Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Commission supports mandatory fee for floriculture growers

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

by SUSAN MANN

The Commission put the questions to the test in January and its results show strong support for the proposal, says the Commission’s chair, David Hope. Consequently, it will recommend to the provincial agriculture minister that Flowers Canada (Ontario) be the floriculture growers’ representative organization and that the mandatory fee be established, he says.

Just a little over half (51.7 per cent) of the 356 known eligible greenhouse floriculture growers who received a ballot participated in the vote. Hope says voter turnout is considered along with the percentage that voted in favour. But “there isn’t a threshold that’s established” for voter turnout.

A minimum of two-thirds of participants voting in favour and those who give their support representing a minimum of half of the production are the only thresholds used to determine whether a proposal has garnered enough support.

Of the greenhouse floriculture growers who cast ballots, 78 per cent voted in favour of the question of the Flowers Canada (Ontario) proposal. Those voting in favour represented 91 per cent of the square footage of those casting ballots. The Commission conducted a mail-in vote from Jan. 10 to 23.

It isn’t known why those growers who had a chance to vote didn’t, says Gerald Vanderlugt, vice president of Flowers Canada (Ontario). “I find it very sad.”

Vanderlugt says they should have come forward. “It would have shown that they are more aware of what’s going on in the industry.” Nevertheless, the results show “the strength of the organization,” he says. “I find it absolutely awesome what the organization does.”

Only greenhouse floriculture growers with 20,000 square feet or more of cut flowers, potted plants, annual bedding plants or propagative plant material were eligible to vote.
The proposal called for a mandatory annual fee based on two cents per square foot of greenhouse area. The fee would be capped at $13,000.

Growers with operations of less than 20,000 square feet couldn’t vote, but they wouldn’t be charged a fee either.

The money will be used to fund the association’s activities, including trade, marketing, pest control, and improving the production and marketing of greenhouse floriculture products in Ontario. It’s estimated the fee will generate $1 million annually for the association.

Approval protocols require that the agriculture minister take the Commission’s recommendation to Cabinet for a decision.

No dates have been set for the recommendation going to the minister and getting on Cabinet’s agenda. But that whole process could take about three months, says Vanderlugt. BF
 

Current Issue

August 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Soil Compaction Challenges

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Ontario’s spring planting faced challenges from soil compaction, impacting crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. Despite some areas experiencing rapid planting under ideal conditions, other regions, even those with lighter soils, struggled due to excessive rainfall. The team at OMAFA –on... Read this article online

2026 Grains Innovation Fund is now open

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the province’s largest commodity organization representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers, is now accepting applications for its . “This year marks another exciting chapter for the Grains Innovation Fund,” stated Paul... Read this article online

Applications Open for Grains Innovation Fund 2026

Monday, July 28, 2025

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the province’s largest commodity organization representing 28,000 farmers, is now accepting applications for the 2026 Grains Innovation Fund. The fund offers grants up to $75,000 to support innovative projects that promote the use of Ontario’s grains such as... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top