By Ethan Wallace, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
The latest statistics just released by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness show the tremendous impact the agri-food sector, which includes farming, agricultural processing, retail and food service, has on the provincial economy.
It contributed $50.7 billion to the provincial economy, provided jobs to 11 per cent of Ontario’s work force and generated exports worth $26.2 billion this past year. That makes food and farming a big deal in the provincial economy and underscores the value farming and agricultural manufacturing, processing and services can bring to a community.
This week is the annual conference of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario – and Ontario’s farmers will be well represented at the event. That’s because so many of the issues affecting farmers and rural communities are actually the responsibility of our municipal governments.
A great example of this is land use planning. The Provincial Policy Statement provides the guidance and sets the baseline, but it is individual municipalities who are responsible for implementation, such as increasing population density, attracting industrial development and protecting the farmland the agri-food sector depends on.
My family and I are dairy farmers near the town of Seaforth in Huron County, about an hour north of London. I’m also an Executive Member on the OFA board and will be one of the organization’s representatives at the AMO conference.
This will be my first time attending the AMO event. This conference offers a great opportunity to have discussions, share ideas and concerns and reinforce the importance of our sector to our municipal representatives, building new relationships as well as building on existing ones.
Many people talk about the urban-rural divide, but to me, it’s more of a symbiotic relationship than a divide. We need each other to thrive, and if we can work together on common goals, we can build more homes and expand our agri-food processing while still ensuring we have the farmland that we need. By encouraging more agricultural manufacturing and processing in our province, for example, we’d be able to expand our exports of value-added products and keeping that economic activity right here at home.
Farmers often times are required to prioritize their activities and as farm policy advocates we are no different. We continue to talk to municipal, provincial and federal leaders about important issues that Ontario farmers are facing.
Municipal challenges range from increasing property taxes, to stormwater management, emergency services and drainage concerns. Provincially we’re focused on the Provincial Planning Statement, conservation authority mapping, hydro generation and corridor expansion and fair and adequate treatment for farmers facing expropriation and other land related concerns.
Our Federal work has focused on rail corridor issues, both around drainage and private crossings, labour shortages across the industry and the impact of changes to capital gains legislation on farm members and family farm corporations.
Other priorities we’ll be highlighting with municipal and provincial representatives during the conference:
Improving rural infrastructure and services: Growing agri-food businesses in rural Ontario means more revenue and investment to improve transportation, affordable energy, broadband internet, and access to social services such as schools, health care and community centers.
Housing affordability and long-term land use planning: Growing the agri-food sector means committing to farmland preservation, smart growth in our urban centers, and ensuring the farm and environmental lands we depend on for local food production and healthy communities are protected. Affordable housing helps attract and keep workers and first-time home buyers and offers growth opportunities for our communities.
Improving rural economic development and community health: Increasing agri-tourism and local food offerings in our communities means more people participating in healthy outdoor activities, learning where their food comes from, improving their mental health and wellbeing, and increasing their connection to the food, flowers, fibre and fuel grown right here in Ontario. The creation of the Ministry of Rural Affairs means an additional voice at the provincial cabinet table, and the strong connection between agriculture, rural affairs and municipalities is undeniable.
Thank you to everyone, whether urban or rural, who supports Ontario products by buying what we produce and grow. We appreciate your support and we look forward to feeding the province, country, world for millennia.
Source : OFA