Commentary

CFFO Hosts Premier and fellow MPPs on Farm Tour

July 26, 2019 | Marie Versteeg

The CFFO’s Executive Board brought key concerns to elected officials this week during a farm tour in Lynden. Issues discussed ranged from the importance of farmland preservation to concerns about animal activism.

Pursuing Fair Federal Deals

July 19, 2019 | By Brenda Dyack

Carbon taxes, pesticide regulations and food policy are three topics CFFO asked Minister Hardeman to take to the table at the Federal-Provincial Agriculture Ministers’ meeting this week. With “business as usual,” Canada is risking fair treatment of our farming sector and worsening trade distortions and business sustainability.

Pollinator Sanctuaries on Your Farm

July 12, 2019 | By Paul Bootsma

On July 3, the Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) hosted a tour of three sites that are part of Operation Pollinator. Operation Pollinator is “an international biodiversity program from Syngenta, designed to enhance the number of pollinating insects on farms and in out-of-play areas on golf courses.”

Canada’s First Food Policy

July 5, 2019 | By Josh Kraemer

Two weeks ago (June 17, 2019), the federal government released its first ever Food Policy for Canada. The policy will support Canada’s UN commitments to end hunger, promote good health, cut food waste, and encourage a sustainable food system.

Changes in the World Meat Market

June 28, 2019 | By Paul Bootsma

Pork prices are currently high and are expected to stay that way for a significant stretch of time. Why? The African Swine Fever disaster in China, the world’s largest pork consumer.

Excess Soil: A Cautionary Tale

June 21, 2019 | By Brenda Dyack

CFFO has strongly supported brownfield development because it helps to protect farmland. But we are worried that loosening up the rules could harm farmers who accept excess soil on their property.

The OSPCA Act Amendment: It’s a Money Matter

June 14, 2019 | By Marie Versteeg

On June 6th, Ontario passed the OSPCA Amendment Act (Interim Period), 2019, which will fill the gap in animal welfare enforcement left by the OSPCA when it quits the ground on June 28.

Envisioning Win-Wins: Changes to the Conservation Authorities Act

June 7, 2019 | By Brenda Dyack

Amidst much public concern, changes to the Conservation Authority (CA) Act have just received royal assent in the Legislature, as part of the much larger Bill 108: More Homes, More Choice Act. CFFO urges government to establish tighter rules pursuant to the Act to ensure all CAs strike a lawful and fair balance when requiring farmers to provide public goods and services.

Farming and the Ecosystem

May 31, 2019 | By Paul Bootsma

Often, agriculture is seen as disruptive to the sensitive balance of a given ecosystem. However, more and more, farmers are seeing the benefits that farming can bring to some areas, where close attention is given to maintaining a healthy balance.

Adjusting our Care for Endangered Species

May 24, 2019 | By Brenda Dyack

The government of Ontario has proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007, updating it to reflect current public priorities. The changes are extensive and have drawn many responses from the public and various organizations, including the CFFO.