Chicken Farmers of Ontario welcomes new provincial government, and thanks outgoing government for long-standing support

BURLINGTON, ON – As Ontarians voted, the polls closed, and a significant shift at Queen’s Park was confirmed – the province’s over 1,300 chicken farming-families actively prepare to welcome the new government into their communities.

As much of the province’s chicken farmers reside in traditionally blue ridings, Chicken Farmers of Ontario’s (CFO) farmer-members will have the opportunity to work with familiar incumbents and welcome many new Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), while continuing to work alongside government to enhance the focus of agricultural framework in the province.

Throughout the course of the election, CFO’s Board Directors, District Committee Representatives and farmer-members were engaging at the local level, meeting with candidates from all parties, and ensuring that long-standing relationships were nurtured, and new ones were built.

“Today we welcome the new government and we look forward to building a strong relationship with the incoming Premier, the MPPs at Queen’s Park, and notably the new Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs,” said Ed Benjamins, Chair, Chicken Farmers of Ontario. “We have chicken farming-families in over 330 communities across the province and we are committed to working closely with all levels of government on effective advocacy strategies.”

Supply management is a system that has worked for Ontarians for over 50 years, and Chicken Farmers of Ontario will continue to ensue that consumers have access to the locally-grown Premium Ontario Chicken they want and deserve.

On behalf of chicken farmers in the province, the CFO Board of Directors would like to express sincere gratitude and thanks to the outgoing Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the previous Ontario Government.

“Minister Leal has showed unwavering support for the ever-changing Ontario chicken industry, stated Rob Dougans, President and CEO, Chicken Farmers of Ontario. “He put his trust in the Board to do the right thing. He supported the industry as we endeavour to transform and take major strides forward,” said Dougans. “While we look to the future, and as we embrace new change – we will not forget Minister Leal’s passion for Ontario agriculture.”

The Board encourages all CFO farmer-members to attend the upcoming Regional Meetings for an update on post-election information, and how to become more involved in advocacy programs at the local level.