Commentary

Changing Excess Soil into a Resource

December 13, 2019 | Paul Bootsma

Excess soil from development sites is often considered waste, but government has announced new regulations to manage its use and relocation.

Safety First: Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act

December 6, 2019 | Brenda Dyack

"The bill is intended to protect farm animals, the food supply, farmers and others from risks that are created when trespassers enter places where farm animals are kept."

Helping our Neighbours Next Door and Downstream: The Timing Matters Initiative

November 29, 2019 | Suzanne Armstrong

OMAFRA and partner farm organizations, including CFFO, are working together on an initiative called the Peer to Peer Response Team as part of the larger Timing Matters initiative.

Local Food: Success in Eastern Ontario

November 22, 2019 | Paul Bootsma

There is opportunity for people to manage small farms that serve a local area and are based on relationships with the consumers.

Managing Development for Everybody: Where Does the Buck Stop?

November 15, 2019 | Brenda Dyack

Farm organizations are particularly concerned about changes that will reduce local powers over land management. For example, changes to the Aggregate Resources Act will remove local municipal control over aggregates developments and expansions.

Omnibus Bill 132: Good for Farmers?

November 8, 2019 | Josh Kraemer

Omnibus bills, like Bill 132, introduce a large number of regulatory changes to many Acts at the same time. Once voted into law, the changes may impact Ontario’s farmers in several different ways. Because of the breadth and complexity of the proposed changes to the Acts, input from farming organizations and their members is that much more important.

Guarding Against Transmittable Diseases

November 1, 2019 | Paul Bootsma

In Canada, we have a traceability program to manage disease outbreaks with the intent to prevent diseases from spreading to the entire nation

Ontario’s Provincial Land Use Policy: Who Wins?

October 25, 2019 | Brenda Dyack

In our recommendations to government, CFFO focused on the proposed changes that could have a direct impact on farmland preservation.

The 2019 Federal Election: Party Platforms and Issues in Agriculture

October 18, 2019 | Josh Kraemer

With the federal election happening on Monday, now is an important time to review party platforms. Farmers will find that each of Canada’s leading federal parties have made promises that will affect them directly.

Thanksgiving: Reflections on the Harvest

October 11, 2019 | Marie Versteeg

Harvest celebrations have been a tradition across time and place throughout human history, though you won’t find it marked on the traditional Church calendar.