It’s no joke that on April 1, federally imposed carbon taxes will come into effect across several provinces. Exemption certificates – for partial relief – can be downloaded from the Canada Revenue Agency website.

Starting this spring, Brock University will deliver a Wine Business Management Certificate to help industry personnel develop the competencies to successfully manage wine-related businesses. The program will run Fridays for five weeks from May 24 to June 21.

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association welcomed the 2019 federal budget, calling the federal investments ‘transformative’ in addressing areas of strategic importance to the Canadian produce industry.

Dr. Ian Potter has been named the new CEO of the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, effective April 1, 2019.  He comes from senior leadership roles with the National Research Council (NRC) and Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures (AITF).

The Ontario government is making it easier for public institutions such as universities and hospitals to procure local food by removing red tape and providing tools that encourage its use to farmers, food distributors and public sector organizations.

More data than ever is being collected in agriculture and the industry is challenged with how to best use it to support profitable and sustainable food production. Vegetable processor Bonduelle has joined with the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers and In-Green Valley Foods Cooperative to access project funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Fifteen volunteers have been named to the Ontario agriculture minister’s advisory group, including representatives for apples, grapes and tomatoes. Chris Van de Laar, the 2019 Grape King, is one of those volunteers.

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association has released its report, “Safety & Health Insurance Available and Farmer Insurance Needs” during Canadian Agricultural Safety Week. This first-of-its-kind study examines health and disability insurance available to Canadian farmers.

The Senate’s ag committee toured many value-added operations in southern Ontario the week of March 11, 2019. Senator Robert Black, formerly CEO of the Rural Ontario Institute, played a role in shaping the agenda. First stop? The Ontario Food Terminal.

The B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association will receive up to $4.2M for development of Canadian-bred apple and sweet cherry cultivars. New ag minister Marie-Claude Bibeau discussed the research with Sukhpaul Bal, president of the BC Cherry Association.