Letter to Minister of Finance re: 2023 Budget Consultation

Dear Minister Bethlenfalvy,

On behalf of the National Farmers Union – Ontario (NFU-O), thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Ontario budget development process for 2023. The NFU-O is an accredited farm organization representing thousands of sustainable farmers in Ontario and has advocated for farmers across Ontario since 1969. Members work together to achieve agricultural policies that ensure dignity and income security for farmers, while protecting and enhancing rural environments for current and future generations. Our diverse membership includes export producers, direct market farmers, livestock producers, specialty crop growers, and farmers who produce supply-managed commodities.

NFU-O members are interested in funding and programs to shorten and strengthen regional supply chains, create agri-food sector labour standards, and support sustainable and climate- friendly production systems.

Shorten and Strengthen Regional Supply Chains
The NFU-O supports efforts to increase consumption and production of Ontario grown food by 30%, especially where this increased consumption reduces Ontario’s reliance on agri-food imports. Localized food production and distribution needs to be prioritized to make our food system more sustainable and reliable.

The NFU-O believes we can address weaknesses in our current food system by providing more government support for farmers who are direct marketers, including public investments in local markets, regional food hubs for storage and local distribution, value-added production, and appropriately-scaled localized processing facilities, from small-scale abattoirs to shared canning and freezing facilities.

Agri-food Sector Labour Standards
The one struggle that all small and medium scale producers face is labour. Based on the recent NFU-O report, Reframing the Farm Labour Crisis in Ontario, we know that small to mid-sized farms (under 130 acres) are more likely to employ Ontario (domestic) farm workers in greater numbers than larger farms. These small farms are also where most new farmers in the province receive essential on-farm training and expertise.

We would welcome opportunities for expanded on-farm training programs and resources to support knowledge-sharing between our aging farm population and the next generation of growers.

As well, if the goal is to increase employment by 10% in the sector, we will need to improve the labour conditions of agricultural workers. There is a shortage of living-wage agricultural jobs which has led to a scarcity of skilled and experienced workers. Partial exemptions under Ontario labour law have excluded agricultural workers from minimum wage laws and other key labour protections. Under these conditions, many Ontarians are reluctant to perform highly skilled, physically demanding, low paid agricultural work.

We recommend that Ontario labour laws, including minimum wage laws, the right to form a union, and other key labour protections are extended to all farm workers. Without living wages/incomes we are unlikely to attract enough Ontarians willing to acquire the skills and dedicate their lives to agricultural production.
 
Sustainable and Climate Friendly Production Systems
The climate crisis is having increasingly negative impacts on farmers in Ontario. For agriculture to shift to meet the demands of tackling the climate crisis, the provincial government will need to invest in research and innovation that will support farmers in the transition to climate friendly production systems.

We recommend the establishment of an OMAFRA Organic Agriculture Extension Service or Research Branch that provides independent research and financial support programs to help farmers measure and monitor soil organic matter and adopt practices to mitigate the climate crisis.

We also recommend the hiring of a dedicated OMAFRA Organic Agriculture staff specialist. An investment in the transition to organic agriculture, and understanding the biology rather than the chemistry or technology, are key to realizing increased crop yields and plant health in a climate-stressed future.

Thank you again for the opportunity to contribute to the Ontario budget development process for 2023.

Sincerely,

Max Hansgen,
President, National Farmers Union – Ontario