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
From Plows to Plates - The 2025 International Plowing Match Returns to Niagara Friday, September 12, 2025 For the first time since 1926, the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) is returning to the Niagara Region Setpember 16 to 20. Set to take place in West Lincoln, the 106th edition of this iconic event will run under the theme “,” celebrating the deep roots and fresh flavours of... Read this article online
Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington Friday, September 12, 2025 On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online
York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program Thursday, September 11, 2025 A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online
Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season Wednesday, September 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online
Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online