The Northern Caucus meeting, held at the Toronto Delta Airport Hotel before the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s (OFA) Annual General Meeting, brought together Northern Caucus members to discuss pressing issues affecting Northern Ontario’s farming communities. The agenda focused on challenges related to land use planning, veterinary services, and Crown land access, with resolutions aimed at driving positive change for farmers in the region.
Veterinary services: Addressing critical gaps
One of the major topics of discussion was the shortage of veterinarians and the increasing reliance on veterinary technicians in Northern Ontario. Concerns were raised about the difficulty in accessing timely emergency care in the region. For farms in Northern Ontario, emergency veterinary services often take more than 48 hours to arrive.
Last year, a resolution put forward by the Northern Caucus advocating for increased funding to the essential Veterinary Assistance Program (VAP) was passed. VAP provides funding for large animal veterinarians in underserviced areas of Northern Ontario. The Northern Caucus supports continued advocacy by OFA on this issue, as well as supports for veterinary technician education and training programs so that more veterinary professionals are available to meet the needs of farmers.
Challenges in planning and Crown Land use
Duncan Goetze of OFA delivered a presentation on planning considerations, focusing on the complexities of municipal governance in the North and the role of planning boards.
Planning in Northern Ontario is unique due to the presence of Crown Land and a mix of municipalities, Planning Boards, and provincial governance. The differences between local and provincial governance lead to inconsistencies in planning processes.
Farmers face significant barriers when attempting to expand onto Crown Land, which is regulated by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), and delegates voiced frustration that MNR does not prioritize agriculture. Farmers were advised to maintain direct communication with their MNR office and to persistently advocate for progress on land purchase applications.
More information on planning in Northern Ontario is available here:
Updating agricultural land maps
Delegates also discussed the outdated agricultural land classification map in Algoma, which dates back to the 1920s. Some land designated as agricultural is unsuitable for farming—such as areas consisting of land that cannot be plowed. This misclassification highlights the need for updates to ensure land designations accurately reflect potential for agricultural development.
OFA updates and advocacy efforts
The OFA provided updates on ongoing issues, including merged property titles and compensation for wildlife damage to crops. The organization continues to push for solutions that support Ontario farmers.
Delegates also emphasized the need for improved education on managing slow-moving vehicles, calling on the Ministry of Transportation to enhance public awareness on this critical safety issue.
A focus on northern development
The Northern Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for its farmers and rural communities. The meeting concluded with a renewed focus on collaboration, as delegates urged the OFA to continue lobbying for policies that reflect the unique needs of farmers in northern Ontario.