The NFU convenes in Ottawa this November!

If you’ve been reading the Rural Voice, you know that the NFU continues to fight on behalf of farmers. In Ontario, we’re opposing Ontario Bills 23, 39, and 97 and the changes to the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS), and fighting for permanent farmland protections. Across the country, we’ve won a reversal of the decision of the Canadian Grain Commission that would move profits from grain farmers to corporations; raised concerns about the Bunge-Viterra merger; and sounded the alarm for our farmers and farm workers working in unprecedented heat and smoke.

W e’ve clearly shown that rising food costs are a result of corporate greed – not supply management, nor farmers’ incomes. We’ve urged the government to allow Mexico sovereignty over its decision to exclude genetically-modified corn. In conjunction with allied organizations, we’ve brought a farmer-led strategy to the Sustainable Agricultural Strategy Advisory Council, advocated with Farmers for Climate Solutions for the creation of the On-Farm Climate Action Fund, and raised the voice of farmers’ interests over multinational corporations.

The NFU’s National Convention is a time to celebrate the wins and coalesce around the work still to come. We invite you to join us in Ottawa this November.

In usual NFU-style, we’ll have: Informative panels covering topics including farmland, trade, climate solutions, migrant workers’ experiences, seed sovereignty, and more; lively debate on resolutions from across the country; leadership elections for the 2023-2024 year; an in-person Indigenous learning circle; a Friday “Local Food Feast” and dance with a live local band, awards, jam session (BYO instrument) and more!

Our panels are filled with dynamic speakers including:

• Kelly Bronson, Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Science and Society at the University of Ottawa
• Stuart Trew, senior researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA)
• Karen Ross, Director of Farmers for Climate Solutions and farmer
• Stewart Wells, a Saskatchewan grain farmer and NFU VP- Operations
• Amanda Wilson, Director General of the Office of Energy Research & Development at Natural Resources Canada
• Aabir Dey, Director of the Canadian Field Program at The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security
• Gabriel Allahdua, author of Harvesting Freedom: The Life of a Migrant Worker in Canada and more!

Plus! You won’t want to miss our keynote address, delivered by Fatima Syed, a Mississauga-based climate journalist with The Narwhal. Fatima, and her colleague Emma MacIntosh, have played a critical role in keeping citizens informed about the outgoing scandal’s around the removal and redesignation of Greenbelt lands, and holding the Ontario government accountable to their public promises.

Additionally, on November 22,, members will be meeting with MPs and Senators on Parliament Hill on four topics: seed regulations; climate change; retaining farmland for farming; and farm workers’ freedom of association. Training for these meetings is free, but mandatory, so register today if you’re interested in participating! For more info: https://www.nfu.ca/pre-convention- lobby-day-2023/

As farmers and farmworkers, we know first-hand that these times are turbulent. At this convention, we regather our strength and take part in the democratic practices that support farmers and farm workers through solidarity. Join us! More information is at https://www.nfu.ca/2023convention/ ◊

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