Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

TIME TO RALLY

After hearing that both levels of government want to do more meetings and discuss the future of agriculture in Canada I wonder if it is time to bring all non supply managed farmers and their elected officials together for a major rally to get the point accross that wait and see is not an answer and we need results now. Is this a good idea and if so how do we get the ball rolling.

Views: 755

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by bert on March 9, 2010 at 1:22am
Tom Murray said:
JoAnne Caughill said:
I agree with John that it is the Provincial Government that needs to help us out right away to save this Industry. However I would not let the Federal Government off the hook so quickly. They have AgriStability which (even though Gerry thinks it does) IS NOT working for producers. His 80% satisfaction rating has to be many years old. They need to fix this program. Sheila Frasier, Auditor General has spoke severely against this program and it's ability to work as it should as outlined in the Farm Income Protection Act. We need to take Gerry to task on this program and make it stand up to their (Government's) own test of FIPA.

I think we need a MAJOR protest - and yes as pointed out in another email - it would be great if all Provinces could agree to protest together on the same dates. Anyone interested in this from other provinces can contact me through this chat forum. Let's work together.
Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on March 19, 2010 at 5:06am
To pull off a major rally, there needs to be more than a grass roots revolt....there needs to be organization and lots of communication...where are ofa and cfa on this? they have the time and ability...do we need to push them into action?
Permalink Reply by Tom Murray on March 19, 2010 at 6:30am
It is not wether we need to push them but how we push them. I do not think they are listening and understanding how bad things really are or they would be organizing something already.
Permalink Reply by John Gillespie on March 20, 2010 at 2:59am
RoadRunner

I see you asking where the OFA is and why they have not been organizing rallies. As a vice president in the Bruce County federation of Agriculture I am going to turn the question around and ask where have the members been? OFA has been asking for the RMP and other programs and changes. We have not been getting much response from Government to our requests. We know things have to change BUT we are not seeing much from our members. Last fall at our county annual meeting ( with almost 1400 members in the county) we had 70 people out, about 1/2 were directors and spouses, plus media and politicians, hardly any regular members. There were NO resolutions presented for us to do anything different and I think the hog and beef sectors were in trouble last fall too. We always make our monthly board meetings open to members, and we never have any come. If you want to push OFA to do more you have to show up. Go to your county meeting and ask them to do more. Better yet take 25 of your neighbours with you. If 5 or 6 regional directors go to the next OFA board meeting and say they each had 50 or 100 members out to the last county board meetings demanding rallies/protests etc then more is likely to happen.

The leadership of OFA can't do everything for the members without some help. Our county can't even fill all the township director chairs, and most of us have off farm work besides, so we need more help. If you want to provide it, we will accept.
Permalink Reply by Tom Murray on March 20, 2010 at 9:52am
Do you think that there might be to many orginizations. I belong to several and the same message is being put out but like you say not enough people coming forward at each groups meetings. Maybe we need less groups working for us in order to have a united voice. I wonder if one orginization stepped up and really started to push how many people would come out. I feel most people do not bother because they see it is a slow process and of little value. One load group seems to work in places in Europe as well as in Quebec.

John Gillespie said:
RoadRunner

I see you asking where the OFA is and why they have not been organizing rallies. As a vice president in the Bruce County federation of Agriculture I am going to turn the question around and ask where have the members been? OFA has been asking for the RMP and other programs and changes. We have not been getting much response from Government to our requests. We know things have to change BUT we are not seeing much from our members. Last fall at our county annual meeting ( with almost 1400 members in the county) we had 70 people out, about 1/2 were directors and spouses, plus media and politicians, hardly any regular members. There were NO resolutions presented for us to do anything different and I think the hog and beef sectors were in trouble last fall too. We always make our monthly board meetings open to members, and we never have any come. If you want to push OFA to do more you have to show up. Go to your county meeting and ask them to do more. Better yet take 25 of your neighbours with you. If 5 or 6 regional directors go to the next OFA board meeting and say they each had 50 or 100 members out to the last county board meetings demanding rallies/protests etc then more is likely to happen.

The leadership of OFA can't do everything for the members without some help. Our county can't even fill all the township director chairs, and most of us have off farm work besides, so we need more help. If you want to provide it, we will accept.
Permalink Reply by linda Hancock on March 20, 2010 at 10:15am
I have to agree with both Tom and roadrunner. Like who is the Bruce county federation of agriculture. When I start looking around there are way to many groups all trying to work towards helping agriculture but not unified enough with each other to make a difference. I have not been to my own cattlemens meeting for 15 years or more mainly to busy but I am going this year because everyones voice is important and now is the time to stand up or soon there will be nothing to stand up for.

Tom Murray said:
Do you think that there might be to many orginizations. I belong to several and the same message is being put out but like you say not enough people coming forward at each groups meetings. Maybe we need less groups working for us in order to have a united voice. I wonder if one orginization stepped up and really started to push how many people would come out. I feel most people do not bother because they see it is a slow process and of little value. One load group seems to work in places in Europe as well as in Quebec.

John Gillespie said:
RoadRunner

I see you asking where the OFA is and why they have not been organizing rallies. As a vice president in the Bruce County federation of Agriculture I am going to turn the question around and ask where have the members been? OFA has been asking for the RMP and other programs and changes. We have not been getting much response from Government to our requests. We know things have to change BUT we are not seeing much from our members. Last fall at our county annual meeting ( with almost 1400 members in the county) we had 70 people out, about 1/2 were directors and spouses, plus media and politicians, hardly any regular members. There were NO resolutions presented for us to do anything different and I think the hog and beef sectors were in trouble last fall too. We always make our monthly board meetings open to members, and we never have any come. If you want to push OFA to do more you have to show up. Go to your county meeting and ask them to do more. Better yet take 25 of your neighbours with you. If 5 or 6 regional directors go to the next OFA board meeting and say they each had 50 or 100 members out to the last county board meetings demanding rallies/protests etc then more is likely to happen.

The leadership of OFA can't do everything for the members without some help. Our county can't even fill all the township director chairs, and most of us have off farm work besides, so we need more help. If you want to provide it, we will accept.
Permalink Reply by John Gillespie on March 20, 2010 at 2:57pm
Well the BCFA is the local level of OFA. We deal with local issues, and act as a voice for members to interact with the provincial OFA.

I do agree there are too many groups, and that the Quebec model works much better, getting there is going to be an interesting process but some parts are starting (Grain Farmers).

The real question is if we do decide to become more active, (and rallies are just one option, a very concentrated lobby on MP/MPP's may be just as effective, if say every MP/MPP had a personal visit every day, and a call and fax every 15 minutes for 2 or 3 weeks) how many people are going to support us, and how many have just given up?
Permalink Reply by Tom Murray on March 22, 2010 at 2:27am
The real point is one of our leadership has to step up and tell us what needs to be done and tell it so that we get a huge majority on board. If not we might as well quit right now. I will support anything that is seen as helping the cause but I am sick of going to meetings that do not accomplish anything. The farm can no longer support my family so my wife and myself ( just like many others ) have found it necessary to work full time jobs and run the farm, how much time do we have to attend meetings that appear to be going no where......none

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

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

Andrew Coyne: Canada’s Productivity Crisis is Now a National Security Issue

At the CrossRoads Crop Conference, the Globe and Mail columnist said slowing growth, aging demographics, and weak competition leave Canada dangerously exposed in an era of economic coercion. Andrew Coyne didn’t open with small talk. Speaking today at the CrossRoads Crop Conference in Edmonton, the Globe and Mail columnist said Canada is facing the “most serious economic and security crisis” of his lifetime — one that combines long-running domestic weaknesses with a rapidly shifting global order. Coyne framed the moment as a collision between two trends: Canada’s slowing economic growth and aging population, and a world where trade and security commitments are less reliable than Canadians have assumed. In that environment, he argued, Canada’s historic advantage — living next to the world’s largest economy and military — can quickly become a vulnerability. A foundational assumption is cracking Coyne’s core message was that Canada has built decades of policy — economic, fiscal, defence

Building a Herd That Works: EPDs, Genomics and Smart Genetic Investments

Julia and Robert operate a commercial cow-calf operation with a strong focus on making informed, strategic management and breeding decisions. They market all calves at weaning and have a goal to increase weaning weights by 20 pounds without sacrificing calving ease, which remains a key priority for both cow health and labour requirements. This year, they are looking to purchase one or two new herd sires. One afternoon at the kitchen table, coffee in hand, they were flipping through the latest bull sale catalogues full of glossy photos when they heard footsteps on the front porch. It was their trusted neighbour and fellow commercial cow-calf producer, Andy. “Bull shopping?” Andy commented when he saw the catalogues. “Trying to,” Julia replied with a puzzled glance, tapping a page covered in circled bull images. “Mind if I take a look?” asked Andy. Julia slid the catalogue over. “Sure. See what you think of our selections so far.” Andy was silent for a moment as he flipped through

Canola and Biofuels: Share Your Perspective

Canola oil is an excellent feedstock for biofuel production, offering farmers an additional domestic market opportunity for their canola crop. The national and provincial canola grower associations have come together to deepen our understanding of canola farmers’ views and knowledge about the connections between canola and biofuels. We’re interested in learning how farmers see the opportunities and challenges related to this growing market. Your feedback will help our organizations better inform policy discussions and strengthen our engagement with you. The survey takes about five minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. There are no right or wrong answers – we simply want to hear your perspective. Thank you for your participation! This survey is conducted in partnership with Canadian Canola Growers Association, BC Grain Producers, Alberta Canola, SaskOilseeds, Manitoba Canola Growers Association, and Ontario Canola Growers Association.

AAFC cuts hitting seven research sites

Canada’s ag sector is expressing concern over the full scope of cuts coming to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Ag included in PM’s affordability measures

Producers can fully write off some greenhouses

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service