Farm groups jump into election fray Wednesday, April 20, 2011 by PAT CURRIEIn a gambit aimed at providing a large slice of the agricultural community with information to make "an informed choice" in the May 2 federal election, Ontario Pork has partnered with four farm organizations as well as Ontario cattlemen and grains and oilseed producers to create an election tool kit. The organizations together represent 50,000 farm families across Ontario.Part of the kit to be sent to producer/members of the organizations is a brochure for candidates that provides background information on reasons why the federal government should support an Ontario risk-management program, said Ontario Pork strategist Patrick O’Neil. The program, a form of insurance, was introduced four years ago for grain and oilseeds producers. The groups are asking the federal government to kick in 60 per cent of the program’s government funding. The Ontario government expanded the program in its latest budget to include livestock and horticulture producers. Ontario pays 40 per cent of the cost but to date the federal government hasn’t signed on for its 60 per cent share, said O’Neil.The purpose of the joint campaign is twofold – to inform candidates about the importance of RMP to Ontario agriculture and to help inform producers on the positions of individual candidates, said Ontario Pork chair Wilma Jeffray.The tool kit provides a list of questions for candidates, including: "Are you committed to supporting Ontario Farmers in securing federal funding for RMP?" "If you are able to get an answer to this question from any candidate, please forward the information to me at patrick.oneil@ontariopork.on.ca," O’Neil asked. BF Precedent setting hearing vindicates farmers Migrant worker health study challenged
Canada Opens Interprovincial Alcohol Sales Thursday, July 23, 2026 A major change to Canada's internal marketplace is set to create new opportunities for wineries, breweries and distilleries after nine provinces signed a landmark agreement allowing direct-to-consumer sales of alcoholic beverages across participating jurisdictions. The deal is being hailed... Read this article online
Heat and Rain have led to a challenging growing season for Cauliflower Growers in Ontario. Thursday, July 23, 2026 There are only 1,225 acres dedicated to growing cauliflower in Ontario, but they produce 14,545,000 lbs of the vegetable. Growers across key vegetable-producing regions are preparing for increased shipments of locally grown cauliflower to grocery stores, restaurants, wholesalers and... Read this article online
Who Knew so Much Canadian Watermelon is Grown in Ontario Thursday, July 23, 2026 Many consumers may think of watermelon as an exotic fruit, but Ontario grows about2,000 acresof watermelons each year, more than 35,084tonnesof watermelon.Watermelonharvest now is underway. Watermelon originated in northeastern Africa, particularly in the region that today includes Sudan... Read this article online
Pilot project supports Ontario and Quebec ag Wednesday, July 22, 2026 A new two-year pilot project is designed to help livestock farmers in Quebec by giving them access to an Ontario abattoir. The project, a collaboration between the Quebec and Ontario governments, with additional support from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), would see a limited... Read this article online
Ontario Farmers Harvest One of Canada’s Top Carrot Crops Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Carrots are among Ontario's most important vegetable crops, contributing significantly to local food production and year-round fresh produce availability. Ontario grows the most carrots of any Canadian province – 45% of the country’s carrots. According to Statistics Canada, Ontario... Read this article online