A strong rural economy benefits all Ontarians

By Tracey Arts, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Ontario’s agri-food sector often flies under the radar in the face of prominent industries like automotive, but it’s actually a major economic powerhouse in its own right.

In fact, the industry that spans from Ontario’s farms right through to food service contributes $47 billion to the provincial economy every year and provides jobs for about 10% of the province’s workforce – or more than 750,000 people.

Ontario’s more than 48,000 farms are the backbone of the value chain, which includes businesses that supply inputs like seed and fertilizer, as well as manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, retail, food service, tourism and waste management.

Our family’s southwestern Ontario dairy farm is one of those farms and it’s always interesting to see the many other aspects of the provincial economy we touch, from the local farm supply store and veterinary clinic to transportation and processing all the way down to the people who eventually consume Ontario-made milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)’s Grow Ontario Strategy sets out ambitious goals for the growth of this sector between now and 2032, which will support economic growth and ensure an efficient and reliable food supply.

A strong component of making that happen is support and development of Ontario’s rural economy.

I’m also a director on the board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and this past winter, I attended the Rural Ontario Municipal Association’s annual conference, where OMAFRA announced the development of the first Rural Economic Development Strategy for the province.

From diversification of existing businesses to the development of new enterprises, we hope it will seize the opportunity to unleash the untapped potential in rural Ontario not just for agriculture but also for the many businesses and services our communities rely on.

A strong rural economy matters to the entire provincial economy, and rural economic development should be a focus not just for OMAFRA but also many other ministries who have a role to play in our rural business and social fabric, from health, housing, and labour to economic development, transportation and more.

OFA has just submitted comments to the provincial consultation for the strategy, highlighting what we believe will help rural economic development be impactful and drive meaningful change.