Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Political stick handling gone bad

This past week I was fortunate enough to be part of a "roundtable" discussion about the issue in agriculture in Huron and Bruce Counties. I say "roundtable" because the discussion was limited to stating out name, what group we are with and our issue.  No debate or other discussion.  So much for that.
My issues were biodigester regulations, unfavourable zoning on property tax assessment and the resolution put forward by the PC party a couple weeks ago.  Oh - we were meeting with the PC Caucus.
They showed no interest in lobbying the Federal government to pony up the 60% Federal portion.  All they were interested in was getting the Province to set up the 40% portion and wait for the Federal side.
Little did they know that we have already waited 3 years for the Federal portion on the Grains & Oilseeds RMP.  Relying on Transfer Payments is no good since they fluctuate from year to year.  We need commitment from the Feds to fund the other 60%.  Instead we get - No interest from the Feds.
Four MPP's come to the largest Agricultural County in Ontario telling the farmers what they do not want to hear?  One of them even claimed to be a part of the second largest Agricultural County in Ontario - not even close (his county ranks fourth in Western Ontario).  There was no MPP from Perth County in attendance.
Not only do we have to lobby the Federal Conservatives to come on board with the request from OASC, we have to educate the Provincial PC party about what exactly Agriculture in Ontario is about and what we want.
Quit the Political crap and get on board - lobby the Federal Government to step up to the plate, and if you think the Province is waiting for the Feds - call their bluff.
The PC Caucus obviously does not care about working for the farmers when they are more interested in "trying" to make the provincial Liberals look bad when it is not what the Farm Leaders have been asking for. Even the media picked it up easily:

Views: 166

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JoAnne Caughill on June 15, 2010 at 2:19am
Part of the problem with the OASC 'ask' has been the Grains and Oilseeds Representation.

Membership of the Livestock sectors have been adament about 100% funding for BRMP - regardless of who does it - Feds or Prov or Feds AND Prov.

Grains and Oilseeds have consistently stuck to their request of 40% funding saying this what their membership wants - in hopes of the Feds coming on board. Like you said, the Feds have had 3 years to think that one over and didn't come on board - and with this economy the Grains Guys are living in la la land if they think the Feds are coming onboard now with their debt levels and everyone else at the door for $$$$. WAKE UP! So it seems that Grains Guys are ok with their 40% coverage - and their extra money last year going back into the Government vault. The silence from Grains membership endorsed their support for their leadership going forward with this ridiculous 40% ask.

We'll see what FPT Meetings in July gain us. My guess - is exactly what we have gotten in the past. Coalition or no coalition - all it has done is bought the Government more time and brough more heart ache to Rural Ontario.

My 2 cents worth......................
Permalink Reply by Joann on June 15, 2010 at 7:10am
Thank you Joanne for articulating the sentiments of many. You are absolutely right.

The other problem I have with Wayne's message is centered on the operative word "ask". What makes people think the government would respond to farmers "asking" for things they "want"? The government does not have a fiduciary obligation to agricultural "wish lists". The public has become intolerant to the incessant pleading of public funds to prop up a "perceived lifestyle" of a minority class of people.. the farmer. Where is the validity of Wayne's statements?

Until farmers understand WHY government have a constitutional mandate to support agriculture... and when farmers have the ability to articulate such.... the government will continue to ignore farmers' "wish lists" and also continue to disrespect Crown obligations towards farmers.

Farmers need a full understanding of "agriculture" to ensure that the Minister of Finance makes FIPA work properly.

JoAnne Caughill said:
Part of the problem with the OASC 'ask' has been the Grains and Oilseeds Representation.
Membership of the Livestock sectors have been adament about 100% funding for BRMP - regardless of who does it - Feds or Prov or Feds AND Prov.
Grains and Oilseeds have consistently stuck to their request of 40% funding saying this what their membership wants - in hopes of the Feds coming on board. Like you said, the Feds have had 3 years to think that one over and didn't come on board - and with this economy the Grains Guys are living in la la land if they think the Feds are coming onboard now with their debt levels and everyone else at the door for $$$$. WAKE UP! So it seems that Grains Guys are ok with their 40% coverage - and their extra money last year going back into the Government vault. The silence from Grains membership endorsed their support for their leadership going forward with this ridiculous 40% ask.

We'll see what FPT Meetings in July gain us. My guess - is exactly what we have gotten in the past. Coalition or no coalition - all it has done is bought the Government more time and brough more heart ache to Rural Ontario.

My 2 cents worth......................
Permalink Reply by Joe Dales on June 17, 2010 at 10:21am
Hi Wayne:

Thanks for trying to get through to the Ontario PC politicians.........I guess they don't see their role as trying to influence the Federal PC party...this is unfortunate because it is really the only political power they have at present....

"A thousand strikes with the hammer crack the stone...."

While it might feel like a lost cause, we need more people like you to keep pushing the Ontario Agriculture agenda.

Thanks,

Joe
Permalink Reply by Wayne Black on June 17, 2010 at 10:55am
Joe - Thanks for your support.
With the Provincial Liberals pushing the Federal government to get "on-side" and with the Provincial PC's pushing the Provincial Liberals - my next question to the PC Caucus, if I was given the opportunity, was going to be - if you are not going to help Ontario Farmers push the Federal government now, why would we expect the Provincial PC's to push the Federal government when in opposition?
The Provincial PC's are barking up the wrong tree and they do not realize it. With the responses they gave to some other "facts" it showed they were not concerned about the Ontario Farmer and more concerned about their paycheque.

Joe Dales said:
Hi Wayne:
Thanks for trying to get through to the Ontario PC politicians.........I guess they don't see their role as trying to influence the Federal PC party...this is unfortunate because it is really the only political power they have at present....
"A thousand strikes with the hammer crack the stone...."

While it might feel like a lost cause, we need more people like you to keep pushing the Ontario Agriculture agenda.

Thanks,

Joe
Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on June 20, 2010 at 5:49am
Politicians and thier own self interest????

Wayne, have you met any that don't think about getting elected first?

I want names if you have....

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

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

Ag in the House: Dec. 1 – 5

A Liberal minister reminded the House the carbon tax doesn’t apply to farmer

Ontario Animal Health Network (OAHN) Swine Network Quarterly Industry Report

Starting in 2015, Senecavirus A (SVA) has caused intermittent complications with respect to the export of Canadian cull animals to the United States. This disease resembles reportable swine vesicular diseases. This is a national issue and since June 2025 has impacted Ontario cull sow movements. In July 2025, the APHIS and the USDA removed the export eligibility status for a cull sow assembly in Ontario due to SVA lesions being seen in cull sows sent to a USDA processing facility. These lesions initiated foreign animal disease investigations at this US processing plant. The suspect animal(s) were initially quarantined for individual inspection and further testing. Since the initial site, another 2 Ontario cull sow assembly sites have also had their export eligibility status revoked by APHIS and the USDA for similar reasons. The affected assembly sites accept cull sows from Quebec, the Maritimes and Ontario. Each affected assembly site must action the USDA requirements including emptyin

New restrictions placed on hunting, farming 'incredibly destructive' wild boars in Alberta

Wild boars have been declared "a pest in all circumstances" by the Alberta government effective Dec. 1, meaning new restrictions have been placed on keeping them in captivity and hunting them in the wild. It is now illegal to keep, buy, sell, obtain or transport wild boars in Alberta without a permit. That also means no new wild boar farms will be permitted in the province. The hunting and trapping of wild boars in Alberta is banned as well, with the exception of land owners or occupants killing the animals on their own land. Any person who kills a wild boar is now required to report the date, location and number of boars killed to the province as soon as possible. Hannah McKenzie, the province's wild boar specialist, says the changes were made due to the dangers posed by existing wild boar populations and the risks associated with more escaping from captivity. "In addition to damaging agriculture and the environment, wild boar pose a serious risk for the introduction and spread of

CUSMA Review Raises Concerns Over Potential U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Pork

As the first formal review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) approaches in July, pork producers across North America are bracing for potential impacts—especially the possibility of new U.S. tariffs on Canadian agriculture. Florian Possberg, Partner at Polar Pork Farms, says the U.S. political landscape is shaping expectations. He notes that U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed for a baseline 15% tariff on foreign goods in recent global trade discussions. If that approach carries into the CUSMA renegotiation, it could disrupt one of the pork sector’s most critical trade corridors. Free Trade Has Been Essential for Pork Movement Possberg emphasizes that under CUSMA, both live hogs and processed pork products have flowed freely across borders without tariffs. This freedom is especially important given the highly integrated nature of North America’s pork supply chain. The best-case scenario, he adds, is that tariff-free access continues unchanged. The wor

FCC report highlights productivity as key to Canada’s agricultural future

Canadian farmers could see significant income gains and new opportunities if agricultural productivity growth returns to historic highs. The Farm Credit Canada (FCC) report titled Reigniting agricultural productivity in Canada, estimates that boosting productivity growth to two per cent annually could unlock $30 billion in additional farm income, generate $31 billion in GDP, and create nearly 23,000 jobs across the country. Canada has long been a standout among global food producers. Over the past half-century, the agriculture industry has achieved significant productivity growth through better farm management, improved input efficiency and technological innovation. The report warns, however, that productivity growth has slowed in recent years, threatening the industry’s competitiveness and Canada’s ability to meet growing national and global food demand. “Canada’s agricultural productivity growth has consistently outpaced other G7 countries for more than three decades, showing the s

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service