By Crispin Colvin, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
​
Ontario went to the polls for the second time this year with the municipal elections on October 22. While municipal politics may not be as high on some people’s radar as what happens at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill, agriculture and our rural communities depend on sound municipal government for many aspects of our day-to-day farm businesses and lives in rural Ontario.
Politics can be a thankless calling. OFA salutes all the candidates who put their name on a ballot with a desire to serve in public office and we congratulate all those who were successful. Municipal leadership is a vital cornerstone of successful and sustainable communities across Ontario.
Municipal government manages local services, facilities, safety and infrastructure for our communities. The decisions made in council chambers impact many aspects of daily life, including education, land use planning and development, permits, inspections, municipal tax rates, parks, public utilities and services. 
OFA members and local county federations regularly engage with municipal council to advocate for local decisions impacting farmers and rural living. In the weeks leading up to the October 22 election, many local federations hosted meetings with candidates and all-candidate events. Issues that impact farmers were discussed and opportunities were identified where communities can work closer with the local agri-food sector to leverage economic development in their areas. 
OFA members also took the election process as a reminder to candidates about the important role agriculture and food play in their communities. The economic contribution and employment opportunities farmers, food processors and agri-businesses provide – especially in rural communities – is enormous, with tremendous potential for growth.
To help position our sector to newly elected or re-elected municipal politicians, OFA developed a new resource – Agriculture Matters – a Guide for Municipal Councillors and Staff – to support advocacy efforts at the local level. The guide provides an overview of issues affecting farmers today and identifies opportunities for local communities. OFA is encouraging members and local county federations to continue to use this resource, taking the opportunity to introduce new councillors to the guide as they begin their new term in municipal leadership.
 
Now is the time to keep the agri-food sector top of mind with our municipal leaders to ensure we receive the recognition, support and opportunities to keep us driving the provincial economy. 
-30-
For more information, contact:

Crispin Colvin
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-868-7317

Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
k here to edit.

​By Mark Wales, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Every year, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has the opportunity to make a formal presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance, in advance of the federal government’s spring release of its annual budget. We used this recent forum with the committee to remind the government about the investments needed to continue to drive the economic powerhouse that is our agri-food sector and our rural communities.
The government’s own Barton Report, released in 2017, clearly identified the agri-food industry as one of the key sectors to drive growth and create jobs. But we can only really succeed with strategic investments in rural Canada that will support our ability to operate in a competitive marketplace.
We are all aware of the production sacrificed by our dairy, poultry and egg sectors in the new USMCA trade deal. But other agricultural sectors continue to struggle under ongoing tariff wars.
That’s ample evidence for the federal government to step up and support our entire sector so we can unleash new and innovative growth for agri-food and our rural communities. 
OFA’s submission to the Standing Committee on Finance, in advance of the spring 2019 federal budget, reiterated the call for continued investment in natural gas expansion, creation of greater access to broadband, support for transportation infrastructure, addressing farm labour shortages and training needs, and improving our tax and trade competitiveness.
It shouldn’t be news to anyone in government that Canada’s agri-food industry – from primary producers through the entire value-add supply chain – is an economic powerhouse for the entire country. OFA will continue to push the federal government to recognize the tremendous contributions of our sector and match that recognition with strategic investments that truly support and promote the competitiveness of Canada’s agri-food sector.
 

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
 

Click here to OFA Commentary: September 27, 2018
OFA sends policy opportunities to key provincial ministries
By Mark Reusser, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Over the past few weeks, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) delivered 13 priority letters to several provincial ministries outlining the key issues and concerns for Ontario agriculture and our rural communities. These letters outline the short-term areas on which OFA feels the ministers can make quick improvements for the benefit of our farm members.
Since the PC government took power in Ontario this summer, OFA has been working to introduce the new government to the agri-food sector – highlighting the depth and diversity of our economic powerhouse. We also continue to work on a long-term investment strategy by working with government policymakers to support economic growth and competitiveness in our industry and in our rural communities.
OFA’s letters follow a simple format – providing a context for the issues governed by the ministry and OFA’s request for action and next steps. We’ve covered issues from rural economic development, rural school closures, the state of rural roadways, excess soil management, the proposed high-speed rail line, farm property tax and farm labour.
We have delivered letters to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Minister of Education, the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Labour.
Two issues have been touched on in recent government announcements, providing positive news for the agriculture sector – addressing the concerns raised by farmers with the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program and proposed new legislation to expand access to natural gas in rural and northern Ontario.
We look forward to continuing to make inroads for Ontario farmers and rural communities across the range of provincial ministries that impact life, work and business in rural Ontario.
OFA priority letters are at ofa.on.ca under the Resources section.
 
 
-30-
For more information, contact:

Mark Reusser
Vice President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-591-4223

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