By  Keith Currie, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
November 21st 2019

When CN Rail workers went on strike on November 19, they put the Canadian agriculture sector in jeopardy. CN is Canada’s biggest rail network and the strike of more than 3,000 workers is already impacting the agricultural sector. Canadian farmers are in the middle of one of the toughest harvest seasons and with early winter weather already hitting much of the country, farmers are now contending with issues related to the availability of propane for grain farms and livestock and poultry operations. If the strike is prolonged, the lack of available resources has the potential to create a dire situation for many farmers across Canada.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) urges industry, federal officials and agricultural organizations to work together to ensure the government understands the widespread impact this rail strike has on the entire agricultural value chain, especially during the harvest season.
Grain farmers in Ontario depend on shipments of propane to dry down corn and soybean crops, even more so this year in an unseasonably wet growing and harvest season. Without available propane, farmers may have no choice but to leave crops in the field, and their profit prospects along with it.
The impact of the strike will also hit other sectors of the agricultural industry. Not only will it have a negative financial impact on farmers, but it also has the potential to affect the health and welfare of our animals. Livestock and poultry operations depend on the delivery of propane to heat their barns. Without this energy source, animal health and welfare becomes a serious risk as the temperature drops and the days get colder and shorter. 
We know the new Liberal federal government is not returning to Parliament Hill until early December. But this issue can’t wait. OFA encourages members who are affected by the rail strike, to reach out to their local MP to voice their concern and encourage a fast, effective resolution to this situation.
-30-
For more information, contact:


Keith Currie
President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
705-441-3362

Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883

​By Rejean Pommainville, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Natural gas is the cleanest, most affordable and efficient fossil fuel available in Ontario to heat our homes and use in commercial and industrial processes. Renewable natural gas offers an even better option for a more environmentally sustainable source of energy for the province, and agricultural byproducts can help fuel this cleaner energy.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has been pushing for expanding the infrastructure needed to deliver natural gas to all corners of the province. When you consider that only 20% of rural Ontario has access to this affordable energy source compared to 88% of urban areas, we are past due for the pipeline infrastructure that will bring energy to our homes and farm businesses.
While natural gas is technically a greenhouse gas, it burns cleaner than other fossil fuels, emitting lower levels of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. Natural gas burns similar to propane, and while propane has a “green” fuel label, both energy sources have little impact on the environment and are considered eco-friendly.
There is another opportunity to expanding natural gas infrastructure across Ontario – in addition to making an affordable energy input available to farms and rural businesses. The pipeline assets required for natural gas bring the option of carrying renewable natural gas energy in the future. Renewable natural gas is biogas or biomethane that’s generated from municipal organic waste, farm waste and biomass. And that means agriculture can have a key role in providing cleaner energy across Ontario.
The Access to Natural Gas Act will help extend natural gas pipeline to rural and northern regions of the province. Money collected from a new $1 monthly charge to gas bills is helping to fund expansion that has been unaffordable to date. And the new act is ensuring the most number of customers at the lowest cost will be in line for new natural gas projects.
OFA continues to keep close tabs on the progress of natural gas expansion in rural Ontario to ensure our farm businesses and local communities can operate in a competitive environment with affordable energy options.
For more information, contact:
Rejean Pommainville
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
613-793-2849
Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883

By Pat Jilesen, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Greater access to natural gas has significant implications for Ontario farmers, and is an infrastructure priority for our province. We know it’s a more affordable option. It will dramatically boost business opportunities by significantly lowering energy costs for farms and rural communities. In fact, it’s estimated that the energy savings for Ontario’s farm sector alone would be up to $200 million every year.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has advocated for the need for natural gas across the province, including rural and northern regions, for many years. And there have been announcements by the provincial government that are promising for agriculture and our rural communities.
Energy is one of the largest costs for rural homes, farms and small businesses. If natural gas was available across the province, it would free up $1.1 billion in annual energy savings for an estimated 500,000 residents, farms and business owners. Those energy savings would generate significant direct and indirect economic benefits to communities across Ontario.
The Ontario government has prioritized natural gas access and has reinforced its support for a customer rate subsidy to help expand natural gas infrastructure. Specifically, for privately funded expansion to more small, rural and Indigenous communities using a customer rate subsidy to make natural gas infrastructure expansion more feasible. The Natural Gas Expansion Support Program (NGESP), which was launched this past summer, will help extend natural gas and encourage communities to partner with gas distributors to help make that happen.
Since July 1, NGESP began adding a $1 customer charge to residential gas bills in Ontario and will fund natural gas expansion projects. OFA will continue to work with government to ensure a long-term, phased approach to support natural gas expansion across rural and Indigenous communities. We need smart expansion – a concept that combines community expansion opportunities with economic development opportunities. This means that in addition to rural homes, expansion routes must include Ontario farms and local businesses.
Today, 20% of rural Ontario is currently serviced with clean, abundant and affordable natural gas. OFA supports a customer subsidy and  long-term smart expansion plan as a solid start to bring natural gas to every corner of the province.
OFA looks forward to a continued commitment from the government to remove the barriers that are limiting the accessibility of natural gas to rural Ontario. Unlocking new economic opportunities across rural Ontario will bring millions of dollars in new investment freedom to families, businesses and farms across rural communities for generations to come.
For more information, contact:
Pat Jilesen
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-386-1330
Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883