Minister's Statement - Wildlife Damage Compensation Program

Jan 02, 2018

Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, released the following statement on the evaluation of the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program:

"Our government knows that farmers do their best to protect their livestock from wildlife predation, however, losses still do occur - and that's why we provide support to help offset those losses through the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program. I've been in farmers' fields and have seen first-hand the damage that predators have done to their livestock.

To ensure that the program works in the best interests of producers, our government made updates in January 2017 following a third-party review and consultations with a dozen partners from across the agri-food value chain. These updates are aligned with the recommendations made in the review, feedback received and are evidence-based.

As with all government programs, we want to ensure they are directly benefitting those who rely on them the most.

When I'm driving on back concessions and sitting around kitchen tables enjoying a cup of coffee with a farmer or sitting down with our municipal leaders, I'm always listening. I want you to know that I have heard your concerns about the updated program. That's why my ministry will be working with our partners in the coming months to examine the program to ensure farmers are being fairly compensated for their losses.

I look forward to reviewing the feedback received as a result of the evaluation and, based on those discussions, changes to the program will be considered.

Our nearly 50,000 family farms across this province work hard and our government is committed to supporting them."

Source : OMAFRA

Video: Why Port Infrastructure is Key to Growing Canada's Farms and Economy

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) knows that strong, modern port infrastructure is vital to the success of Canada’s agriculture. When our ports grow, Ontario grain farmers and Canadian farms grow too—and when we grow, Canada grows.

In this video, we highlight the importance of investing in port infrastructure and how these investments are key to growing Ontario agriculture and supporting global trade. The footage showcases the strength of both Ontario’s farming landscapes and vital port operations, including some key visuals from HOPA Ports, which we are grateful to use in this project.

Ontario’s grain farmers rely on efficient, sustainable ports and seaway systems to move grain to markets around the world. Port investments are crucial to increasing market access, driving economic growth, and ensuring food security for all Canadians.

Why Port Infrastructure Matters:

Investing in Ports = Investing in Farms: Modernized ports support the export of Canadian grain, driving growth in agriculture.

Sustainable Growth: Learn how stronger ports reduce environmental impact while boosting economic stability.

Global Trade Opportunities: Improved port and seaway systems help farmers access new global markets for their grain.

Stronger Communities: Investment in ports means more stable jobs and economic growth for rural communities across Ontario and Canada.

We are proud to support the ongoing investment in port infrastructure and to shine a light on its vital role in feeding the world and securing a prosperous future for Canadian agriculture.

Special thanks to HOPA Ports for providing some of the stunning port footage featured in this video.