Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

CFFO: Premier's Mandate Letters Set Tone For Agriculture Policy In The Years Ahead. Any Feedback?

CFFO:

Premier’s Mandate Letters Set Tone for Agriculture Policy in the Years Ahead (Oct 06, 2014)
Bookmark and Share

By Nathan Stevens

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Source: CFFO

Views: 58

Reply to This

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Governments Of Canada And Manitoba Celebrate Agriculture By Supporting Royal Manitoba Winter Fair

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing financial support to the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon, one of Manitoba’s key cultural events, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced here today. Through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing $20,000 to the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba for a one-year sponsorship of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. The sponsorship supports agriculture as the backbone of the provincial economy as a leader in innovation, research and job creation. The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon is organized by the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. It is one of Canada’s largest agricultural events, showcasing the Manitoba Cup, livestock shows and sales, more than 300 commercial and agricultural exhibits, the Royal Farm Yard and more. The Manitoba Cup Equestrian Event is Manitoba’s premier horse jumpin

Qualified Alberta Pulse Growers Eligible for 11.9% Tax Credit for Investing in Research

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission has confirmed that 11.9% of eligible producers’ 2023 check-off payment is eligible for the Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit for their investment in APG-funded research and development projects. Producers who have paid check-off this past year and have not asked for refunds are eligible claimants for this year’s credits. For more detailed information about the SR&ED Tax Credit, APG advises you to contact an accountant or the Canada Revenue Agency. For a history of SR&ED with Alberta Pulse Growers visit https://albertapulse.com/growing-pulses/sred-tax-credit/ . A summary of APG research investments in 2022-23 is available at https://albertapulse.com/research/. The federal SR&ED tax program is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and encourages businesses to invest in and perform research and development in Canada. The SR&ED Tax Credit application forms for individual producers and Canadian controlled pri

Saskatchewan Government Delivers for Agriculture

The Saskatchewan Government delivered for grain farmers in the 2024 – 25 budget. Allocating $570.6 billion towards a variety of programs that support the agriculture industry, grain farmers will have access to a variety of risk management programs, including Crop Insurance and AgriStability. “It is a great assurance to Saskatchewan grain farmers as we plan our 2024 growing season, knowing that these programs will backstop us,” said Daryl Fransoo, Chair. Grain farming is a key part of the provincial economy, exporting over $20 billion in agri-food products and harvesting over 31 million acres across the province. “The Saskatchewan Government understands the value that agriculture brings to our economy and hears the needs of grain farmers. Their stance on the carbon tax is a great step and one that the Wheat Growers supports,” closed Fransoo. About the Wheat Growers: Founded in 1970, the Wheat Growers Association is a voluntary farmer-run advocacy organization dedicated to developing

Do More Ag fills board seats

Five individuals have been selected to serve on the board of directors for the Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag). Board chair Lauren Martin said the combined expertise of the new board members will drive the Foundation’s strategic objectives forward and each new board member brings unique perspectives and innovative ideas to Do More Ag’s mission of promoting mental health awareness and support within the Canadian agriculture industry. The new board members include Calvin Sonntag, the executive chair of BrettYoung Seeds; fifth generation farmer Robert Hunter; Holstein Canada CEO Sartaj Sarkaria; beef producer Emma Cross; and Angela Geddes, the spouse of a beef farmer on the East Coast and owner of “Soul on Fire Coaching,” Martin said this is a significant step towards a future where all members of the agriculture community are encouraged, supported, and empowered to take care of their mental wellbeing. “We are exceptionally pleased to welcome Angela, Calvin, Emma, Robert,

Research underway to benefit sustainability of swine industry

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan is working to develop an on-farm tool for pork production companies to make business decisions to meet animal welfare and sustainability goals. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in partnership with 14 industry partners and the university provided funding for the research program in swine welfare. The program is led by Dr. Yolane Seddon. Her team of four research scientists and technicians will study data gathered from interviews with producers who make management decisions, as well as herd vets in Canada and the United States. “The outcome of this work is that we aim to produce a tool that will support decision making on the farm that will influence animal welfare, but also with the knowledge of how it interacts with business, profitability and environmental emissions and therefore, overall business sustainability goals that could influence market access,” Seddon explain

© 2024   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service