Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

The CFFO Commentary: Balancing Trade Interests in a Changing World

By Paul Boostsma
April 6, 2012
 
A great deal of Canadian agriculture is based on the ability to trade with other nations. When we look at progress on trade the World Trade Organization is struggling to gain momentum, bilateral deals are moving forward at a faster and faster rate, and ambitious regional deals are being developed. Our government has some tough things to put into consideration as this growing trend towards selective trade partners evolves over time in an unstable world economy.
 
The first consideration is the need to find more opportunities abroad and to reduce our reliance on the United States. Prime Minister Harper has made trade missions a priority, seeking out new opportunities with a wide variety of countries to increase business opportunities for Canadian firms. Agricultural products produced in Canada have a positive reputation as safe and nutritious, and given our capacity to produce more as a country than we require, export opportunities are available.
 
The desire for increased trade requires consideration of our key strengths. Canada prides itself for its high health and safety standards. Canada has strong environmental and labour laws that govern the activities of business. This translates into opportunities to target high value markets throughout the world.
 
The downside of maintaining high standards is that it adds cost to the production system, making it more difficult to deal with cheap imports. The domestic economy cannot be neglected or easily sacrificed for the sake of trade. Agriculture is a leading industry in Canada, providing good food and jobs for Canadian people. Losing a significant share of the domestic market to foreign competition of questionable quality needs to be guarded against. Canadian farmers want a level playing field to compete in both domestically and internationally.
 
Canada’s government has a tough line to walk as it seeks out new opportunities in the emerging world of selective trade. Growing our export opportunities without sacrificing the quality standards Canadians expect is a tremendous challenge. I want to encourage the government to maintain what we have and ensure that Canada is one of the best places to live and work in the world.

 

Paul Bootsma is the Field Services Manager for the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario. The CFFO Commentary represents the opinions of the writer and does not necessarily represent CFFO policy. The CFFO Commentary is heard weekly on CFCO Chatham, CKNX Wingham, and UCB Canada radio stations in Chatham, Belleville, Bancroft, Brockville and Kingston and in Brantford and Woodstock. It is also found on the CFFO website: www.christianfarmers.org. CFFO is supported by 4,200 family farmers across Ontario.

Views: 93

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

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

Sask Farmer Say he Knows Why Fertilizer Companies Come Out Ahead When Markets are Disrupted

As fertilizer prices remain volatile, one Saskatchewan farmer argues the system is stacked against producers.

U.S. ethanol industry sets its sights on the world

Canada remains the top export market for U.S. ethanol, purchasing 757 million gallons of the fuel in 2024-25. The country blended the fuel at a 10 per cent level (E10) nationwide last year, with some provinces adopting an E15 mandate. “As they continue to move to E15, they could be our first billion-gallon market,” Ryan LeGrand, president of the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council, told delegates attending the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 102nd annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. The United States shipped out a record 2.13 billion gallons of ethanol around the world in 2024-25, up from the 1.75 billion gallons exported the previous year. LeGrand said the goal is to continue expanding exports until the country is fully using its two billion gallons of excess production capacity. There are plenty of promising markets, but Mexico tops the list. The country passed an E10 mandate in 2017, but it was later struck down by the courts due to a technicality. Mexico’s new president, Clau

Secretary Naig, Iowa 4-H, Iowa FFA Announce Statewide Tree Planting Initiative in Honor of America250

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, in collaboration with Iowa 4-H and Iowa FFA, today announced a statewide tree planting initiative in honor of America’s 250th birthday. The youth-driven initiative aims to plant 250 trees across Iowa in 2026, connecting students with the state’s agricultural heritage and a commitment to stewardship and service. The initiative encourages Iowa youth to take an active role in conserving the land that has sustained generations of farmers while celebrating the values that have shaped our nation and our communities. “Planting a tree is a simple act that benefits future generations,” said Secretary Naig. “Through this initiative, Iowa 4-Hers and FFA members have an opportunity to honor our nation’s history while strengthening their communities. I encourage chapters and clubs across the state to join us in celebrating this milestone moment in our nation’s history by planting an official A250 tree in their communities that will live on for generations.

EMILI celebrates women producers during International Year of the Woman Farmer

2026 is International Year of the Woman Farmer, celebrating the essential, and often unrecognized roles that women play across the agrifood system. This International Women’s Day, EMILI is spotlighting six women producers who play an integral role in Canadian agriculture.  Over the past few years, we’ve had the privilege of connecting with several women who play an integral role on farms as part of our This is Agriculture campaign. Read more about each woman below, and follow the links to read their whole story. Jordyn Wiebe Jordyn Wiebe grew up on her family’s farm, J.P. Wiebe Ltd., in MacGregor Manitoba. She spent her childhood working odd jobs to help the farm’s potato operation, and while she initially began her career off the farm, she was drawn back to her roots when she returned to become J.P. Wiebe Ltd.’s bookkeeper and farm and food safety manager. Read Jordyn’s story here. Jill Verwey Jill Verwey lives and breathes agriculture, holding roles as the office manager for Ver

Ontario Veterinary College at U of G Names New Dean  

The University of Guelph is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Julia Montgomery, dean of the? Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service