COMMENTARY: A strong rural economy benefits all Ontarians

The following guest commentary is from Tracey Arts, director of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture

ONTario’s agri-food sector often flies under the radar in light of prominent industries such as automotive, but is in fact a major economic powerhouse in its own right.

In fact, the industry, which extends from Ontario farms to foodservice, contributes $47 billion to the provincial economy each year and employs approximately 10% of the province’s workforce – or more than 750,000 people .

Ontario’s more than 48,000 farms form the backbone of the value chain, which includes companies that supply inputs such as seed and fertilizer, as well as manufacturing, transportation and storage, retail, food service, tourism and waste management.

Our family’s dairy farm in southwestern Ontario is one of those farms and it is always interesting to see the many other aspects of the provincial economy that we touch, from the local farm store and veterinary clinic to transportation and processing to the people who end up consuming Ontario-made milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Grow Ontario Strategy sets ambitious goals for the growth of this sector between now and 2032, which will support economic growth and ensure an efficient and reliable food supply.

A key part of making that possible is supporting and developing Ontario’s rural economy.

I also serve as a director of the board for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and last winter I attended the annual conference of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association where OMAFRA announced the development of the first Rural Economic Development Strategy for the province.

From diversifying existing businesses to developing new ones, we hope it will seize the opportunity to unleash the untapped potential in rural Ontario, not only for agriculture, but also for the many businesses and services our communities rely on being dependent.

A strong rural economy is important to the entire provincial economy, and rural economic development should be a focus not only for OMAFRA, but also for many other ministries that have a role to play in our rural business and social fabric, from health care, housing and labor to health care, housing and labor. economic development, transportation and more.

OFA has just submitted comments to the provincial consultation for the strategy, highlighting what we believe will help rural economic development be impactful and create meaningful change.

Strong rural economies

Farmland conservation is a cornerstone of a provincial economic strategy that includes the growth of the agri-food sector and its untapped economic potential. All levels of government should provide financing and other support for the diversification of local agri-food businesses and encourage business-to-business networks.

While rural Ontario often faces challenges due to a lack of staffing and financing capacity, restoring staffing levels in OMAFRA’s Community Economic Development unit to full capacity and increasing the funding envelope for the Rural Economic Development Program will be a step in the right direction. ​be an integral part of supporting important projects in rural areas.

Business development

OFA encourages the Ontario government to continue funding innovation, diversification and market development in the agri-food sector, and believes the province and its rural communities should be marketed as an agri-food cluster to attract new businesses to our communities. Attracting businesses must be done strategically using smart land use planning that focuses on locations that are ready for investment, so that agricultural land is preserved for agricultural use as much as possible.

Targeted support for agritourism, ecotourism and culinary tourism companies will help them expand and diversify their offering. Funding for projects that support greater use of online platforms can expand market access for agri-food companies to more Ontarians.

However, the growth of rural communities and businesses requires infrastructure such as affordable natural gas, high-speed broadband internet, and well-maintained roads and bridges, as well as social infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and community support.

Workforce

The agri-food sector offers rewarding and fulfilling opportunities through many different career paths, including communications, science, health, technology and more. Strategies to attract workers with skills in the agri-food sector to rural areas are a key component of economic growth, and connecting potential workers with employers in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors is crucial for filling local labor shortages and ensuring a robust labor pool in the agri-food sector in rural Ontario. .

Rural Ontario also needs a workforce with skills and talents that ensure services are available to rural residents, including medicine, education, technology, innovation and skilled trades. Complete communities with viable housing, schools, education, child care, quality employment and a strong local food sector will ensure rural Ontario can attract the best and brightest into their communities.