Resources to Keep You Informed.
The Simpson Centre creates accessible materials to support informed consumer choices, policy development, and strengthen the sustainability of Canadian agriculture.
Explore the interactive, clickable PDF document below to discover the diverse perspectives, key actors, and guiding values shaping both current understanding and the future of regenerative agriculture.
The Laying Hen Housing Controversy.
"Which hen housing systems should or should not be allowed in egg production?"
Although aligned on the goal of prioritizing hen welfare, those with a voice in the egg industry disagree over the ethical choice, and whether cage-free housing is the answer is anything but clear.
When the science isn't definitive, different values guide the facets of the debate. If intuition is guiding your egg purchases, you may be surprised to uncover what the labels on your egg cartons really mean for animal welfare.
The Chin Reservoir Controversy.
"To expand, or not to expand?"
That question drives debate over irrigation infrastructure in Alberta, where $815 million has been invested to modernize and expand irrigation. Untangle this controversy and all its layers. Explore, engage, and make your own judgements on the issue.
Discover our interactive atlas all about Alberta's Chin Reservoir Controversy.
Coming soon...
Debunking Biodigesters.
Take a closer look at biodigesters – their benefits, their challenges, and their place in sustainable development.
Debunking Biodigesters & Environmental Effects: Promises & Pitfalls
Biodigesters break down organic material to produce biogas and nutrient-rich digestate. This paper explores their environmental benefits and challenges in sustainable development.
Debunking Biodigesters & Odour: Causes, Myths & Management
A common concern of biodigesters is the bad smells they can create. This paper explores the causes of odours, dispels myths, and highlights strategies in odour management and elimination.
How Public Perception and Media Gaps Shaped The Rimrock Biodigester Controversy
Examine the Case Study of The Rimrock Biodigester Controversy and how the project became one of Alberta’s most talked-about agriculture stories, shaped by community concerns and media coverage.
Canada's Canola Export Concentration Problem
As Canada navigates intensifying trade negotiations, new research from The Simpson Centre reveals a critical vulnerability in the country's canola sector. We find nearly 90% of Canadian canola exports go to just two markets –China and the United States.
In this video, Farzana Shirin, postdoctoral researcher at The Simpson Centre, discusses findings from a comprehensive analysis of Canadian export data, and explains why export concentration creates distinct risks across the canola value chain.
What is Controversy Mapping?
Canada's food debates are complex – this is why we map them. So, what do we mean by "controversy mapping" and what is a "controversy atlas"? The Simpson Centre team explains.
Virtual Reality Dairy Farm
Have you ever wanted to visit a dairy farm, but didn’t have the time, money, or connections? In late 2022, we brought the dairy farm to people with a virtual reality (VR) experience at the Calgary Central Library. Attendees even had the chance to meet a dairy farmer and one of the VR program developers in person!
Wearing a VR headset, participants learned about Albertan dairy farming and explored a dairy farm in virtual reality. They saw a milker, a calf nursery, how cows eat, sleep, and drink, and how medication is used. They met virtual farmers, a dairy nutritionist, and a veterinarian who explained their roles in keeping cows healthy.
The Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy teamed up with the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary to create the virtual reality program. The information in this program came from dairy farmers, veterinarians, nutritionists, and scientific research papers.
Our objective was to connect everyday people to critical issues in Canada’s agriculture and food system and to use innovative technology – virtual reality – to reach a broader audience with experiential learning that’s accessible and engaging.
Media Coverage & Publications