The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) has developed a set of provincial election priorities to help guide party platforms as candidates vie for votes on February 27, 2025.
“This document has been shared with all four Ontario parties for their consideration,” explains Gordon Stock, OFVGA senior policy and government relations advisor.
The priorities are:
- New policy for agricultural worker housing
OFVGA is looking for provincial red tape to be eliminated for septic systems required for on-farm housing by amending the Ontario Water Resources Act, in addition to working with municipalities to reduce barriers for the development of modern on-farm worker housing.
- Protecting and promoting Ontario’s bountiful production
OFVGA is looking for modernization of the Foodland Ontario program with renewed brand recognition and modern messaging that promotes economic, social and environmental benefits of buying local. OFVGA is looking for barrier-free trade and policy alignment interprovincially and with the largest trading partner, the U.S., where 85 per cent of Ontario’s greenhouse vegetable production is destined.
- Investing in the growth and modernization of fruit and vegetable farms
OFVGA is looking for increased investments in natural gas and three-phase power transmission infrastructure in rural areas. OFVGA is looking for a provincial exemption from municipal stormwater taxes for infrastructure that doesn’t benefit farms.
Since the U.S. election in November 2024, the risks to maintaining a sustainable and level playing field have risen dramatically, including the continued threat of tariffs by President Trump, but also a massive injection of farm subsidies into U.S. farm sectors directly competing with Ontario’s fruit and vegetable farms. The OFVGA and its 3,500 growers will be looking for the Ontario government to provide leadership to ensure there is no undue hardship from adversarial U.S. policies or any Canadian retaliatory actions in response to U.S. tariffs. Ontario’s growers generate more than $3.2 billion in farmgate sales.
Source : The Grower