OFA provided comments to Emergency Management Ontario regarding the Proposed Modernization of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

OFA believes that emergency management in Ontario must include agricultural emergencies and food security as a top priority.

Given the significant impact severe storms have on farm operations, there is a need for an agricultural focus in Ontario’s emergency management strategy. For instance, the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program should be revised to ensure that adequate funding is available to help recover from natural disasters.

Ontario’s farming sector is vulnerable to emergencies ranging from extreme weather events, market disruptions, and animal health emergencies. Therefore, it is important that threats to our farming sector and food production are included in Ontario’s emergency management framework.

OFA appreciates the opportunity to provide an agricultural perspective on the proposed modernization of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.