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Provincial Priorities

Priorities for the 43rd Provincial Government

The Ontario grain and oilseed sector is foundational to Ontario’s innovative agri-food industry and its post-pandemic economic recovery. Here are Grain Farmers of Ontario’s priorities for the 43rd provincial government:

  1. Address Supply Chain Challenges and Escalating Costs of Crop Inputs
    Fertilizer is a critical component for growing food and the province must work towards finding new sources that are economically viable.
  2. Increase Risk Management Program Funding by $100 Million
    Raising the RMP by $100 million will not only encourage $224 million in new economic activity, but help our farmers manage risk on-farm, strengthen domestic food security and keep us competitive with our US counterparts.
  3. Provide Relief on Carbon Pricing For Grain Drying
    We need a climate action plan that exempts direct costs collected from grain farmers on fuels used for grain drying and refunds indirect costs to allow farmers to invest in their own operation to adapt to the changing climate.
  4. Accelerate the Use of Grain-Based Renewable Fuels
    Increasing the amount of corn ethanol and soy renewable diesel required by the Cleaner Fuels Regulation will lower the carbon footprint of transportation fuels, support local economies and create new opportunities for grain farmers.
  5. Invest in the Ridgetown Campus of the University of Guelph
    Investment in a world-class centre in Ridgetown, Ontario will mean that researchers can find ways to adapt to changes in the climate that effect grains and oilseed production and develop innovations to ensure Ontario’s Food Security.
  6. Invest in Grains and Oilseed Processing
    Our sector already contributes over $18 billion in economic output and is responsible for over 75,000 jobs in the province. We can grow even further by investing in the processing industry to generate new value-added opportunities, create new jobs and grow Ontario’s GDP.

Grain Farmers of Ontario – Candidate Forum 2022

Where do the different Ontario provincial parties stand on agriculture issues and the challenges facing farmers and the agribusiness sector?

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) has teamed up with RealAgriculture to help you understand the commitments the parties are making to farmers ahead of the provincial election. On this YouTube special broadcast, RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney and GFO Chair Brendan Byrne discuss key provincial priorities for the Ontario grain and oilseed sector heading into the 43rd Ontario government. Tune into see how each party is looking to shape grain farming in the next Ontario government.

They’re joined by representatives from each of the main Ontario parties to share their party’s perspective on these key issues and priorities. Participants include:

  • Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario, Member of Provincial Parliament for Guelph
  • Bob Gordanier, Liberal Party Candidate for Dufferin-Caledon
  • Andrea Horwath, Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, Member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton Centre
  • John Vanthof, Ontario New Democratic Party Member of Provincial Parliament for Timiskaming-Cochrane
  • Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Progressive Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament Huron-Bruce

Watch the GFO Ontario Election Special 2022: