediately. "Given the level of threat we see right now, it doesn't make any sense to me that we are not using that office today to deal with this," she said in Regina. Moe said he's open to going on a trade mission to China with Carney. Saskatchewan has a trade office in Shanghai and Moe went there in 2018. China remains a top importer of Canadian canola, but it exports few electric vehicles to Canada. Canada has justified its levies on Chinese electric vehicles by arguing they protect planned investments at home. Canada also matched a similar move by then-U.S. president Joe Biden, who hit Chinese EVs with American tariffs. Chinese EVs are significantly cheaper than North American-made EVs, in part because of lower labour and environmental standards, and state subsidies. WATCH| From April: 'That's a big hit': China slaps 100% tariff on Canadian canola products: Cathy Holtslander, director of research and policy at the National Farmers Union, said that although the latest canola announcement is not ideal, Canadians shouldn't panic. Speaking in Saskatoon, Holtslander said the sale of canola to export markets doesn't really begin until October. That means the effect may not be immediate. Holtslander said she believes the latest announcement is a negotiation tactic and could be resolved politically. "The politics are extremely complex and unpredictable. I think uncertainty is the only thing that is certain now."
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
'Uncertainty is the only thing that is certain': Sask. farmers react to Chinese duty on canola
Social Sharing Canola producers say they're not surprised about China's latest move in its ongoing trade war with Canada. "Everybody was kind of expecting this day to come. It was just a matter of when and what level the tariffs were going to be applied at," said Bill Prybylski, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan. On Tuesday, China's Ministry of Commerce announced a 75.8 per cent preliminary duty on Canadian canola seed after an anti-dumping investigation it began last year. China claims the "dumping" of Canadian canola into the Chinese market is hurting its domestic canola oil market. The investigation — and the 100 per cent tariff levied on Canadian canola oil and meal in March — were launched in response to Canada's 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. Ottawa has said China has until September, when its investigation formally ends, to make a final decision on the duties, but it could extend the deadline by six months. 'Caught in the middle' While the latest round of canola tariffs were expected, that doesn't make the process any less frustrating for producers like Prybylski. "We feel like we're caught in the middle of a trade war that we neither wanted, or started, or have any influence on," he said, speaking with CBC News from his farm near Yorkton, Sask., about 175 kilometres northeast of Regina. Multiple agricultural and canola associations say China's move effectively shuts Canadian canola out of the Chinese market. According to the Canola Council of Canada, China is the largest market for canola seed and the second largest market for Canadian canola. The latest data provided by the council shows Canada's canola exports to China totalled $4.9 billion in 2024. For now, producers are cautiously watching the price of canola. Rick White, president and CEO of the Canada Canola Growers Association, said it is too early to tell what those prices might look like. But with the harvest of this season's crop set to get underway in the coming weeks, there's no doubt this is going to be "economically painful," he said. "The price is likely to sag, the opportunity to deliver will likely be slowed and it could be a rough road here for the next year," White said. Prybylski agreed, saying he believes many producers will likely have to sell their products at a loss. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe lamented the new duty's effects on producers in the province. Speaking in Saskatoon on Tuesday, Moe said he has reached out to Prime Minister Mark Carney to speak with him on the issue and get it "dealt with immediately." Moe said the Canadian canola sector is larger than the steel, aluminum and electric vehicle industries combined. "Our federal government cannot sacrifice a $43-billion canola industry, 200,000 jobs in that industry that is largely based, in fairness, in Western Canada, to protect the fledging electric vehicle industry, largely based in Eastern Canada," Moe said. WATCH| Canola farmers feel forgotten amid trade war, ongoing Chinese tariffs: Canola farmers feel forgotten amid trade war, ongoing Chinese tariffs 4 months ago China imposed 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian canola oil and meal last month, creating uncertainty for roughly 40,000 farmers as well as workers in supporting industries. In early June, Canadian and Chinese trade ministers committed to meet to address trade issues. In a post on social media Tuesday, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said officials from both countries met four days ago and discussed trade and ways to deepen co-operation. The Prime Minister's Office deferred comment on China's latest canola tariff to the minister of international trade, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Saskatchewan Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck urged Moe to visit China immediately. "Given the level of threat we see right now, it doesn't make any sense to me that we are not using that office today to deal with this," she said in Regina. Moe said he's open to going on a trade mission to China with Carney. Saskatchewan has a trade office in Shanghai and Moe went there in 2018. China remains a top importer of Canadian canola, but it exports few electric vehicles to Canada. Canada has justified its levies on Chinese electric vehicles by arguing they protect planned investments at home. Canada also matched a similar move by then-U.S. president Joe Biden, who hit Chinese EVs with American tariffs. Chinese EVs are significantly cheaper than North American-made EVs, in part because of lower labour and environmental standards, and state subsidies. WATCH| From April: 'That's a big hit': China slaps 100% tariff on Canadian canola products: 'That's a big hit': China slaps 100% tariff on Canadian canola products 5 months ago China has hit Canadian canola products with 100 per cent tariffs, just a day after imposing 25 per cent levies on all Canadian seafood exports. The moves are in retaliation for Canada's 100 per cent tariffs on all Chinese electric vehicles, aluminum and steel products. Cathy Holtslander, director of research and policy at the National Farmers Union, said that although the latest canola announcement is not ideal, Canadians shouldn't panic. Speaking in Saskatoon, Holtslander said the sale of canola to export markets doesn't really begin until October. That means the effect may not be immediate. Holtslander said she believes the latest announcement is a negotiation tactic and could be resolved politically. "The politics are extremely complex and unpredictable. I think uncertainty is the only thing that is certain now."
CTV News
03-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Sask. industry leaders join first ministers in calls for pipeline, railway investment to boost trade
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says pipelines are paramount to diversifying trade, along with investments in rail and ports. Allison Bamford has more. SASKATOON, SASK. — As Canadian politicians gathered in Saskatoon for the first ministers' meeting, some industry leaders are calling for infrastructure investment to help get product to market. New pipelines and improvements to railways and ports would help producers increase cash flow, according to Bill Prybylski, farmer and president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan. 'Grain movement has been slow,' Prybylski told CTV News. If grain isn't delivered, farmers don't get paid, which can cause cash flow issues at a very critical time in seeding. 'There's a lot of cash going into the ground and producers need inputs now,' Prybylski said. Like other industry leaders, Prybylski believes overcapacity demands on railways could be partly resolved if oil was transported through pipelines, rather than freight. Potash companies have been advocating for similar investments. 'Our entire infrastructure system is congested,' said Marnel Jones, director of Government and Public Affairs for The Mosaic Company in Canada. 'Right now, we just need to be thinking in a bigger way about how we use our entire supply chain more efficiently, and that includes getting oil into pipelines and potash and wheat into railcars so we can get it to market.' Michael Bourque, president and CEO of Fertilizer Canada, says he's in Saskatoon this week paying close attention to the first ministers' meeting. Bourque says 75 per cent of Canada's fertilizer is transported by rail, and millions of dollars can be lost when it isn't shipped. 'Rail doesn't have capacity, or there are bottlenecks along the way,' he said. 'So we need to build it out, make it more reliable, make it more efficient and that would go a long way toward helping us expand and serve global markets.' Like other industries, Fertilizer Canada supports new pipelines. But Bourque says that isn't the only solution. 'In the long run, that will help the capacity. But in the short term, what we'd rather see is much more investment in the hard infrastructure, especially rails (and) ports,' Bourque said. Simon Enoch, senior researcher with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, says transportational costs tend to be the biggest trade barrier. Rather than new pipelines, Enoch believes upgrades to infrastructure could better facilitate trade. 'The private sector, the oil industry itself, has shown very little interest, which makes me think that they view it as not a good investment,' Enoch said. 'Something like this to be built I think it's going to require huge government subsidies.'
