OFA Commentary: October 13, 2017

By Debra Pretty-Straathof, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
​
Harvest is a season of plenty. It’s a time when agricultural productivity is most evident. Farmers are spending long hours harvesting in the fields, and consumers are enjoying a huge selection of locally grown products at farmers markets and on store shelves.
 
Harvest is also a reminder that the agri-food sector is an important, vital business for Canada. We’re fortunate to have plenty of land to grow crops and raise livestock and plenty of fresh water resources. Harvest reminds us of our responsibility to use these bountiful resources in a productive and sustainable way.
 
According to the federal government’s Barton Report, released earlier this year, our agri-food industry has the potential for huge growth and, with the right investments, could become the second largest exporter of food in the world.
 
The Barton Report is a comprehensive set of recommendations from the federal government’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth. The report identified agriculture as a sector where Canada has the potential for substantial growth and export improvement based on the industry’s strengths as a trusted food supply backed by research and access to resources.
 
Canada’s agri-food sector is now the fifth largest agricultural exporter in the world, contributing 6.7% of our nation’s GDP and accounting for 2.1 million jobs. Canada’s agri-food exports have averaged annual growth of 9.5% over the past five years. The report defines the sector as one of Canada’s largest employers and economic engines, and poses that the sector represents a distinctive opportunity for Canada to boost inclusive economic growth.
 
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) brings this message to our provincial government – that Ontario’s agri-food sector can and will be a driver of inclusive growth across the province.   Our vision of economic growth includes distributed development opportunities that will spread wealth across the province. It will be based on the agri-food sector’s vast potential but also include other economic development across our communities.  
 
What Ontario needs is an action plan to build on our agri-food strength and to support opportunities in our communities through strategic investment.
 
OFA continues to remind the Ontario government of all the reasons that investing in agriculture and our communities is an investment that will benefit all Ontarians. The Barton Report and the bounty of our harvest reminds us of Ontario’s endowments and strengths as sources of inclusive growth and opportunities for producing prosperity.
 
 
For more information, contact:
Debra Pretty-Straathof
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
613-371-4480

Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
 

By Eleanor Renaud, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
Farmers don’t depend on special occasions to celebrate our industry, but we certainly appreciate when the bounty of the harvest is shared with everyone during events like Ontario Agriculture Week and Thanksgiving.
 
October 2 – 9 is Ontario Agriculture Week this year. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) uses this distinctive week to visit Queen’s Park, meet with MPPs to talk about the importance of our industry, outline the many ways agriculture and food support our economy, raise regulatory concerns impacting farm businesses, and share a story or two about the great things going on back home on our farms and in rural communities. It’s a time to remind our political leaders of just how big our industry is, with more than 200 agricultural products grown right here in the province and more than 70% of those products staying right here to feed Ontarians.
 
OFA uses the occasion of Ontario Agriculture Week to highlight Ontario farm interests.  This year we concentrated on Producing Prosperity for Ontario. We’ll continue with this theme in the lead up to the 2018 provincial election to demonstrate how agriculture, food and rural Ontario can drive and produce prosperity in the province with sound government investment to help in distributing economic development. Distributing economic development across the province will benefit all Ontarians with relief from the urban housing and transportation crisis, smart growth and sustainable farms, new opportunities for good paying jobs and revitalized non-urban communities.
 
The week’s celebrations are capped off with Thanksgiving weekend, a celebration of food, and of our farming heritage and productivity. No matter where you are in the province, there’s sure to be a celebration to enjoy – with your own family, at a local fall fair, a pumpkin patch or corn maze or a drive through rural Ontario to enjoy the scenery and fall colours.
 
Ontario Agriculture Week and Thanksgiving are a time to work for a bright and sustainable future but also a time for farmers to pause and enjoy the bounty of the harvest already completed and that yet to come this season.
 
To all our members and their farming families, happy Thanksgiving from the OFA.
 
 
 
For more information, contact:
 
Eleanor Renaud
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
613-213-2130

Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
 

Click OFA Commentary: September 14, 2017
Act now – tell MPs that farmers won’t stand for proposed tax changes
By Mark Wales, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
Incorporated farm businesses in Ontario are facing devastating tax implications if the federal government approves proposed changes to the private corporation tax system. About 25% of farm businesses in Ontario and Canada are incorporated, and could be hit with a hike in accounting and succession planning fees, and severe limitations on farm transfer options to the next generation.
The implications of the proposed tax changes could be damaging to farm businesses across the country.  Many farms, including incorporated farms, are passed down from generation to generation Incorporation is a way of structuring a business that many farmers and small business owners across Canada have decided makes sense for their business. But the term ‘corporate’ has no bearing on the size or type of farm. Incorporated farm businesses in Canada are mostly family owned and operated. Incorporation of any farm is a serious business decision that often comes with increased complexity and fees from advisors such as accountants and lawyers. One of the primary reasons businesses choose to incorporate is to limit their liability and protect their personal assets such as their home. Incorporation can also play a key role in passing the family farm business down to the next generation and ensure the continuity of the business. That’s why Ontario and Canadian farmers aren’t taking the proposed changes lightly.
Consultations on the tax changes are only open until October 2 with implementation scheduled for January, 2018. This aggressive schedule immediately undoes a generation or more of succession planning and requires quick decisions to be made that will significantly affect future generations. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is asking all farmers – especially those with incorporated farm businesses who will be impacted by these proposed changes – to talk to their MP about the serious implications to primary agriculture and farmers across Canada.
We have to act now. And OFA is making it easy to speak up and tell our elected officials that Canadian farm businesses won’t stand for this drastic overhaul of the private corporation tax system that would add complexity and uncertainty to any farmer with an incorporated farm business. Visitactnow.ofa.on.ca to speak up and send a letter to your MP letting them know the changes will be devastating to your farm and farmers across Ontario and Canada. We need to act now, consultations are only open for a few more weeks and if approved, these changes will go into effect on January 1, 2018.
The federal government needs to understand the consequences of these proposed tax changes and the impacts they could have to farmers, farm families, rural communities and our agri-food industry are simply unacceptable.

 
 
For more information, contact:
 
Mark Wales
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-773-6706

Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
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By Brent Royce, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
September in Ontario kicks off another kind of harvest – the season that combines social and business at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) and the International Plowing Match (IPM) & Rural Expo. The two shows promise to make for a busy few weeks for Ontario farmers, the ag industry, show organizers and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).
 
OFA has a long history of member connection and outreach. Our organization was founded to represent our farming members and that’s why our elected directors and staff can be found at just about every farm show and agricultural event throughout the year across the province. Just like our fellow farmers, OFA representatives attend COFS and IPM events where we meet with OFA members to discuss issues, concerns and opportunities – including the challenges of operating a sustainable farm business in today’s economy and regulatory requirements, legislative activities and regional federation concerns.
 
Grassroots connections are a cornerstone of OFA and farm shows are one of our key opportunities to check in with members. OFA members and COFS visitors can find OFA at Federation House, September 12-14. OFA staff and directors will be on hand with some of our OFA benefit partners, and look forward to catching up with show attendees.
 
This year’s IPM is in Walton, ON and marks the 100th plowing match in Ontario. The event’s tagline – Celebrate Farm, Family and Fun – aligns perfectly with OFA’s commitment to serve our farm members. OFA is partnering with the Huron Federation of Agriculture at the event, so be sure to stop by the OFA display at this event September 19-23. 
 
Fall also marks the return of the provincial legislature, and OFA is busy with ongoing advocacy campaigns for public investment in Ontario agriculture and our rural communities, and kicking off our 2018 provincial election platforms. We look forward to checking in on all these matters and more with our members at the shows this fall, and events throughout the season. See you in the field.
 

 
For more information, contact:
 
Brent Royce
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-291-8279

Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
 

By Pat Jileson, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 Heading back to school is an exciting time for Ontario students, but it will be bittersweet for some rural Ontario communities coping with the threat of school closures.
 School closures are a harsh reality across Ontario, especially in small and rural communities. While the government imposed a temporary halt on any further closures in June, students and families living in communities where schools are threatened to close are left to wonder if this will be the last year for their local school. This weighs heavily on communities, their residents and children. Closing local schools and bussing students to schools in larger centres means extremely long bus rides, causing students to miss out on after school and extra-curricular activities, and after school job opportunities. 
 Students at Paisley Central School in Paisley, ON know this all too well. Scheduled to close, the rural school was granted a one-year reprieve. Students will return to the school this fall, but the threat and potential for closure is real and weighs heavily on the students, staff and surrounding community.
 Schools provide more than a place for learning – they are home to community social events, local sports, and service and community groups. Rural schools are central to the health and wellbeing of our communities, and they are a vital social infrastructure that also supports employment opportunities and rural economic development.
 The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) understands the important connection schools have to maintaining healthy communities and has been advocating to keep Ontario’s rural schools open. OFA will continue to address this issue in the upcoming fall legislature, calling on the government for additional analysis of the social and economic impact of closing rural schools.
 Students in rural areas are also challenged with connectivity. Access to the internet has become essential to today’s education. Research, independent learning, distance education, project submission and after school projects are often conducted outside of school and rely on broadband. But reliable and affordable broadband isn’t a reality in many rural communities, putting students, businesses and farms at a disadvantage. OFA has also been advocating for programs and government support to expand reliable and affordable broadband to Ontario’s rural and remote communities. Connectivity is closely tied to economic growth.
 Today’s students and youth are the future for these vibrant communities. What rural Ontario students need today are local, secure schools in their community and reliable, affordable broadband. These are just a few of the basic tools our province can provide to the next generation and OFA is behind this call to support the students in our rural communities all the way.
 For more information, contact:
Pat Jileson
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-386-1330
Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
 

By Keith Currie, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
An estimated 185,000 Ontario jobs will be at risk from proposed changes to Bill 148, according to a new study by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis. The study also predicts an increase in consumer household costs by $1,300 a year. These numbers aren’t adding up well for Ontario when it comes to implementing Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs Act. A 32% increase in minimum wage, paid sick days and other suggested legislative changes, may sound appealing but the economic impact study reveals that the proposed bill will only serve to jeopardize employment and increase the cost of living for all Ontarians.
 
The first and only independent economic impact analysis of Bill 148 was commissioned by the Keep Ontario Working Coalition. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is a member of the Keep Ontario Working Coalition, a group of business sector representatives, coordinated by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, concerned with sound public policy to help produce jobs and grow Ontario.
 
The study measured the potential impacts of six key areas of changing in Bill 148, including changes to minimum wages, “equal pay” provisions, vacation, scheduling, personal emergency leave and unionization. The results clearly reveal that if the proposed legislation is implemented as currently drafted, there will be significant, sudden and serious uncertainty for Ontarians, from job security to family and household affordability. 
 
Bill 148 and changes to the Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs Act were first announced in June 2017. Ontario businesses and employers, including Ontario farmers, have been reeling from the unknown impact these changes could have on their businesses. The economic impact study puts numbers to some of their concerns.
 
The independent economic impact analysis of Bill 148 shows that Ontario businesses will be hit with a $23 billion challenge over the next two years. It concludes that challenge will be impossible for the Ontario government to mitigate through offsets, leaving businesses to somehow manage it on their own. These sudden and unprecedented reforms will put 185,000 jobs at risk, hitting the province’s most vulnerable workers – youth under 25 and women. Ontarians can expect a 50% increase in inflation this year and for the foreseeable future. The cost of everyday consumer goods and services will go up by $1,300 per household on average each and every year. And in our agri-food sector, labour intensive farms will be hardest hit with higher, non-recoverable costs that could cause a drop in farm employment, adoption of labour saving technology and a move to less labour intensive crops. None of these changes will happen easily or without disruption across the agri-food sector.
 
Bill 148 and the Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs Act are a threat to Ontario businesses, farmers and consumers. It is simply too much, too soon. OFA has been working with industry and business groups to help the government understand the impacts of its proposed legislative changes. If Bill 148 is successful, Ontario farmers and our agri-food businesses will immediately become less competitive. The changes will threaten Ontario’s food security and undermine the sustainability and variety of agricultural products available to Ontarians.
 
For more information, contact:
 
Keith Currie
President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
705-441-3362

Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
 

By Drew Spoelstra, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
Every summer Ontario politicians are invited to an exclusive tour of an innovative Ontario farm with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). An annual summer event, OFA’s Field Day is an opportunity to engage with MPPs and their staff in an informal rural setting.
This year’s event was hosted by Beverly Greenhouses of Dundas, ON on August 10. Owned by brothers Jan and Dale VanderHout, the vertically integrated English cucumber farm offered a great opportunity to showcase Ontario’s greenhouse industry. More than 60 people attended the event, experiencing the innovation and diversity that fuels our provincial agri-food sector.
OFA believes events like Field Day are an important part of our role as advocates for Ontario’s agri-food sector. It’s an opportunity for us to show, and not just tell, our provincial leaders about the outstanding innovations happening on our farms and introduce them to the farmers themselves so they can hear their stories. Field Day is also an opportunity to talk to politicians about the challenges Ontario farmers face. While MPPs and their staff enjoyed a greenhouse tour and lunched on Ontario-grown fare, OFA representatives shared suggestions for growing our provincial rural economy, raised concerns with the Changing Workplaces Review and the impacts of the minimum wage increase, and highlighted the work Ontario farmers have done to reduce phosphorus and nutrient loss from fields into our waterways.
The event’s rural setting was the perfect backdrop to remind politicians of the potential and possibilities rural Ontario has for growth, job creation and contribution to the provincial economy. OFA reminded attendees of the investments necessary to grow Ontario – expanding natural gas, upgrading rural roads, bridges, drainage systems, reliable high-speed broadband and a secure school system.
Many famers, including greenhouse growers, employ farm workers, making the discussion on the Changing Workplaces Review and the rise in minimum wage a timely discussion. OFA has made it clear to the Ontario government that the rise in minimum wage will have negative impacts on our agri-food industry and any changes to the Employment Standards Act will further compound the effect.
Phosphorus entering Ontario’s waterways and Great Lakes is an important topic. Ontario’s farmers are committed to reducing phosphorus by implementing on-farm practices and working with collaborative groups to address the issue.
Field Day was another successful event, sending politicians home with a new respect and understanding of the greenhouse sector and Ontario’s agri-food industry. OFA was able to start and continue conversations about new and ongoing issues affecting our 36,000 farm business members. Many of the discussions at Field Day will carry on into the fall legislative session as part of OFA’s ongoing advocacy efforts.
 
 
For more information, contact:
 
Drew Spoelstra
Executive Member
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
905-379-5751

Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
 

This year, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) will be holding an election for the Zone 11 Director. The Zone Director will be elected for a three-year term, effective November 22, 2017. OFA members are eligible to vote for a Zone Director to represent their interests on the Board of Directors.
Election voting will begin on Monday, August 21 and close Friday, September 8, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. Information packages will be mailed to all eligible voters the week prior to the election. Members can vote by mail-in ballot, phone or online. One vote per IFM/FBR.
Candidate meetings have been arranged to give members an opportunity to meet and speak with the candidates for Zone 11.

OFA members are invited to attend any of the meetings listed below:
 
Dundas Federation – Wednesday, August 2 – Nelson LaPrade Centre, Chesterville – 7:30 p.m.
 
Grenville Federation – Wednesday, August 9 – Spencerville Council Chambers – 7:30 p.m.
 
Leeds Federation – Thursday, August 24 - Athens at the St Denis Catholic Church (3 George street) – 7:30 p.m.
 
Frontenac Federation – Thursday, August 31 – Glenburnie United Church Hall – 7:30 p.m.

​By Keith Currie, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
At last week’s annual Federal/Provincial Agriculture Minister’s talks (FPT) in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada’s agriculture ministers reached agreement on a new five-year investment for the agri-food industry with the recent announcement of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP). The program officially begins on April 1, 2018 and involves a $3 billion investment to strengthen the agri-food sector in Canada.
 
CAP will focus on six key areas to support Canada’s agri-food sector – an industry that already contributes more than $100 billion annually and employs 2.3 million Canadians. Science, research and innovation; markets and trade; environmental sustainability and climate change; value-added agriculture and agri-food processing; public trust; and risk management are the six areas that will be supported over the five years of the program.
 
A key component of the new partnership – that picks up where the last agricultural policy framework Growing Forward 2 wraps up – is a continuation of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs. It is great news for Ontario agriculture that there was consensus among provincial ag ministers on the need for a comprehensive review of the suite of BRM programs. For several months OFA, along with industry partners, have advocated for a review and we’re very pleased to see that this is going to happen as part of the CAP announcement. We commend Minister Leal for his hard work to gain support and agreement with his provincial colleagues to make this happen.
 
While the review of BRM programming is applauded, another part of the CAP announcement is not good news for farmers. OFA shares the disappointment of other groups, including the Grain Farmers of Ontario, at the unilateral decision by Lawrence MacAuley, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food that a cutback will be made to the annual contribution limit of the AgriInvest program – a key component of the BRM programs. Announcing this change prior to doing the BRM review serves to be counter-productive to the previous announcement. Farming today can be a very unpredictable occupation. As such, farmers need an effective support system that can serve the needs of Canadian farmers’ ability to manage risk, beyond disaster relief funding. We await more details on how much this dollar-matching investment program will be impacted and will be working with Canadian Federation of Agriculture(CFA) and industry partners to remind the federal government that collaborative decisions, not unilateral ones, will serve the best interest of the industry as a whole. 
 
OFA will continue to work closely with Minister Leal and staff, along with industry partners, to ensure the needs of our members are heard and met through the BRM review.
 
More details on the new Canadian Agricultural Partnership are posted at ofa.on.ca.
 
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For more information, contact:
 
Keith Currie
President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
705-441-3362

Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883