Overview

Latest updates, resources and what OFA is doing 

Feb. 3: The Ontario Federation of Agriculture was represented in Washington by GM Cathy Lennon and President Drew Spoelstra attending the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture conference along with Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture Trevor Jones.

They attended a meeting at the American Farm Bureau where the discussion focused on trade uncertainty on both sides of the border, geopolitical tensions, food supply chains, farm business competitiveness and market volatility.

Approximately 60% of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food exports go to the U.S. and they remain our largest, most significant trading partner. Extending the Canadian-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) without interruption support our North American goals to supply consumers with an affordable, stable food supply and increased food security.

Jan. 27: Trade and tariffs continue to be one of the biggest sources of uncertainty facing farmers today. That reality was front and centre again this year as the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), alongside the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, attended the American Farm Bureau convention for the second year in a row.

In the OFA’s Viewpoint, OFA President Drew Spoelstra outlines the major challenges Ontario farmers face due to ongoing trade uncertainty, particularly around tariffs and shifting global policies. He highlights the importance of stable and diverse export markets, recent progress on tariff reductions for canola with China, and the need for continued federal action on trade issues affecting key sectors. The piece also emphasizes advocacy for stronger risk management programs and broader support for the agri-food sector beyond the farm gate.

“We’re also calling on the federal government to keep expanding and diversifying our trade relationships,” Drew Spoelstra writes, underscoring the need to reduce reliance on any one trading partner while supporting Ontario’s farmers through global uncertainty.

Click here to read the full Viewpoint.

Jan. 16: Canada and China have reached some agreements regarding trade and tariffs between the two countries that spell good news for Canadian agriculture.

The federal government announced today that China will lower tariffs on Canadian canola seeds to a combined rate of 15% from the current level of 84% by March 1, 2026. As well, China will remove tariffs on Canadian canola meal and peas from March until at least the end of 2026.

Canada is the world’s biggest exporter of canola and China is its second biggest market.

The deal does not address Chinese tariffs on other Canadian agricultural products like canola oil or pork, for example.

“This deal is welcome progress for farmers who have been dealing with trade challenges on a number of fronts, and we encourage the federal government to continue its work to resolve ongoing agricultural trade issues. The OFA will continue to actively engage with all levels of government, our members and county federations, other industry stakeholders and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture on issues related to tariffs and trade that affect farmers here in Ontario and across the country.”

– Drew Spoelstra, President, OFA

Sept. 3: Viewpoint – Keeping farmers’ voices heard in tariff and trade challenges. The latest updates from OFA President Drew Spoelstra on the uncertain and fluid global trade and tariff situation. Read the entire Viewpoint here: ofa.on.ca/newsroom/keeping-farmers-voices-heard-in-tariff-and-trade-challenges

Aug. 26: Ontario passed the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act in June and OFA has provided comments to the regulation development process under this act, which is now underway. The legislation now permits direct-to-consumer alcohol sales from any province that provides reciprocal treatment to Ontario products, which is a significant shift from previous law restricting alcohol shipments across provincial borders. The legislation also enhances labour mobility by recognizing skilled trades and medical professionals certified elsewhere in Canada.

OFA supports reducing barriers that make it harder to move food, farm products, and skilled workers between provinces. At the same time, we need to protect the strength and stability of Canada’s agri-food system. Any changes should be tailored to each sector, based on solid evidence, include strong protections, and be shaped through open consultation with farmers and other stakeholders. Read the full submission here: ofa.on.ca/resources/ofa-submission-to-intergovernmental-affairs-re-ofa-feedback-on-the-development-of-regulations-under-the-free-trade-and-labour-mobility-in-canada-act/

OFA’s actions on U.S. tariffs and trade

Commodity and member outreach:

OFA’s board and staff continue to work closely with Ontario’s commodity group leaders and OFA grassroots members to understand the impacts, challenges and opportunities that farmers, members and sectors are facing as a result of this trade turmoil. This included a roundtable of commodity group leaders convened by OFA that resulted in a joint position all organizations could use to advocate collectively to government on behalf of the sector. We continue to work closely with leaders of other agricultural organizations and stay in regular contact with our national counterparts at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

OFA’s board and staff are present at many of the major farm shows and events to meet with members, as well as responding to emails and phone calls.

Government participation:

OFA continues to engage with all levels of government on an ongoing basis on the needs and challenges of members and advocating for support for our sector. This includes developing targeted support programs and better risk management solutions for farmers, investing in agriculture’s productive capacity, supporting buy local initiatives, expanding export markets and supporting homegrown solutions.

Some of this work, for example, resulted in the announcement of the Advanced Payment Program being extended through 2025 with a $250,000 interest free loan available to farmers as well as the announcement of $5 billion of programs through Farm Credit Canada and Economic Development Canada and more. More details are available below in the resources section of this page.

OFA also took part in a roundtable session with Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness in the lead up to the meetings of the federal-provincial-territorial ministers of agriculture, where tariffs and trade figured prominently, and followed up after meeting with a detailed letter on the issue and impacts on Ontario agriculture.

Interprovincial trade barriers:

Removing or reducing interprovincial trade barriers also continues to be a significant topic and some meaningful progress has been made over the last several months. Ontario passed the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act in June and OFA has provided comments to the regulation development process under this act, which is now underway. https://ofa.on.ca/resources/ofa-submission-to-intergovernmental-affairs-re-ofa-feedback-on-the-development-of-regulations-under-the-free-trade-and-labour-mobility-in-canada-act/

On April 1, OFA held a provincial policy advisory council meeting with farmer and commodity representation to share information and capture feedback from members about their experiences with interprovincial trade barriers as well as recommended solutions and areas of priority focus.

Buy local programs:

OFA continues to work with partners across the province to identify tools and opportunities to capitalize on the “buy local” momentum that we are seeing Ontario- and Canada-wide. We are using free and paid media opportunities to promote local food, Ontario labels and raise the level of awareness of our communities about things such as product of Canada and made in Canada. We also have an email distribution list of approximately 34,000 “non-farm” consumers with whom we’re regularly sharing information about how and where to shop local.

Check out:  www.homegrownofa.ca or @homegrownofa and some of our recent paid advertising here: www.innovatingcanada.ca/campaign/industry-and-business/product-of-canada.

Media interviews:

OFA directors have already participated in dozens of media interviews and continue to take part in many more. The goal is to raise awareness of the impact of tariffs on Ontario and Canadian agriculture and ensure all levels of government as well as Ontarians and Canadians understand the vulnerability of the agriculture sector to this trade disruption and the importance of agriculture to our food sovereignty and security.  Here are links to a few of them:

https://www.cp24.com/news/canada/2025/01/29/ontario-farmers-laud-bump-in-government-support-in-the-face-of-looming-tariffs/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-tariffs-trump-industry-auto-manufacturing-1.7450888

https://windsorstar.com/opinion/columnists/guest-column-trump-tariffs-farming-tough-enough-already-in-canada

https://farmtario.com/news/ofa-members-call-for-proactive-response-to-u-s-tariff-threat/

https://www.realagriculture.com/2025/02/ofa-wants-politicians-to-protect-and-invest-in-farmers-ability-to-grow-food/

Connecting with Ontario’s business community:

As an appointed member of the Business Trade Leadership Coalition that is part of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, OFA’s general manager Cathy Lennon brings the voice of agriculture to the table with other business leaders.

To date the coalition has met with Premier Doug Ford and Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly. At the meeting with Premier Ford, OFA was able to highlight the need for more investment in local infrastructure, particularly food processing capacity in all sectors so Ontario could add more value by finishing goods here at home instead of relying on exports for processing and value added opportunities.

U.S. outreach

In January, OFA along with colleagues from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan attended the American Farm Bureau Convention in the United States to engage with state and national American Farm Bureau leaders from all across the country and try to assess their interest and support in moving messages forward to Washington about the value of the integrated supply chain to both farmers and food processors across the country.

Next steps 

When the federal and provincial governments return from their breaks, OFA will continue to be very active in bringing the voice and priorities of our members to their attention.

We are also continuing with the activities outlined above and will continue to offer updates through our weekly NewsWire newsletter, social media channels, media interviews as well as through our board and staff and by attending farm shows and events.

Additional Information

April 7: In response to U.S tariffs the Ontario government announced they are providing  a six-month interest and penalty-free period from April 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025 during which penalties and interest will not apply to any Ontario businesses that miss a payment deadline under select provincial taxes.

The following Ontario business-focused tax programs are included in the relief period:

• Employer Health Tax
• Fuel Tax
• Beer, Wine and Spirits Tax
• Gasoline Tax
• Corporations Tax – Insurance Premiums
• Tobacco Tax
• International Fuel Tax Agreement
• Mining Tax
• Retail Sales Tax on Insurance Contracts and Benefit Plans
• Race Tracks Tax

For more information, click here.

April 4: The OFA General Manager provided members with an update on the latest on tariffs and trade. To read the full email message that was distributed to members, click here.

March 28: OFA distributed a video message and letter to members regarding the latest on tariffs and trade and what we’re doing about it. To read the full message in English or French, click here.

March 14: OFA released a statement regarding the U.S. and Chinese tariffs.

“The global tariff and trade situation continues to remain fluid. The announcement of tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports by China is another blow to farmers who are already grappling with the impacts of the ongoing trade war between the United States and Canada as result of U.S.-imposed tariffs.

As these trade challenges unfold, the OFA is actively engaging with the federal and provincial governments, municipal leaders, our commodity partners, county federations, stakeholders, members and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture to identify the current and future impacts all of these trade actions have on our sector.

We encourage our federal and provincial governments to continue their work in addressing this issue in a timely manner, and to ensure there is financial compensation available for farmers negatively affected by the U.S and Chinese tariffs.”

Drew Spoelstra, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Read the entire statement here.

March 12, 2025: On March 4, 2025, the United States imposed 10 per cent tariffs on energy imports from Canada and 25 per cent tariffs on all other imports from Canada. In response, Canada imposed initial reciprocal tariffs of 25% against C$30 billion in imports of goods from the U.S., effective March 4, 2025. U.S. tariffs have been suspended on most items until April 2; Canada’s reciprocal tariffs remain in place. U.S. tariffs of 25% on imports of Canadian steel and aluminum came into effect on March 12.

In addition, Canada imposed 25% tariffs on $29.8 billion in products imported from the United States, effective March 13.

“This continues to be a very uncertain and fluid situation, but tariffs and resulting impacts on currency and markets will have severe negative consequences for farmers and consumers on both sides of the border.

Canada and the U.S. share one of the most significant agricultural trading relationships in the world and we cannot overstate the importance of a balanced trade position that does not harm agricultural commodities, or the deeply integrated relationship Canadian farmers have with processors and markets in the U.S.

We continue to work with our partners to understand the ongoing impacts on our sector and encourage Canadians at every opportunity to support Ontario and Canadian products, goods, and services.”

–Drew Spoelstra, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Resources

Ontario farmers respond to U.S. tariff situation:
https://ofa.on.ca/newsroom/ontario-farmers-respond-to-u-s-tariff-situation

Financial support available for farm businesses: https://ofa.on.ca/resources/financial-support-available-for-farm-businesses

List of products from the United States subject to 25% tariffs effective March 4, 2025:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2025/03/list-of-products-from-the-united-states-subject-to-25-per-cent-tariffs-effective-march-4-2025.html

List of products from the United States subject to 25% tariffs effective March 13, 2025: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2025/03/list-of-products-from-the-united-states-subject-to-25-per-cent-tariffs-effective-march-13-2025.html

Canada-U.S. agriculture in focus:
https://www.cfa-fca.ca/canada-us-agriculture

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