By Drew Spoelstra, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
​
In a show of strength for Ontario’s agri-food sector and rural communities, four provincial organizations came together at Queen’s Park to demonstrate how investments in rural Ontario economic development benefit all Ontarians.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), together with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus and Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus made a joint announcement on the value of spreading future economic development dollars across the province on February 21 at Queen’s Park.
Led by OFA, the partner announcement supports OFA’s provincial election campaign – Producing Prosperity in Ontario. The campaign calls for greater investment in Ontario’s agri-food sector and rural communities as an effective strategy to deliver economic growth and prosperity for all Ontarians.
Together, the four organizations represent more than 400 communities across Ontario, 37,000 farms and 60,000 businesses. The message sent to the government was clear – with proper investments, rural Ontario holds huge potential to deliver economic and social return to the province. There are tremendous benefits to investing in Ontario’s farms and our rural and mid-sized communities. The potential economic payoffs are huge, so are the opportunities to reduce the pressures on larger urban centres dealing with affordable housing and infrastructure issues.
The event demonstrates the strong support across the province to secure future investments like expanding broadband, improve roads and bridges, natural gas infrastructure and maintaining social infrastructure like rural schools and medical care. Together, the groups called for strong leadership and bold action to make a difference across Ontario by unlocking the potential of agri-food sector and rural communities.
OFA’s Producing Prosperity in Ontario campaign is gaining momentum and attracting interest from government and partner organizations. OFA welcomes campaign partners. The more voices we can add to our call for distributed economic develop and investment dollars, the stronger the message. Visit producingprosperity.ca and click on the partner section to learn more. Together we can show that smart strategic investments in rural communities the agri-food sector can make difference for everyone in Ontario.
 
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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
 

By Steve Brackenridge, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
​
Investments in infrastructure in our rural communities support their long-term sustainability that, in turn, supports our farm businesses. Because of this, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is leading a campaign for increased infrastructure investments. We need to ensure rural Ontario has access to broadband, and affordable natural gas, as well as the education and medical services that help attract new businesses and support the wellbeing of our rural communities.
Sometimes it appears wins are few and far between. Advocating for rural investment takes time. But we are very pleased to see recent investments by the Ontario government in rural communities – with the announcement of updates to the Glanworth Bridge in Middlesex County, 128 new long-term care beds in Havelock, and a new grant for the Bluewater District School Board in Bruce and Grey Counties.
The Glanworth Bridge is an important Highway 401 overpass that provides an alternative route for oversized farm vehicles, but had been slated for removal. Farmers have been working for many years to preserve and protect this important route, and the Ministry of Transportation unveiled updated designs for the interchange at Highway 4 and 401 on February 7.
In other good news, a new provincial grant will help cover much-needed repairs to Paisley Central School, improving the chances for a community hub to be created in this area. OFA provided input during the review process for this school.
These rural infrastructure and health care wins are great news. They demonstrate the concept of distributed economic development that is OFA’s campaign for candidates in the June provincial election – Producing Prosperity in Ontario.
OFA knows that sound public investment in our rural communities will further strength and grow the provincial economy, and provide new economic opportunities for families and our farms. When we build stronger rural communities we open up real opportunities for distributing population growth around the province to help solve growth pains for urban centres that struggle with transportation issues and soaring homes prices.
OFA is engaging with political candidates about the importance of spreading investments around the province to meet the needs of the agri-food sector, support rural communities and provide options for urban centre issues.
Find out more about how OFA is advocating for Producing Prosperity in Ontario at producingprosperity.ca
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For more information, contact:

Steve Brackenridge
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
705-872-7629

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

By Debra Pretty-Straathof, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
​
Once a year our farm sector receives a special day designated as Canada’s Agriculture Day. This year’s event is on February 13, and it’s a great time to recognize the strong, innovative and diverse industry we are all a part of.
Canadian agriculture holds tremendous potential for growth and innovation. Our industry received special recognition and high praise in the 2017 Barton Report when it was identified as a sector where Canada has the potential for substantial growth and export improvement. The 2017 report – a comprehensive set of recommendations from the federal government’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth – stated that Canada has the potential to become the second largest exporter in the world, all thanks to agriculture.
Canada currently stands as the world’s fifth largest agricultural exporter. We have a great opportunity to be the trusted global leader in safe, nutritious and sustainable food in the 21st century. Expanding world populations, a rising protein demand in Asia and a need for trusted markets puts Canada in the perfect position for growth to serve our growing global markets.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is proud to represent and celebrate Ontario farmers who drive our innovative and progressive industry every day. OFA is also committed to serving our members to realize the potential our agri-food sector offers both provincial and federal economies for substantial growth and export opportunities.
OFA continues to remind and inform government about the importance of Ontario’s agri-food sector as a key economic driver. The Barton Report supports the strength and opportunities for all Ontarians when government invests in agriculture and food.
Take time to celebrate Canadian farms and agriculture on February 13, and take pride in the contributions we make.
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For more information, contact:



Debra Pretty-Straathof
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
613-371-8840

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

By Pat Jilesen, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Government consultations begin this week for Ontario’s Wildlife Damage Compensation Program. The program provides financial compensation to producers whose livestock, poultry or honey bees are damaged or killed by wildlife. New program guidelines were introduced last year that have created problems for livestock producers making claims and municipal investigators who are responsible for investigating claims.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has heard clearly that a similar program is needed for crop and horticulture producers to provide compensation for damage caused by wildlife. Crop insurance is not a sufficient tool to address this type of damage. However, this review is focused on improving the existing wildlife damage program for livestock producers.
Ontario’s Wildlife Damage Compensation Program is important to livestock producers and OFA is participating in the government consultations by addressing concerns with the new guidelines. To help us deliver the most effective feedback we’re asking OFA members for help.
OFA has been working with livestock groups to address issues with Ontario’s Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, but we need to hear from members to learn more about your experiences with the claims process and the preventative measures you’re taking to deter predators. OFA member experiences, examples and reports will help us make our case to the government in an effort to make necessary changes. If you’ve participated in the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program or have experience managing wildlife and the costs associated with this task, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences by emailing wildlifedamage@ofa.on.ca. 
OFA is aware that the biggest problems facing Ontario livestock producers are the strict requirements under the new guidelines for investigators to prove that an animal was killed or injured from an eligible predator. This has led to a sharp increase in the number of producer claims that have been denied. We know it’s not the need to provide evidence of predation that Ontario livestock producers are disputing, it’s the standards of proof under the current program guidelines that are creating problems and they need to be expanded.
OFA, together with Ontario livestock groups have put together recommendations to restore producer and municipal investigator confidence in the program and will be presenting that through the government’s consultation process. In the meantime, we encourage OFA members to share their experiences to help us build our case together to make program and policy changes to make Ontario’s Wildlife Damage Compensation Program more effective for everyone.

For more information, contact:

Pat Jilesen
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-386-1330

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