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Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill
December 01, 2019

This column is to keep you informed about the key issues that the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) is tackling on behalf of Ontario’s fruit and vegetable farmers. 

 

Federal election

 

By now it will be difficult to ignore the media coverage, lawn signs and political posturing that comes along with elections. The OFVGA continues to remain engaged in issues related to the federal government, in partnership with the Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) and in our own activities.

 

Top priorities continue to be improving data available to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for product re-evaluations, financial protection for produce sellers, and strengthening foreign labour programs, such as the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. In addition, the OFVGA will be looking to see each party’s position on trade issues, business risk management programs and single-use plastics.

 

OFVGA is monitoring party platforms and commitments made on the campaign trail to ensure opportunities are leveraged to benefit the fruit and vegetable sector. Please contact the OFVGA if you have questions about how to message industry issues when speaking with your local candidates.

 

Self-Directed Risk Management (SDRM)

 

Work continues related to redesign options for the provincial Risk Management Program, which includes SDRM, to transition it to an insurance-like program by 2021. OFVGA’s safety nets committee has been supporting the organization’s participation in the redesign process to ensure input from growers and OFVGA member organizations. 

 

The process was initiated earlier in 2019 by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman, who tasked Agricorp and ministry staff to work with commodity organizations on transitioning the program.

 

The OFVGA’s objective is to ensure that provincial risk management programs continue to work for fruit and vegetable farmers, while trying to meet government expectations that accompany its 2018 platform commitment for the Risk Management Program/Self-Directed Risk Management Program.

 

If you have questions about the process, please contact Stefan Larrass at the OFVGA.

 

Red tape reduction

 

The Ontario government continues to encourage ideas for red tape reduction. OFVGA is working on an ask to reduce regulatory burdens around Environmental Compliance Approvals and Permits to Take Water, Conservation Authorities and removal of provincial pesticide classification. Please share your red tape reduction ideas with the OFVGA so that we can raise them with government.

 

Ontario Employer Health Tax

 

A brief reminder that the increase in the Ontario minimum wage last year may have resulted in the payrolls of some employers now exceeding the threshold for the Employer Health Tax. All growers are encouraged to verify their payroll levels or contact their accountants for more information. Ontario employers with annual payrolls exceeding $490,000 must pay Employer Health Tax.

 

Changes to federal labour code 

 

The CHC and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association have jointly requested an exemption to three concerning changes to the Canada Labour Code which came into effect September 2 for federally regulated employers. Concerns relate to requirements for 96 hours of written notice of shifts and 24-hour notice of any shift changes, and the right to refuse overtime for certain responsibilities. Without an exemption, transporters will no longer be able to adjust shipments with less than 24 hours’ notice, making it difficult for growers to meet buyer demands in a timely fashion. 

 

Want to see an issue highlighted here, or learn more about an industry issue? Contact Gordon Stock, senior policy and government relations advisor, at gstock@ofvga.org or 519-763-6160, ext. 125. More detailed updates can also be found at www.ofvga.org/news.

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Submitted by Gordon Stock on 1 December 2019