Agricultural labour law challenge on hold Friday, April 3, 2009 © AgMedia Inc.by SUSAN MANNShould Ontario farm workers have collective bargaining rights?The two sides on this question - the Ontario government and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Canada - have another chance to argue their cases in court later this year or early next year. The Supreme Court of Canada decided Thursday it will hear the Ontario government’s appeal of a lower court decision to strike down the six-year-old provincial Agricultural Employees Protection Act.In November the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled the Act “substantially impairs” farm workers’ ability to bargain collectively. The justices gave the provincial government 12 months to determine how “to protect the rights of agricultural workers to engage in meaningful collective bargaining.”Union spokesman Stan Raper says now the Supreme Court has decided to hear Ontario’s appeal no changes will be made to the Act until the hearing is finished, possibly not until 2011.Raper adds the union is disappointed the appeal is going ahead.“At the end of the day I think we’ll finally get some justice but it’s a huge time delay,” he says. “Workers continue to have to live under a piece of legislation that is unconstitutional.”Ken Forth, chair of the agricultural industry’s Labour Issues Coordinating Committee, says they expect the Supreme Court to decide in favour of hearing the appeal.“We’re pleased,” Forth says. The committee asked the Ontario government to appeal the ruling on Ontario’s farm workers legislation.The committee is applying to be an intervener at the Supreme Court. Forth says the status would allow the committee’s lawyer to make a small presentation during the hearing.“Agriculture has to be reflected in this,” he says. BF Pigs on the rampage 'Pink' isn't necessarily pigs
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Thursday, July 17, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
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HJV Equipment Now Full-Line PTx Trimble Dealer Thursday, July 17, 2025 HJV Equipment is thrilled to announce its designation as a full-line PTx Trimble dealer. This strategic move enhances the company’s capability to offer advanced precision agriculture technology, catering to the growing needs of modern farmers. As part of this expansion, HJV Equipment... Read this article online
Ontario Tender Fruit Season off to a Strong Start Monday, July 14, 2025 Ontario's 2025 tender fruit and table grape season is off to a promising start reports the Ontario Tender Fruit and Fresh Grape Growers. While the weather may be too hot for some farmers, it has has been ideal for producing a sweet and juicy crop. A cooler-than-usual spring delayed the... Read this article online