Commentary

Strengthening Communities: New Report Offers Farmer-led Recommendations

August 6, 2021 | Marie Versteeg

This week, the CFFO released its 2021 Policy Tour report, titled “Strengthening Community: The Human Side in a Crisis.” The report focuses on the effects that the pandemic has had on farmers and their communities.

CFFO members offered input during a series of online discussions held this winter, focusing on major issues affecting the agricultural industry and the people working in it. These discussions led toward a wide range of policy recommendations.

Firstly, farm labour has been a perennial concern, but COVID-19 threw a glaring spotlight on the issue. CFFO members reflected on the value of work – the sense of personal wellbeing that comes from productive effort. To that end, members recommended adapting income supports like CERB so that more Canadians are encouraged and enabled to work during the crisis.

CFFO members who employ temporary foreign workers expressed strong respect for their employees and made recommendations toward improving public trust in foreign worker programs. They also supported streamlining the paperwork involved with hiring through such programs.

Secondly, members tackled local food systems. When Canadians saw empty grocery store shelves for perhaps the first time in their lives, farmers saw increased interest in locally grown food. Though CFFO members operate within a range of supply chains, all agreed that a diversity of farm sizes and marketing systems is beneficial. In this context, policy that supports local food systems is necessary. Members recommended that government improve inter-provincial trade, invest in local processing and encourage networking within Ontario supply chains.

The third major theme of the 2021 Policy Tour discussions centred around peace of mind. Farming is stressful for a wide range of reasons, from weather to markets to isolation. Farmers accept that stress comes with the territory, but they also recognize that those pressures are mounting, especially for young farmers.

CFFO members prioritize their family and church communities, feeling called to care for their neighbours. During the Policy Tour, they discussed a range of solutions to reduce stress and support loved ones, including improving business risk programs and reducing barriers to mental health supports for rural communities.

CFFO recognizes and appreciates the swift actions federal and provincial government took during the COVID-19 crisis. We believe that continued support is necessary to build resiliency within the industry and within rural communities

The CFFO Commentary represents the opinions of the writer and does not necessarily represent CFFO policy. The CFFO Commentary is heard weekly on CFCO Chatham, CKXS Chatham, CKNX Wingham, and CHLP Listowel.