Government Priorities

Provincial Priorities

Priorities for the Provincial Government

Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers who grow food for Ontario and people around the world on six million acres of farmland across the province.

Ontario’s grain and oilseed industry contributes over $27 billion in economic output and is responsible for over 92,000 jobs in the province.

Ontario’s grain farmers look forward to working with the Ontario government as a partner creating a policy framework for growth that:

• reduces uncertainty and helps manage risks for grain farmers
• maintains competitiveness with the U.S.
• supports sector growth through investments and reducing red tape

Supporting Ontario’s grain sector supports sustainability, economic prosperity, and food security.

It’s a simple fact —  Agriculture is the best investment for Ontario.

The following outlines the policy priorities that Grain Farmers of Ontario has identified to strengthen food security and benefit all Ontarians:

1. Ongoing support for Ontario’s Risk Management Program
Ontario’s Risk Management Program (RMP) helps farmers manage risks beyond their control including fluctuating costs and market prices.

• The new RMP program features an additional funding raising the provincial RMP contribution to $250 million. Grain farmers in Ontario welcomed these changes and the ongoing support for the program. 
• We ask the Ontario government to continue this support for the ongoing program as well as the entire risk management suite.

2. Keeping Ontario grain farmers competitive by protecting markets & imports of farm inputs
Grain farmers in Ontario rely on important products needed to grow crops: including seed, fertilizer, machinery, and natural gas, and an economy that exports $6 billion in exports into the United States.

• We ask the government to protect grains and oilseed export markets and the importation of inputs. We urge the government to take all possible measures to protect grain and oilseed farmers from the adverse effects of tariffs imposed by the current U.S. administration. 
• Farmers are relying on the Ontario government to act as a strong advocate with the federal government to protect Ontario’s grain export markets and to consult Grain Farmers of Ontario before enacting any retaliation measures that could directly impact farmer-members.

3. Accelerate the use of grain-based renewable fuels
Ethanol is part of the solution for Ontario’s economy and for improving the environment.

• Increasing the contribution of ethanol in gasoline and biodiesel and renewable diesel from soybeans in diesel lowers the carbon footprint of transportation fuels, supports local rural economies, creates new opportunities for grain farmers, and promotes increased domestic renewable fuel production.

4. Providing relief on carbon tax for grain drying
The Carbon tax is a financial burden on farmers.

• Farmers were pleased to see the elimination of the Cap-and-Trade system in Ontario but the federal Carbon Tax is an ongoing burden and expense for grain farmers. Farmers need relief from costs of the carbon tax on grain farming especially on fuels used for grain drying. 

5. Reducing red tape and investing in grain & oilseed processing
Investing in grain and oilseed processing, as well as downstream food, feed, and agri-product manufacturing, will generate new value-added opportunities, create more jobs and increase the sectors contribution to Ontario’s GDP.

• We ask that the Ontario government continue to invest in value-added processing and the value chain for grains and oilseed.
• The removal of red tape and unnecessary costs will help the grains value chain grow.

6. Reducing red tape and costs of trucking farm products
There is a critical shortage of truck drivers in Ontario and costs to maintain trucks have increased. Farmers in Ontario are paying more than they ever have to transport grain to buyers and inputs to the farm. 

• The cost of insurance, training, and annual safety certifications is a financial burden for farmers and a deterrent for new drivers. Insurance premiums for commercial trucks have increased 75 per cent cent over the last decade a cost that is unique to Ontario and not felt by competitors in other provinces and in the United States. Safety certifications have drastically increased in costs and created a red tape burden with annual requirements that are unrealistic for farm equipment.  We urge the government to reduce these burdens and find ways to help reduce costs associated with insurance.

7. Review the reach of conservation authorities
Land management is a essential to growing food on farms.

• Ensure that conservation authorities do not overreach their authority and that the ability to farm is prioritized in land use discussions is essential.

8. Prohibit municipalities from charging stormwater fees on agricultural properties
Municipal Stormwater charges on agriculture lands are unfair to farmers. Grain farms provide environmental benefits to municipalities, such as filtering contaminants, slowing peak flows, and replenishing aquifers. This fee not only unfairly taxes farmers but puts them in a competitive disadvantage.

• We are asking the Ontario government for a provincial exemption of agriculture lands from stormwater fees.

9. Increase investment in research and innovation
Innovation drives farm productivity meaning farmers can grow more on the same amount of land. Grain farmers increased investment in research as well as post-secondary education to strengthen the future of agriculture.

• Increased investment in the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness–University of Guelph Alliance Agreement to enhance training, education, and science-based innovation will drive innovation, boost productivity, and help address environmental sustainability.
• Investments in the University of Guelph–Ridgetown Campus as a world-class research centre will maximize the role of Ontario’s grain and oilseed industry in the circular economy, advance low-carbon solutions, and enhance Ontario’s food security.