Ontario’s election campaign continues in full swing and candidates across the province are hearing from voters about the issues that matter to them. In communities and municipalities outside of our urban areas, those issues more often than not focus on the critical need for investments into rural infrastructure.
Read OFA Viewpoint weekly for our position and activities on the current issues and legislation impacting Ontario’s agriculture sector.
How you can support Ontario by buying local
By Ethan Wallace, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Buying local has always been an important part of our agriculture and food production system. Consumer interest in particular in shopping closer to…
Election priorities for farmers focus on protecting ability to grow food
At the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, we regularly meet with politicians from all political parties and all levels of government. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that agricultural and rural needs and concerns are put in front of decision-makers. During an election, however, the OFA puts a particular push on engaging with politicians from all parts of the province as they vie for votes on the campaign trail.
Ontario farmers meet with rural municipal leaders
Strengthening ties between rural municipal leaders and the farm community was on the agenda last week as representatives from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture took part in the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference.
Farmers prepare for possible tariffs on agri-food exports to U.S.
All eyes are on Washington, DC this week as a new president is sworn in, and a new government takes power. The new administration will bring many changes both known and unknown – and a big concern for Canada is the potential for tariffs on Canadian goods, including agriculture and agri-food products, exported to the United States.
Farmers urge snowmobilers to use trail system responsibly
A network of more than 30,000 km of snowmobile trails runs across many parts of Ontario, made possible by those who agree to let their land be part of the snowmobiling system in the province. That’s where, we as farmers, are urging the snowmobile community to be both responsible and respectful of private property while out on the trails.
Farmland preservation not just an Ontario priority
In Ontario and Canada, we are blessed with some of the world’s best farmland that lets us grow and raise almost anything – both for ourselves here at home and for people around the world. However, it’s a precious resource that is under threat. The numbers show us that we’re losing farmland at an alarming rate and it’s a trend that we strongly believe can not continue.
Farmers concerned with proposed pandemic preparedness bill
There is a federal bill that is currently at second reading in the Senate that focuses on pandemic preparedness. Bill C-293: An Act respecting pandemic prevention and preparedness was first introduced as a private member’s bill in June 2022 by Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, and it is causing deep concern in the farming community because of its potential impacts on livestock agriculture should it become law without amendment.
Canada’s new Right-to-Repair laws good news for farmers
Two federal bills received Royal Assent in November that will make it easier for consumers to fix and service the products they use on a daily basis. That includes phones and fridges and even tractors.
Energy issues remain top priority for Ontario farmers
Concerns and challenges around Ontario’s energy supply remain a top-of-mind issue with Ontario’s farmers as we gathered in Toronto last week for the annual general meeting of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.