PC ag critic promotes party's jobs bill as way to grow Ontario's agri-food industry Wednesday, February 19, 2014 by SUSAN MANN Progressive Conservative agriculture critic Ernie Hardeman has asked the provincial government to support his party’s million jobs bill to help grow Ontario’s food manufacturing industry again. In a Feb. 14 letter to Premier and Agriculture Minister Kathleen Wynne, Hardeman says his party’s proposed legislation is forecasted to create 125,000 jobs a year for the next eight years. “I believe this would result in significant growth in both the agri-food and agriculture industries,’ he says, noting it would also help Wynne meet her challenge issued to the agricultural and food processing industry last fall to double its growth by 2020 and create 120,000 new jobs. Since the agriculture minister issued this challenge, Ontario has lost 1,260 jobs after Heinz in Leamington and Kellogg’s in London both announced last fall they are closing, says Hardeman, noting there are reports of processors and abattoirs closing in small towns across Ontario. But Wynne says in an email supplied by agriculture ministry staff person Amber Anderson that her jobs plan is to build a strong and growing economy in every part of Ontario “while making sure we take care of our people. That’s why we’re working with the agri-food sector to grow business, attract new investment and develop new markets both at home and around the world.” Wynne also says she has “challenged the sector to set its course for growth precisely because this is a vital sector for our economy.” But Hardeman says high hydro rates and a mountain of government regulations and red tape are choking provincial farmers and food processors. Wynne says the Conservatives “want to cut services and drive jobs away from our province.” In response to Hardeman’s statement about job losses in Ontario’s food manufacturing sector, Wynne points out that there have also been investments, including Dr. Oetker and Natra in London, Royal Canin in Puslinch, along with Ferrero and Aryzla in Brantford. BF Beef Farmers awards recognize farmers in Grey and Bruce Counties Blood plasma feed ingredient still suspect in deadly pig virus
Farmland Values Climb Across the Prairies-Manitoba Leads, Ontario Holds Steady Friday, October 10, 2025 Canadian cultivated farmland values rose by an average of 6.0 per cent in the first half of 2025, according to the mid-year farmland values review by Farm Credit Canada (FCC). This marks a modest acceleration compared to the first half of 2024, which saw a 5.5 per cent increase. Over... Read this article online
Canada Post Strike Continues to Threatens Agri-Businesses and Rural Communities Thursday, October 9, 2025 The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on the federal government to take swift action to end the ongoing Canada Post strike, warning that the disruption is causing serious harm to small businesses – including many in the agriculture sector. “The government’s... Read this article online
Gleaner T Series Combine Updates Thursday, October 9, 2025 Gleaner continues to advance harvest technology with its new T Series combine, delivering major improvements in power, reliability, and ease of operation. Designed with the farmer in mind, the T Series focuses on performance, accessibility, and cutting-edge precision tools for... Read this article online
Ontario Invests $41M to Boost Agri-Food Innovation Wednesday, October 8, 2025 The Ontario government has announced an investment of more than $41 million over the next four years to enhance and modernize infrastructure under Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO). This initiative, part of the province’s plan to safeguard Ontario’s agri-food sector,... Read this article online
Six Ontario Students Earn Hensall Co-op Scholarships Wednesday, October 8, 2025 Hensall Co-op, along with its Board of Directors and employees, has proudly announced the recipients of the fourth annual Bright Futures Scholarship. This year, six exceptional students from across Southwestern Ontario have been awarded a total of $15,000 to assist with their... Read this article online