Submissions

To maintain critical supply chain functions during stoppages caused by strikes or collective bargaining processes, CFA recommends that the employer’s ability to re-assign existing non-unionized workers within a company, including management staff be maintained.

CFA is fully supportive of the use of incorporation by reference, which introduces the content of a document into a regulation without having to include the document’s full text in the regulation. By making it easier to update information, for example when a list of pests or requirements changes, industry is better positioned to provide timely support to producers across Canada.

CFA supports the Government of Canada pursuing a bilateral trade agreement with Ecuador, provided it results in outcomes that benefit all Canadian agriculture by maximizing profitable export opportunities such as, for example, refined beet sugar that is wholly obtained here in Canada, while ensuring trade rules that allow for the maintenance of an effective supply management system.

CFA comments on the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) Legislative Review. CFA noted that Canadian agriculture and rural Canada should be priority areas for investment for the CIB, considering the bank’s key goals of funding green infrastructure and broadband for underserved communities.

Requiring farmers to submit a UHT return, even when they are exempt from paying the tax, creates an unnecessary financial and administrative burden on farmers, without effectively achieving the stated objective of the UHT. Farmers have minimal involvement in the housing market, and the majority qualify for a UHT exemption. As such, we urge the government to exempt farmers from the requirement to file a UHT return, ensuring that they are not penalized for failing to do so.

We urge the Government of Canada to consider the complexities of reducing plastic packaging within agriculture. Transitioning to alternative materials demands collaboration, flexibility, and an understanding of the industry. Government’s approach must consider the entire lifecycle of packaging, balancing cost, trade, compliance, food security, and consumer choices. By aligning with global standards and fostering innovation, we can create solutions that serve both the environment and our industry without compromising quality, accessibility, or affordability.

In 1998 amendments were made to the Canada Labour Code, sponsored by Minister MacAulay, which prohibited the cessation of work among long-shore workers loading grain vessels during a strike or lockout. We recommend additional amendments to the Canada Labour Code which would result in long-shore workers continuing to provide services to all vessels in the event of a strike or lockout.

A joint letter of support for Bill C-244, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance, and repair). This bill has direct implications for the right for diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of farm machinery. The federal government has a clear role to establish a legislative structure that strikes a measured and appropriate balance with the intent to create a competitive market for equipment repair that will allow farmers the choice to safely conduct all repairs themselves, through a qualified third party, or through the OEM dealerships

A joint letter proposing the following amendments to Bill C-293, An Act respecting pandemic prevention and preparedness:

– Recommendation #1: That Section 4(2) (I) be removed to allow the Advisory Committee the flexibility to undertake its mandate and to focus its attention on pandemic prevention and preparedness. Specifically, our concerns relate to the use of the words “regulate” and “phase out.” It is recommended this wording be removed or changed to consistently use “assess” or “summarize.”

– Recommendation #2: That the Bill include language that encourages continued support and enforcement of existing biosecurity initiatives, including industry-led initiatives.

– Recommendation #3: That the reference to “high-risk species” in Section 4 (2) (I). iv. be clearly defined.

A letter urgently calling on Senators to vote against amendments made to Bill C-234, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. These amendments excluded thousands of Canadian farmers from receiving critical financial relief, and raised the potential for a significant delay in the passage of Bill C-234.

The CFA opposes the uplisting of the Eastern Wolf from Special Concern to Threatened under SARA, without assurances that there be exemptions for certain protections on private lands, in order to ensure that farmers are able to adequately protect their livestock from the predator.

CFA provides comments on the Supply Chain Regulatory review concerning: Maximum Revenue Entitlement, Hours of Service Regulations, Extended Interswitching, Canadian Transportation Agency Own Motion Powers, Automatic Demurrage Penalties, Contracting Practices and Commodity-Specific Training for Canadian Border Service Agents.