CFIB Releases Canada's Red Tape Report

Jan 27, 2021

Farmers are concerned about the issue of red tape in the agriculture sector and the impact it could have for the next generation of farmers.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has declared this Red Tape Awareness Week.

CFIB’s Vice-President for Western Canada and Agri-business Marilyn Braun-Pollon says this is when they put the spotlight on governments and challenge them to reduce harmful and excessive regulations.

She says "Canada's Red Tape Report" shows farmers feel the current level of government red tape is excessive, redundant and overly burdensome.

"According to the report 79% of farmers say just make it more plain language and simplify, but also improving customer service 62% of farmers say governments can do a better job of that. I also think that just communicating those regulations in a clear and timely way is also important."

She notes currently 64% or nearly two-thirds of farmers wouldn't advise their children to get involved or start in business given the current level of red tape or regulations.

Braun-Pollon says 93% of farmers have said the excessive government regulations really adds stress to their lives.

"About 86% of farmers say that excessive Government regulations significantly reduces their businesses productivity and ability to grow. So not surprising, the result that we found too, is that nearly two-thirds or 64% of farmers wouldn't advise their children to start a business given the current level of regulations. So that's going to have an impact on the transition and succession plans as well."

This week is the CFIB's 12th Annual Red Tape Awareness Week.

CFIB will release it's annual "Red Tape Report Card" on Wednesday which grades federal and provincial governments on their red tape accountability and reduction.

Thursday they announce the Golden Scissors Award for the best government initiative to cut unnecessary red tape.

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Video: Alberta Honey: A Day at Molenkamp Honey Farms

When was the last time you read the label on your honey?

We spent a day at Molenkamp Honey Farms with Michael Molenkamp, who has been keeping bees for 17 seasons and runs three to four thousand hives. In mid-September, he was finishing treatments and getting his bees ready for winter, and he walked us through how Alberta honey gets made.

Alberta has just 150 commercial beekeepers running 300,000 colonies, and together they produce 40% of Canada’s honey. Long summer days and golden canola fields give Alberta honey a light flavour that’s hard to match anywhere else.

Molenkamp calls Alberta beekeepers some of the most resilient farmers he knows. There’s plenty of Alberta honey to go around, but a lot on our shelves isn’t from here, so his ask is simple. Give the label a second look and choose honey made by Alberta beekeepers, or buy straight from a beekeeper near you.