We're Making Progress But Still Need Your Help

by Peter Tuinema, Past Chair, G & O Safety Nets Committee

In December of 2004, the Ontario grains and oilseeds sector reached the end of its patience with the lack of
government support for agriculture in this province. Farmers alone cannot compete with the treasury boards of
other countries, but in the current global environment this is just what we are being asked to do. Current farm support programs are not designed to address the continuous decline in farm income. Recent ad hoc payments by both the provincial and federal government fall short of meeting the needs of Ontario producers. Ontario Grains & Oilseeds, a coalition of seven commodity organizations in Ontario, have the solution – the Risk Management Program.

The Risk Management Program is the long-term workable solution that will meet the needs of Ontario grain and
oilseed producers. The Program is a form of insurance – farmers pay annual premiums and the program provides a
payment, only if Ontario prices drop below a set threshold. This program does not set Canada up to compete in the world trade subsidy wars but it does protect Ontario farmers when foreign subsidies push world prices below an Ontario producer’s ability to compete.

Ontario Grains & Oilseeds is making progress. We have developed our very successful Farmers Feed Cities! brand to inform urban and rural non-farm families of the farm income crisis. We had major media coverage and support
from the general public through this year’s summer campaign that targeted large urban events like Canada Day
and smaller regional events like the World’s Longest BBQ. We received coverage of our efforts in the Toronto Star, the Globe & Mail, Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Sun and on the National Post website.

The campaign has had some real successes to date. Producers have received payments from both governments
for 2004 and 2005. The money from the provincial government was provided through a good payment mechanism, with an adequate/timely amount for 2004, but fell short for 2005. The federal government in both years did provide support and although they fell short of the required dollars, they did commit funds to grains and oilseeds. We need to build on what works and solidify a long-term commitment.

Politicians are starting to take notice. It is an election year and both provincial and federal candidates know the value of the rural vote and are starting to engage producers in their home ridings. Dalton McGuinty has included farm groups in his summer tour and has heard our united message. Visiting MPs and MPPs is critical right now if we want results. Phone your local directors to find out when visits are scheduled or take the message of the Ontario Grains & Oilseeds group to an event your local politicians will be attending. It is important to have a unified message to gain the largest impact.

As politicians prepare their election platforms, we have an immediate window of opportunity to get the Risk
Management Program on the political agenda. Ontario Grains & Oilseeds is asking for adequate long-term funding, with payment when farmers need it – right after harvest and six months later – and with delivery through Agricorp. Political excuses, Federal/Provincial posturing and broken promises are not helping producers. The Risk Management Program meets everyone’s needs including politicians. Producers have endorsed it and have already committed their share of the funding. Both levels of government need to commit their share to the Risk Management Program, NOW!

Ontario Grains & Oilseeds have hired both a provincial and federal lobby organization to strategically target our
lobbying efforts. The lobbyists will arrange top-level meetings to ensure our message is reaching the political
decision makers in the province and across the country. Their advice to our organization is to increase our visibility in both rural and urban ridings, meet with MPs and MPPs with a solid, unified message, gain industry support for the campaign and to remain positive in all messaging to ensure non-farm supporters remain on our side. The plan is to leverage the collective strength of the grains and oilseeds sector. Ontario grains and oilseeds are the backbone of the domestic agricultural and food industry. Pair our strength with the public support we have received in recent months through the Farmers Feed Cities! campaign and we have a winning combination.

Ontario Grains & Oilseeds needs every producer’s help to ensure the campaign maintains its momentum. It is
imperative that each producer calls their local MP and MPP and tell them how important the Risk Management Program is to grain and oilseed producers. The Farmers Feed Cities! campaign also needs volunteers. A booth, display or parade float can be organized for every fall fair and community event if there are enough volunteers participating. At the very least, contact the campaign office through the website at www.farmersfeedcities.com or at 519-767-4132 and get a sign for your farm or truck or purchase a t-shirt. We have a solution. We’re making progress. We need your help.