Government and Politics in Ontario Agriculture: The Boiler Room - Ontario Agriculture2024-03-28T20:18:34Zhttps://ontag.farms.com/forum/categories/government-and-politics-in/listForCategory?categoryId=3646443%3ACategory%3A152&%3Bpage=3&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWhat Should Be Done To Defend Modern Agriculture?tag:ontag.farms.com,2015-06-04:3646443:Topic:616732015-06-04T22:12:27.451ZJoe Daleshttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/JoeDales
<iframe height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qO7fkNvR07A?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" width="640"></iframe>
<p>What are everyone's thoughts regarding the new Ontario policy regarding neonic seed treatments?</p>
<p>Are there any other ideas farmers should be doing to help the government to support agriculture and still help improve the bee survival and management?</p>
<iframe height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qO7fkNvR07A?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" width="640"></iframe>
<p>What are everyone's thoughts regarding the new Ontario policy regarding neonic seed treatments?</p>
<p>Are there any other ideas farmers should be doing to help the government to support agriculture and still help improve the bee survival and management?</p> Grain Farmers of Ontario Firmly Oppose Draft Seed Treatment Regulations. What Do You Think?tag:ontag.farms.com,2015-04-09:3646443:Topic:608232015-04-09T22:44:37.182ZOntAG Adminhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/OntAGAdmin
<p align="left"></p>
<p><font size="2">GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO FIRMLY OPPOSES DRAFT SEED TREATMENT REGULATIONS</font></p>
<p>GUELPH, ON (April 9, 2015) – <font face="Interstate-Light,Interstate" size="2"><font face="Interstate-Light,Interstate" size="2">Following a technical briefing from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, as well as a thorough review of the draft seed treatment regulations, Grain Farmers of Ontario has determined…</font></font></p>
<p align="left"></p>
<p><font size="2">GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO FIRMLY OPPOSES DRAFT SEED TREATMENT REGULATIONS</font></p>
<p>GUELPH, ON (April 9, 2015) – <font size="2" face="Interstate-Light,Interstate"><font size="2" face="Interstate-Light,Interstate">Following a technical briefing from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, as well as a thorough review of the draft seed treatment regulations, Grain Farmers of Ontario has determined the regulations to be unworkable and the organization strongly opposes any action to move them forward.</font></font></p>
<p>"Our organization has spent a significant amount of time reviewing and evaluating the draft regulations and brought forward numerous questions to the Ontario government regarding various aspects of the plan," says Mark Brock, Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario. "The lack of clarity, inability to address very real on-farm challenges with respect to implementation of the regulations, and the timelines imposed on the industry as a whole create an unmanageable, widespread burden to agriculture."</p>
<p>The regulations present countless areas of concern including, but not limited to, pest assessment methods, selection of pests identified as valid, industry capacity to manage requirements, and liability and insurance implications.</p>
<p>"The regulations, as drafted, create insurmountable barriers to access neonicotinoid seed treatment – essentially, the government has developed a ban on the product," says Brock. "The primary concern for our organization is the livelihood of Ontario’s grain farmers, and these regulations will be highly detrimental to the sustainability of these farmers, with many members wondering if there is a future for the next generation of family farmers in this province."</p>
<p>The implications beyond the farm level are extensive as well, with agricultural science and technology companies moving investments out of Ontario. As a regulation made outside of scientific evidence and based in the precautionary principle, it signals that Ontario operates unique to the rest of North America and is a high risk market with an unpredictable regulatory system.</p>
<p>"Grain Farmers of Ontario sees no opportunity to collaborate on these regulations because the number of fundamental, unworkable areas is far too extensive," says Brock. "We care very much about the health</p>
<p align="left"></p>
<p><font size="2">of fundamental, unworkable areas is far too extensive," says Brock. "We care very much about the health of pollinators and have worked with stakeholders, including beekeepers, to find a collaborative and sustainable approach forward for agriculture and bees, which was the Ontario Pollinator Health Blueprint and which the government dismissed entirely. Remaining focussed on a positive future for agriculture in this province, Grain Farmers of Ontario firmly opposes the draft seed treatment regulations."</font></p>
<p>Grain Farmers of Ontario Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 corn, soybean and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover 5 million acres of farm land across the province, generate over $2.5 billion in farm gate receipts, result in over $9 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 40,000 jobs in the province.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p> Update on Minister Lealtag:ontag.farms.com,2015-01-30:3646443:Topic:600662015-01-30T16:05:11.256ZSteve Twynstrahttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/Steve
So, what exactly did Leal do prior to political life? Nothin above. Obviously a career backbencher judging by his lack of leadership on the neonic file.....clearly import Murray has more sway in Cabinet. Yet another weakling in charge of the most important industry left in Ontario! Shameful!
So, what exactly did Leal do prior to political life? Nothin above. Obviously a career backbencher judging by his lack of leadership on the neonic file.....clearly import Murray has more sway in Cabinet. Yet another weakling in charge of the most important industry left in Ontario! Shameful! GFO: Grain Farming Under Attack by Ontario Government - How do you feel about the Neonic Issue?tag:ontag.farms.com,2014-11-26:3646443:Topic:590472014-11-26T21:49:40.537ZOntAG Adminhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/OntAGAdmin
<p>GRAIN FARMING UNDER ATTACK BY GOVERNMENT<br></br>New Pesticide Regulations Impractical and Unrealistic</p>
<p>GUELPH, ON (November 25, 2014) – Grain Farmers of Ontario is confounded by today’s announcement by the government to reduce neonicotinoid use by 80% by 2017. The announcement flies in the face<br></br>of numerous efforts and investments made by grain farmers across the province over the past two<br></br>years to mitigate risks to bee health.</p>
<p>“This new regulation is unfounded, impractical,…</p>
<p>GRAIN FARMING UNDER ATTACK BY GOVERNMENT<br/>New Pesticide Regulations Impractical and Unrealistic</p>
<p>GUELPH, ON (November 25, 2014) – Grain Farmers of Ontario is confounded by today’s announcement by the government to reduce neonicotinoid use by 80% by 2017. The announcement flies in the face<br/>of numerous efforts and investments made by grain farmers across the province over the past two<br/>years to mitigate risks to bee health.</p>
<p>“This new regulation is unfounded, impractical, and unrealistic and the government does not know<br/>how to implement it,” says Henry Van Ankum, Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “With this<br/>announcement, agriculture and rural Ontario has been put on notice – the popular vote trumps<br/>science and practicality.”</p>
<p>Grain Farmers of Ontario has invested in ongoing multi-year research projects to mitigate risks to<br/>bee health associated with neonicotinoids. In 2014, all 28,000 grain farmers across the province<br/>followed new best management practices and utilized a new fluency agent to minimize possible seed<br/>treatment exposure to bees. This year, 70% less bee deaths were reported.<br/>“A reduction at this level puts our farmers at a competitive disadvantage with the rest of the country<br/>and the rest of the North America,” says Barry Senft, CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “It will mean<br/>smaller margins for grain farmers and could signal the transition away from family farms to large<br/>multinational farming operations that can sustain lower margins.”</p>
<p>Grain Farmers of Ontario has expressed its concerns over these regulations at all levels of<br/>government in recent meetings. A restriction at the 80% level is comparable to a total ban on the<br/>product, which the Conference Board of Canada estimates will cost Ontario farmers more than $630<br/>million annually in lost revenue.</p>
<p>“At a time when the government is calling for more jobs, this is a step in the wrong direction,” says<br/>Van Ankum. “Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency continues to license this product for<br/>the country and Ontario is now being forced to operate in isolation at an enormous competitive<br/>disadvantage – the livelihoods of countless farmers are in jeopardy.”</p>
<p>Grain Farmers of Ontario<br/>Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 corn, soybean and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover 5 million acres of farm land across the province, generate over $2.5 billion in<br/>farm gate receipts, result in over $9 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 40,000 jobs in the province.</p> CFFO: Premier's Mandate Letters Set Tone For Agriculture Policy In The Years Ahead. Any Feedback?tag:ontag.farms.com,2014-10-07:3646443:Topic:575592014-10-07T22:34:52.394ZOntAG Adminhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/OntAGAdmin
<p>CFFO:</p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="2" class="tableBorderthin" width="100%">
<tbody><tr><td align="left" bgcolor="#BDD4C4" class="tblfix" valign="middle" width="690"><div><div style="float: left;">Premier’s Mandate Letters Set Tone for Agriculture Policy in the Years Ahead (Oct 06, 2014)…</div>
<div style="float: right;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pub=darrenmarsland"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" style="border: 0px;" width="125"></img></a></div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>CFFO:</p>
<table class="tableBorderthin" cellspacing="2" width="100%" border="0">
<tbody><tr><td class="tblfix" bgcolor="#BDD4C4" valign="middle" width="690" align="left"><div><div style="float: left;">Premier’s Mandate Letters Set Tone for Agriculture Policy in the Years Ahead (Oct 06, 2014)</div>
<div style="float: right;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pub=darrenmarsland"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16"/></a><div id="_atssh" style="height: 1px; width: 1px; xg-p: absolute; z-index: 100000; visibility: hidden;"></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td class="tblfix" valign="top" width="705" align="left"><p><strong>By Nathan Stevens</strong><br/><br/>The Premier’s recently issued mandates letters to all of the Cabinet Ministers has set the tone for the Provincial Government and Ontario as a whole. The overarching mandate is to promote growth in the economy and job creation, while maintaining fiscal prudence. For Ontario’s farmers, the specifics of several of these plans will shape the future.</p>
<p>For the business of agriculture, there is a focus on strengthening the food processing sector in Ontario. Strengthening our close to home business partners is good for Ontario farmers as it is vital that we have healthy business partners farther up the value chain. The government has also recognized the need for increased natural gas infrastructure in rural Ontario as part of the greater infrastructure plan.</p>
<p>The management practices of farmers may need to shift to meet desired outcomes on several fronts. There is a clear mandate to curb prophylactic use of neonic pesticides over the next year and a half in order to improve pollinator health in Ontario. Furthermore, there will be renewed emphasis on wetlands, strengthening biodiversity, protecting endangered species, and a re-vamped approach to aggregates that will all subtly impact the rural landscape in which farmers operate. Finally, the need to deal with the algae bloom issue in the Great Lakes will drive change for farmers.</p>
<p>There is a great deal of effort that will be placed in land use planning. The review of the Greenbelt Plans and the Growth Plan is of great importance to farmers in the Greater Toronto Area, will set the stage for planning in the most populous region of the country. Looking farther afield, the north has been identified as an opportunity for agriculture. Finally, the Farms Forever Program promises to provide additional support for farmers and farmland in near urban regions of the province.</p>
<p>Farmers will also need to prepare for increased efforts to deal with environment related issues as Ontario strives to reduce its footprint on the land. Dealing with climate change is a high priority and agriculture is expected to do its part. A strengthened Great Lakes Protection Act is on the way. Revamping the province’s approach to waste diversion will impact the food sector. Finally, a “polluter pays” approach will inevitably increase the cost of doing business in Ontario.</p>
<p>The Ontario government has received a strong mandate to implement their vision for Ontario over the next four years. It is an ambitious agenda that will impact the lives of every Ontarian and every business in Ontario. The CFFO will work with its members, other organizations and government in achieving the most effective way for farmers to move forward as responsible players in our great province.</p>
<p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.christianfarmers.org/" target="_blank">CFFO</a></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table> New Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs, Jeff Leal, Who is he and will he be a good Minister of Ag?tag:ontag.farms.com,2014-06-24:3646443:Topic:541822014-06-24T20:07:54.700ZOntAG Adminhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/OntAGAdmin
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://news.ontario.ca/profiles/en/jeff-leal"><img alt="Jeff Leal" height="379" src="http://media.ontarionewsroom.com/profiles/jeff-leal/medium/headshot.jpg" title="Jeff Leal" width="348"></img></a></p>
<div id="mainBioData"><h2>Jeff Leal</h2>
<h3><a href="http://news.ontario.ca/omafra/en">Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs</a></h3>
<h3>MPP Peterborough</h3>
</div>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Political Career</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Minister of Rural Affairs, February 2013 – May 2014</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, October 2007 – February…</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://news.ontario.ca/profiles/en/jeff-leal"><img title="Jeff Leal" alt="Jeff Leal" src="http://media.ontarionewsroom.com/profiles/jeff-leal/medium/headshot.jpg" width="348" height="379"/></a></p>
<div id="mainBioData"><h2>Jeff Leal</h2>
<h3><a href="http://news.ontario.ca/omafra/en">Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs</a></h3>
<h3>MPP Peterborough</h3>
</div>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Political Career</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Minister of Rural Affairs, February 2013 – May 2014</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, October 2007 – February 2010</li>
<li>Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of the Environment, September 2006 – September 2007</li>
<li>Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy, November 2005 – September 2006</li>
<li>Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, June 2005 – November 2005</li>
<li>Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, September 2004 – June 2005</li>
<li>Second Deputy Mayor, Peterborough</li>
<li>City Councillor, Peterborough</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Education</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>B.A. (Honours), Economics and Political Science, Trent University</li>
<li>Business Administration degree (Honours), University of Windsor</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Personal and Family Life</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Married (Karan) with two children, Braden and Shanae</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Executive Biography</strong></p>
<p>Jeff Leal was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003 as the MPP for Peterborough. He was re-elected in 2007, 2011 and 2014.</p>
<p>Leal was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in June 2014. He has served as Chief Government Whip, and as Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs, the Environment, Energy, Economic Development and Trade, and Training, Colleges and Universities.</p>
<p>Prior to being elected to the legislature, Leal was a Peterborough city councillor and second deputy mayor. He has worked extensively with the county and local governments, as well as the City of Peterborough.</p>
<p></p>
<p>From the Ontario Government website.</p>
<p></p> Ontario Food And Farm Political Debate Cancelled. Is the sector not important enough to make time?tag:ontag.farms.com,2014-06-03:3646443:Topic:537392014-06-03T13:39:25.373ZOntAG Adminhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/OntAGAdmin
<h1>Food and Farm Political Debate Cancelled</h1>
<p>By <a href="http://www.farms.com/author-bio/amanda-brodhagen.aspx">Amanda Brodhagen</a>, Farms.com<br></br><br></br>Ontario farm and processor organizations say that they have been forced to cancel plans for a political debate focusing on food and farm issues between the leaders of the four political parties ahead of the June 12 provincial election citing scheduling problems.<br></br><br></br>On May 15, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Alliance of…</p>
<h1>Food and Farm Political Debate Cancelled</h1>
<p>By <a href="http://www.farms.com/author-bio/amanda-brodhagen.aspx">Amanda Brodhagen</a>, Farms.com<br/><br/>Ontario farm and processor organizations say that they have been forced to cancel plans for a political debate focusing on food and farm issues between the leaders of the four political parties ahead of the June 12 provincial election citing scheduling problems.<br/><br/>On May 15, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors and the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association <a href="http://www.farms.com/ag-industry-news/ontario-farmers-to-hear-from-politicians-772.aspx">called</a> for candidates to debate food and farm issues. But after much effort between the various groups and political parties involved, and with only two weeks left before Election Day, with no date set, organizers felt that they were left with no other choice but to cancel the anticipated event.<br/><br/>“We couldn’t get the dates to jive,” Steve Peters, Executive Director for the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors said in an interview on Friday.<br/><br/>If the organizers had been successful, it would have marked the first time that party leaders would have had a debate on food and farm issues. In the past, what has been traditionally done is a debate among the agriculture critics from the various parties. Typically, only two debates are held for the party leaders during an election – the northern and main debate.<br/><br/>A spokesperson for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Neil Currie says that the agri-food sector is disappointed that the leaders’ hectic schedules could not permit them to face off on a rural Ontario focused debate.<br/><br/>“We look forward to having agri-food issues addressed at the [main leaders’] debate on June 3 and will continue to press our concerns with all parties as a united industry, during and after the election,” he said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p> U of Guelph Closing Kemptville and Alfred Ag College Campuses?tag:ontag.farms.com,2014-03-12:3646443:Topic:527712014-03-12T02:35:10.928ZRoadrunnerhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/Roadrunner
<p>I was sorry to hear that the University of Guelph is planning to close the two agriculture colleges.</p>
<p>I thought agriculture enrollment was increasing.</p>
<p>Were these colleges losing money? Would seem to be the rationale for closing them?</p>
<p>Any information?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was sorry to hear that the University of Guelph is planning to close the two agriculture colleges.</p>
<p>I thought agriculture enrollment was increasing.</p>
<p>Were these colleges losing money? Would seem to be the rationale for closing them?</p>
<p>Any information?</p>
<p> </p> Will Kathleen Wynne be a good minister of agriculture?tag:ontag.farms.com,2013-02-14:3646443:Topic:370892013-02-14T23:43:12.378ZRoadrunnerhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/Roadrunner
<p>I thought this was a good idea when I first heard it.</p>
<p>But judging by the negative comments and stories I am not too sure.</p>
<p>What does everyone else think? Will she have time to be Premier of Ontario and also do the job as Minister of Agriculture justice?</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>I thought this was a good idea when I first heard it.</p>
<p>But judging by the negative comments and stories I am not too sure.</p>
<p>What does everyone else think? Will she have time to be Premier of Ontario and also do the job as Minister of Agriculture justice?</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p> John Wise, former Minister of Agriculture and Dairy farmer Dies at the age of 77.tag:ontag.farms.com,2013-01-14:3646443:Topic:363602013-01-14T04:07:44.912ZOntAG Adminhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/OntAGAdmin
John Wise Former Minister of Agriculture and Dairy Farmer Dies at the Age of 77<br />
<br />
Former Ag Minister Will Be Remembered for His Contributions to Agriculture<br />
<br />
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com<br />
<br />
John Wise, former federal Minister of Agriculture and dairy farmer was remembered on Monday for the contributions that he has made to Canadian agriculture.<br />
<br />
Wise was a fifth-generation dairy farmer prior to his run for politics and was an advocate for supply management while helping to introduce his…
John Wise Former Minister of Agriculture and Dairy Farmer Dies at the Age of 77<br />
<br />
Former Ag Minister Will Be Remembered for His Contributions to Agriculture<br />
<br />
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com<br />
<br />
John Wise, former federal Minister of Agriculture and dairy farmer was remembered on Monday for the contributions that he has made to Canadian agriculture.<br />
<br />
Wise was a fifth-generation dairy farmer prior to his run for politics and was an advocate for supply management while helping to introduce his government’s free trade policies.<br />
<br />
Wise first began his career in politics as a local politician and served as a Township Councillor and Deputy Reeve of Yarmouth from 1966 to 1967. He also served as the Warden of Elgin County in 1969. Wise dove into Federal politics when he ran in the 1972 general election in the riding of Elgin, where he defeated Liberal incumbent MP Harold Stafford. Wise was re-elected four times before he retired in 1998 after serving in opposition and the government – he served as the minister of agriculture under Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney.<br />
<br />
Wise was heavily involved in his community and served on a number of agricultural boards such as serving as Chairman of the Board for the Canadian Livestock Exporters Association and Canadian Embryo Exporters Association, and was the honorary founder and President of the Soil Conservation Canada.<br />
<br />
Wise died on January 9, 2013 at the age of 77 in London, Ontario.<br />
<br />
Funeral service details:<br />
<br />
A funeral service is set for 1 p.m. Monday at Knox Presbyterian Church, St. Thomas. Visitation at the church begins at 11 a.m. Monday.