GUELPH, ON [November 23, 2020] – With a record number of attendees, delegates of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) 2020 Virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) voted in favour of passing OFA bylaw 20-1 that will now allow the Board of Directors the ability to elect its Executive Committee. More than 270 delegates from 50 county federations and 18 commodity groups participated in the event, representing the voice of the organization’s grassroots.

As enacted, bylaw 20-1 alters the organization’s governance model and fundamentally changes the way the OFA elects its President and two Vice President positions. Additionally, it allows all 18 provincial directors the ability to vote on resolutions and elections during the Annual General Meeting. These amendments follow industry standards that have been set across the province and represent the best practices of many agricultural organizations in Ontario.

“The most important aspect of the passing of bylaw 20-1 is that it will not impact the ability for our members to have a voice and input in the direction of the organization,” stated Keith Currie, OFA President. “Members will continue to have a vote towards the 18 directors who they choose to represent their interests around the board table, ensuring a strong connection remains between our grassroots and the board of directors.”

The amended bylaw was passed by two-thirds of OFA member delegates at the annual meeting.

Provincial directors will continue to bring the concerns and needs of our membership, commodity and affiliate organizations to the board table. Members, Policy Advisory Council and local federation representatives will continue to have input all year-round, and at the AGM. Their ability to have a voice in representation and set the direction of the OFA remains unchanged.

The OFA Board of Directors worked diligently in reviewing the structure and governance of the organization to ensure our policies and procedures are in compliance with The Corporations Act, the Act under which OFA is incorporated. The bylaw changes were taken on the advice and recommendation of legal counsel to be in compliance with the Corporations Act.

Although the review was part of organizational due diligence and good governance, it was driven by our membership as a result of the 2019 Annual General Meeting and questions about the election process for our two Vice President positions.

OFA will continue to work to address the priorities of our membership and ensure the needs and concerns of our local federations and industry partners are brought to the provincial table.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 38,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer. For more information, visit ofa.on.ca.

For more information, contact:

Keith Currie
President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
keith.currie@ofa.on.ca

Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
cathy.lennon@ofa.on.ca