Ontario's premier optimistic agri-food sector will achieve growth target Thursday, June 18, 2015 by SUSAN MANNIt’s two years into Premier Kathleen Wynne’s challenge to the agri-food industry to create thousands of new jobs plus double its growth rate in seven years and if the current trend holds the sector will meet the goal.In October 2013, Wynne challenged the sector to create 120,000 new jobs and double its growth rate by 2020.In a telephone interview from Stratford Tuesday, Wynne says “food processing is the area where we have a huge opportunity to grow in Ontario. We are very optimistic that if we can work with food processors we’re going to see the growth that we need.”She says it’s her “sincere hope” the sector will reach the goal in the seven-year time frame she’s established. “I’m hearing a lot of optimism from the sector and we’re working with them to make sure the conditions are right so they can be successful.”In an email, Christina Crowley-Arklie, press secretary and communications adviser to Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal, says by 2014 agri-food employment had an annual increase of more than two per cent since 2012, creating more than 34,000 jobs.If the sector continues the current growth rate, the 120,000 jobs target by 2020 will be met, she says.As for the growth rate, the ministry has created a scorecard that includes targets for growth related to Gross Domestic Product but GDP numbers for 2014 haven’t been included yet. The sector’s GDP is targeted to go to $40 billion in 2020. It was at $34.8 billion in 2013.Jobs are pegged to reach 859,738 in 2020 and were at 767,473 in 2013. Exports are targeted to be at $20 billion in 2020 and were $11.9 billion in 2013. BF Bee report raises questions and shows mitigation measures worked, says Health Canada spokesman US buys time over COOL
First Northern Cohort Joins Ontario Vet Program Thursday, September 4, 2025 This September, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph welcomed its inaugural Northern Cohort of 20 students through the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP). This initiative, created in partnership with Lakehead University, marks a milestone... Read this article online
Manitoba Farmers Defend Their Whisky Roots Amid Ontario Backlash Thursday, September 4, 2025 As most reader will know by now, on August 28, beverage alcohol giant Diageo announced it will be closing its Amherstburg, Ontario bottling plant. Located just 25 kilometres from the nearest U.S. border crossing, the company says the decision is part of a strategy to streamline its supply... Read this article online
Global grain trade gets a shake-up: What it means for Canadian farmers Tuesday, September 2, 2025 The global grain and oilseed trading industry is undergoing a major transformation—and Canadian farmers should take note. A recently published study in the September 2025 issue of discussed how the traditional dominance of a few multinational giants is giving way to a more competitive,... Read this article online
Canadian Farmers Face Weaker Soybean Yields Ahead Tuesday, September 2, 2025 Statistics Canada forecasts that Canadian soybean production will decline in 2025, reflecting weaker yields across major producing provinces. Nationally, output is projected to fall by 7.3% year over year to 7.0 million tonnes. The decline is linked to a drop in yields, which are expected... Read this article online
Canadian Corn Outlook Shows Mixed Regional Trends Tuesday, September 2, 2025 Statistics Canada projects Canadian corn-for-grain production to grow slightly in 2025, despite drier-than-normal weather and high temperatures that have pressured yields. National production is forecast to rise 1.4% year over year to 15.6 million tonnes. This gain comes from higher... Read this article online