Farmers contribute to pension plan - for now Friday, August 21, 2015 by SUSAN MANN Farmers will have to pay the new Ontario pension plan contribution for their temporary foreign or seasonal agricultural worker program employees, an Ontario Ministry of Finance spokesman has confirmed. But that may change in the future as “the government continues to examine unique workplace arrangements, including temporary foreign workers and seasonal agricultural workers,” finance ministry spokesman Scott Blodgett says by email. The new Ontario Retirement Pension Plan requires employers and their workers to contribute an equal amount capped at 1.9 per cent each on an employee’s annual earnings up to $90,000 if there isn’t a comparable workplace pension plan. Amounts earned above the $90,000 figure in 2014 dollars will be exempt. Temporary, seasonal, part-time and contract workers “will generally be required to participate in the ORPP (Ontario Retirement Pension Plan) if they do not participate in a comparable workplace pension plan,” Blodgett says. BF Ag issues missing from election campaign Grain Farmers gets late September court date
US-Canada tariff uncertainty continues to concern businesses and farmers Wednesday, August 19, 2026 As of late August 2026, trade relations between Canada and the United States remain under pressure as both countries work to finalize an agreement aimed at preventing a new round of tariffs from disrupting cross-border commerce. While a temporary reprieve has been secured, uncertainty... Read this article online
Woolwich Farmland Fight - Petition Urges Council to Protect Prime Ontario Agricultural Land Monday, August 17, 2026 A proposal to redesignate 107acres of agricultural land in Woolwich Township for employment and industrial development is drawing increasing opposition from residents and farmland advocates who say the project would come at the expense of valuable farmland and the region's agricultural... Read this article online
Gay Lea Expands Dairy Plant for Protein Demand Monday, August 17, 2026 Gay Lea Foods has announced an investment of more than $200 million to expand its dairy manufacturing facility in Toronto, Ontario. The project is designed to increase production capacity and help meet the rising demand for high-protein dairy products, including cottage cheese. The... Read this article online
2026 Great Ontario Yield Tour Early Reports Show Strong Corn and Soybean Potential Monday, August 17, 2026 Ontario's annual Great Ontario Yield Tour is underway, and early reports are painting a generally optimistic picture for the province's 2026 corn and soybean crop. However, Great Ontario Yield Tour scouts have also highlighted regional challenges. The 11th Annual Great Ontario Yield... Read this article online
How Busch turned bales into advertising dollars for farmers Wednesday, August 12, 2026 Busch is taking a different approach to advertising in rural Canada by moving marketing dollars from city billboards directly into farmers’ fields. The brand’s new “Baleboard” campaign transforms hay bales into oversized six-pack displays inspired by Busch’s limited-edition Farmer’s Pack.... Read this article online