Lobbying Information
Subject Matters
- Agriculture
- Budget
- Climate
- Consumer Issues
- Environment
- Health
- International Trade
- Research and Development
- Taxation and Finance
- Transportation
Subject Matter Details
Legislative Proposal, Bill or Resolution
- 30% Reduction in Fertilizer Emissions - Alberta Barley advocates for proper consultation on the introduction of a fertilizer reduction regime as well as recognition of the positive contributions of primary agriculture to the environment. Moreover, Alberta Barley is advocating for policy objectives that recognize ways to mitigate the impact of additional costs on producers.
- Bill C-234 An Act to Amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. This legislation would exempt propane and natural gas from the carbon tax when used to dry grain in provinces under the federal backstop (AB, SK, MB, ON). Alberta Barley is advocating for its approval in the Parliament currently as it would significantly improve the profitability of farmers.
- Bill C-244 -An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair). Alberta Barley is actively lobbying in favour of the legislation in all jurisdictions, restricting farmers' ability to modify and repair their own farm machinery and equipment when it involves onboard computer systems governed by Technological Protection Measures (TPMs), which are digital safeguards put in place on these integrated computer systems, which are illegal to circumnavigate by anyone other than the certified services provider (IP holder).
- Grain Transportation: Alberta Barley is advocating on behalf of its farmer members for a grain transportation system that provides better, more timely, and reliable service to its customers. To this end, we advocated for the quick passage of Bill C-49: the transportation modernisation act, and continue to advocate for further investments in rail capacity and oversight of the transportation system to ensure reliable and fair service for farmers.
- Health Canada's PMRA Planned Update of the Lambda-cyhalothrin Label Alberta Barley has been lobbying to the government on the changes to the label of Lambda-cyhalothrin. The use of the chemical Lambda-cyhalothrin is essential for use in agriculture as it is heavily relied upon for pest management, especially in those drier years when grasshoppers are more abundant. The need of Alberta farmers is significant moving into the next crop season, and as it currently stands there is not an adequate alternative to Lambda-cyhalothrin.
- Income Tax Act: Alberta Barley works to ensure that the taxation system is designed to the benefit of farmers and ranchers, that important tools such as Tax on Split Income (TOSI), income deferrals, and capital gains exemptions are available to farmers so that they are financially stable, and thus able to grow and provide healthy and high quality food in a financially sustainable manner.
- International Trade: Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, its value to Canada's grains and oilseed's sector and the Commission's desire to see the agreement ratified.
Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union, its potential positive impact for Canada's grains and oilseed's sector and the Commission's position on ratification.
Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement and its potential positive impact for Canada's grains and oilseed's sector and the Commission's position on ratification.
- Transportation: Alberta Barley advocates for mechanisms to avoid service disruptions during labour disputes and natural disasters that affect the movement of grains and oil-seeds. Alberta Barley advocated for the quick end to the November 2019 CN rail strike and potentially the 2022 CP rail strike.
Legislative Proposal, Bill or Resolution, Policies or Program, Regulation
- Federal Carbon Pricing - Alberta Barley advocates for a carbon pricing regime that recognizes the positive contributions of primary agriculture to the environment and which grants exemptions for on-farm fuel use to mitigate the impact of additional costs on producers. In addition, the federal carbon offset system, specifically the Enhanced Organic Soil Carbon protocol development.
Policies or Program
- Canadian Grain Commission - Alberta Barley advocates for a modernization of the Canadian Grain Commission, which includes modification of the Grains Act. Additionally, Alberta Barley wishes to see the CGC surplus returned to producers through reduced user fees.
- International Trade: Alberta Barley advocates for free and open markets, and works to educate the government on the benefits of free trade agreements and other international trade arrangements to Canadian farmers.
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership The Alberta Barley is advocating for the S-CAP to enable an increase in demand for wheat globally. As well as the S-CAP should encompass the ability to help producers increase their production with the increased funding in key priority areas. The commissions have worked through working groups to help with the implementation of environmental objectives to BRM programs including inclusion of environmental farm plans. While maintaining the ability of the tools to assist producers with uncertainty associated with farming such as weather events.
Regulation
- Crop input approvals and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Alberta Barley works with its industry partners to advocate for a crop input approval/review process that takes economic viability and practical product alternatives into account while also enforcing high safety standards. In addition, the recent announcement of the Scientific Advisory Committee that is offering oversite on chemistries evaluated by the PMRA.
Communication Techniques
-
Written communication
-
Oral communication
-
Grass-roots communication
Government Institutions
-
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
-
Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA)
-
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
-
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
-
Finance Canada (FIN)
-
Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
-
Health Canada (HC)
-
House of Commons
-
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
-
Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat (IGA)
-
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
-
Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
-
Senate of Canada
Government institutions added through a monthly communication report
- Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS)
In-house Organization Details
Description of the organization's activities
Alberta Barley is a farmer funded and directed non-for profit organization. We work on behalf of Alberta barley farmers to ensure profitability and to administer funds towards activities related to market development, research, agronomy, and policy by representing the needs and concerns of our members to governments, regulatory agencies and industry associations
Responsible officer name and position during the period of this registration
Tom Steve,
General Manager
Organization's membership or classes of membership
As governed by the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act of Alberta, barley farmers in Alberta submit a mandatory but refundable check-off to the commission on every tonne of barley sold.
Government funding
End date of the last completed financial year:
2022-07-31
List of Government Funding
Government Institution
|
Funding Received in Last Financial Year
|
Funding Expected in Current Financial Year
|
Results Driven Agricultural Research
|
$18,598.40
|
Yes
|
In-house Organization Contact Information
Address:
#200, 6815 – 8th Street NE
Calgary, AB T2E 7H7
Canada
Telephone number:
403-291-9111
Lobbyists Details
Employees who lobby for the organization
- Evan Lintick,
Government Relations and Policy Specialist |
No public offices held
- Shannon Sereda,
Government Relations and Policy Manager |
No public offices held
- Tom Steve,
General Manager |
No public offices held