NEW ELECTION RULES ATTRACT CRITICISM . . . FALL SOIL TESTING GOOD FOR BUSINESS . . . PAPERWEEK CANADA . . . CFIA CUTS HURTING FOOD SAFETY . . . INVITATION TO MOW: 12TH ANNUAL MARITIME HANDMOWING CHAMPIONSHIPS . . .OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

NEW ELECTION RULES ATTRACT CRITICISM
Source: The Chronicle Herald
New voter rules brought in under the federal government’s Fair Elections Act will see some significant changes at the polls this year that could unfairly affect certain groups. The act, originally introduced in February 2014 by Democratic Reform Minister Pierre Poilievre, became law in June. The bill received ample criticism from groups across Canada, eventually resulting in several amendments. But many still argue that its measures do little to combat voter fraud and that it actually suppresses votes. (read more)

FALL SOIL TESTING GOOD FOR BUSINESS
Source: FCC
Experts say fall is an optimum time to conduct soil testing. Once harvest is finished, there’s more downtime than in spring and producers typically have a wider window of time to test – anytime post harvest until the ground freezes. It also gives producers time to either apply fall fertilizers or determine the product they need to buy during the winter. The time is also ideal since fertilizer prices tend to be lower than in spring. (read more)

PAPERWEEK CANADA
February 1-5, 2016, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, Montreal. Under the theme Global Knowledge Connections, PaperWeek will bring together key industry players from Canada and around the World to discuss the most recent advancements, challenges, and opportunities in mill operations, and present the latest trends in the pulp and paper and forest products markets. (read more)

CFIA CUTS HURTING FOOD SAFETY
Source: The Manitoba Cooperator
With an election looming, now is seen as the time to put food safety and funding cuts on candidates’ agendas. A group concerned with food safety says the current government’s refusal to acknowledge a Canada-wide shortage of federal inspectors is putting public safety at risk. Speaking to reporters in Winnipeg, the president of the union representing federal food inspectors said that the Conservative government’s own staff has raised the alarm over cuts to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, but to no avail. (read more)

INVITATION TO MOW: 12TH ANNUAL MARITIME HANDMOWING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Source: Rural Delivery
Good morning handmowers. It’s time for the 12th Annual Maritime Handmowing Championships: Saturday, August 29, rain or shine (but it always shines!). We hope we will see you and friends that day at the Ross Farm Museum in New Ross with scythes (blades detached and covered) and ready to take part in one or more contests. Novice and “Well Honed Blades” (70 and older) events take place at 11 am. Open competition at 1 pm. Also of course, Hay Forking contest for all ages, the fun “Chair Mowing” contest, plus demonstrations of many practical hay and grain harvesting skills like stacking hay and flailing grain. Prizes for all in the Open championship competition. No charge for those arriving with scythes and ready to join the fun. Please plan to take part, and please spread the word. Thanks to all, Dirk PS: If you are planning to take part it will help with planning if you let us know by email or phone, 902-354-5411, dvlmagazines@gmail.com.