Overview
Access to reliable high-speed internet is important, no matter where you live. High speed (broadband) internet service is as vital to modern farm businesses as electricity and telephone service. Farmers rely on internet for information to make business decisions, operate on-farm technology, facilitate marketing of farm products, access continuing education and farm management information, and communicate with the community.
Reliable internet access is the norm in urban areas of Ontario, but continues to be a problem in many rural areas of the province, often only a few miles from major cities. Access to high speed internet in rural and remote areas of Ontario is an ongoing struggle.
OFA Position
Reliable high-speed internet service should be considered an essential service and is vital to the continued growth and development of rural Ontario. OFA believes that reliable, high-speed internet should be available, affordable and competitively priced to all Ontarians. Ontario’s residents should not be disadvantaged for choosing to live and work in rural areas and should have the same access, level and range of services as urban Ontarians.
OFA submission to Finance Minister Bethlenfalvy regarding Ontario’s 2024 pre-budget consultations
OFA submission regarding the Broadband Fund Policy Review
OFA submission to Finance Minister Bethlenfalvy regarding Ontario’s 2023 pre-budget consultations
OFA submission regarding Ontario’s 2023 pre-budget consultations
OFA submission to the Ontario Energy Board regarding amendments to the Standard Supply Service Code and Regulated Price Plan Manual
Letter to the Minister of Finance regarding the Ontario Federation of Agriculture 2022 Budget Submission
OFA letter of support to the Ontario AgriFood Innovation Alliance Research Program regarding proposed awareness campaign
OFA submission to the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines regarding Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan
OFA letter regarding Bill 257 – Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021
OFA submission regarding Ontario’s 2021 pre-budget consultations
OFA submission regarding Ontario’s fall 2020 pre-budget consultation
OFA congratulatory letter to MP Eric Melillo regarding new role as Shadow Minister, Northern Affairs & Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
OFA letter of support for the proposed improved animal transport through automation and integration project
OFA letter of support for the proposed cyber security monitoring project
OFA letter to Finance Minister Phillips outlining OFA’s 2020 Ontario Pre-Budget recommendations
OFA letter to MPP Sam Oosterhoff
OFA letter to MPP Michael Gravelle
OFA letter to MPP Mike Schreiner
OFA letter to Mr. Sangha Sukhman
OFA letter to MPP Amanda Simard
OFA letter to Hon. Sylvia Jones
OFA letter to MPP Toby Barrett
OFA letter to MPP Jim McDonell
OFA letter to Hon. Caroline Mulroney
OFA letter to MPP Rudy Cuzzetto
OFA letter to MPP Mike Harris
OFA letter to Mr. Jim Wielgosz
OFA letter to MPP Faisal Hassan
OFA letter to Hon. Ernie Hardeman
OFA letter to Hon. Steve Clark
OFA letter to MPP John Vanthof
OFA letter to Mr. Patrick Sackville
OFA submission regarding the proposed Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2019 (Bill 132)
OFA submission regarding proposed amendments to the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority’s mandate
OFA submission to Ontario’s Data Strategy Discussion Paper 2
OFA letter to Minister Hardeman regarding FPT issues for discussion
OFA response to Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018
OFA letter to CRTC regarding high-speed broadband internet access
OFA’s 2019 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission
OFA’s 2019 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
OFA letter outlining federal pre-budget items to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for their submission
OFA submission regarding Ontario’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
OFA’s 2018 Pre-Budget Consultation Presentation
OFA submission regarding regulation requiring smart electricity grid data management
OFA submission to OMAFRA’s Farms Forever Consultation
OFA’s 2017 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission
Farmers advocate for rural community investments
Farm and rural prosperity will boost provincial economy
OFA, industry stakeholders connect with municipalities over common interests
OFA calls for government investments in food, farming and rural communities
Building bridges with rural leaders
Farmland preservation, strong rural communities top OFA priority list for 2023
OFA board tour showcases diversity of agriculture in Niagara
Campaign platforms show that advocacy matters
OFA brings agriculture’s message to forefront with municipal leaders at ROMA 2022
OFA pleased to see ag priorities addressed in fall economic statement
Exiting provincial directors reflect on their time representing Ontario’s farm families
OFA continues to emphasize need for reliable broadband accessibility across rural Ontario
OFA addresses key priorities to enhance Ontario’s agri-food sector and rural communities in pre-budget submission
OFA Today – 2021 Edition
OFA welcomes long-awaited infrastructure and program investments for rural Ontario
OFA recognizes vital contributions along the value chain during Small Business Month
Agricultural representation key to regional economic recovery task forces
OFA takes the pulse of Ontario ag as COVID-19 continues
Improved mental health services must reach into rural Ontario
Agriculture is a big player in climate change mitigation
Rural infrastructure investments will pave the way for prosperity
OFA agri-food priorities for a new decade
A look back at Ontario agriculture in 2019
OFA takes agri-food priorities to Queen’s Park
OFA delivers state of Ontario’s agri-food sector at Queen’s Park
OFA challenges new federal government to collaborate for agriculture
New minority government offers opportunity for collaboration
Kudos to Chamber of Commerce on new regional economies report
Farm shows, fall fairs and harvest
Rural communities suffer fallout from CRTC decision
Report shows agri-food economic contributions add up
Rural Ontario welcomes promise of better broadband connection
Local federation meetings – getting ready for the AGM
Bringing Ontario issues to national ag ministers’ meeting
Talk up local ag during MPP summer break
Study says immigration will solve growing labour gap
Building a stronger partnership for Ontario agriculture
Provincial budget delivers mixed bag for Ontario agriculture
Federal election budget fuels investments in agri-food
Happiness and the rural solution
CRTC needs realistic eligibility for rural broadband expansion
OFA’s advice to government: invest in rural Ontario
Bringing ag and rural issues to next federal budget
OFA: Starting the new year with renewed priorities
A Christmas message from OFA
Feds fall short on rural broadband promise
Community builder delivers simple messages for rural residents
OFA focuses on industry opportunities at upcoming AGM
OFA looking forward to meeting with newly named provincial ministers
Let’s get to work on ag and rural
OFA ready to distribute economic development with new PC government
Act Now to tell your candidates why ag and rural matter
OFA lays out prosperity plan for provincial election candidates
2018 provincial budget highlights for ag and rural
Rural Ontario doesn’t measure up according to GTA residents
OFA lays out a path to prosperity at Queen’s Park
OFA hosts joint Queen’s Park event on economic development priorities
Rural Ontario needs dedicated infrastructure support
The challenges of getting back to school in rural Ontario
CRTC gets it right: farmers need high speed internet access
CRTC broadband ruling an early Christmas gift for rural Ontario
OFA: Talking about agriculture with federal candidates
OFA members weigh in on rural internet issues