OFA president appointed to Ontario's Climate Action Group Tuesday, March 10, 2015 by SUSAN MANNOntario Federation of Agriculture president Don McCabe says he’s very honoured to be picked to sit on Ontario’s new Climate Action Group that’s advising the environment minister on climate change policy.McCabe is one of 16 people included in the group headed up by John Godfrey, who was also appointed as a special adviser for climate change by the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. The group also has top academics, climate scientists, business and civic leaders. The ministry announced the committee’s composition on Monday.McCabe says in addition to providing climate change policy advice to the minister, the group will outline “how Ontario will be able to meet its obligations and commitments and establish a better economy for all. The bottom line is that can’t be done without including agriculture.”Kate Jordan, Ontario environment and climate change ministry spokesperson, says by email the group was appointed for a one year term and it will meet quarterly.“We are consulting with Ontarians now and asking them about the most effective ways to take action on climate change,” she says. “This feedback will help inform a strategy to be announced later this year.”The Climate Action Group’s job is to advise Environment and Climate Change Minister Glen Murray on the most effective actions to help Ontario meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals. Jordan says in 2007, the ministry released a Climate Change Action Plan with these targets:By 2014 greenhouse gas emissions were to be six per cent below the 1990 level of 177 megatonnes.Emissions by 2020 are to be 15 per cent below the 1990 level.By 2050 emissions are targeted to be 80 per cent below the 1990 level.Jordan says Ontario has already exceeded its 2014 target. In 2014, total emissions were 165 megatonnes, a reduction of 6.8 per cent. The reduction was achieved through various means including phasing out coal-fired power generation, using cleaner energy and making investments in public transit.McCabe says agriculture has a massive role to play in providing climate change advice to Ontario’s government. The industry must ensure officials understand “food security comes first.”Agriculture also has a large role to play in participating in carbon sequestration “but it will require proper policy to make that happen,” he says. BF NFU report calls for restrictions on foreign and corporate ownership of Canadian farmland Farmland preservation critical in Ontario says OFA
Sowing Solutions--Guelph’s Agri-Food Research Gets Federal Spotlight Friday, October 3, 2025 The University of Guelph welcomed two prominent federal representatives for a day of engagement and discovery on Friday, October 3rd. Dominique O’Rourke, Member of Parliament for Guelph, hosted the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, for a comprehensive tour... Read this article online
Downtown Diner Delivers a Taste of Canadian Farming to Ottawa Friday, October 3, 2025 This week, the heart of Canada’s capital was filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Canadian agriculture as Sparks Street played host to the Downtown Diner, a pop-up event celebrating Canadian food and the farmers who make it possible. At the center of the conversation was... Read this article online
Poll Reveals Mixed Public Sentiment on BC Ostrich Cull Decision Thursday, October 2, 2025 Farms.com poll shows divided opinions among Canadian farmers on the Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ostrich cull. A recent poll conducted on Farms.com's X account @OntAg aimed to capture Canadian farmers' views on the Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ostrich cull in British... Read this article online
Effective Strategies for Corn Soybean and Wheat Thursday, October 2, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, effective crop residue management in corn, soybean, and wheat fields is key to profitability and long-term soil health. It begins at harvest, with combines and headers set correctly to size and spread residue evenly across the... Read this article online
New Ontario agrobotics challenge seeking high school submissions Thursday, October 2, 2025 A new competition for Ontario high school students is looking for innovative ways to solve challenges in the ag sector. The AgRobotics Ontario Challenge launched at the end of September. The competition is a collaboration between the Western Fair District, the Ontario Council for... Read this article online