OPINION – The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) congratulates Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his new minority Liberal government. As the largest general farm organization in Canada, OFA looks forward to working with the new government, and returning and newly elected MPs, to continue to strengthen the opportunities for agri-food sector and rural communities in Ontario and across Canada.

“When Canadians cast their ballots yesterday and chose a minority government, they sent a signal to politicians about the need for collaboration,” OFA President Keith Currie. “In the agriculture industry, we understand the value of working together towards a common goal, and we look to our elected officials to find common ground, especially when it comes to supporting the economic powerhouse that is Canadian agriculture.”

OFA looks forward to meeting with MPs across Ontario to advocate for the agriculture sector and rural communities. “Supporting a strong domestic agri-food industry, and investing in the infrastructure needed to ensure safe, affordable, high-quality food makes sense regardless of the political party,” says Currie. “We are confident that government understands the strength of the agri-food sector, and the importance of supporting our continued prosperity.”

In the coming weeks and months, OFA will continue to focus on the issues impacting farmers and rural residents with government including trade and access to global markets, the need for a skilled and stable workforce, affordable energy, sound rural infrastructure and reliable internet across the province.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 38,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer.