The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) was at Queen’s Park this week, putting its members’ voices front and centre with provincial decision makers before they went home to their ridings for winter break.
In a day jam-packed with more than 30 individual meetings, OFA’s leadership met with politicians and senior staff from all parties to discuss the issues shaping Ontario agriculture today and into the future.
The day began Tuesday morning with a breakfast reception for MPPs and their staff at Queen’s Park, setting the tone for a full day of engagement. OFA President Drew Spoelstra provided opening remarks, followed by comments from Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Trevor Jones, NDP opposition agriculture critic John Vanthof, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner and Liberal agriculture critic Ted Hsu.
Over the course of the day, the meetings resulted in engaged discussions, including with Premier Doug Ford, Minister Jones, Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries Sam Oosterhoff, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Todd McCarthy, Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson, NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Mike Schreiner, and Ted Hsu.
OFA’s representatives also had the opportunity to observe question period during the legislative session, providing valuable insight into the legislative process.
A key feature of the day was the participation of six young farm leaders from across the province in the OFA delegation at Queen’s Park. Invited by the OFA board, these young farmers shared their personal stories and on-farm experiences, highlighting the realities facing the next generation and the challenges they are navigating as they build their futures in agriculture.
The young leaders included:
- Brianna Miller, meat goat producer and director, Waterloo Federation of Agriculture
- Dean Orr, poultry and grain farmer and vice president, York Region Federation of Agriculture
- Isabelle Reid, grain farmer and director, Halton Region Federation of Agriculture
- Morley Matthews, beef farmer and director, East Nipissing-Parry Sound Federation of Agriculture
- Wyatt Brauer, grain, livestock and producer farmer and member, Prince Edward County Agricultural Advisory Committee
- Katie Stewart, beef farmer and member, Renfrew County Junior Farmers
Throughout the day, discussions focused on critical issues including agricultural processing, food security, rural infrastructure, veterinary shortages, labour challenges, and the role of agriculture as a major economic engine for Ontario.
Beyond advancing specific policy priorities, OFA’s presence at Queen’s Park was also about strengthening relationships: building new connections, reinforcing existing ones and laying the groundwork for future engagement.
One of the major goals of OFA’s advocacy is always to encourage interactions that add value to both sides by offering solutions and demonstrating how government and agriculture can work together more effectively to benefit farmers and all Ontarians.