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
Ottawa Police looking for farm equipment accident witnesses Thursday, June 12, 2025 The Ottawa Police Service is looking for witnesses or people with dashcam footage to come forward regarding an accident involving farm equipment. A vehicle struck farm equipment on June 6 at Twin Elm Road and Brophy Drive around 6 p.m. The accident resulted in two people requiring... Read this article online
Canada Not Fully Using its Agriculture Potential and Not Competitive Thursday, June 12, 2025 Canada is known for its natural wealth — including minerals, energy, forestry, and agriculture. Among these, the agriculture and agri-food sector stands out with enormous global export potential. This according to Senator Mary Robinson on her Senate of Canada weppage. Senator Robinson... Read this article online
Trouw Nutrition launches IntelEgg Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Trouw Nutrition has announced the launch of IntelEgg, a digital platform designed to empower layer producers with real-time insights and data-driven decision-making tools. The image above shows an demo screen. This browser-based application is set to transform how poultry farmers monitor,... Read this article online
Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week veterinary prize awarded Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week has been a mainstay for the agricultural industry in Grey and Bruce Counties since 1966. While things have evolved over the years, the mandate to provide information to producers and agribusiness has remained firm. Seventeen years ago, the event committee created... Read this article online
You Turkey – Turkey Farmers Of Canada Launch National Campaign Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Think Turkey has launched a national campaign called You Turkey to promote Canadian turkey as the top protein choice for Canadians with active lifestyles. The campaign encourages consumers who want an active healthy lifestyle eat lean, nutrient-rich turkey. The campaign first appeared... Read this article online