By Ethan Wallace, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Canadian consumers continue to have a high level of trust in our food system and many of their key concerns mirror those of the farming community. That’s according to the results of the 2023 Public Trust Research Report into Canada’s food system that was released recently by the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity. Unsurprisingly, this year’s study continues to place food affordability at the top of the list of issues Canadians think about when it comes to our food supply, with 54% indicating that the cost of food is their primary concern. This is followed by inflation, healthcare and housing – all issues that are also concerns for Ontario’s farmers and their families. At the same time, consumers overall continue to be supportive of the food and agriculture sector’s ability to innovate and grow. Two key indicators have stayed steady over the last year: public trust and the proportion of Canadians who feel the food system is headed in the right direction. More than half of respondents noted they feel Canadian agriculture overall is trustworthy or very trustworthy. Farmers are the most trusted group of Canadian food system stakeholders – 65% of respondents believe farmers to be trustworthy or very trustworthy – followed by scientists and university researchers. That is certainly good news for those of us in the farming community. I’m the fifth generation of my family to farm in Ontario; my wife, children and I are dairy farmers near Seaforth on a farm we recently took over from my parents. We love what we do, but we wouldn’t be able to do any of it without the support of consumers, their trust in what we do, and their willingness to buy the products we grow, raise and produce. How we do that has changed dramatically in recent decades as science continues to evolve and we adapt our practices. On our farm, for example, we now milk our cows with robots in a large new barn with sand bedding that offers our livestock the latest in comfort and welfare. The fields we used to plow every year before planting our crops are now 100% no-till, which means we don’t disturb the soil at planting. This boosts soil health and structure, making the soil and our crops more resilient to extreme weather conditions like drought or too much rain. It’s part of what we do to ensure we’re producing food sustainably and responsibly and to ensure our children will have the opportunity to farm should they choose to do so. Our farm’s story of innovation, growth and commitment to continuous improvement is not unique, though; it’s one that is common to so many of family farms across Ontario. That’s why the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) welcomed the provincial government’s recent announcement that it is modernizing the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) Act, which governs provincial agricultural research. ARIO is a provincial agency that owns Ontario’s 14 research station properties that support agriculture research ranging from livestock and field crops to greenhouse and horticulture. This modernization will bring the research farmers rely on to be innovative into the 21st century and beyond, focusing not just on agricultural production but also topics like environment, climate change, water and processing. Updated legislation will make it easier to evaluate and adapt new techniques, tools and technologies on our farms and in our food processing facilities, which ultimately, could have significant impacts on our provincial economy and our food security. We appreciate that the government sees value in building the farming sector and supporting future innovation that will let us strengthen our ability to not just feed ourselves but also the world. For more information, contact: Rachelle Kerr Communications Coordinator Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-803-4957 [email protected]
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By Sara Wood, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Many organizations and businesses depend on volunteers to support different programs and initiatives. But it’s getting harder to find people willing to come forward to help, especially since the pandemic. Recent Statistics Canada data shows most non-profit organizations, for example, are facing challenges attracting and keeping volunteers – and that volunteers themselves have less time to give and are dealing with more burnout. Farm, agricultural and rural organizations are dealing with this issue too, although the shrinking number of farms combined with the increasing average age of farmers made it a problem for this sector long before the pandemic. I farm with my family near Mitchell in southwestern Ontario, and I’m also a Vice President with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), as well as an executive member of the Agricultural Adaptation Council board of directors. Combined with a young child at home, I’m no stranger to juggling the many demands on my time. Farm organizations like the OFA rely on volunteers to serve on their boards and become involved with local and regional associations, and we wanted to hear from some of our younger members about what we can do better to attract new people to our ranks. That’s why we organized a panel discussion at our recent annual convention and invited newer and younger members from across Ontario to share their perspectives on what makes them decide to become involved – and stay – with a volunteer organization. It was one of the liveliest and most engaged sessions at our two-day conference, which clearly demonstrates to me how important this topic is in the agriculture industry – and the learnings from that day can easily be applied to not-for-profit organizations from any sector. Here are some of those key takeaways: Be open to trying new things as an organization. It quickly becomes discouraging for new volunteers when they hear “no” every time they offer up a new idea, and their interest in being involved will diminish rapidly. Not every new idea will be a success, but you won’t know unless you give it a try. And even if something didn’t work well the last time it was tried – 10 or 15 years ago – it could be worth trying again. As we all know only all to well, our world has changed in the last few years. Have flexible meeting and communications options. Many young farmers today also have off-farm jobs, so they must coordinate their volunteer commitments around their work hours. Others have young children, so offering hybrid meeting options is helpful so they can participate virtually even if they can’t be there in person. Digital communications tools like texting and group chat apps can help members stay in touch on the go and often result in quicker responses than phone or email, for example. Make new people feel welcome. It can be intimidating to start something new, especially with people who’ve been doing the same task or been part of the same group for a long time, so a friendly environment will go a long way to encouraging people to stick around. A big part of that is also providing mentorship to new members, coaching them in roles and responsibilities, and encouraging them to take on leadership positions. Be specific in your expectations. Most people have busy lives and those who would make great volunteers are probably already involved in various activities. That’s why it’s important to be specific and realistic in how much time you are asking them to commit to your organization. And when they do join, ease them into the group gradually and don’t overwhelm them with a flood of tasks or activities. Most volunteers, and I count myself among this group, find community involvement engaging and rewarding. It’s up to us to make new and younger volunteers discover that same satisfaction from stepping forward and helping to make a difference – and setting the foundation for the future success of the organizations that matter to us. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Drew Spoelstra, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture This past week, Ontario’s farmers gathered for the annual meeting of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). It’s a business meeting for the organization and the opportunity for members from across Ontario to debate resolutions and help shape the direction of OFA policy and activity for the year ahead. It’s a process I’ve been part of myself for many years, first as an OFA member, and for the last 10 years, as a provincial director representing fellow farmers from Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth and Niagara. This year, I was also elected as OFA’s 33rd president. It’s an honour to lead this organization and it’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly. My family and I farm in the southeast corner of the city of Hamilton, near the community of Binbrook, where we milk cows; grow corn, soybeans, wheat and hay; and raise beef cattle and Clydesdale horses. I also operate a dealership selling corn and soybean seed to local farmers. Volunteering in my community has always been important to me, whether it’s with the Binbrook Agricultural Society, the Hamilton-Wentworth Soil and Crop Improvement Association or chairing Hamilton’s agriculture and rural affairs sub-committee. I first became involved with OFA because I had a desire to represent the farmers in my area and work on their behalf to ensure a strong future for agriculture. OFA is an advocacy organization, and we develop and comment on policy that affects farmers and rural communities with the goal of making those policies more relevant and workable for farm businesses. Looking ahead to the coming year, I see the OFA continuing to work on many issues that have dominated the calendar in 2023. Land use and urban sprawl are hot topics, for example. We are losing productive farmland in Ontario at rates that are unsustainable – an average of 319 acres a day, according to the latest Census of Agriculture numbers. That’s land that produces food, fuel, fibre and flowers, supports jobs, preserves wildlife habitats and makes positive environmental contributions. It’s been encouraging to see some of the changes we’ve seen lately by the provincial government to help preserve farmland from development, and we hope to keep that momentum going. We’re also going to see a continued focus on the environmental sustainability issues around agriculture. That includes emission reductions to support climate change mitigation, policies and programs to support even more widespread adoption of soil health practices and addressing water quality and management. At the same time, we must ensure that farms can also stay economically sustainable, so we’ll continue to raise awareness of concerns around profitability, and the impact rising input and production costs, carbon tax and high interest rates is having on our ability to farm competitively and produce food here in Ontario. We must communicate as efficiently and effectively as possible with government, our industry partners and our own members across Ontario. That means listening to the other sides, as well as sharing information. At the end of the day, our goal is to do what’s right and make the best decisions for Ontario farmers. Our board has also elected a new Executive Committee, and we welcomed four new board members to the table last week. I’m excited to work with this team and to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. One thing I’ve learned in my last 10 years as a board director with OFA is that none of us can do this alone. Collaboration and partnership are key to successful outcomes, and I’ve been lucky to have some great mentors. We all have to pull in the same direction to make this organization and this industry work to its best potential, and while we may not always be in agreement, we all want the same outcome: a strong, healthy and sustainable farmer and farming sector in the province of Ontario. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Peggy Brekveld, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture For Ontario’s largest general farm organization, it almost goes without saying that the last year has been a busy one. I’ve served as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture for three years, and as I look back on the last 12 months, I’m proud of the many places we’ve been able to speak, present, comment and testify to share the voice of agriculture and help make things better for farmers in Ontario. This includes important discussions on food security, fertilizer, taxation, environment, farmland preservation and ensuring our ability to take care of animals, and although many of those conversations are ongoing, I’m also proud of the wins we were able to chalk up this year. The provincial government announced funding for soil health, veterinary capacity and rural infrastructure; we were able to help ensure that federal fertilizer tariffs paid by farmers were returned back to agriculture; and a federal bill expanding carbon tax exemptions for farmers is now before the Senate. As well, a broad-based coalition of farm and agricultural organizations joined together to convince the province to not proceed with its three-lot severance proposal, and farmland that was designated for development is now returning to agricultural zoning in the Greenbelt. Another highlight is the ongoing work in promoting farmer wellness and the mental health services and supports that are now available to all Ontario farmers and their families for whatever issues they may be facing. Our organization continues to support and share mental health awareness in whatever ways we can, from a conversation with a friend or a member, running a media campaign or working a booth at an event. If we can make a difference in some way, OFA wants to do that. I must emphasize that the OFA did none of this alone. We have worked closely with many different partners in all these discussions, and we’ve found ways to engage with organizations and businesses that we haven’t in the past – working together makes all of us stronger. This past year has the been my last as OFA’s president and as I step down from leading this organization this week, I can’t help but reflect on the last three years of being a leader during both COVID and non-COVID times. I became president during a global pandemic, which brought tremendous change and challenge for all of us, but also pushed us to do things differently. Connection with our farmers and our local federations became a priority and we tried new things. For example, we introduced virtual lunches with the presidents of our county and regional federations of agriculture during the pandemic as a way to keep members across Ontario engaged and connected when face-to-face interactions were impossible. It was and continues to be a great opportunity to have conversations with our federations around the province, understand local challenges, share or develop resources if there was a need and ensure ongoing member engagement. Although it’s not the only way we like to communicate, it’s reflective of our new reality. I’ve enjoyed these virtual meetings, which have become a successful initiative for the OFA, and hope to see this tradition continue. I know I’m leaving the organization in good hands. The board and the staff are a strong team who are dedicated to our industry and our members and regardless of the issue at hand, our way forward will include conversations that are familiar and ones that are new in support of OFA’s overall mission of ensuring Farms and Food Forever. I’m very proud of the work we’ve done together, of the trust people have placed in me and of being chosen by my peers to lead this organization. It’s been an honour to serve as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Bruce Buttar, Jennifer Doelman & Jackie Kelly-Pemberton, Directors, Ontario Federation of Agriculture The annual convention of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) will take place the third week of November. As we do every year, it’s where OFA members and voting delegates get together to deal with the business of the organization. This year, however, the event will hold a special poignancy for the three of us: we’re all stepping back from our positions as directors on the OFA board with approximately 30 years of service to the organization between us. And that’s not counting the many years we’ve each spent – and in some cases continue to spend – volunteering with our local federations of agriculture. Here’s who we are: Bruce Buttar – I’m a fifth-generation farmer from the Cobourg area, farming together with my wife Cindy. I represented farmers in my area on the OFA board from 1998 to 2007, and have served as the OFA director for Hastings, Lennox & Addington, Northumberland and Prince Edward counties since 2012. Being a provincial director has been a fulfilling experience, giving me the opportunity to work with knowledgeable and dedicated board colleagues and advocate for one of Ontario’s biggest economic sectors. I also had the opportunity to meet and interact with many MPs and MPPs, and I’ve really enjoyed working with the OFA in the four counties I represent, helping them to solve everyday problems and be more successful in running their farming businesses. It’s definitely been a rewarding and exciting period in my agricultural career. Jennifer Doelman – I’m a cash crop and forage grower, beekeeper and college instructor in Eastern Ontario. I farm with my husband Michael and have been part of the OFA board since 2020 as the representative from Arnprior, Lanark, Ottawa and Renfrew. Joining the OFA board during the pandemic had its challenges, but it also dropped barriers to leadership by letting me participate in a provincial organization far from home without a five-hour commute or worry about arranging childcare. Being a director has been a phenomenal experience and a great way to better understand both the diverse landscape of Ontario agriculture and the workings of the different layers of government who directly impact our farm businesses. I’ve enjoyed sharing my perspectives as a woman farmer from Eastern Ontario with my colleagues, but it’s been especially rewarding to be able to encourage other farmers from my area to step into leadership roles. Jackie Kelly-Pemberton – I raise beef cattle near Winchester with my husband Steven and was first elected to represent farmers from Dundas, Frontenac, Grenville and Leeds on the OFA board in 2017. It’s been an amazing experience to work with such a like-minded group of leaders who share my passion for agriculture and our desire to have our industry succeed. I quickly learned about the incredible amount of work the OFA board and staff do to stay on top of evolving priorities, respond to proposed policy changes and just simply stay informed on the key issues of the day. From rail and seaway strikes to farmland preservation, climate action calls and a global pandemic, it’s never been boring, and one of the things I’m most proud of is seeing the increased collaboration between farm organizations when it comes to addressing issues of common interest. What’s been most rewarding has been the opportunity to influence and change public perceptions about agriculture. We may not always agree, but we can always share an understanding of common values. All of us would be remiss in not also mentioning that a fourth member of the OFA board will also be stepping down: Peggy Brekveld, who’s been serving as our president for the last three years and who will be sharing her own reflections on her time with the organization in the days to come. We will miss our OFA colleagues as we hand our roles over to our successors and turn our focus to other aspects of our lives. We wish them well in what will be the sometimes challenging but always rewarding experience that lies ahead. And to our fellow farmers who may be thinking about taking on a leadership role, whether volunteering for a committee or becoming a director with the OFA or another farm organization, all three of us have the same advice: just do it. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Larry Davis, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Every year in November, members of Ontario’s largest general farm organization, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), come together for their annual convention. I farm near Burford and I’ve represented farmers from Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties on the OFA’s provincial board of directors for more than 30 years. As directors and as an organization, our job is making sure that the voices, concerns and needs of farmers and rural communities are heard by decision-makers – a job we do through direct advocacy with elected officials, political staff and bureaucrats from all three levels of government, as well as others with similar interests or common goals. The convention, which will be in Toronto this year, is our opportunity to showcase what the OFA has done throughout the past year on behalf of its members. It’s here where our delegates from all over Ontario have the opportunity to raise issues and debate resolutions as they set policy and shape the direction of the OFA’s activities for the year ahead. The convention is also about education. Along with dealing with the business of the organization, the event always offers a good line up of interesting and topical speakers, as well as the opportunity to participate in seminars that delve more deeply into the issues of the day. This year, we’ll be hearing from Senator Rob Black, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson, and MPP John Vanthof, who is the critic for agriculture, food and rural affairs for Ontario’s official opposition. Kelly Dobson from LeaderShift Inc. will talk about how farmers can unleash the untapped potential of their farm operation, and comedian Derek Edwards will look at the lighter side of life. Workshops will focus on deadstock management, robotics in agriculture, working with land use planners and engaging with government and media. We’ll also be electing the final member of our board of directors for the coming year as delegates vote for the position of Director-at-Large and recognizing the future of our industry by presenting the five winners of the annual OFA bursary program. In addition to business and education, the convention is also a wonderful networking opportunity. It’s a chance to meet and chat with fellow farmers, as well as other industry organizations that OFA works closely with, and even representatives from OFA’s benefit program partners. I’ve been attending annual OFA conventions since the late 1980s and over the years, there has definitely been a trend towards including more educational opportunities. We’ve also added the Ontario Young Farmers’ Forum to give people aged 18 to 40 who are interested or involved in agriculture a chance to learn more about the industry. There has also been a change in the demographic of OFA convention delegates. We’re not just seeing younger people come forward to take on leadership opportunities, but the role of women has also changed significantly. As the number of female farm operators has grown – according to the latest Canadian census data, 31% of Ontario’s farmers are women – we’ve also seen more women become involved with the OFA as delegates, local leaders, and directors at the provincial level. In fact, our organization has been led for the last three years by Peggy Brekveld, a dairy farmer from Thunder Bay who has had a long involvement with the OFA in many different capacities. Agriculture is a major contributor to the provincial economy, but farmers make up only a small percentage of Ontario’s population. Organizations like the OFA give farmers an opportunity to come together, lend strength to their individual voices and help the industry shape a future that will ensure “Farms and Food Forever”. For more information about the annual meeting, check out the AGM resources below: For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Drew Spoelstra, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Although economic news regularly dominates headlines these days, the economy will be of particular focus on this week’s public and media calendar. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Ontario Economic Summit in Toronto this week, and the provincial government will be releasing its annual Ontario Economic and Fiscal Review, or what we more commonly know as the Fall Economic Statement. The Summit will bring together leaders and stakeholders from the public and private sectors to network, as well as discuss and learn about the current economic landscape and solutions that could help drive prosperity, encourage innovation and investment, and address pressing issues like housing, inflation, healthcare, education and economic prosperity. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) will have representatives at the Summit, and I’ll be one of them. I’m a Vice President with the OFA, the largest general farm organization in the province, representing close to 50,000 Ontario farmers and farm families. I also farm with my family near Binbrook in the city limits of Hamilton, giving me unique perspectives into both the farming community and the intersection of urban and rural issues. Many Ontarians probably don’t know that agriculture is one of the largest sectors of the provincial economy, generating more than $47 billion in economic activity every year and supporting 750,000 jobs or about 10 percent of the province’s workforce. That makes farming and rural Ontario directly connected to most if not all major segments of the provincial economy, from transportation and manufacturing to infrastructure, education and healthcare. And that’s why, for me, this is one of the most important and interesting events to attend every year. The needs of agriculture and rural communities can be quite unique, and I find it extremely valuable to learn more about where our sector intersects with others, to explore where common goals might lie, and to engage with people and organizations representing different interests and perspectives. This year, perhaps fittingly, the theme of the Summit is partnerships for prosperity which mirrors OFA’s overall mission of Farms and Food Forever and our drive to work collaboratively with sectors, organizations and individuals who share a similar vision. The government’s Fall Economic Statement will provide a snapshot of where public finances are at, as well as serving as a kick-off to Ontario’s annual provincial budget consultations. This is where Ontarians will be able to submit their ideas to the government about what they believe should be priority spending areas for the coming provincial budget year. OFA takes part in this consultation every year, making sure that the needs and priorities of farmers and rural communities are communicated to government. We present ideas for action on both short-term, immediate issues in need of solutions, as well as recommendations for larger, longer-term challenges that have impact beyond our own stakeholder community. Sound investments in rural Ontario will enhance farming, agri-business and rural economic growth, which will spillover into the rest of the provincial economy. Investing in critical infrastructure like energy, broadband internet, roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare for our communities helps distribute economic development across the province. Access to natural gas, and reliable and affordable electricity and broadband internet is essential to keep rural Ontario competitive and productive – and appealing for families. This means long-term investments in rural roads, bridges, highspeed internet, natural gas to attract new businesses and residents in rural communities. And it means social infrastructure investment in schools, healthcare and mental wellness to make rural Ontario an attractive option for families. We appreciate the critical investments the government has made in broadband services, new and updated hospital projects, and other important infrastructure. It’s essential that these projects happen quickly, and that the government continues to invest in critical infrastructure that supports rural Ontario’s residents and businesses and drives the provincial economy forward. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Bill Groenheide, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Farmers always worry about the weather impacting their crops, from drought and heat to flooding, hail, and high winds. However, there’s another aspect of nature that is also a source of damage and loss for agricultural crops – wildlife. Farmers who grow outdoor crops can lose whole fields or portions of fields and are left to deal with significant crop damage and yield loss due to wildlife. I farm just outside of Thunder Bay and for the northern Ontario farmers I represent on the board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), crop damage and losses caused by sandhill cranes in particular are an ongoing source of frustration. These are birds that used to migrate south in the winter but are now increasingly staying put and as their populations are growing, their impact on agriculture is also on the rise. In the spring, for example, they’ll feast on newly planted seeds or nibble on freshly sprouted wheat or corn crops and some farmers have reported losing up to 30% of their planted acres to damage. A farmer’s only choice, if they want to harvest a crop in the fall, is to replant, which is both costly and without a guarantee that wildlife won’t overtake those plants and seeds too. In the fall, harvest-ready corn and soybeans are also an attraction. Birds aren’t the only challenge, though, and it’s not just farmers in the north who deal with this problem. Damage to crops can also be caused by a variety of other species, such as deer, raccoons, geese, migratory birds, and wild turkeys to name just a few. Not all farmers suffer from wildlife predation equally, but for farmers who are impacted, the damage can result in significant financial burdens. It’s not just about financial impacts, though. In addition to causing crop damage, white-tailed deer for example, also have the potential to transfer diseases, like Chronic Wasting Disease (a prion disease that affects deer, elk, reindeer and moose), to farmed populations of deer or other cervids. Farmers are also limited in the actions they can take to protect their crops from wildlife, as only certain activities are permitted under provincial legislation, and often only at certain times of the year. It’s important to mention, however, that damage and loss from wildlife isn’t just limited to crops. Predators are also attracted to livestock and poultry, and Ontario farmers are fortunate to have the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program that provides the opportunity to apply for payment for livestock or poultry that was killed or injured by wildlife. Unfortunately, there is no comparable compensation program for wildlife damage to crops. That’s why the OFA has been, and continues to advocate for, support for farmers whose crops are damaged by or lost to wildlife. This includes access to a compensation program similar to that available to livestock farmers, as well as support with respect to practical mitigation solutions and control options. The OFA is also actively involved in the Human-Wildlife Conflict Advisory Working Group, and the Agriculture-Wildlife Conflict Working Group. Wildlife damage is not easily controlled and can have significant impact on the productivity and profitability of a farm business, and fair and sustainable solutions will require the input and support from a variety of stakeholders. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Jackie Kelly-Pemberton, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Healthcare affects all Ontarians and regardless of where we live in this province, its services and resources are something we all depend on from time to time. The provincial healthcare system has long had its challenges but as we’ve all seen, those have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as our growing population. Those problems are common to all Ontarians, but the impacts in rural Ontario are even more acute. My family and I farm near Winchester, south of Ottawa, and although we have a wonderful clinic and smalltown hospital in our local area, we’ve always had to go to larger urban centres to access specialists, higher level testing and certain treatments, such as when I went through cancer diagnosis and treatment in the last several years. Our community has also always worked hard to ensure we support our hospital, such as coming together to fundraise for our new mammogram machine. What is happening with more alarming frequency now are rural hospitals having to temporarily – and sometimes even permanently – close their emergency rooms because of lack of staff or resources. And as rural doctors and other healthcare providers retire, it is becoming harder to attract those professionals to our rural communities, even as those communities grow and require additional resources. Although it’s not directly a farm issue, access to health care in rural areas is critical – access for us as patients to emergency rooms, staff and doctors, and for hospitals and clinics to be able to access innovation, technology and workers to properly treat residents in their service areas. Rural healthcare is also part of the bigger issue of rural economic development. Since the pandemic, more Ontarians are moving to rural areas or smaller hub communities and one of the big criteria is access to health care. For those communities themselves, the better their infrastructure, the better able they are to attract and retain healthcare professionals. Last fall, delegates at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) annual convention passed a resolution that our organization work with other provincial health care stakeholders to urge the Ontario government to act more quickly and decisively in filling staffing gaps within the provincial health care system, and support legislation, tools, and activities to improve access to health care. Since then, OFA has written to Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones to raise awareness of the rural healthcare issue. Last winter, we focused on rural healthcare and the importance of taking steps to address its challenges during our Queen’s Park advocacy day where we met with MPPs of all parties. We communicated the urgency of labour shortages and the heightened risk to rural Ontario posed by emergency room closures. We’ve asked the provincial government to prioritize filling staffing gaps and making funding available to leverage innovation, technology and evaluate new patient care approaches and models that have been successful in other communities. We’ve also encouraged government to better support long-term care services across rural and northern Ontario by recruiting and retaining skilled labour and establishing adequate, predictable and stable direct care funding for these facilities. Current challenges aside, I do want to take this opportunity to thank the healthcare professionals in our system today. The work you do is hard but so very valuable and I can say from own experience with my cancer treatments that I received wonderful care and compassion from the medical staff charged with looking after me. We know that there is a lot to be done to support the future of our healthcare system and that healthcare is not the only priority file the government is tasked with addressing. However, as our population both grows and ages, the demands on healthcare in Ontario will only increase and our existing challenges and shortcomings will only become more acute. Government investments into rural infrastructure such as our hospitals will support the health of our communities and the sustainability of future generations of farmers. Many of the most impactful solutions take time to implement and work to their best capacities, so the time to start is now. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Crispin Colvin, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture The deadline for Canadians to file their first return under Canada’s new Underused Housing Tax (UHT) is fast approaching. Originally set for April 30, the federal government extended the filing deadline this year to October 31 to give Canadians who own housing or residential dwellings enough time to complete the process for the first time. It is a one percent tax on the value of vacant or underused housing. Under the new legislation, individuals who aren’t Canadian citizens or permanent residents, as well as private corporations and partnerships – which includes farms – who own residential housing must file an Underused Housing Tax return even if they don’t have to pay the tax itself. At first glance, many may wonder how this affects farmers. Afterall, the tax was designed to address urban homes, condominiums and apartments that have been bought for investment purposes, often by foreign buyers, and are now unused or not used to their full extent. However, many farm corporations and farm partnerships own at least one farm with a residence. Canadian Farm Business Partners and Farm Corporations owning residential property are considered “affected owners”. Affected owners of residential property need to file to claim an exemption from paying the UHT or to calculate the UHT they owe. The UHT return and election form must be filed for each property owned by an affected owner in a calendar year even if the affected owner qualifies for an exemption. And regardless of whether those homes are vacant or not, the new legislation requires that farmers must now file a separate return every year by April 30 for each property a farm partner or a farm corporation owns. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), along with our national colleagues at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, has been asking the federal government to exempt farmers from having to file a return altogether, and although that first filing deadline is only a few weeks away, this is still something that we’re advocating for when we’re meeting with politicians and other government officials. So why should agriculture be exempt? Simply put, farmers aren’t in the business of being landlords or residential real estate investors. Rather, our job is to produce food and other agricultural products, and we’re buying farmland to farm it, not for investment value of a house that may be on it. The filing paperwork required by government under this legislation is onerous and time consuming. A separate return must be filed every year for each property of an affected owner. If a farm partnership has more than one partner, each partner must file their own UHT return for each property. The penalties for non-filing are substantial: up to $10,000 or more. We understand that Ontario and Canada are in a housing crisis and that governments at all levels are trying to find solutions, such as freeing up investment housing, that will help ease the shortage. We know how important this is; after all, we also need housing options to support youth, seniors, families, workers, and newcomers in our communities. However, we’re now caught in the middle of that push for solutions and the unique realities of unintentionally having multiple dwellings not because we’re housing investors but rather through the purchase of additional farmland to grow our farm businesses. OFA and our partners are continuing the push for a filing exemption for farmers but are also encouraging all farmers to make sure to file their Underused Housing Tax return to avoid the substantial penalties. There are resources available on the OFA website to give background on the issue and we encourage farmers to contact their accountants with any questions. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] |
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