Canada – Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador to make important announcement about high-speed Internet

Feb 18, 2022 | International

The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, together with the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will make an announcement on improving high-speed Internet.

February 18, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario

The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, together with the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will make an announcement on improving high-speed Internet.

Date: Monday, February 21, 2022

Time: 11:00 a.m. (NT)

Location:

Secondary Building (Bishop’s Tavern)

Marble Mountain Resort

Exit #8, Trans-Canada Highway

Steady Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador

Note to media

Members of the media will be able to participate on site or via teleconference.

For media participation on site:

Media outlets wishing to take part in the availability are asked to RSVP ISED Media Relations (media@ised-isde.gc.ca) to confirm their attendance. In-person attendees will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination via the NLVaxPass, wear a face covering at all times, and remain at least two metres apart from others.

For media participation by teleconference:

Media outlets wishing to take part in the teleconference are asked to contact ISED Media Relations (media@ised-isde.gc.ca) to receive the dial-in information.

Luka Vujic

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development

343-571-9582

luka.vujic@ised-isde.gc.ca

Media Relations

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

media@ised-isde.gc.ca

Canada – Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island deliver funding for the diversion of surplus potatoes

Feb 2, 2022 | International

The Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are committed to supporting PEI potato farmers impacted by trade disruptions.

February 1, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are committed to supporting PEI potato farmers impacted by trade disruptions. PEI potato growers have a long history of producing high quality potatoes for Canadians and international consumers, and we are doing everything we can to restore market access to the U.S. for this vital industry.

Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, along with Prince Edward Island Minister of Agriculture and Land Bloyce Thompson, announced details on the Surplus Potato Management Response plan. As part of this plan, the Government of Canada will provide up to $28 million and the Province of PEI up to $12.2 million.

The Surplus Potato Management Response will be cost-shared between the federal and provincial governments, with a goal of diverting as many potatoes as possible to processors, packers and food banks, and minimizing the amount of surplus potatoes that must be destroyed. Producers will also receive support to assist with the costs of environmentally-sound destruction of surplus potatoes. Producers will receive up to 8.5 cents a pound for the disposal of potatoes.

Through the Surplus Potato Management Response Plan, an estimated 2.90 million cwt (290 million pounds) will be diverted to processors, packers, dehydrators, food banks and other markets. Current estimates suggest that 3 million cwt (300 million pounds) will need to be destroyed, representing just over 10 per cent of PEI’s total 2021 production. The PEI Potato Board will deliver the plan on behalf of the governments to manage potatoes that have been rendered surplus.

These efforts are helping PEI producers to sell their potatoes into the marketplace while also providing high-quality food to Canadians in need. PEI’s Department of Agriculture and Land’s Potato Wart Navigation Service remains available to producers with general questions about Potato Wart, and programs that are offered through the Provincial Government.

Both levels of government are working tirelessly to restore trade of PEI potatoes and to support the industry. As part of the ongoing efforts to engage with American counterparts, last week Minister Bibeau and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, met with United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who agreed for the United States Department of Agriculture to expedite their risk assessment of PEI table stock potatoes. Secretary Vilsack also committed to rendering a decision on exports to Puerto Rico within two weeks of the meeting.

We will continue to take a Team Canada approach and deal with our trading partner on their science-based concerns, which is our best chance for reopening the potato market in the United States as quickly as possible

“Prince Edward Island potato growers and their families are going through an extremely difficult time. Working with the province and the Potato Board, we are doing everything we can to divert surplus potatoes, support our growers and quickly re-establish trade in PEI table potatoes to the United States. We are confident that we have the science to encourage the Americans to reopen their market as soon as possible.”

–   The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food 

“We knew that each day that passed in our current landscape meant that we were one day closer to having to dispose of our quality PEI potatoes – and unfortunately that day is now upon us. I am certainly encouraged that my Department and federal colleagues could come together in supporting our producers in a time of need, and we will continue to work in stride so that our growers, producers, packers and operators can return to the business they know best as soon as possible.”

–   Bloyce Thompson,  Prince Edward Island Minister of Agriculture and Land

“The PEI Potato farmers appreciate the funding, which will help offset some of the costs of destruction that farms will experience due to the border closure. This is a very difficult time for farmers, and having to destroy the potatoes we worked so hard to grow is the last thing our farmers want to do”.

–    John Visser, Chair of the PEI Potato Board

Marianne Dandurand

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

marianne.dandurand@agr.gc.ca

343 541-9229

Canada – Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan support research demonstration projects

Dec 9, 2021 | International

Regina, Saskatchewan – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan invested more than $218,000 in funding for 17 research projects through the Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Program.

The ADOPT Program provides funding to assist producer groups to evaluate and demonstrate new agricultural practices and technologies at the local level. The results of successful trials can then be adopted by agricultural operations in the region.

Projects were initiated this fall and will be conducted throughout the winter months and into the spring.

“Together with the province, our Government is helping Saskatchewan farmers find practical ways to take advantage of the opportunities and address the challenges they face every day. These projects will give Saskatchewan farmers new direct applications of science in the field that will increase their sustainability and resiliency.”

– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“Funding applied research that has an immediate impact on Saskatchewan producers drives our industry forward and responds to current issues facing the sector. We’re funding projects with practical applications that will directly support producers, like winter varieties of wheat and oats, spring cereal re-seeding options and the advantages of feeding supplemental protein on fall pasture.”

– David Marit, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister

Oliver Anderson

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

oliver.anderson@agr.gc.ca

613-462-4327

Canada – Governments of Canada and British Columbia announce joint supply chain recovery working group

Nov 21, 2021 | International

The devastating floods in British Columbia have not only jeopardized and displaced the lives of countless Canadians but have also affected Canada’s supply chain. Ensuring that essential goods reach Canadian households in a timely fashion, and that food, medicines and other critical supplies are accessible to all who need them, is of the utmost priority.

November 20, 2021                                          Vancouver                               

The devastating floods in British Columbia have not only jeopardized and displaced the lives of countless Canadians but have also affected Canada’s supply chain. Ensuring that essential goods reach Canadian households in a timely fashion, and that food, medicines and other critical supplies are accessible to all who need them, is of the utmost priority.

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bill Blair, and the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure for the Province of British Columbia, the Honourable Rob Fleming, announced the creation of a joint Federal / Provincial Supply Chain Recovery Working Group to restore the flow of goods through the province. The group is already at work and will be working through the weekend.

Those invited to participate in the Federal / Provincial Supply Chain Recovery Working Group include several Government of Canada departments, Government of British Columbia ministries, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the Vancouver International Airport Authority, the BC Marine Terminal Operators Association, the BC Trucking Association, the Retail Council of Canada, the Canadian Fuels Association, representatives from British Columbia’s tow boat industry, the Gateway Council of BC, the BC Chamber of Shipping, CN Rail, and CP Rail, among others.

This Working Group is a first step in what will be an ongoing effort by all orders of government to ensure that the supply chain is re-established in a way that gets Canadians the goods they need and help mitigate against future incidents.

The Working Group is developing options for contingency transport and logistics for essential goods and materials. As infrastructure gradually reopens, the Working Group will prioritize and advise on the best routes and use of limited capacity for the movement of goods across all transportation modes, while balancing community needs and national economic interest. Furthermore, together they will consider options for diverting traffic or establishing new logistics chains in the province.  

Transport Canada is actively engaging and working with the Province of BC, along with the Port of Vancouver, terminal, railway, air, towing and trucking sectors, to support the response to the flooding in B.C. Of paramount concern is supporting those who are displaced or being evacuated as a result of the landslides.

Both the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia commend those working in truly difficult or hazardous circumstances who are evacuating people, saving lives, and restoring Canada’s transportation network in a timely fashion.

Allison St-Jean

Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary

Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra

Minister of Transport, Ottawa

613-290-8656

Allison.St-Jean@tc.gc.ca

Media Relations

Transport Canada, Ottawa

613-993-0055

media@tc.gc.ca