Egg Farmers again wins employer award

Egg Farmers of Canada has once again been named one of the top 10 employers in the Ottawa Region.

It was selected for its people-focused programs and workplace experience that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. It It It has a comprehensive compensation and benefits package, paid time off for volunteering and professional development opportunities. 

New policy updates—including more flexibility on hours of work and the option to substitute other denominational holidays for statutory holidays such as Christmas or Easter—were recently implemented, putting into practice recent employee feedback and input. 

"Our corporate culture and the sense of community we nurture in our workplace is one of the keys in our ability to meet challenges and deliver on our mission. We have a strong and capable team, and it's their hard work and dedication that has once again earned us this tremendous honour," said chief executive officer Drew Black. 

Egg Farmers of Canada also holds the title of one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ by Waterstone Human Capital and is part of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ Hall of Fame.

                           

MacAulay announced retirement

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has announced he will be retiring because he will not run in the next election which could come within months.

He has been a Prince Edward Island Member of Parliament since 1988 and has twice been agriculture minister and also minister of labour, of veterans affairs and solicitor general.

“With a heavy heart, but no regrets, I have decided that I will not be a candidate in the next federal election,” he wrote.

He was elected 11 times and served under six prime ministers.

Trump tells farmers to ramp up production

 

United States President Donald Trump told farmers to ramp up production because his tariffs will reduce imports and generate increased domestic demand.

But as soon as his 25 per cent tariffs on everything from Canada and Mexico and 10 per cent from China took effect, trading partners fought back with tariffs on U.S. foods, including China taking aim at chicken, pork and farm machinery and Canada on produce.

Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: “To the Great Farmers of the United States: Get ready to start making a lot of agricultural product to be sold INSIDE of the United States. Tariffs will go on external product on April 2nd. Have fun!”

Trump has threatened tariffs on a range of products and companies since taking office, including reciprocal tariffs to match those of other nations that could go into effect on April 2.

For decades, Trump has complained that other countries do not practice fair trade, saying countries such as China and members of the European Union do not accept U.S. products, including agricultural products.

Solio is recovering

 

Solio reported a 39 per cent improvement in profits after taking a beating last year on its ownership of Olymel and a drastic reduction in hog production and processing in Quebec.

“The effects of our recovery plan are accelerating,” said Pascal Houle, chief executive officer.

“We’ve strengthened our financial position, boosted operational performance and improved our profitability, … but we can’t let our guard down," he said.

It had net earnings of nearly $197 million. 

It had higher chilled pork sales thanks to higher demand in domestic, and Asian markets contributed to the improved results.

But Olymel’s turkey division had lower sales.