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Truck and spraying machine
Truck and spraying machine
November 27, 2019

This column is to keep you informed about the key issues that OFVGA is tackling on behalf of Ontario’s fruit and vegetable farmers.

 

Ontario Bill 132

 

The legislature resumed sitting in October and the provincial government announced its Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, legislation designed to reduce red tape across numerous provincial ministries. The OFVGA worked with its members and other associations to review and submit comments on a wide variety of proposed changes.

 

OFVGA was pleased to see that one of the proposed changes is to bring Ontario’s pesticide classification system in line with that of the federal government to enable timely access to crop protection products. Ontario is the only province with the duplicate classification system. OFVGA has been working with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for the past year to remove this duplicative process.

 

Other proposed changes such as changes to environmental non-compliance penalties will be observed closely to ensure farmers are being treated fairly by enforcement officers. For many of the proposed changes, the devil will be in the details once regulations are drafted or amended and the OFVGA will take every opportunity to advocate for approaches that promote, rather than hinder sector competitiveness.

 

Financial protection for growers

 

The OFVGA board recently had a discussion with representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) around the issue of financial protection for growers. OMAFRA consulted with industry in November focusing on its current financial protection programs for grain and livestock producers. The OFVGA used this opportunity to propose changes to existing Ontario legislation to enable potential protections for the fruit and vegetable sector.

 

SDRM redesign update

 

As directed by Minister Hardeman, the OFVGA continues to work with OMAFRA staff on the ongoing review and redesign of the Self-Directed Risk Management (SDRM) program, which is part of the provincial suite of risk management programming for non-supply managed commodities. OFVGA is committed to working with OMAFRA to ensure the program remains effective for growers while also meeting the needs of government.

 

Negative media coverage of seasonal worker programs

 

The OFVGA is closely watching recent negative and factually inaccurate media stories concerning seasonal agricultural workers. OFVGA recognizes the ongoing efforts by organizations such as FARMS and the Canadian Horticultural Council to push back on the false narratives in the media. In support of these efforts, the OFVGA has shared messaging with members to help farmers talk about the benefits to the workers, the Canadian public and growers. Messaging is also available on the OFVGA website.

 

National activities

 

Now that the federal cabinet has been announced, the OFVGA has written the Prime Minister, key cabinet members, several Members of Parliament and leaders of the opposition parties to congratulate them on their roles in the new parliament. We also took the opportunity to communicate priority issues for the fruit and vegetable sector, including financial protection for growers, improving the Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s process for evaluating crop protection products and the importance of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.

 

Call for Resolutions

 

It’s time to start thinking about resolutions for the 2020 OFVGA annual general meeting. If your organization is considering submitting a resolution on a specific issue and would like some background information that might be helpful in crafting your resolution, please feel free to contact the OFVGA. The AGM will take place February 18, 2020 at the Hilton Hotel in Niagara Falls. The deadline for submitting resolutions is January 10, 2020.

 

Want to see an issue highlighted here, or learn more about how OFVGA represents growers? Contact Gordon Stock, senior policy and government relations advisor, at gstock@ofvga.org or 519-763-6160, ext. 125. More detailed updates can also be found at www.ofvga.org/news.

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Submitted by Gordon Stock on 27 November 2019