NDP's Singh promises dental care coverage for families earning less than $90,000


The Canadian PressStaff
 Saturday, September 4, 2021 

ST. JOHN'S, NFLD. -- A one-per-cent tax on some of Canada's wealthiest residents would be enough to fund the start of a national dental care program, the leader of the federal NDP said Saturday as he filled in details on a key plank of his party's election platform.

The plan outlined by Jagmeet Singh revisited a frequent theme of his electoral campaign as he insisted Canada's ultra-rich should be paying more to cover the cost of a host of social programs.

Funding for government-subsidized dental care, he said, would come from a one-per-cent tax on Canadians with a net wealth of $10 million or more.

Singh said the resulting cash would provide full dental coverage for uninsured families earning less than $60,000 a year and partial coverage for families with less than $90,000 in annual income, noting the measures would take effect immediately under an NDP government.

"This is completely doable in the scheme of federal programs, this is very achievable," Singh said during a campaign stop in St. John's. "It would provide relief to people who are worried that they can't afford the care that they need."

Singh said his ultimate goal would be to eventually add complete dental care coverage as a benefit under Canada's health-care program, estimating the new plan would cost around $1.5 billion in its first year before leveling off to just under $1 billion a year later.

The plan is similar to the one Singh campaigned on in 2019, which also offered help for families earning less than $90,000 a year as well as a sliding copayment for families in the $70,000 to $90,000 annual earning bracket.

When asked about the similarities to the previous version of the plan, Singh said the party was dedicated to continuing the fight for improved medical care.

"It's not a surprise that we are still campaigning on the things we believe in because we haven't changed our beliefs," he said. "People have realized more than ever that our health-care system has had gaps. They've seen that COVID-19 didn't create the problems, but certainly exposed a lot of them."

Singh also voiced a proposal for tackling what he described as other gaps in the national health-care system.

He said leaning on residents with international training could be a key tool in shoring up the health-care sector and addressing staffing shortages exacerbated during the pandemic and its aftermath.

"There are a lot of very talented people that come to Canada with international experience ... but then when they get here that (experience) is not recognized and they can't practice in their fields," Singh said. "I think that could also help us with medically trained professionals and other professionals that have great training and experience but aren't able to use that when they come to Canada."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept 4, 2021.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh and his wife Gurkiran Kaur Sidhu hold hands as they walk to the campaign plane in St. John's, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. 

(THE CANADIAN PRESS / Adrian Wyld)

Singh renews pledge of federal dental care, says Liberals take Atlantic Canada for granted

Program would subsidize expenses for Canadians earning less than $90,000 per year


Ryan Patrick Jones · CBC News · Posted: Sep 04, 2021

New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks during a campaign stop in St. John's, N.L., on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Speaking alongside two dental hygienists, Singh pledged to bring in a federal program to help Canadians who earn less than $90,000 per year pay for dental expenses. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh today repeated a promise from the party's 2019 campaign to implement a federal program that would subsidize the costs of dental care for Canadians who lack insurance.

Singh made the pledge on the 21st day of the federal election campaign in the Newfoundland and Labrador riding of St. John's South–Mount Pearl as the party fights to expand its Atlantic Canada caucus from one seat.

"I've heard story after story from people who cannot get their teeth looked after," said Singh.

"This is where we see one of the greatest divides: If you've got the right job, if you have enough money, you can get your teeth looked after. But for everyone else, they're kind of left high and dry."





Watch NDP campaign to start rapid testing


In light of recent COVID-19 modelling released by Canada's chief public health officer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his team will now start administering rapid tests on the campaign and cut the size of events. 0:36

Singh said the program would partly cover expenses of Canadians with an annual income of less than $90,000 per year, and fully cover people who earn less than $60,000 per year.

In a news release, the NDP said the program would benefit 6.5 million Canadians and save the average family $1,200 in dental fees each year.

The party campaigned on a similar plan in 2019, which promised free dental care for households making less than $70,000, with a sliding co-payment for those earning between $70,000 and $90,000.

A 2020 report by the Parliamentary Budget Office estimated that the federal government would face a one-time upfront cost of about $3 billion and then $1.5 billion annually until 2024-25 to pay for a similar program.
Funded by wealth tax

An NDP government would cover the expenses with funds generated by a one per cent tax on households with wealth of more than $10 million, Singh said.

Singh was was joined for the announcement by St. John's South–Mount Pearl NDP candidate Ray Critch, a lawyer and teacher, and labour leader Mary Shortall, the party's candidate for the next-door riding of St. John's East.

The fourth-place party is fighting to hold St. John's East, its only seat in Atlantic Canada following the 2019 election. It was previously held by longtime NDP MP Jack Harris.

Singh, who spent time living in St. John's when he was young, accused the Liberals of taking Atlantic voters for granted.

"They take you all for granted because they just expect that they'll get your votes," he said. "We want to fight for you, we want to earn your support, and I want to be here to let people know that I want to earn your support and earn your confidence."

'Wildcards': Jagmeet Singh's New Democrats say they're running to win an election they didn't want

Modelling prompts campaign rethink

Singh also announced that his party is making changes to the way it campaigns as a result of new national COVID-19 modelling, released yesterday, that projected that Canada could see up to 15,000 cases per day by the end of the month if the rate of vaccination does not increase and more restrictive public health measures are not introduced.

The NDP leader's campaign will soon implement a rapid testing program, Singh said, something the Liberal and Conservative campaigns already have in place.

In addition, Singh said the party is planning to change the types of campaign events it holds to avoid large gatherings of people.

"The new evidence that's come out from our public health experts in Canada is really sobering," he said. "Things look like they could get really bad."

How an impromptu chess lesson to teens turned into a hit summer camp

Israel Crooks learned chess as a kid in Jamaica. Now he's in Hamilton passing 

on his love for the game

Wayne MacPhail · CBC News · Posted: Sep 04, 2021 



Israel Crooks teaches chess in the park

Israel Crooks has two passions — art and chess.

For now, his hope for life as a professional artist is a dream deferred. But playing chess is a reality he's brought to teens in Hamilton these past few weeks.

On weekday afternoons, you'll find Crooks, his shade tents and his chess sets — one with pieces the size of small dogs — set up at the eastern end of the busy Victoria Park in the city's downtown.

Crooks, 47, teaches a small group of neighbourhood kids what he calls "the most beautiful game I have ever seen in my life."

The native of Jamaica paces between the tables he's set up, cajoling, counselling and kidding his charges toward a strategic understanding of the ways of the world, wrought in miniature pieces on his checked battlefields.

He is part comic, mugging for the kids, part sage, wisely stroking his chin in thoughtful contemplation. He monitors the kids' progress, moving from board to board with the erratic freedom of a knight on the attack.

Adam Alsafadl, 12, shown in Hamiton's Victoria Park, and his older brother Yousef, 14, were two of Crooks's first Chess in the Park students. (Wayne MacPhail)

Crooks was first exposed to chess at age 10 in Montego Bay. He deepened his skill year by year as he earned a degree in biochemistry and then moved to Hamilton in 2002 to join his wife, who had already arrived and settled in. Here, he honed his game even more, through hours of play at the Hamilton Public Library and between shifts at the city's factories.
I noticed the kids weren't playing [basketball] strategically. I told them we need to play chess.​​​​​- Israel Crooks

About a month ago, he brought a chess set to a basketball game in the park.

"I noticed the kids weren't playing [basketball] strategically," he says. "I told them we need to play chess."

His set ended up on the court and the boys gathered around to watch Crooks moving pieces in an intricate dance of intrigue.

"They asked me to teach them," Crooks recalls.

He started with a few free ad hoc lessons and then, with the aid of a flyer his wife put together, more formal, for-fee (15 sessions, $225) Chess in the Park classes.

Israel Crooks' love of chess began as a kid in Montego Bay, Jamaica. He is now teaching kids in Hamilton to play. (Wayne MacPhail)

Adam Alsafadl, 12, and his older brother Yousef, 14, were two of Crooks's first students.

On this day late in August, the boys quietly watched as Crooks demonstrated a queen sacrifice and explained the traits of a poisoned pawn.

Adam had never played chess before, but started coming every day to absorb the game from Crooks.

"I learned a lot of strategy, tactics, openings. I think it will help me a lot with other stuff, like in school," Adam said.

Still holding onto his artist dream

The summer session for the classes is over now, but Crooks, who has also worked as a Mohawk College instructor and has a bachelor of education degree, has plans to extend the course into the fall.

"We will see what comes," he said.

As for his dream of becoming a professional painter? He hopes, in two years, to study in France.

"That is my real passion, to be a true artist," Crooks said.

He says his wife, a business analyst, supports him chasing his dreams.

"She is so, so supportive," he said, and laughs. "I owe her. Huge."

King's advance, queen's gambit. Clearly, chess runs in the family.

Opinion: University of Alberta at risk from death by a thousand cuts

Author of the article: Michael Phair, Bradley Lafortune
Publishing date: Sep 04, 2021 •

An aerial view of the University of Alberta in Edmonton. PHOTO BY POSTMEDIA /File
Article content

Like many Albertans, we are angry and we are gravely concerned about the future of our province. From deep and long-avoided fiscal challenges to strains on our social safety net, Alberta is undeniably under a tremendous amount of pressure. We believe this is in large part as a result of policy choices and political priorities. And we believe the correct response to tend to these challenges and pressures must be policy-based and political at the highest level.

A critical part of the solution to easing these pressures, and, more importantly, imagining an Alberta built on the principle of a society where all Albertans thrive, is engaging and confronting what is currently unfolding at our post-secondary institutions and particularly at the University of Alberta — which has been left “stabbed and bleeding” at the hands of the UCP government.

Let’s put it in context. When Ralph Klein cut post-secondary as part of his reckless agenda to “balance” Alberta’s books at the expense of health care, education, and mental health and addictions services, to name just a few, he cut back funding by 18 per cent over 10 years. Kenney’s approach makes this look tame by comparison. The UCP’s proposed reduction to our post-secondary system is to cut operational funding by 20 per cent over the next four years. Specifically, the UCP is aggressively targeting our flagship university, the University of Alberta — while 25 per cent of Alberta’s students attend the University of Alberta, the school is facing 50 per cent of the cuts.

We expect that in the Alberta system, where colleges and universities are governed by an appointed board, that the minister of Advanced Education advocate for the value of the sector and its importance to a promising future. Instead, Minister Demetrios Nicolaides and his office deliberately push for these draconian cuts, resulting in shock and chaos to the system that will lead to a race to the bottom. If these cuts persist, Alberta is at risk of providing the least amount of money of any province to post-secondary institutions, based on population.

And what about the outcomes? The jobs of over a thousand university staff — professors, tradespeople who repair and upgrade buildings, groundskeepers, and lab assistants — have been demolished. These were good and decent jobs for folks to be able to work, live and contribute as Edmonton citizens. In attempting to partially compensate for the $120-million-and counting-funding loss, tuition for all students is significantly rising at a time when many students are burdened by huge debts.

The UCP is reducing accessibility for every young person, making post-secondary harder and harder to justify for more and more potential students. Meanwhile, they are undermining the U of A’s claim to greatness, as programs of studies and the range of course and research opportunities continue to be eroded through funding cuts, attrition and reorganizations, resulting in faculty and staff being asked to do more with much, much less.

Ultimately, the kind of province and society we want to protect and the future we want to build — founded on creativity, equity, the public good, adaptability, passion, innovation, and knowledge — is at stake. For over a hundred years, the university has been an Edmonton treasure and its excellence has brought nationwide recognition and acclaim to the city and the province; under the UCP and Minister Nicolaides the university is bleeding.

These observations come from a place of deep care for the University of Alberta and our province, and a belief that if we walk alongside our allies within and beyond our institutions, we can save the future of our post-secondary education system, for current students, faculty, and staff, and for generations to come. That’s why Public Interest Alberta is redoubling its efforts to protect Alberta’s future by protecting the U of A and our post-secondaries. You’ll be hearing a lot more from us and our partners this fall, that is for certain. The current context and the stakes demand it.

Each year at the University of Alberta, nearly 9,000 mostly young people graduate and each year the university welcomes 10,000 new students. We simply cannot let the message be sent to these students that we are now living in the “Alberta Disadvantage.” Instead, we need to reverse these cuts, stop the bleeding, and invest in a future for all of us — especially our students.

Michael Phair is past chair, University of Alberta board of governors, and Bradley Lafortune is executive director of Public Interest Alberta.

Organizer of B.C. hospital protests, Kristen Nagle, recently claimed that you can't catch a virus

The fired intensive-care nurse also suggested that polio and Spanish flu were not caused by viruses, and that rabies arises from malnourishment and mistreatment

by Charlie Smith on September 3rd, 2021 

GEORGIA STRAIGHT

In a recent videotaped interview posted on YouTube by Bright Light News, Kristen Nagle described the origins of the September 1 protests outside B.C. hospitals.

CANADIAN FRONTLINE NURSES

The protests that took place outside B.C. hospitals this week were organized by a group called Canadian Frontline Nurses.

Its leader, Kristen Nagle, is a former neonatal intensive care-unit nurse who was fired earlier this year from a hospital in London, Ontario. This came after Nagle co-organized an antilockdown rally.

Nagle has some unconventional views on disease transmission

"You can't catch a virus," Nagle wrote on Facebook on August 15.

According to her, viruses "are found within to help us detox and get back to balance".

The Straight is reposting more of her comments below to provide context.

"What if everything you learned wasn't true?" Nagle asked at the start of the post. "Germ theory never been proven. Bacteria aren't bad guys and are actually essential to life. Polio wasn't cause by a virus and its near eradication wasn't due to a [vaccine]. Spanish Flu wasn't caused by a virus.

"Rabies is actually from malnourishment and mistreatment," Nagle continued in her post. "Mumps, measles, chickenpox are benign and part of childhood phases essential for development. Contagion has never been proven."

Nagle went on to write that our bodies are capable of healing.

"We were created divinely and perfect in God's image with no mistakes, therefore vit k or childhood immunizations are not only not necessary but harmful," she stated. "Food impacts [our] health. Emotions impact our health. We do not need pharmaceuticals."
In this interview, Kristine Nagle talks about her opposition to vaccine mandates.

BRIGHT LIGHT NEWS/YOUTUBE

Nagle hoped for a worldwide walkout

In a YouTube interview with Bright Light News, Nagle said the idea for the September 1 vaccine-mandate protests outside hospitals came from one of the group's members in Kamloops.

"We decided to make it a nationwide event for health-care workers and everyone, really, that is being affected by these mandates to take a stand," Nagle revealed.

Nagle said that after holding 18 months of protests, they needed to "make a huge visual impact to show the public that we are not for these mandates".

"We are for body autonomy, health freedom, medical freedom, informed consent," Nagle said, "and we thought it was time to make a bold statement that we need to kind of finally draw the line and hold the line because we know this is a slippery slope where this is going."

The goal was actually for a worldwide event, she revealed in her interview with Bright Light News.

Facebook post said real issue is "control"

After declaring in her August 15 Facebook post that people cannot catch a virus, she spoke about broader societal issues that concerned her in connection with governments' responses to disease.

"This has never been about health. But about control," Nagle declared.

"What if there were.people following the narrative faithfully, changed direction...would you ask why?" she added. "Ask what they know that you don't? Ask what made them make such a decision to jeopardize their career, reputation, relationships and livelihood? Would you have an open discussion to hear another side? Or assume you know it all and these people have all become crazy conspiracy theorists?

"Remember debate club?" Nagle continued. "They used to teach you how to debate something to win even if you disagreed. Debates were welcomed and encouraged. You learn, you grow, you do better.

"Are we not concerned of censorship? Cancel culture? Deleting of platforms and discussions? Eliminating ability to ask questions? Freedom of speech and thought.

"Are we not concerned that we're missing important information from experts? scientists? Real lived experiences? If they come after us...where do we draw the line? what else can they come after? Have we forgotten the art and importance of real debate? Its time to ask questions. To unlearn and relearn."

The post in its entirety

Read Kristen Nagle's August 15 post on Facebook.

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 Chile’s Indigenous Mapuche resist loggers and state control

  

Unrest in Chile's Indigenous Mapuche regions is becoming increasingly volatile.

Mapuche members are part of an elected assembly drafting Chile's new constitution, hoping to lay the groundwork for reconciliation. But some have little faith in the political process.

Al Jazeera's Latin America Editor Lucia Newman spent a day with a father and son trying to protect their land from loggers in the strife-torn Araucania region.

Lebanon food crisis: Majority of the population skipping meals

  

The financial crisis in Lebanon is pushing people further into poverty.

Nearly a quarter of the population does not have enough food.

Al Jazeera's Sara Khairat reports from the governate of Akkar, Lebanon.

Ag deserves election focus, say hog producers

By Karen Briere

WESTERN PRODUCER
Published: September 2, 2021


Canadian Pork Council chair Rick Bergmann said he hasn’t heard agriculture mentioned at all and hopes party leaders will step up and recognize the importance of a safe and secure food supply. | File photo


Election ’21: Pork council wants African swine fever action plan to be at the top of the agenda for federal politicians

Canada’s pork producers say their industry and agriculture as a whole should have already been a focus of the current federal election campaign.

Canadian Pork Council chair Rick Bergmann said he hasn’t heard agriculture mentioned at all and hopes party leaders will step up and recognize the importance of a safe and secure food supply.

“I would think keeping Canadians fed and having food security would be a priority,” he said.

Instead, he said it seems like the industry is still being taken for granted.

The council last week released a list of election priorities it hopes will get some attention.

Chief among them is a $50 million pan-Canadian action plan on African swine fever. The federal and provincial ministers have had ASF on their meeting agendas for a few years now. Bergmann said the federal decision to use detection dogs at airports is positive but with decreased travel during the pandemic that risk was lower.

Now that travel is resuming, and the disease has been found in the Dominican Republic, he said the concern is rising again. There has been lots of talk on a full plan but now it’s time to mitigate the potential risk and deal with Canada’s wild boar problem, too.

ASF would cause a minimum hit of $24 billion, Bergmann said.

“It’s time for the rubber to hit the road,” he said.

The CPC also wants a business risk management program that works and Bergmann said it’s time for Ottawa and the provinces to agree.

“They’ve been at it for eight years,” he pointed out.

Canadian producers must be able to depend on their governments the way producers in other countries can.

The council has asked for Ottawa to establish a senior representative in Beijing to deal with trade barriers. China is the world’s largest pork importer but has delisted 65 percent of Canadian processors, said Bergmann. That must be rectified.

The pork industry brings in $5 billion in exports each year; that’s new money into the economy.

Bergmann also pointed out that the pork industry would like some equal treatment when it comes to the carbon tax. In Manitoba, for example, the tax on a finished hog is about $1.50 right now and would rise to $6.50 by 2030.

“That can make producers make a decision to step away from production,” he said.

Bergmann wonders why some parts of agriculture are “outside the penalty box” when it comes to the carbon tax but pork producers are not. He urged federal candidates to pledge to work side-by-side with industry to come up with solutions rather than penalize them.

The CPC has also called for a foot-and-mouth vaccine data bank to be established and help to gain greater access to skilled labour the industry needs.

Bergmann added that major world issues are taking centre stage right now but in a short campaign agricultural leaders have to step up and remind Canadian politicians that producers are the source of what all of society needs. Protecting that source is critical.

Flax processor to close in Manitoba

NATIONALIZE IT UNDER FARMER WORKER CONTROL

By Robert Arnason
WESTERN PRODUCER
Published: September 2, 2021

The Winkler plant converts flax straw into flax tow — the raw material for cigarette papers. The flax tow from Winkler was shipped in SVM's cigarette paper plant in New Jersey. 

| File photo

A flax-processing plant in southern Manitoba will shut its doors at the end of 2021.

Schweitzer Maudit, SVM, a materials company that manufactures papers, adhesive tapes, resins, nets and other products, has operated its Manitoba plant since 1985.

A company representative confirmed it will close in four months.

“We have made the decision to close our Winkler facility (which includes both sites of Winkler and Carman), with an anticipated closure date of Dec. 31, 2021,” the SVM spokesperson said in an email.

The Winkler plant converts flax straw into tow — the raw material for cigarette papers. The flax tow from Winkler was shipped to SVM’s cigarette paper plant in New Jersey


In late 2020, SVM stopped operating its New Jersey facility.

“(The closure) was driven by a key customer’s decision to source a different product that did not fit the capabilities of the Spotswood (New Jersey) location,” the company rep said. “Although SVM pursued alternative business models that would allow us to continue to operate our Winkler facility, we were unable to find an option that could successfully sustain our operation.”

SVM has already contacted farmers who supply the Manitoba plant with flax straw.

In 2010, the federal and Manitoba governments invested about $600,000 into an expansion of SVM flax processing in southern Manitoba. The company also invested $485,000.

SVM operates in Brazil, China, Europe and North America. In 2020, it reported revenue of US$1.07 billion.

Tornado latest challenge for young Sask. farmer

By Karen Briere
WESTERN PRODUCER
Published: September 2, 2021

A tornado caused considerable damage on Trenton Zakaluzny’s farm near Hodgeville, Sask., last week. | Trenton Zakaluzny photo

Debris was scattered for miles, grain bins punctured, equipment tossed and windows in most of the equipment and vehicles blown out

Trenton Zakaluzny’s plan to take over the family farm as his father eases up has been hit by one blow after another.

Two floods, a devastating fire last winter, this year’s drought and then last week an EF-2 tornado that destroyed most of the yard and equipment on the farm south of Hodgeville, Sask., all have the 25-year-old wondering if the dream will become reality.

“Between the fire and the tornado, whatever I have in the house is kind of what’s left,” he said.

Environment Canada’s preliminary assessment of the tornado pegged the winds at 180 km-h. Three other tornados were either confirmed or suspected last week.

The Zakaluzny farm was hardest hit. Debris was scattered for miles, grain bins punctured, equipment tossed and windows in most of the equipment and vehicles blown out. Two neighbours also experienced some damage.

Trenton’s dad Eugene was in the farmhouse when the twister hit. He looked out the window to see fuel tanks whizzing by.

“He went to the other window and bins were rolling through, sheds flying away,” said Trenton.

Fortunately Eugene wasn’t hurt.

Trenton had planted his first crop on his own this year, a quarter-section of green lentils. The farm includes 1,600 acres and the plan was for Trenton to slowly do more and more of the work. He said that seems impossible now.

“Pretty much everything that could get wrecked, did,” he said.

It has already been a trying few years.

He had just started on off-farm job in Saskatoon in mid-August after the drought made it apparent that the crops weren’t going to do well this year. He has a grain vac business that has also been slow.

The family had to repair the house after two years of floods and this past January, during the windstorm of Jan. 13, an electrical fire burned two of their heated sheds and destroyed equipment and vehicles inside them.

Zakaluzny doesn’t know what’s going to happen to this year’s harvest. He and his dad have no usable harvesting equipment and while neighbours are offering to help, he said they have their own harvest to do, too. | Trenton Zakaluzny photo

Trenton said he has lost most of his personal belongings in these disastrous events.

He doesn’t know what’s going to happen to this year’s harvest. He and his dad have no usable harvesting equipment and while neighbours are offering to help, he said they have their own harvest to do, too.

Support has come in the form of meals and offers to help clean the glass and debris that covers the farmyard.

A GoFundMe campaign organized by a friend has surpassed its original goal of $10,000 and continues to climb.

However, Trenton said the cost to actually replace everything will be so much more that he isn’t sure they can even try. Not everything was insured and personal items, such as photographs, can’t be replaced

.

The Zakaluzny farm was hardest hit. Debris was scattered for miles, grain bins punctured, equipment tossed and windows in most of the equipment and vehicles blown out. | Trenton Zakaluzny photo

“It can’t happen overnight; it takes years to build that up,” he said. “It’s tough to see it all go.”

That said, he refuses to say they will quit, only that they are “running out of options.”

Looking at the destruction in every corner of the farmyard is “too much.” The clean-up will take a long time, and he said it’s not like there is even a shop where equipment could be fixed. There are no tools or parts; they’ve been scattered for miles.

Everything that has happened in the last four years is starting to take its toll.

“Losing everything you have makes you want to take a step back,” he said, adding it’s particularly hard on his father.

“It’s not something you want to quit doing, but it doesn’t really leave him an option at this point in time. Insurance only covers so much,” he said.

CANADA
Exports to drop as crop shrinks

By Sean Pratt
WESTERN PRODUCE
Published: September 2, 2021


Lyle Kabatoff loads canola at the Odelein family farm near Quill Lake, Sask., that was destined for Cargill’s crushing plant at Clavet, Sask. There is concern that this year’s drought-reduced crop will mainly be used domestically, leaving foreign customers short of supply. | William DeKay photo


Canada’s crop exports are forecast to plummet 39 percent this year, leaving importers scrambling for product from alternative suppliers.

Total exports of grains, oilseeds, pulses and special crops are forecast at 36 million tonnes, down from 59 million tonnes last year, according to Agriculture Canada.

That would be the smallest export program since 2006-07 when Canada shipped out 35.9 million tonnes.

Production of all crops is expected to fall by 27 million tonnes due to drought.

That is in line with the satellite-based yield and production forecast for a 25 million tonne decline issued by Statistics Canada four days after the Ag Canada outlook.

Saskatchewan farm groups are calling on members of the Western Grain Elevator Association to eliminate administration fees and reduce penalties for the 2021-22 growing season.

“Many farmers’ yields across the Prairies will be well below their crop insurance coverage and they will be unable to deliver on even modest grain contracts,” the groups stated in a joint news release.

Farmers are not the only ones fretting about the short crop.

Jim Everson, president of the Canola Council of Canada, said exports are likely going to take it on the chin this year. That has to be making importers anxious.

Agriculture Canada is forecasting seven million tonnes of canola exports, down from 10.9 million tonnes last year.

Everson said Japan, the United States, China and Mexico will take the lion’s share of Canada’s vastly reduced export program.

“They will continue to be the key markets for canola in an environment where we don’t have the kind of supplies we’ve had in previous years,” he said.

Other customers will seek alternative suppliers or will be forced to substitute competing oilseeds.

Everson believes domestic crush should fare much better than the export side of the business.

Canola oil prices are sky-high due to robust demand from the recovering restaurant sector and the biofuel industry. That means attractive crush margins.

“We would expect processing to be robust through next year,” he said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts 9.5 million tonnes of Canadian canola crush, down from 10.4 million tonnes last year. Agriculture Canada is less optimistic, forecasting eight million tonnes.

Dorab Mistry, director of Godrej International, said the canola situation could be far worse than the yield and production numbers indicate because he has heard from his Canadian industry contacts that oil content is also dismal.

“That is really a worry,” he said during a presentation at a conference organized by the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

“The lack of precipitation and high temperatures have crimped the oil content of canola seed this year.

Agriculture Canada pegged wheat, durum and barley exports at 17.2 million tonnes, which would be about half of last year’s program for those three crops.

Daniel Ramage, director of market access and trade policy with Cereals Canada, warned that the jury is still out on how big the crop will be.

“It is still early in the harvest,” he said.

Ramage noted that the USDA is forecasting 24 million tonnes of Canadian all-wheat production, while the International Grains Council is using 24.5 million tonnes.

Those estimates are well above Statistics Canada’s 22.95 million tonnes and Agriculture Canada’s 20.2 million tonnes.

The trade has mixed views about the Agriculture Canada number.

“Some people in the trade are more optimistic. Some think that it is close to reality. There is a range of opinions,” he said.

Customers have plenty of alternatives for sourcing wheat but there are problems elsewhere around the world as well.

SovEcon is now forecasting 33.9 million tonnes of Russian exports, down from 38.5 million tonnes last year. Kazakhstan is also dealing with a short crop. And U.S. spring wheat yields are forecast to be down 37 percent.

Canada’s pea exports are expected to fall to 2.45 million tonnes, down from 3.65 million tonnes last year. Lentil shipments are forecast at two million tonnes, down from 2.4 million tonnes.

Mac Ross, director of market access and trade policy with Pulse Canada, said Agriculture Canada’s and Statistics Canada’s production estimates are generally lower than many analysts were forecasting.

But he has no doubt that exports will be way down compared to last year.

That could be a big problem for overseas buyers because Canada is a major player in pulse markets.

For instance, Canada has a 95 percent share of China’s pea import business. China may be forced to grant access to competitors like Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, red lentil prices continue to rise in markets like India and Turkey, which both have short crops. India recently slashed its import tariff on lentils.

Those markets may have to turn to Australia but Australia is forecast to harvest 588,000 tonnes of lentils, down seven percent from last year. Private forecasters think it will be larger than that.

The one potential upside to moving a smaller crop is that there should be fewer logistical headaches for shippers.

That is in an ideal world. But today’s transportation system is far from ideal due to a container crisis that is holding many shippers of pulses and special crops hostage, said Ross.

“That more than anything has been the biggest thorn in our side,” he said.