The Beef Farmers of Ontario returned to Queen’s Park this week to host its annual barbecue and lobby day on the lawn of the Ontario Legislature, just prior to Ontario’s Local Food Week, which takes place June 2-8. The BFO Board of Directors and staff said in a release they served over 500 attendees an […] Read more
Tag Archives Ontario government
Beef farmers return to Queen’s Park for annual barbecue and lobby day
Province halts lot severance policy after industry input
Extended consultation period will allow for further input on housing plans
The Ontario government has agreed to pause its proposed planning statement and Bill 97 pending further discussions. The announcement was made May 30 in a joint release by 14 Ontario agricultural organizations. Why it matters: If passed, the proposed plan would see farmland permanently lost in Ontario. The statement as proposed would allow up to […] Read more
Veterinary program investment to address animal treatment shortage
Northern community sees value in new collaborative vet program
A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program collaboration at the University of Guelph and Lakehead University is now official. “This is a program that is going to generate a tremendous return on the investment in terms of supporting our farmers,” said Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Lisa Thompson, speaking April 20 at the U of […] Read more
Poultry research gets boost with provincial investment
Ontario Poultry Research Centre will join other research stations in Elora
The Ontario government is feathering the nest of a new Ontario Poultry Research Centre with a $13.5 million commitment. “This research centre will, once completed, equip our poultry industry with the tools and the knowledge to stay competitive while creating jobs, growing the economy and ensuring supply chain security,” said Lisa Thompson, provincial minister of […] Read more
Increasing veterinary capacity in Ontario to receive $15 million in funding
To help address veterinary shortages in rural and northern communities, the Ontario government is investing more than $15 million to establish anew Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program with the University of Guelph and Lakehead University. The government is also providing grants to new veterinary graduates as an incentive to work in underserviced areas in […] Read more
Editorial: Budgets lacking for farmers
There is always a sense of trepidation when a government announces it will table its annual budget. Many industries, agriculture included, hold their collective breath in anticipation of seeing whether their lobby efforts come to fruition. The Ontario government released its 2023 budget on March 23. Overall, public spending will increase a little over two […] Read more
Province invests $343 million into Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance
Previous funding resulted in $1.4 billion boost to Ontario’s economy
The province is investing $343 million in the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance over the next five years. The Alliance is a collaboration between Ontario, the University of Guelph and the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario that supports and drives agri-food research and innovation. Why it matters: Ontario’s continued financial support of agri-food research, technology and […] Read more
Grow Ontario Strategy takes root with agri-food sector
Accelerating technology and adoption, strengthening supply chains and increasing labour goal of provincial plan
The province’s newly released agri-food strategy, Grow Ontario, has been welcomed across the agricultural sector. It outlines the province’s goal to increase the production and consumption of food grown and prepared in Ontario by 30 per cent, increase food and beverage manufacturing GDP by 10 per cent and increase agri-food exports by eight per cent […] Read more
Editorial: Smoke and mirrors
Do more with less” is without a doubt the overarching theme for Canadian agriculture in 2022. Although that exact phrase may not always be used, its sentiment has been consistent. Farmers and those working in the agriculture industry have been bombarded with information and commentary about how the climate is in crisis, and that they […] Read more
Ontario government’s Bill 23 accelerates concern about loss of farmland
More Homes Built Faster Act will allow new house builds on protected lands
After four years of rolling back protective Greenbelt legislation, the Ontario government’s More Homes Built Faster Act is opening acres for urban development. The Greenbelt was established in 2005 to protect environmentally sensitive lands and farmland from urban development but the recently announced act, known as Bill 23, will remove 7,400 acres from protection. Wayne […] Read more
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