Ontario Farm Group Gearing up for Provincial Budget Talks

Mar 11, 2013

Ontario Federation of Agriculture Hopes to Influence 2013 Budget

Ontario’s largest general farm organization – Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is preparing to appear before the Standing Committee on Finance to lobby on behalf of farmers interest on the next provincial budget. The committee is currently conducting hearings to lead up to the spring provincial budget.

This time around, OFA is zeroing-in on four key issues: advocating for rural infrastructure, importance of affordable and reliable energy, regulatory reform, and a provincial agriculture and food strategy. With a special focus on key issues, OFA hopes that it will enhance their discussions with the government.

The farm organization sees the budget process as an opportunity for Premier Kathleen Wynne to deliver on her promise to give more attention to agriculture and rural issues. In OFA’s weekly commentary, the organization notes that they have enjoyed a positive working relationship with Premier Wynne.

Ontario’s agri-food sector contributes $33 billion annually to the economy and supports 700,000 jobs.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.