AMC Connection
Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada
I had a great week in Ottawa February 13-17 with 11 meetings over 3 days. I represented our industry at the rural caucus breakfast chaired by T.J. Harvey and attended Farm Credit Canada’s Agriculture Day on Thursday, February 16 in Ottawa.
Some of the key ‘ah-ha’ moments during my meetings with MPs and various federal bureaucrats included:
- Recognition that the agricultural equipment manufacturing industry is important. I continue to be asked what our industry wants the government to do to help make us stronger. Your feedback and participation with the provincial advisory committees is VITAL. The committee chairs have each indicated they will host their first meetings in the coming weeks. Please let me know if you want to be involved in the advisory committees so you receive the meeting invitation.
- Agricultural equipment manufactured in Canada continues to be regulated by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (formerly known as Industry Canada) with new regulations being published in the Canada Gazette. In December, AMC was alerted to a regulatory change (related to Interference-Causing Equipment Standard (ICES-002) that had been announced in 2013 that concerned members who manufactured diesel engines. As such, AMC sent a letter requesting that the department extend the transition period for another year. The regulator, as a result of our input, extended the transition by another year. AMC is now engaged with the regulator and will be included in consultations moving forward. The extension can be found at: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf10605.html
- The Canada Revenue Agency has in the past 5 years changed the administration and assessment of the Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax (SR&ED) incentive applications. I have heard complaints from members that the process is complicated and there seems to be a lack of understanding of incremental changes/improvements in our industry. As such, please provide me with examples from the last 3 years of your experience with SR&ED as these will help us advocate for changes. As I asked last fall, I am still seeking your input on what an improved process would be. The rewarding of innovation whether by SR&ED, or another tax incentive will be a key part of the submission we will provide to the federal government this summer as part of its budget 2018 consultation process.
- Most, if not all, agricultural equipment manufactured in Canada is NOT subject to tariff thus the current discussions about changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are relatively limited in how they may impact our industry. That said, I spoke with federal officials about what may occur if the United States (US) administration decided to ban imports from specific countries. I highlighted that our industry is very export driven which also means we have some content that comes from countries including but not limited to Mexico and China.The response was that it would be ‘unprecedented’ for an administration of any country to target a specific country, however, the officials appreciated hearing about the importance of an open Canada-US border. If you have delays or are challenged by non-tarrif moving your products into the US, please let me know.
Last but not least, the federal government remains very committed to reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. If you have examples of your organization promoting or employing cleaner technology, please let me know as they will help form the foundation for AMC’s 2018 budget submission. I will work with the provincial advisory chairs to ensure our submission reflects the views of members and it will be posted on the member portal of our website once finalized – likely in August.
If you want additional details of my meetings in Ottawa, please call me: 306.522.2710 ext 225. Or perhaps I will see you next week in London, Ontario when I’ll be presenting the latest industry data at our breakfast with Farm Credit Canada on Wed., April 8.
Leah
Have you paid your 2017 membership already? If so, you will have or should shortly receive your renewal package that contains various items to thank you for your support and engagement. If you have not yet paid, please ensure you make arrangements to do so before March 31.
If we do not receive your membership fees by March 31, you will cease to be able to access AMC membership benefits including the April 2017 newsletter.
National Farm Machinery Show Lottery Update
- Regular members have the opportunity to participate in a random lottery to secure space in AMC’s trade show space at the 2018 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville.
- The lottery will be open March 1-31 to all regular members.
- 2017 membership fees must have been paid on or before March 1, 2017 to participate.
How to participate in the lottery
If you wish to be entered into the lottery, please fill out the application form on the member portal, and accept the terms and conditions. Each regular member will be allowed 1 entry into the lottery. A complete list of entrants will be located on the member portal of www-a-m-c.ca.
A random draw will take place on April 1 (or the following business day) of each year. The company drawn will be notified and have 2 weeks to confirm if they want the space. If they do, they will be required to provide a non reimbursable holding fee of $1000 USD by the end of April with the balance of their payment being made in the fall.
Click here to review terms and conditions.
We are pleased to announce the following speakers for our inaugural exposition of agricultural equipment manufacturing. The expo will take place on April 21, 2017 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre in Guelph, Ontario. We hope to see you there.
Ken Swaving, Walinga Inc.
Welcome Message and Opening Remarks
Lloyd Longfield, Liberal MP Guelph
Greetings on behalf of the Government of Canada
Leah Olson, AMC President
Agricultural Equipment Manufacturing in Canada – Stronger and Better With Trump?
Karen Sample, 31st Line Strategic Communications
Marketing in the Agriculture Industry: Know Your Customer and Position Your Brand Accordingly
Bob Tinsley, Cloverdale Paints
How coatings can add value to your LEAN initiatives
Click here to view the agenda
See who's attending
Delegates
Exhibitors
Visit www.a-m-c.ca/expo for detailed program information.
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The federal government announced the Connect to Innovate program in December 2016 which will result in $500 million being invested in high speed internet to rural and remote communities in Canada by 2021. The Connect to Innovate program will bring high-speed Internet to Canadians in rural and remote communities. Project funding will focus on building new backbone infrastructure in communities to provide connections to institutions like schools, hospitals and libraries. In addition, eligibility will include backbone capacity upgrades and resiliency, as well as last-mile infrastructure projects to households and businesses where there are persistent connectivity gaps and a demonstrated need. AMC was recently in Ottawa talking about the need for infrastructure in rural areas and is hopeful agriculture equipment manufacturers will take advantage of the program funding.
The deadline for all applications is April 20, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. Noon Eastern Time.
Additional details about the application process are provided in the link but if you need additional information, please contact the AMC office. https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/programs/computer-internet-access/connect-to-innovate/funding-broadband-infrastructure.html
Winkler Canvas manufactures customized covers and containment products, as well as fabric covered steel structures. The company employs over 70 people and the factory, located east of Winkler, Manitoba, includes a certified weld shop, production floor and office.
Box 1268
Winkler, Manitoba
R6W 4B3
Phone: (800) 852-2638
March 8, 2017
FCC-AMC Breakfast Session - London Farm Show
March 8 - 10, 2017
London Farm Show - London, ON
March 14 - 16, 2017
Ottawa Valley Farm Show - Smith Falls, ON
April 5 - 6, 2017
Canadian Dairy Expo - Stratford, ON
April 21, 2017
1st Annual AMC Expo - Guelph, ON
June 21, 2017
HSBC-AMC Speaker Session - Canada's Farm Progress Show
June 21 - 23, 2017
Canada's Farm Progress Show - Regina, SK
July 18 - 20, 2017
Ag In Motion - NW of Saskatoon, SK
September 12 - 14, 2017
Canada's Outdoor Farm Show - Woodstock, ON
November 29 - December 1, 2017
47th Annual AMC Convention & Trade Show - Saskatoon, SK
2017 Board of Directors |
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Executive: Chair – Russ Klassen 1st Vice Chair – Richelle Andreas 2nd Vice Chair – Frank Capasso 3rd Vice Chair – Nigel Jones Treasurer – Linda Turta Past Chair – Geof Gray Director – Bill Baker Director – Cam Cornelsen Director – Cor Lodder Director – Grant Adolph Director – Paul Horst Director - Mark Hildebrand Director - Bob Cochran Associate Member Chair – Robert Ablamowicz |
