Ontario's conservation authorities are under review Thursday, September 24, 2015 by SUSAN MANNConservation authorities have become more than just advisers to municipalities and that is causing problems for farmers seeking permission to build structures on their farms.Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Don McCabe says, “The original purposes of these conservation authorities were to deal with issues of soil erosion, drought and flood. Conservation authorities have certainly expanded into other areas of influence and that can be a result of trying to find money to keep the doors open because the (Ontario) government has dramatically dropped its funding of authorities from what it once was. That’s a serious problem.”The province is leading a review of the roles, responsibilities, governance and funding mechanisms of conservation authorities under the Conservation Authorities Act. A discussion paper has been posted on the Ontario Environmental Registry. Comments as part of the review are due Oct. 19.McCabe says the federation is preparing a submission.One of the changes the federation would like to see, he says, is direct farmer representation on the authorities’ boards.Another is greater clarity outlining the authority’s jurisdiction in matters such as building permit approvals.Currently, “there seems to be a very large disconnect” when it comes to which body’s authority takes precedence — municipalities or conservation authorities — over such matters.For farmers, the lack of clarity “has become an extremely onerous circumstance in certain areas of the province to get access to the necessary permits,” McCabe says. “The municipality might say one thing and the (conservation) authority might say another and meanwhile the (conservation) authority is supposed to be in an advisory role to the municipality and not in an officiating role.” In its submission, the federation also plans to talk about funding mechanisms. McCabe says the various conservation authorities established under the Act “range quite dramatically in the amount of funds they have.” Due to the current funding structure, “the Toronto-area conservation authorities are extremely rich and then there are some other smaller authorities out there, which by nature of the area they’re in, do not have similar funds available.”The environmental registry posting says the purpose of the authorities is to deliver a natural resource management program for the watershed that reflects both municipal and provincial interests.There are 36 authorities across Ontario. BF Ontario Divisional Court hears Grain Farmers' neonic case Ontario farmers to receive extended reprieve from bobolink and eastern meadowlark habitat protection terms
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