Commentary

Agricultural Safety Week

March 8, 2019 | By Josh Kraemer

This Sunday, March 10th, marks the start of Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW), promoting on-farm safety awareness across Canada. This year, the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is celebrating Safe & Strong Farms, a campaign to “empower farmers, farm families and farming communities to build, grow, and lead the agricultural industry in safety and sustainability.”

Fighting for Farmland

March 1, 2019 | By Brenda Dyack

This week the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) responded to four proposals by the Province to alter the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2017. The proposals are aimed at increasing the supply and affordability of housing in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH), creating more jobs and attracting business.

Reducing Red Tape in Ontario Agriculture

February 22, 2019 | By Josh Kraemer

Through their Open for Business Action Plan, the government has set a goal to reduce red tape by 25% by the year 2022. But not all regulatory reductions are entirely beneficial for all Ontarians.

Cleaning up the Landscape

February 15, 2019 | By Paul Bootsma

The recent Canadian Supreme court ruling which requires bankrupt oil companies to be held responsible for cleaning up inactive oil wells, is a welcome decision. When companies file for bankruptcy protection, paying off creditors was usually the only order of business. Now monies need to be committed to cleaning up their mess left out in the field.

Keeping our Eyes on the Prize

February 8, 2019 | By Brenda Dyack

The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario has weighed in on the next provincial budget this week with three major recommendations to Finance Minister Vic Fideli. With requests for tax reform, integrated modelling systems, and more quality research, the CFFO is asking the province to invest in the long-term.

Can the New Food Guide Dish up Good Agri-food Policy?

February 1, 2019 | By Marie Versteeg

The release of Canada’s Food Guide on January 22 was, predictably, followed by hot debate. The Food Guide has a long history of being contentious, and although government asserts that the newest version is based on science, which some debate, critics seem more concerned about its wider societal implications.

CFFO Policy Tour

January 25, 2019 | By Paul Bootsma

Agriculture continues to become more sophisticated, with new technology on the horizon and science helping farmers to understand how soil, plants and nutrients all work together more and more. Then there is the understanding of long-term consequences of our actions today and how it affects next year and years later.

Bill 66: Are Natural Resource Protections “Red Tape”?

January 18, 2019 | By Josh Kraemer

The government has introduced Bill 66 in order to reduce “red tape.” While it is hard to argue with effectively removing unnecessary reporting and compliance measures, the kind of red tape that is to be removed with schedule 10 of the Bill, has sparked much controversy.

Funding Farmer Mental Health

January 11, 2019 | By Marie Versteeg

Research conducted in 2016 by University of Guelph professor Andria Jones-Bitton demonstrates that Canadian farmers experience much higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than the general population. Roundtable participants, which included the CFFO, offered a number of recommendations to address the issue.

New Year Reflections

January 4, 2019 | By Clarence Nywening

Last year we at the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario resolved to work with our government to improve farming practices, protect waterways and land, and serve the needs of those in our community by opening communication about farming practices. We have worked hard to make these wishes come true and have met with some success. This year we will continue to work on these resolutions as well as add a few more.