Registration - In-house Organization

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 Wheat 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 Wheat 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 Wheat 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). The Alberta Wheat Commission 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 Wheat 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.
• Income Tax Act: Alberta Wheat 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.
• Response to Proposed Re-evaluation Decision for Imidacloprid
• Transportation: Alberta Wheat advocates for mechanisms to avoid service disruptions during labour disputes and natural disasters that affect the movement of grains and oil-seeds. Alberta Wheat advocated for the quick end to the November 2019 CN rail strike and potentially the 2022 CP rail strike.
• Transportation: Canada Transportation Act Review Report, the recommendations outlined in the report and how they could impact Canada's grains and oilseeds sector.

Legislative Proposal, Bill or Resolution, Policies or Program, Regulation

• Federal Carbon Pricing - Alberta Wheat advocates for a carbon pricing regime which recognises 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 Wheat advocates for a modernisation of the Canadian Grain Commission, which includes modification of the Grains Act. Additionally, Alberta Wheat wishes to see the CGC surplus returned to producers through reduced user fees and funding
• Environment: Federal climate change objectives and how they align with provincial policies/regulations. The role of Canada's cropping sector in the mitigation/reduction of GHG emissions.
• International Trade: Alberta Wheat 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.
• Research and Development: The Government of Canada's current commitment to grains and oilseeds research in Canada with regard to both funding and capacity.

Policies or Program, Regulation

• Health Canada's PMRA Planned Update of the Lambda-cyhalothrin Label Alberta Wheat 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.

Regulation

• Crop input approvals and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Alberta Wheat 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.

Communication Techniques

• Written communication
• Oral communication
• Grass-roots communication

Government Institutions

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA)
• Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
• Finance Canada (FIN)
• Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
• Health Canada (HC)
• House of Commons
• Infrastructure Canada (INFC)
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
• Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat (IGA)
• Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
• Senate of Canada
• Transport Canada (TC)

Government institutions added through a monthly communication report

• Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS)

Address:
#200, 6815 8th Street N.E.
Calgary, AB  T2H 7H7
Canada

Telephone number: 403-717-3711