Merger proposal goes to provincial commission in July Tuesday, June 24, 2008 by SUSAN MANN“What they want to do is to establish a new organization under the Farm Products Marketing Act,” says David Hope, commission chair.The normal procedure for a group wanting to establish a new organization is to go to the commission. If the commission determines there’s significant support for the idea and the organizers are prepared to more forward, the commission can recommend to the Ontario agriculture minister that a farmer vote be held. At that point it would be a commission process, meaning the commission would organize and conduct the vote.“The decision on the vote hasn’t been made yet but commission staff are working with the proponents and we are in discussions about what needs to be done to more forward,” Hope says.This group’s proposal is a bit different from other groups that appear before the commission wanting to set up an organization representing farmers because groups already exist for corn, soybean and wheat producers.Hope says he can’t predict what the nine-member commission will decide at the July meeting. It could decide to okay the process to move toward a vote, request more information or turn the request down.The meeting will take place the week of July 20. Hope says an exact date hasn’t yet been set.The information being presented at the July meeting is intended to both help the commission understand what the new group is designed to do and “it forms the basis of the information that would be provided to the people who would be voting,” Hope notes, adding the commission requires that when there’s a vote it’s made clear what farmers are voting on.The working group’s information includes the goals of the new organization, financial projections, governing structure, such as how many districts there’ll be, the new board’s make up, communications and implementation plans and what is to be included in the package going to voters. “It’s their vote and they have to include a package of information so producers know what they’re voting on but we prepare that,” notes Larry Shapton, general manager of the Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board.The vote is the mechanism to determine what support there is for the new organization. “The vote in itself is not the objective,” Hope says. “The vote is a tool.”The objective is to have effective organizations, he adds. BF Conspiracy killed Pigeon King? Pigeon King breeders turn to squab markets
New Alcohol Trade Freedom in Ontario Thursday, April 17, 2025 The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has welcomed Ontario’s bold step in eliminating trade barriers and allowing direct alcohol sales to consumers. This new legislation aims to ease internal trade across provinces and support small businesses. One of the key changes... Read this article online
Food Banks Canada and Egg Farmers of Canada celebrate 25 years of giving Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Egg Farmers of Canada and Food Banks Canada celebrate 25 years of providing food bank clients across the country with access to fresh, nutritious eggs. Now, with food bank visits surpassing two million each month—the highest level of all time—this collaboration has never been more... Read this article online
New board members for Ontario Pork Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Ontario Pork, an association representing the 1,898 pork farms that market 5.9 million hogs in the province, has announced its new board lineup for 2025. As a Guelph, Ontario-headquartered organization, Ontario Pork is engaged in the areas of research, government representation,... Read this article online
You know you want it… Monday, April 14, 2025 On April 28, 2025, Aumann Auctions, Inc. is set to auction what is being called the GOAT (greatest of all time) John Deere sign of all time. This recently discovered will be one of the featured highlights of the . See... Read this article online
Health Fair Supports Migrant Workers Monday, April 14, 2025 A community-driven Health and Information Fair dedicated to supporting migrant and temporary foreign workers was recently held in Leamington, Ontario. Organized by the Migrant Workers Community Program (MWCP), the event took place at the Roma Club on April 13th and welcomed hundreds of... Read this article online