Election day is a little less than three weeks away and all candidates’ meetings are in full swing across Ontario.
If you’re attending one of those meetings or speaking with candidates at an event or even on your doorstep, don’t forget that this is a great opportunity to highlight the importance of farming and the agriculture sector.
Keep the OFA’s election priorities in mind and ask candidates where they stand on the key issues that matter to the industry:
Addressing trade issues
- Immediate support for tariff impacts
- Reducing inter-provincial trade barriers
- Long-term investment into agriculture’s productive capacity
Support for farm business competitiveness
- Permanent increase to interest-free portion of Advanced Payments Program
- Improvements to Business Risk Management programming
Permanently scrapping the carbon tax
- Removing carbon tax from fuels used in agricultural production
Preventing railways from downloading costs onto farmers and landowners
- Requiring rail companies to pay for drainage costs as required under provincial legislation
- Providing federal funding for maintenance and upgrade costs of rail crossings or require railways to cover them.
Ensuring consistent access to labour
- Maintaining reliable, well-functioning agricultural labour programs that benefit both workers and employers
- Implementing a long-term strategy to address workforce shortages
You’ll find more information here:
News release: Ontario farmers release federal election priorities
Viewpoint: Why this election matters for farmers and rural communities
You can also contact your local OFA Member Service Representative.