The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) appreciates the opportunity to outline the key issues impacting the agriculture industry and the priorities of our farm business community before the next Ontario Budget.
OFA remains committed to working with the government to help see the Premier’s Growth Challenge for the agri-food sector achieved. The Premier challenged the agri-food sector to double its annual growth rate and create 120,000 new jobs by 2020. This is an ambitious goal that will require collaboration between government and industry.
Strategically, we see three preconditions necessary to achieving the Premier’s Challenge:
- Investing in rural infrastructure
- Supporting farm business success
- Taking Climate Change action
OFA feels the following budget initiatives will best position Ontario’s agri-sector to help achieve the Premier’s Challenge.