Latest news with #DairyFarmersofCanada
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada, New Zealand settle trade dispute regarding supply management of dairy sector
OTTAWA - Canada and New Zealand have settled a trade dispute over Ottawa's dairy-sector protections that regulate the cost and supply of products such as milk and cheese. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership includes certain quotas for countries to export dairy at preferred tariff rates into other member countries. New Zealand successfully argued before a trade panel in September 2023 that Canada was unfairly limiting its quotas to protect domestic dairy processors. The panel ruled at the time that Ottawa had some discretion over how it allocates its dairy quotas, but that some of its rules violate the trade deal. New Zealand threatened retaliatory tariffs after it said Canada failed to abide by the ruling. On Thursday, both countries said they reached an agreement for technical changes. In a statement, Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said the agreement only applies to quotas under the existing deal and 'does not amend Canada's market-access commitments.' They said the 'technical policy changes' to tariff-rate quotas primarily involve faster market access, increasing data transparency and a mechanism to reallocate underused quotas. They also enable an on-demand system for those with repeatedly underfilled quotas. New Zealand's trade department described the solution similarly. 'Importers will be able to access quota faster and more efficiently, making it easier to trade more dairy under Canada's CPTPP quotas,' the department wrote, adding that this was 'the first dispute New Zealand has taken under a free-trade agreement.' New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay wrote in a statement that this week's agreement will deliver the equivalent of up to $129 million in Canadian dollars 'in export value for New Zealand dairy exporters.' Dairy Farmers of Canada said it was 'aware' of the agreement, and 'expects that the Canadian government will continue to uphold our national food security and food sovereignty' after Thursday's settlement. 'We understand that this will result in certain minor policy changes to Canada's TRQ administration,' spokeswoman Lucie Boileau wrote. The dairy dispute was the first taken up by any party under the CPTPP, a trade deal largely focused on Pacific Rim countries who say they agree on rules-based trade. The U.K. joined that trade bloc last year, and the European Union has been looking at working with the grouping to counterbalance American and Chinese trade coercion. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada, New Zealand settle trade dispute regarding supply management of dairy sector
OTTAWA – Canada and New Zealand have settled a dispute over Ottawa's dairy-sector protections that regulate the cost and supply of products such as milk and cheese. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership includes certain quotas for countries to export dairy at preferred tariff rates into other member countries. New Zealand convinced a trade panel in September 2023 that Canada was unfairly limiting its quotas to protect domestic dairy processors. The panel ruled at the time that Ottawa had some discretion over how it allocates its dairy quotas, but that some of its rules violate the trade deal. On Thursday, both countries said they reached an agreement for technical changes, which the Liberals say only apply to quotas under the existing deal that won't mean more market access. Dairy Farmers of Canada said it was 'aware' of the agreement, and said it has the understanding that this results in 'certain, minor policy changes' that uphold the supply-management regime. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. New Zealand previously said that Canadian policies were costing its exporters the equivalent of $100 million Canadian over three years. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025.
Ottawa Citizen
23-06-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
National Capital Region's Top Employers
National Capital Region's Top Employers: 2025 winners The following organizations have been chosen as National Capital Region's Top Employers for 2025 (employee count refers to full-time staff): March 4, 2025 National Capital Region's Top Employers National Capital Region's Top Employers raise the bar on employee benefits, compensation Competition between public, private sector employers benefits workers in both sectors March 4, 2025 National Capital Region's Top Employers Opportunities for learning, career development top the benefits list for NCR Top Employers Benefits are increasingly attuned to Gen Z demographics March 4, 2025 National Capital Region's Top Employers Investing in staff is key to Carleton's community legacy Helping people has always been a source of joy for Alicia Poole, and that's exactly what she's able to do for the Carleton University community every day. For Poole, however, community safety is a holistic endeavour. March 4, 2025 National Capital Region's Top Employers Dairy Farmers of Canada nourishes staff development Jacques Lefebvre has been CEO of Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) since 2018, helping shape the strategic direction of the Ottawa-based national advocacy organization and shepherding it through the pandemic and its pivot to a hybrid work model. In that time, he recognized the need to stay connected with homebound staff. March 4, 2025 National Capital Region's Top Employers Hydro Ottawa is powering the region's future It's not just about keeping the lights on in the nation's capital anymore. While that remains a critical function, Hydro Ottawa is undergoing a digital revolution, evolving from a traditional utility into a technology-driven organization for the future. March 4, 2025 National Capital Region's Top Employers The Library of Parliament is at the heart of democracy Émilie Bourguignon took her first tour of Parliament Hill in elementary school and remembers being wowed by the grandeur and importance of the historic buildings. So, it feels particularly fitting that she's now in charge of the tours that captured her own young imagination as the parliamentary tour manager for the Library of Parliament. March 4, 2025 National Capital Region's Top Employers Creative ways to care come first at Hôpital Montfort In 2008, Christine Albert Breton completed a student internship at Ottawa-based Hôpital Montfort while earning an occupational therapy degree at the University of Ottawa. 'Right away, I was drawn to the culture of respect and excellence,' she says. 'As a student I could see it on a daily basis — it was such a welcoming environment.' March 3, 2025 National Capital Region's Top Employers People feel seen, heard and valued at Multiview A friend of Laura Walker's who was working at Ottawa-based Multiview Financial Software had wonderful things to say about her experience there. 'We were both pretty new out of university, and when there was an opening she thought was the right fit, she referred me to the role,' says Walker. March 3, 2025 National Capital Region's Top Employers Growth and collaboration take off at NAV CANADA Diana Kelly's plan to become an elementary school teacher changed in her third year of university, when she decided to follow in her father's footsteps and become an air traffic controller. In 2000, she joined NAV CANADA in Winnipeg. March 3, 2025 National Capital Region's Top Employers
CBC
04-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Dairy farmer says Canada needs to support more local goods in face of geopolitical uncertainty
In a time of heightened geopolitical tensions with the United States, a Newfoundland dairy farmer says he wants Canada to come out stronger and more food secure. The U.S. has taken issue with, and disputed, how Canada manages its dairy industry through its supply management system, a national framework that's been in place for decades and controls the supply of dairy, as well as poultry and eggs, through production, imports and pricing meant to create stability. "I'm proud to say that we're part of one of the safest food chains in the entire world. We're the envy of the entire world. And locally produced, locally grown, locally operated — I think is going to be the mindset for people to come," dairy farmer Crosbie Williams told CBC News. Williams is a fourth generation dairy farmer with the Pond View Farm in the Goulds area of St. John's. He says his father experienced market instability before the dairy supply management system was implemented. "I was told many times of my dad coming … to town to sell milk and [it] couldn't be sold, and the prices were rock bottom. And as the saying goes, they dumped the milk into Waterford River on the way home." Tariff worries Canada is currently squaring off with the U.S. as President Donald Trump's tariffs are expected to come in effect on Tuesday after a 30-day reprieve. Dairy Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador general manager Tom Osborne says Canadian dairy farmers are worried about what could happen to the supply management system, but he is confident Canada will continue to support the framework. He says that in the next few weeks Canadian representatives will be in Washington to talk with U.S. officials. "We have confidence in Dairy Farmers of Canada and in the Canadian Dairy Commission in protecting and looking out for the best interests of dairy farmers across Canada," Osborne told CBC News. He said he is concerned tariffs and reciprocal tariffs could indirectly negatively impact the industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. A lot of farm equipment comes out of the U.S. and tariffs could make that more expensive for Canadian farmers to purchase, and in turn drive up the cost of production. Osborne says any talk of tariffs is a concern, whether it's farm equipment, fertilizer, feed or even the export of industrial milk outside of the province. "There could be ripple effects based on the outcome of these discussions and the threat of tariffs by the Trump administration," he said. "It is a concern to the agricultural industry across Canada." Staying local Osborne says it's important for consumers to support locally made food. "I call one of the silver linings of these trade talks is that Canadians and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have become more acutely aware of the importance of buying local products," he said. Williams says his 180 cows typically produce around 5,000 litres of milk each day, though that amount can fluctuate. The milk doesn't travel far from his farm, bound for Scotsburn and Central Dairies facilities, both of which are in St. John's "The milk that we produce here from the 180 cows is picked up every second day and delivered just five minutes from here," he said. "It's as local as local gets." Williams says he has has seen a surge in support for local goods first hand, like during a recent shopping trip when he saw a fellow shopper pick up a product, note it wasn't made in Canada and then put it back on the shelf. WATCH | Got local milk? This dairy farmer says homegrown is the way to go: Goulds dairy farmer says stable pricing system protects Canadian consumers, too 34 minutes ago Duration 1:20 Dairy farmer Crosbie Williams says his milk is as local as local gets. His 180 cows produce about 5,000 litres each day, and that milk is processed and delivered at nearby locations It's important that people in Newfoundland and Labrador and across the country support the agriculture sector, which will help make it robust, he said. "When I look at what's going on in the world today, the good that I see is that our country and our agriculture sector is going to become more diverse," said Williams. He said Canada will have to adapt and become more resilient and independent from outside forces. "Ultimately, I feel that the Canadian agricultural sector will be better off."
CBC
15-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
More Islanders are shopping local as U.S. tariffs loom. Here's how to spot Canadian products
Social Sharing More Canadians, including Prince Edward Islanders, are joining the movement to support Canadian-made goods and buy local in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to impose hefty tariffs on Canadian products. However, buying Canadian isn't always easy, says Pascal Thériault, an agriculture economist at McGill University. For one thing, there's more than one kind of label to look for. And for another, shoppers don't always have the time to check every label. Speaking with CBC's Island Morning, Thériault shared some tips on how to identify Canadian products. Supply-managed products Thériault said that foods such as eggs, chicken, turkey and dairy are usually a safe bet for those looking to avoid American products. "Because they're under supply management, chances are they are Canadian products to start with," he told CBC's Island Morning. Supply-managed products are those governed by a system where farmers collectively agree on production levels to meet domestic demand, according to the industry group Dairy Farmers of Canada. This system aims to provide farmers with a fair return for their products and ensure stable prices for consumers, while also limiting foreign imports to protect the domestic market. When it comes to milk, Thériault suggests looking for the little blue cow logo from Dairy Farmers of Canada, which indicates the product is Canadian. He said these markings are not mandatory, though, meaning some Canadian-made products may not have them. Product of Canada vs. Made in Canada Thériault said labels like "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada," while not mandatory, can also help identify Canadian goods. For a product to be labelled "Product of Canada," at least 98 per cent of the total direct costs of producing or manufacturing the goods must be incurred in Canada. Meanwhile, "Made in Canada" claims require at least 51 per cent of the total direct costs of producing or manufacturing the goods to be incurred in Canada, and the claim must be accompanied by a qualifying statement indicating the product contains imported parts. In other words, a "Product of Canada" label signals a higher level of local content than "Made in Canada" does. Provincial initiatives Many provinces have their own labelling campaigns to indicate local content, Thériault said. In Quebec, for example, the non-profit Aliments du Québec verifies and promotes locally made food products. Products carrying its label are either entirely made from Quebec ingredients or contain at least 85 per cent locally sourced ingredients. "It's actually a program that is extremely rigid, extremely well controlled, and that the processors are extremely proud to use," he said. Quebec's liquor board also labels locally made beverages to help consumers identify provincial products, he said. Thériault said Prince Edward Island could benefit from a similar initiative, making it easier for Islanders to identify local goods. He also suggests grocery stores play a role in highlighting Canadian products, since not all shoppers have time to read labels or may buy their usual brands out of habit without knowing a local alternative is available. 'A moral choice' Some choices may be fraught. Thériault pointed out that some American-owned companies actually produce Canadian goods. For instance, Heinz recently spoke out about the fact that its ketchup is made in Quebec using tomatoes from Ontario, supporting Canadian jobs. "Are you better off buying from an American company processed in Canada from Canadian ingredients, or buying a product of a Canadian company that might be importing ingredients — maybe from the U.S., maybe not?" he said. "You have to make a moral choice if that's really what you want to do." Ultimately, Thériault said, it's up to consumers to decide whether to shun American products.
