Agri-food Sector Success
What is the Issue?
The agriculture and agri-food sector is a cornerstone of the Ontario economy, but we need political will to help it thrive.
Why Does It Matter?
The needs of a healthy agri-food network are complex, requiring investment and a fulsome understanding of the needs of agriculture on the part of our government.
Economic, policy, energy and environmental policies—to name a few—can either help or hinder our province’s farmers and rural communities.
What Does CFFO Want?
Economic responsibility – Agriculture is a capital-intensive industry that relies both on credit and sophisticated management to maintain healthy and viable farm businesses. Risk Management programs need to meet these complexities.
Labour policy – Labour policy should balance the needs of both employees and businesses. Extreme changes, like 2018’s sudden minimum wage increase, jeopardize the livelihood of small and medium-sized business owners, as well as job security.
Energy policy – Energy costs, including carbon pricing, have been onerous on agriculture. We believe it’s possible to develop provincial energy policy that is both sensitive to our needs and reflects good stewardship of the land, atmosphere and waters.
Investments in rural infrastructure – Farmers rely on rural infrastructure for business success. Expanding and maintaining rural infrastructure will boost economic growth. Rural broadband expansion is also crucial: modern farming relies on internet-based tech, from GPS-enabled tractors to online marketing.
Letters & Submissions
- 2021 Provincial Budget Consultations
- Letter of Support for Bill 216 Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020
- Federal Consultation on Temporary Foreign Workers Accommodations
- Letter to Minister in Preparation for the FPT Agricultural Ministers’ Conference
- Letter of Continued Support for Bill 156
- Federal Supports for Agriculture
- Letter to Minister Hardeman re: Farmgate Sales and Farmers’ Markets
- Letter to Minister Hardeman re: Provincially Inspected Abattoirs
- Joint Letter to Ministry of Labour re: TFW Inspection Initiative
- Letter to Minister Hardeman re: Processing Responses to Market Changes
- Plan for Isolation of SAWP Workers in Haldimand-Norfolk
- Letter to Minister Bibeau re: Urgent Need for SAWP and TFWP Workers
- Letter of Support for Bill C-206 An Act to Amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (qualifying farm fuel)
- Submission regarding Border Restrictions - Impact on SAWP and TFWP
- Letter to Canadian Food Inspection Agency regarding Processing Plant Closures
- Submission regarding Pre-Budget Consultation 2020
- Open Letter on Municipal Farm Business Taxes
- Letter to Minister Hardeman regarding Agrifood Sector Success
- Submission regarding Agricultural Impact Assessments (AIAs)
- Letter of Support for 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program
News & Commentaries
- Risk Management on the Table
- Trade Challenges: Sorting Out Agriculture’s New Reality
- Resiliency and Opportunities in an Unusual Year
- Rural Internet Access a Necessity in the New Economy
- Where Should We Look for Economic Recovery?
- Brightness from the Dark of the Pandemic
- Support for Losses Due to Labour Shortages
- Farm Workers and COVID-19
- Local Food Webs: The Solution to Food Insecurity?
- Government Consultation on Post-Pandemic Recovery
- Labour Remains a Problem for Ontario Ag
- E-Commerce May Be Your Best Option – At Least for Now
- More Access for Local Markets
- New Legislation Protects Farms and Food Safety
- Food Processing Sector Needs Support
- Federal Carbon Pricing - Farmers Looking for Relief
- Raising Concerns around Livestock Abattoir Capacity
- Livestock transportation regulations: two-year reprieve
- Changes in the World Meat Market
- Gaining Consumer Confidence in the Agri-Food Industry
- Trade by Politics: Is This the “New Normal”?
- Keeping our Eyes on the Prize
- Agriculture and the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement: The devil’s in the detail
- Trade or Protectionism
For archived information on this and other Issues, please contact us.