Farm leaders brought a clear message to Ottawa this week: agriculture drives Canada’s future.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) leaders, including President Drew Spoelstra, Vice Presidents Sara Wood and Ethan Wallace, and General Manager Cathy Lennon, joined the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) for a full day of advocacy on Parliament Hill, followed by national board meetings.
The event united farmers and agricultural organizations from every province in meetings and messaging with Members of Parliament, Senators, and various government officials. They discussed strengthening Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector and reinforcing the nation’s opportunity to solidify food sovereignty.
Key discussions (included in our leave-behind document) highlighted the need to recognize agriculture as a cornerstone of Canada’s economic and social future, a true nation-building industry that feeds Canadians, and contributes to global food security. Conversations focused on opportunities to invest in agricultural growth, expand processing and value-added capacity, address critical labour needs, and ensure that policies and programs enable farmers to thrive and innovate.
“Canadian agriculture isn’t just an economic engine – it’s a national asset, and it’s leading the economy in Canada,” said Spoelstra. “With the right investment and policy support, our sector can help drive Canada’s prosperity and sustainability for generations to come.”
Throughout the week, the impact of agricultural leadership in the Senate was clear. Senators Mary Robinson (PEI), Rob Black
(Ontario), and Todd Lewis (Saskatchewan) continue to elevate the sector’s profile in Ottawa by providing agricultural insight
to colleagues, staff, and decision-makers, and creating hands-on opportunities for policymakers to visit farms and engage directly with farmers.
On Monday afternoon, Senator Robinson organized a tour of Carleton Mushrooms, where participants saw first-hand the opportunities and challenges facing the horticultural sector, including taxation, labour, and packaging.
CFA members also heard from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada officials, who emphasized the importance of international engagement and relationship-building to strengthen Canada’s global reputation for high-quality, sustainable food production.