Drew Spoelstra, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
An important aspect of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has always been our grassroots engagement through county and regional federations across the province.
 
This past year, our organization has pivoted to virtual platforms to reach our membership, engage with government officials and collaborate with fellow industry stakeholders. Through this adaption, there has been a significant reduction in the costs of travel, hotels, meals, meetings and in-person events, which has created a surplus in OFA’s funds.
 
This surplus of funds has been a silver lining throughout this pandemic and has allowed us to invest at the grassroots level. To further support and encourage resiliency in our sector, OFA will be using this surplus to empower local federations to support community initiatives and projects in their areas.
 
Throughout this year, many local federations, commodities and members have stepped up to meet community needs with tractor parades supporting front-line workers in health care, donations to food programs and assisting with emergency efforts for PPE. We appreciate the commitment OFA members have made to their local community and look forward to the opportunity to do more.
 
Empowering county federations enables our grassroots to act on priority issues within their county and evoke meaningful change. At the local level, messaging is stronger due to dedicated boards of directors who advocate for direct needs of their counties. This funding will allow the creation of positive initiatives that will complement existing programs while also meeting the needs of local agricultural communities.
 
Through this surplus, OFA has taken the opportunity to develop the Revive Fund, to further resiliency in our agricultural communities. This fund has two streams of applications: The Special Projects Fund and the Small Projects Fund.
 
The Special Projects Fund will be dedicating up to $100,000 across the province to federations for the support of local initiatives. The project’s categories include health and wellness, local food promotion, environmental stewardship, food security, member engagement and recruitment, leadership development and farm safety/farm emergency response. Applications must be submitted by the local federation on a cost-sharing basis, contributing their own funds and working with partners to match OFA’s contribution.
 
The Small Project Fund is intended for local federations with a membership total of 450 or less. This fund aims to support the visibility and member outreach of the smaller federations. Applicants should consider how to stimulate long-term member participation, enhance the federation's visibility and best advocate for key issues. Activities can include governance, leadership or communications training, events based on member networking and relationship-building or promotional items to enhance visibility of the federation.
 
We believe this funding will boost the resiliency of farm communities by supporting initiatives that will help our sector emerge through the pandemic with more strength and resiliency. OFA will continue to support our grassroots and invest in our sector’s most valuable asset - its people.
 
The Revive Fund will be active starting April 2021 with projects concluding by July 31, 2022. If your agricultural community is interested in partnering on a project under the Revive Fund, please contact your local federation.
 
For more information, contact:
 
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca

​Steve Brackenridge, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
Across Ontario’s agri-food sector, health and safety has always been a main priority in keeping farms, employees and customers safe. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the importance of health and safety was taken to a new level with additional practices and procedures put in place to help control and slow the spread of the coronavirus in an effort to keep businesses up and running.
 
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) understands that farmers need appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to safely run their farm businesses. Ensuring that a steady, reliable supply of PPE is allocated to the agri-food sector is vital to keeping our food supply chain intact.
 
OFA recently conducted an Agricultural Personal Protective Equipment Survey to collect membership input on how PPE protocols have impacted Ontario agri-businesses. The survey, which was completed by 498 members across the province, was launched to better understand the supply and demand for PPE in the agricultural industry. It also provides OFA with tangible results that can help to support our ability to represent and advocate for farmers as we engage in discussions with government policymakers and industry stakeholders.
 
The consensus of the survey indicated that farmers are concerned with the increased cost of PPE and the unavailability of certain safety supplies. As a farmer, we regularly experience unforeseeable challenges in our day-to-day work. Having to deal with the stress of tracking down PPE and obtaining the right materials necessary to keep our business open adds another layer of worry to managing our farm.
 
As a business owner with three employees, I was fortunate enough to receive all the supplies I needed in order to successfully run my retail shop. However, according to OFA’s survey, 16% of farmers are currently unsure if they will be able to keep their farm businesses open due to a lack of accessible PPE. For farms and agri-businesses that are open to the public, adequate PPE is especially crucial in keeping their doors open.
 
According to respondents, the top three items that farmers experienced shortages of were N95 masks, dust masks and sterile gloves. Due to government guidelines, to meet proper safety protocols, masks, gloves and hand sanitizer are mandatory supplies needed to operate businesses. We have a responsibility to provide not only a safe workplace for employees, but a safe environment for customers as well.
 
Looking ahead to the 2021 growing season, 21% of members still anticipate PPE shortages within the next three months, and 68% have reported unexpected shortages in N95 masks specifically. With mandatory masks required to enter all businesses, this poses a serious threat to productivity and business operation.
 
Preparing for the future has been a challenge throughout this public health crisis. It’s difficult to foresee when protocols and regulations for PPE are subject to change. More than 50% of farmers who completed the survey stated they do not have an extended supply of PPE on-hand, which leaves them vulnerable to future supply shortages. Only 12% of farmers stated they have enough supply to last their business more than six months.
 
Collectively, farmers indicated they were unaware of various government programs that could assist them in off-setting the cost of PPE, managing financial strain due to making fundamental changes to their operations to protect the health and safety of their employees or accessing resources to order enough PPE needed to run their businesses safely and effectively.
 
OFA worked extensively with the Ontario government on outreach and communication related to the Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program. The intent of the program, which received a $10 million extension in Ontario’s 2021 budget, is to provide financial assistance and help off-set the cost of PPE as well as additional expenses incurred due to COVID-19. OFA’s survey showed that 43% of respondents were unaware this funding was available to them.
 
Along with the Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program, the Ontario government also provided a Workplace PPE Supplier Directory where business owners can search for the specific PPE needed for their employees. 67% of farmers from our survey were unaware that this directory was available. One survey participant shared the PPE Supplier Directory was easy to use and a good start to gather the basic knowledge and information needed to equip the workplace.
 
Additionally, OFA has provided extensive resources through our COVID-19 online resource hub with updated information on rules and regulations, where to obtain PPE, how to find support, and government programs that could help assist farm business owners during these unprecedented times.
 
OFA encourages anyone struggling with PPE shortages to utilize resources available to them to off-set some of the financial burden, obtain appropriate materials, and keep their farm businesses profitable. Utilizing these resources will help Ontario farmers better adjust to a new normal to keep their farms up and running.
 
For more information, contact:
 
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca

​Rejean Pommainville, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
In December 2020, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) announced a new project aimed at enhancing tools and resources for Francophone farmers – Our Agriculture: Cultivating Opportunities for Ontario's Francophone Farm Families. Through funding from the Government of Ontario, OFA took the opportunity to translate a variety of resources and information to better support our French-speaking members across the province.
 
Earlier this year, OFA officially launched the new Francophone online resource hub, which contains translated copies of our fact sheets, issues pages, guides and additional resources. OFA members now have the ability to visit our website and click on the ‘Français’ button located in the top right-hand corner to access the new resource hub.
 
Since its initial launch, OFA has uploaded more than 55 resources to the hub, including content and information on our most recent advocacy efforts, farm safety fact sheets, mental health resources and our position on key issues and priorities impacting Ontario agriculture. By the end of the month, the goal is to have a total of 75 resources accessible for our Francophone community. 
 
In 2020, nearly 650 OFA members identified French as their primary language, with nine regions across Ontario having five or more French-speaking members. As our Francophone membership continues to grow, this is the perfect opportunity to strive for inclusivity and utilize valuable content and resources to better support and reach our diverse community members. 
 
A lack of accessible information and resources has been an ongoing issue for OFA’s French-speaking community. Many of the farmers in my community speak English as a second language and have struggled to access our resources due to the language barrier. In the past, this has made it difficult for our French farm families to know what resources are available to them. As a French-speaking farmer, I am happy to see that OFA is progressively incorporating both of Canada’s official languages to better suit the needs of our bilingual producers.
 
Our French farm families are strong advocates in their communities. We hope this online hub will enhance communication and provide access to resources and information necessary to stay up-to-date with OFA business, activities, campaigns and advocacy on current issues and priorities impacting our 38,000 farm business members.
 
In my experience, many French-speaking members remain unaware of the tremendous amount of advocacy work OFA is involved in to ensure our farms and rural communities can operate efficiently and effectively. If we as an organization take strides and seek new ways to reach our Francophone members, we can work together to create a stronger, united industry. 
 
OFA recognizes and acknowledges the Government of Ontario through the Francophone Community Grants Program for funding this project. We are also grateful for the work and partnership with l'Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens (UCFO), who supported OFA in the translation of resources.
 
To measure the success of this project, OFA has created a survey to better understand the needs of our Francophone communities and gauge the effectiveness of the resource hub. We encourage members to visit the hub and provide their feedback through the survey. We value your input as it will help the organization make changes to better suit the needs of our members in the future. If you’re interested in completing the survey, click here to fill it out.
 
For more information, contact:
 
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca

Posted on 15 March 2021 in OFA Viewpoint

Mark Reusser, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
​
Each year, farm leaders, industry stakeholders and government officials gather together to discuss key issues and priorities impacting Canadian agriculture at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) Annual General Meeting. This year’s event, although virtual, offered the chance to highlight Canada’s agri-food sector, its contributions to the national economy and opportunities for economic growth.

As a Director for both the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and CFA, I am always astounded by the similarities farmers across the nation share. CFA’s virtual AGM created a wonderful medium for farmers with geographical and political differences to come together to learn that many of us face similar hardships. The AGM provides an opportunity to highlight these key issues and the chance to understand the unique needs and differences of each province. This understanding allows us to work together as a united front to evoke positive change for Canada’s agri-food sector.

OFA is proud to be an active member of CFA, and work collaboratively to enhance the business of farming and produce prosperity for farmers nationwide. Annually, OFA board representatives participate in the meeting as delegates to engage in conversations on key priorities and vote on resolutions affecting the Canadian agri-food sector.

This year, OFA took the opportunity to bring six young farmers and local leaders from across the province to join the organization at the annual meeting. It was a fantastic opportunity, not only for OFA, but also for the young farmers involved as they had the chance to observe, engage and get a better understanding of OFA’s involvement on issues at the federal level. Identifying young leaders in the agriculture community is extremely important, and I believe that it’s our responsibility to cultivate potential leadership when it is present.

The agriculture industry thrives on strong leadership and OFA continues to prioritize succession planning and recruitment. We actively recruit individuals that showcase those skills and qualities to participate in meetings, campaigns or advocacy activities at the local, provincial and federal levels.

Resolutions are a vital way for delegates to advocate for sector improvements and vocalize needs. This year, OFA brought forward three resolutions pertaining to Private Grade Crossings, the Fisheries Act and the need for incentive programs for soil health and sequestration.

We were very happy with the outcomes of our resolutions, as it was a big win for our organizations. CFA delegates voted to have OFA’s Private Grade Crossing resolution referred to a committee; OFA’s Fisheries Act exemption resolution was carried with 98.51% in favour; and OFA’s resolution on soil and sequestration incentive programs also carried with an amendment to reflect both the current and successor policy framework. We received positive outcomes with respect to our resolutions and believe their future implementation will greatly benefit our farm families and their businesses.

Another main priority for our organization is farmer mental health. Annually, CFA awards a recipient with the Brigid Revoire Mental Health Award. We were pleased to see that Deb Vanberkel, OFA’s nominee, had been awarded this honour and recognized for her tremendous work on mental health. Vanberkel has been a champion for farmer mental health and is one of the founders of the Farmer Wellness Program, which is promoted in multiple eastern counties. The Farmer Wellness Program, which launched in February of 2019, was created to support the mental well-being of farmers by providing access to initial counselling sessions free of charge.

Another highlight of the meeting was seeing OFA’s former President, Keith Currie, re-elected as 1st Vice President of CFA. Currie is a proven leader and has been a critical contributor federally and provincially. We know that he will continue to excel in his role and look forward to his future contributions to Canadian agriculture.

As always, OFA appreciates the opportunity to represent the best interests of our membership at the federal level. We will continue to advocate on behalf of our 38,000 farm families and look forward to another year of creating a stronger, united industry that will benefit Ontario farmers.

For more information, contact:
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca

Posted on 8 March 2021 in OFA Viewpoint

Keith Currie, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

As we approach the one-year mark of living this virtual lifestyle, access to fast, reliable broadband continues to be a hot button issue for many farmers and rural residents. People have adapted to working from home, learning from home, delivering e-commerce platforms from home and even participating in recreational activities from home. The world has changed drastically to rely on virtual platforms that require reliable internet. For those with a strong connection, adapting to virtual platforms was a relatively seamless transition with the biggest challenge being how to navigate and understand ZOOM, Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom or some other platform. However, many living in rural communities with limited or no access to reliable internet, have faced significant challenges when logging on to the virtual world.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) believes access to fast, reliable and affordable internet is a necessity in our modern world and needs to be considered an essential service. Much like electrification in Ontario over 80 years ago, broadband expansion must be a prioritized and rapid process. OFA has advocated for the expansion of rural broadband for years. It has been a key pillar of our Producing Prosperity in Ontario campaign that was initially launched ahead of the 2018 provincial election. Prior to the Producing Prosperity initiative, OFA put a spotlight on rural communities and shortcomings related to accessible broadband as part of a 2015-member survey. As we fast forward to today, farm businesses and rural communities continue to struggle to find internet capable of supporting their needs. Results from OFA’s recent 2020 broadband survey reflect the growing frustration of Ontario farmers.

Agriculture has rapidly evolved to embrace new technologies which allows Ontario’s agri-food sector to be competitive worldwide and produce food, fibre and fuel more efficiently. The implementation of technology such as robotics, sensors and GPS mapping require reliable connectivity to be successful. Rural demand for bandwidth is quickly outpacing the expansion of broadband infrastructure as farmers continue to increase the use of digital technology.

Simply having an adequate internet connection is not enough to meet the needs and demands of running a modern-day business. Our members need speed, reliability and bandwidth that provides the ability to carry high loads of data to remain competitive in the digital world.

Unreliable internet is more than an inconvenience in a year where internet connectivity is an essential service. OFA’s latest survey shows 62% of participants say internet outages are causing an inability to conduct normal business activities, which impacts productivity and profitability. In comparison to the 2015 internet survey, farmers that require stable internet to run their business has more than doubled.

Additionally, 53% of survey participants have increased the amount of digital technologies on their farm, and this significant investment in on-farm technology is critical to the growth of the agri-food sector. Precision agriculture also relies on accessibility to fast, reliable broadband internet, which can increase our industry’s resiliency and mitigate the potential impacts of climate change. Still, 57% of survey participants admit unreliable connectivity has resulted in a delay or rejection of investment in precision technologies.

For many farmers, the primary internet options available in rural areas do not provide a stable enough connection to run or manage digital technologies in their farm equipment. For the most part, we are lucky to have a stable connection on our farm in Collingwood, but an increase in heavy winds or snowfall can interfere with connectivity. We are also paying a substantial fare for an unreliable connection which is another major barrier to the success of our farm business.

Unfortunately, rural residents often face competitive disadvantages when it comes to internet accessibility as there tends to be only a handful of service providers that cater to rural markets. Therefore, with limited options, the customer is at the mercy of the service provider when it comes to cost and delivery. More than 70% of survey participants reported they believe they are not getting sufficient value for the services they pay for from internet providers. In terms of satisfaction, a total of 75% of respondents indicated they are unsatisfied with options and accessibility in their area. As entrepreneurs, we can understand providers not wanting to implement more infrastructure on their own dime. Especially, when it does not add to their bottom line. Therefore, OFA continues to lobby both the federal and provincial governments to invest in expanded broadband for all rural, northern and remote communities.

It’s clear that homes, businesses and farms in rural Ontario currently face a competitive disadvantage when it comes to broadband access and reliability in comparison to their urban counterparts. We hope to change that by continuing to lobby both the federal and provincial governments to invest in expanded broadband for all rural, northern and remote communities.

To achieve sustainable progress, the key is to have a long-term vision that will provide the necessary infrastructure to deliver reliable internet for generations to come. The agri-food sector in Ontario is an economic powerhouse with substantial growth potential. To keep this sector profitable and productive, we need strong and vibrant communities with the infrastructure to support growth. Our sector grows job, contributes to economic productivity and produces prosperity for the province and the country. Our province cannot afford to cap the growth potential of farms, agri-businesses and our rural communities due to a lack of broadband infrastructure. These investments can help grow existing businesses, attract new companies and boost opportunities for regional economic development.

Beyond our businesses, farmers are also humans that require social interaction and deeply care about their community. Isolation in rural communities has become much more apparent as parents struggle to work from home and youth try to connect with their teachers and classmates. Stable internet is necessary for connecting with the outside world, which in turn supports mental health. Internet has also become essential for online learning and virtual health care. Quality of life and education should not be compromised for those choosing to live, work and play in rural Ontario.
​
For more information, contact:
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca

Posted on 1 March 2021 in OFA Viewpoint

By Jackie Kelly-Pemberton, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
​
As we balance lockdowns and restrictions, social distancing measures and stay-at-home orders, outdoor activities have become our only solace throughout COVID-19 and Mother Nature has provided Ontarians with a true Canadian winter resulting in sub-zero chills and large quantities of snow.

This year’s abundance of snow in many parts of the province has resulted in an unprecedented demand for snowmobiles and trail permits. However, this newfound craze for recreational snowmobiling has also brought with it an increased level of frustration and challenges for our farming members.

According to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), the trail network spans more than 30,000 kilometres across the province and includes agreements with 18,000 landowners. Ontario’s snowmobiling industry generates $3.3 billion annually in economic activity and supports rural communities through tourism, hospitality, food service and fuel. Last year, 88,000 permits were sold across the province and one OFSC representative referenced they’ve seen a 13% increase in permit sales in their district this year. The positive impact on local economies across Ontario is undeniable.

However, it’s important to remember there would be no continuous trail network without farmers and rural landowners, Farmers rely on their land to produce food, fibre and fuel for the province, country and the world. It drives the profitability and sustainability of our farm businesses. While trail systems benefit the economy, the farmer receives no financial compensation.

This is why the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) reminds all riders to be respectful while navigating the trails and that access to farmland is a privilege, not a right.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has repeatedly communicated that farmers’ fields are not for snowmobiling. They’ve stressed that farmland is private property and snowmobilers do not have the authority to access fields unless they’ve obtained permission from the landowner. It’s not only a trespassing offence, but it also jeopardizes the health and nutrients of the soil and crops beneath the snow. Additionally, fences, irrigation systems and other obstacles utilized in farming operations can cause serious harm to riders. The fear of being liable for injuries is a constant source of fear and anxiety for farmers and landowners.

To help combat off-trail trespassing, OFSC launched the “Friends don’t ride with friends” campaign focused on not riding with people who trespass, disrespect landowner property, risk the safety of themselves and other rides or jeopardize the trail system. Anyone riding outside of the marked trails are trespassing on private property and endangering their own safety as well as the livelihood of the landowner. Any person riding without an OFSC trail permit is trespassing and anyone caught riding on a closed trail is also trespassing. OFSC remains committed to educating, informing and communicating about safe and responsible riding.

The biggest issue for our farming community occurs when riders’ resort to trespassing on private property. Snowmobilers need to understand that when trails remain ungroomed, often times it’s for a legitimate reason. Choosing to bypass an ungroomed trail or cut corners is not a reasonable excuse for riding on farmland and causing potential damage. This year there have been recorded complaints of winter wheat being destroyed, significant damage to irrigation systems and farm gates being opened without permission.

Maintenance and grooming of trails is left to the discretion of the local club and completely dependent on volunteer capacity and weather conditions. There is a distinct correlation between poor trail conditions and increased trespassing on farm property. When trails are closed, riders become increasingly impatient and ride them anyway, which not only worsens the condition of the trail but further delays the reopening as well. These individuals abusing the local trail system run the risk of losing the privilege for the whole community.

An OFSC representative spoke about the organization’s efforts to improve landowner relations and recognizes that without access there would be no trail network. If the landowner has a signed land use agreement and continues to deal with trespassing, it is the best practice of the organization to install a snow fence, post additional signage or close the trail entirely.

Many farmers are unaware of the process for filing damage complaints for trespass related issues. While we appreciate the local clubs that actively post signage where winter crops are planted and actively deter their members from going off the trail. However, additional communication with farmers and landowners regarding reimbursements for snowmobile related damages is imperative.

There is a lack of understanding as to what the process is for reporting property damage and reimbursement, which has created significant concerns amongst our membership. Anecdotal evidence shows that in parts of southern Ontario, local clubs have worked with farmers and landowners to repay them for necessary damages. From crop damage to irrigation sprinklers, farmers have been reimbursed following issues caused by riders veering off the trail. But, it’s clear a knowledge gap exists. Increased communication needs to occur to address these issues to help keep everyone accountable.

Volunteers at the local level are encouraged to develop relationships with landowners and keep communication lines open to ensure landowners know who their point of contact is when issues occur. We appreciate the efforts of snowmobile club volunteers and recognize them as the lifeblood of the local riding community.

On behalf of all Ontario farmers, we encourage riders to enjoy this beautiful province while treating our land and the trail system with respect. Be safe, be smart and be considerate.
​
For more information, contact:
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca

As our members continue to manage farm businesses through the pandemic, OFA is seeking input on your experiences with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The purpose of the survey is to assess the farm sector’s need for PPE for normal, ongoing farm requirements as well as for COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

PPE is considered to be protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer’s body from injury or infection.

Your feedback regarding on-farm PPE requirements, information and availability, including any shortages, will help inform our advocacy efforts on your behalf.

This survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Your responses will be kept confidential and will only be reported in aggregate form.

The deadline to provide your feedback is March 5, 2021.

Click here to complete the survey.
​
We appreciate your time and effort in completing this survey.

Posted on 16 February 2021 in OFA Viewpoint
​By Crispin Colvin, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Ontario and Quebec are currently facing a tremendous challenge that could impact the supply of vital fuels into our provinces. In January, the Lambton Federation of Agriculture brought forth a resolution at their annual meeting that was passed on to the provincial board of directors, asking for support on advocating for the continual operation of Enbridge Line 5.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) believes the Line 5 pipeline is critical, not only for the agriculture industry, but for employment, cost of living, the economy, and ensuring the continued production of thousands of Canadian products that we rely on daily. It’s a vital piece of energy infrastructure, whose importance extends beyond the borders of our country and into Michigan.

Earlier this year, the President of Lambton Federation was informed that Michigan had filed a legal action to force the shutdown of Line 5. Enbridge Line 5 currently operates through Michigan under the Straits of Mackinac and has been a critical fuel source for Canada. Enbridge has since filed a lawsuit challenging this order and has brought forward a solution to keep the pipeline running.

Line 5 delivers 53% of Ontario’s crude oil and is a critical source of supply for approximately two-thirds of Quebec’s crude consumption. Additionally, the fuel line feeds Canadian refineries, ensuring a safe, affordable and reliable supply of gasoline, propane, diesel, jet fuel and other products. Operating the line supports the employment of thousands of skilled trades across Canada, and supplies over 50% of Michigan’s propane needs.

Line 5 is an integral piece of North American infrastructure. The closure of this pipeline will have detrimental effects on the agri-food supply chain in southern Ontario. Without access to these fuels, livestock farmers and commercial greenhouse growers will be unable to supply heat to their facilities. Grain and oilseed farmers also rely on fuel to dry their harvested crops. Line 5 closing would negatively impact grain and crop drying capabilities, which would have a domino effect on Ontario’s feedstock exports.

The implications of closing Line 5 will impact our entire nation. Adding cost to Ontario’s food producers, laying off thousands of skilled workers and increasing grocery bills for consumers. The closure of Line 5 will not just affect the agriculture industry; this is a national issue that could have large implications for our economy as a whole.

Along with Canada, the closure of Line 5 would also have adverse effects on Michigan’s economy. Refineries served by Enbridge in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Ontario and Quebec would receive approximately 45% less crude from Enbridge than their current demand. Michigan would face a 756,000-US-gallons-per-day propane supply shortage since there are no short-term alternatives for transporting NGL to market. The regions affected in Canada and the U.S. would see a 14.7-million-US-gallons-per-day supply shortage of gas, diesel and jet fuel (about 45% of current supply).

Enbridge Inc. is working on a long-term solution to invest $500 million U.S. in a tunnel to house Line 5 deep under the Straits of Mackinac. While Line 5 has operated safely and reliably in the Straits for more than 65 years, this new tunnel will add further protection and absolve any fears towards the pipeline leaking into their water system. However, the state of Michigan still has yet to comment on this solution and is proceeding with their lawsuit to close Line 5.

In response to the ongoing concerns, a joint letter on behalf of OFA, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, Beef Farmers of Ontario, Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg & Chick Commission, Ontario Pork and Turkey Farmers of Ontario was sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explaining the implications the pipeline closure could have on the agriculture community and national economy.

OFA has asked for the federal government to work alongside the American State and Federal administrations to maintain the operation of Line 5. OFA believes this is a resolvable issue and that with constructive dialogue between Prime Minister Trudeau and the Biden-Harris Administration, both countries can come to a viable resolution.

OFA will continue to work with the government, Enbridge and industry stakeholders to ensure that Line 5 remains open and operational throughout any construction that may proceed. It is a critical piece of North American energy infrastructure that benefits both Canada and the U.S.
​
For more information, contact:
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca

THE ISSUE
The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 protects Ontario farm animals, farms, farmers and their families, agri-food employees, and the safety of the entire food supply by addressing the ongoing threat of unwanted trespassing and from unauthorized interactions with farm animals. The Act strikes an important balance, respecting the right to peaceful public protest, while giving the justice system the tools it needs to help protect farmers, agri-food workers and businesses, and the food supply from trespassing and harassment.

ANIMAL PROTECTION ZONES:
The Act establishes animal protection zones:
​
Animal protection zone: with respect to a farm, animal processing facility or prescribed premises, means an area on the farm, facility or premises on which farm animals may be kept or located and that is,

1. An enclosure for farm animals, whether or not it is marked as an animal protection zone,
2. An area that meets prescribed requirements and is marked as an animal protection zone by the owner or occupier using signs in accordance with the regulations,
3. An area prescribed by the regulations as an animal protection zone for the purposes of this Act.

Persons are also prohibited from stopping, hindering, obstructing or otherwise interfering with a motor vehicle transporting farm animals.

NO IMPLIED CONSENT
Persons are prohibited from interfering or interacting with farm animals in or on the animal protection zones or from carrying out prescribed activities in or on the animal protection zones without the prior consent of the owner or occupier of the farm, facility or premises. Persons are also prohibited from interfering with a motor vehicle that is transporting farm animals and from interfering or interacting with the farm animals in the motor vehicle without the prior consent of the driver. This applies even if the trespasser has not been told orally, or in writing, to keep out or if no signs have been posted which restrict or prohibit entry.

FALSE PRETENCES
Consent to entry in or on an animal protection zone, or other prescribed activities which has been given to a person is considered invalid if it is obtained using duress or under false pretences. If consent was obtained under these conditions, the consent will be deemed to not have been given.

OFFENCES & PENALTIES
Offences under the Act carry higher penalties; up to $15,000 for the first offence, and up to $25,000 for subsequent offences. Higher penalties are introduced to serve as a deterrent from trespassing and breaching biosecurity protocols. Persons found guilty of an offence can be held responsible, and may receive a restitution order for any injury, losses or damages occurred as a result of the contravention.

LIMITATION PERIOD
The Act introduces a two-year limitation period for the commencement of proceeding for an offence under the Act. The two-year period begins on the later of the day the offence was committed, or the day on which evidence of the offence first came to the attention of a police officer.

REGULATIONS

1. Reg. 701/20: General, under the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act includes definitions and provisions which support the Act.

SIGNAGE
Animal protection zones that require signage can only be marked if they meet the requirements listed in the regulations. The sign serves as a warning to any person that is about to enter the animal protection zone that entry is prohibited unless the person has consent, is exercising treaty rights, or enforcement powers, or meets exemption requirements.

Signs must be a minimum of 30cm x 30cm, and be orange in colour. Signs must be erected at each ordinary point of access to the animal protection zone being signed, and must be clearly visible in daylight. The area marked will only be considered an animal protection zone when farm animals are present.

PRESCRIBED PREMISES
The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act allows for the regulations to prescribe certain premises as animal protection zones. Currently, the following are considered prescribed premises:

1. Premises at which farm animals are ordinarily bought or sold and in respect of which a licence has been issued under the Livestock Community Sales Act.
2. Premises at which farm animals are displayed for public viewing.
3. Premises at which fam animals lawfully compete against one another.

INTERFERENCE – INTERACTION
Acts which are considered prohibited interferences and interactions with farm animals are listed in the regulations.  They include:

1. Directly or indirectly having physical contact with a farm animal, whether the farm animal is dead or alive,
2. Providing any substance to a farm animal, including spraying or throwing any substance on or at a farm animal,
3. Releasing a farm animal from an animal protection zone or transport motor vehicle,
4. Creating conditions in which a farm animal could escape from an animal protection zone or transport motor vehicle,
5. Any activity that causes or is likely to cause harm to a farm animal or harm with respect to food safety.

FALSE PRETENCES – DURESS
The regulations outline the situations where false statements result in contravention of the Act, including false statements regarding employment qualifications.  Certain exemptions exist for journalists and whistleblowers. Similar conditions exist for when consent is obtained under duress.

INCREASED PENALTIES
The regulations list certain circumstances that increase the gravity of an offence, including whether any farm animals were harmed, killed, or whether any human harm occurred. Penalties can be increased for a person who is found guilty of committing an offence under these listed circumstances.
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For more information, please visit:
www.AboutBill156.com

Download 'The Security From Trepass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020' One Pager

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By Brent Royce, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Loss has the power to shake a whole community. Like a pebble in a pond, the waves ripple across the water and the effects can be felt by everyone near. In rural communities, when someone is lost to suicide, a direct impact is felt by many people. From nearby family and friends, to neighbours and acquaintances, to stakeholders across the entire sector, suicide has the power to send shockwaves and cripple a community. 
My community has recently said goodbye to members who have lost their lives to suicide. This has left everyone feeling shocked, sad, and wishing there was more that could have been done. Now more than ever, farmers feel the stress of pushing through everyday personal issues, coping with the loneliness of living remotely, and feeling the pressure to maintain a business with so many changing protocols stemming from the pandemic 
Oftentimes, we see farmers push their mental health to the backburner. Our custom as farmers is to take care and prioritize our livestock, crops and families first. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that talking about our mental health struggles makes us weak or less of a farmer. Yes, our community is strong and resilient, but we are not superhuman. We need to work collectively to end this stigma. For those struggling with mental health, having someone to talk to may be the key to saving their life.
As we continue into this new year, we are seeing too many lives being lost to mental health. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) believes that now, more than ever, it's time to break down the farmer stereotypes and bring conversations about suicidal thoughts and feelings to the forefront.
People experiencing suicidal thoughts are often in great mental anguish and believe the world around them would be better without their presence. They start believing they are a burden and slowly begin losing faith in themselves. Without proper resources and services in place, many are left to deal with their dark thoughts alone – and during a pandemic, those who are most vulnerable are at serious risk. 
As we proceed through another demanding year, the focus on work ethic and striving for consistency in a world that’s currently unstable can result in missing warning signs of stress and burnout, which can leave farmers both physically and mentally depleted. It can also be difficult to separate our identity as a person from that of a farmer, which makes setbacks in the farm business feel personally devastating. 
In the past few weeks, my daughter has been collecting data from farmers on mental health for a school survey as a grade 12 project. Out of 239 participants, 80.8% stated they believe there continues to be a stigma around mental health, while 32.2% said they are uncomfortable discussing the topic with others. This stigma prevents farmers from seeking out and obtaining appropriate resources. These results suggest that further conversations, acceptance, support and guidance are still needed so people don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed when they’re struggling. The Farmers’ Toolbox initiative in my region features testimonials in video clips that tell the story of farmers moving from hopelessness to reaching the point of seeking help. Resources like this one, created by the Listowel Agricultural Society, help put a face on this crucial topic.
Deciding to ask for help is only the first step. Many rural communities feel secluded from the necessary supports and services. My daughter's study showed that 34.7% of farmers were not sure if there were resources available to them, and 17.2% believed they did not have access to mental health resources.
OFA wants to ensure you and your loved ones have the resources necessary to cope with struggles and crises to help prevent more lives from being lost. If you or someone you know is in distress and needs help, there are people and resources available. Please reach out for 24/7 support by calling the Ontario Mental Health Line at ConnexOntario. Reach them at 1-866-531-2600, or use their online chat function. For additional resources, visit the ConnexOntario website, or ofa.on.ca/mental-health.
A loss can devastate an entire community, but it can also help bring perspective about how and when to open up about these important conversations. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to please seek help today. There is always a reason to keep moving forward. Just know that you are valued, loved and not alone.
For more information, contact:
Brent Royce
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-291-8279
Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
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