OFA Convention, Toronto ON – November 24- 26th 2013
My wife and I arrived Sunday Nov. 24th 2013 and got settled into our motel room. I got registered for the convention then we went to reception and saw exhibitors display and talked with various people and found them very interesting. I was impressed with all the donated silent auction gifts. Later there was an all candidates reception for a few hours and met and talked to some very interesting people with similar interest.
Monday we were up bright and early to breakfast then Mark Wales, OFA President gave his opening remarks about Agriculture in Ontario. Then Honorable Kathleen Wynne, Premier and Minister of Agriculture & Food talked of working to make good decisions and how agriculture is very important in Ontario. There was an open forum of questions and answers for the premier on wind turbines and fruit farming, no jobs for kids.
That was followed by the president’s remarks, then we had a open forum to discuss resolutions of interest to different areas such as water wells contamination and the need to investigate the source, police colleges need for more up to date training on farming practices, farm tax increases.
Approval of 2012 minutes and financial statements and then after the break came elections between Louis Roesch and Anne Marie Watson for Director at large and Louis Roesch won by one single vote.
Paul Byron spoke of insurance. Dr John Groenewegen and Honorable Steve Peters gave an economic impact study. Farmers create economic activity.
After lunch Ernie Hardeman, Grant Crack, and John Vanthof all talked about their policies.
Then we had an Ont. Young Farmers Form Report – we need change and how do we pay for the farms?
Election of OFA President results new 2014 OFA president is Mark Wales.
Then the talk was of Electrical costs too high in Ontario – making us not competitive and businesses leaving the province. Natural gas to rural Ontario much needed. Bill Park spoke of Heinz leaving for these issues.
Keynote speaker Warren Justin – economist Scotia bank talked of our US economy looks good compared to Europe- higher unemployment and debt issues. China has growing upper class of rich people . We have more exports to china. US long term interest rates expected to go up next year.
Andrea Horvath, leader of NDP – spoke that farmers are respected at Queens park. NDP want to help Agriculture they feel Liberals slow to react to Agriculture problems.
Monday evening we had a wonderful Harvest Celebration meal with good food and music and fellowship.
Tuesday morning Tim Hudak, PC Party talked about his policies.
More resolutions then on OFA governance and on where the general annual meeting should be held in eastern Ontario, and for OFA to develop a position on wind energy ,and on public relations concerning agriculture.
Then came election of Vice president – new VP for 2014 OFA is Don McCabe and Keith Currie.
Ron Bonnett president of Can Fed of Agr spoke of his point of view on agriculture.
Bill Carr was our motivational speaker, then came our presidents closing remarks that OFA truly represents the interest of all Ontario farmers.
~Jim McLachlan~