Court dismisses eastern Ontario poultry processor's appeal Thursday, July 2, 2015 by SUSAN MANNEastern Ontario poultry processor, Laplante Poultry Farms Ltd., has until the middle of this month to pay $35,000 in court costs after a Divisional Court dismissed its application to review an agricultural tribunal’s decision.Laplante Poultry Farms was ordered to pay Chicken Farmers of Ontario $10,000 and Riverview Poultry Ltd. of Smithville $25,000 within 30 days of the decision being handed down June 18.Laplante, owned by Robert Laplante and his parents, has been trying to get a larger share of the Ontario chicken market. Processors must have calculated base, which is a processor’s share of the market measured in kilograms and determined by Chicken Farmers of Ontario, along with a Class A license issued by Chicken Farmers to buy chicken from Ontario farmers.Laplante Poultry wanted an additional 286,553 kilograms of calculated base on top of the 156,449 kg share it was granted by Chicken Farmers in 2012. Processors can get more calculated base by buying it from another processor or through a reassignment of bases by Chicken Farmers.Chicken Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal both turned down Laplante’s request for more calculated base. After Chicken Farmers turned down Laplante’s request, the processor appealed the decision to the tribunal.At the tribunal hearing last year, Laplante argued it was entitled to the calculated base of Remy Poultry Inc. when it went out of business in 2010 but that company sold its base to Riverview Poultry Ltd. of Smithville.The case for the judicial review of the tribunal’s and Chicken Farmers’ decisions was heard in Toronto last month by justices D.L. Corbett, Mary A. Sanderson and H. Rady.In an oral decision released June 30, Corbett said the standard of review of the tribunal’s decision is reasonableness. “A decision is reasonable if there is justification, transparency and intelligibility within the decision-making process and the decision falls within a range of possible outcomes which are defensible in respect of facts and the law.”Robert Laplante couldn’t be reached for comment. BF Ontario's corn plantings are up Surplus farm lots on Perth County's agenda
Canadian Grain and Pork Sectors Join Others in Sound Alarm Over AAFC Research Cuts Friday, February 6, 2026 The Grain Growers of Canada (CGC), the Canadian Pork Council (CPC), and Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) are expressing serious concern following recently announced staff reductions and facility closures or consolidations within Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada (AAFC). The groups warn that... Read this article online
Red Tape Pushes 70% of Agri Businesses to Deter Next Generation from Farming Thursday, February 5, 2026 Canada’s food production system is under mounting pressure as agri-businesses warn that regulatory overload is discouraging the next generation from entering the industry. A new snapshot from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) reveals that almost 70% of agri... Read this article online
Ontario maple producers to kick off 2026 syrup season with First Tapping Ceremony Thursday, February 5, 2026 The start of Ontario’s maple syrup season will be officially welcomed next month as the Grey Bruce and District Maple Syrup Producers prepare to host their annual in Grey Highlands on February 8, 2026. The event marks the symbolic launch of the new maple season, when producers,... Read this article online
Canada’s Ag Day Is Coming Soon – Here is why it matters! Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Canada’s Ag Day is a national moment to recognize the people who grow, raise, make, and move our food. Ag Day will be on February 10th and it will be celebrating its 10th anniversary. But beneath the celebration lies something even more essential: our food system depends on... Read this article online
Growing Home with BASF Opens 2026 Nominations Wednesday, February 4, 2026 After strong community engagement in 2025, BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada is inviting Canadians to take part once again as nominations open for the 2026 Growing Home with BASF program. Now entering its fourth year, the initiative continues to support organizations that play an... Read this article online