Overview

Regulations are a fact of business, no matter what business you are in. Most regulations serve an important function to protect actions or allow certain activities to be maintained. And an important part of the regulatory process is to be sure regulations remain relevant and adapt with the business environment.

OFA has continually raised the need for regulatory reforms over the years. OFA appreciated the opportunity to be involved in Ontario’s Open for Business (OfB) Sector Strategy and lead the Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector Consultations in 2011.

In the August 2011 final report on the Business Sector Strategy: Agriculture and Agri-Food, “the OFA recommended that OMAFRA adopt an inclusive consultative model that actively involves the agriculture and agri-food sector in the regulatory development process.” In response to that recommendation, OMAFRA established the OfB Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector Consultation Forum, in which OFA is pleased to continue to participate, to improve the way regulations are developed and to look at existing regulations to ensure they are effective and not detrimental to our competitiveness.

Over the years, OFA has worked with the provincial government on the Open for Business program to improve the way regulations are developed, and check in that existing regulations are effective and not putting up roadblocks for Ontario agriculture to continue to be competitive.

OFA Position

Reducing the regulatory burden for farmers remains a priority of OFA, while also ensuring the public policy objectives are met.