Ontario’s advocacy efforts do pay off

Since November of 2008 The Ontario FS Co-operatives Government Relations Committee with the assistance from the Ontario Co-operative Association has been hard at work raising awareness and addressing several key challenges facing Ontario’s agricultural co-ops, and in particular FS co-ops by communicating directly to members of the provincial parliament and other public policy figures.

In recent months, committee members have met with key Ministries such as Finance and Energy, as well as with MPP Carol Mitchell (the new Minister of Agriculture). Among topics discussed were: the impact of punitive property tax classifications on Ontario’s commercial grain elevators, requesting support for the local food movement through adoption of a “buy-in-Ontario” preference in government food service procurement, the need for government to work with Ontario co-operatives to develop new renewable energy initiatives, and the negative effect of the proposed Consolidated Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste program (CMHSW) on Ontario farmers.

Recently, the Ontario Agri Business Association (OABA) was successful in negotiating an agreement with all fertilizer stewards that would allow packaged fertilizer for agricultural use to be excluded from the requirements of the CMHSW program. While OABA had spent over a year lobbying the government, Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK Ontario region manager notes the committee was “part of what created the momentum to change the tide.” Jim Campbell, general manager of AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. adds, “I think the FS Government Relations Committee can take some credit in keeping this issue on the political forefront to allow OABA and others to negotiate the right arrangement.”

Corporate GROWMARK’s director of government affairs Chuck Spencer, is part of the Ontario committee and provides guidance in regards to tactics and strategies keeping the agenda in sync with corporate GROWMARK’s viewpoints and goals. Spencer says, “This committee is doing great work and is targeting key issues that will help improve the profitability for farmers keeping us in line with our core values.”

The committee, with the help of advocates from various FS co-operatives across the province, will continue its efforts to move forward with the other key issues, in a concerted effort to make the environment for all agricultural co-operatives more favorable.

As part of the Ontario Co-operative Association’s government relations efforts, an annual reception is held at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in Toronto where FS member co-operative representatives attend to meet with MPPs to help educate them on co-ops and discuss how policies affect their future. From L-R Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK Ontario region manager, David Malott, AGRIS Co-operative president, Pat Hoy, Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP, Maria Van Bommel, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP, Denyse Guy, Ontario Co-operative Association executive director and Jim Campbell, AGRIS Co-operative general manager.