OFA Commentary #3504
Many Ontario farmers and their organizations are unhappy with the McGuinty Government’s current approach to dealing with the issues in the farming sector.
We’ve had the Municipal Drainage Outlet program yanked from under our feet without any consultation or warning, and we’ve been overwhelmed by a series of government-initiated consultations on other topics that could have serious negative consequences for farming.
However, when things go well, we need to acknowledge success. OFA and the province’s farmers are pleased to see many of their recommendations included in hunting regulation changes announced by Hon. David Ramsay, Minister of Natural Resources. The minister described the changes as part of a sustainable wildlife management program, and OFA sees the changes as a means of providing better balance in the deer population.
These changes will allow for additional deer hunting in many parts of Ontario this fall, something OFA and farmers have been seeking. Rapidly expanding deer populations have resulted in damage to farm properties and crops by marauding herds of deer. Farmers have been asking for a means of reducing this damage, and MNR’s willingness to listen and respond positively to agriculture is a welcome change.
We’re hearing the government wants to talk with farmers and their organizations in search of an alternative to the Municipal Outlet Drainage program. If such talks can produce an effective alternative, something that will yield the most efficient use of tax dollars, OFA will welcome those discussions.
Because of the value of municipal drains, OFA will insist on continued provincial government investment to ensure the long-term future of the municipal drain infrastructure. We need to know these time-proven concepts will not be lost to rural Ontario.
If there’s an intent to engage in productive consultation, OFA is interested. If the objective is merely aimed at distracting farmers from the important things they have to focus on, we will ask our government to rethink its strategy.
Farmers across Ontario have every right to be concerned when they see their provincial government cutting funding to programs that have given good value to the industry for years. In recent weeks, dairy, pork and beef producers have taken hits from the government for programs that have provided valuable tools to improve the genetics and the efficiency of their operations.
At a time when OMAF Minister Peters is embarking on a series of discussions across the province aimed at developing a ‘new vision’ for Ontario agriculture – presumably to find new efficiencies for the industry – it makes little sense to eliminate programs that have proven their worth.
The provincial government must stop chipping away at agriculture and take a stand to demonstrate support for Ontario farmers and the things that are important to them. Too often we are getting announcements of program cuts with no accompanying statements of support or rationalization.
We need the Ontario government to recognize agriculture as a priority investment. Other government Cabinet Ministers must become engaged and offer their support for Minister Peters as he seeks increased expenditures for Ontario’s second largest economic engine. It’s time to end the slow destruction of OMAF and what it should mean to farmers.
~Ron Bonnett~
President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture