The governments of Canada and Ontario are committing more than $8 million to support the mental health and wellness of farmers and their families. With this commitment, three programs — the Farmer Wellness Initiative, the In the Know program and the Guardian Network — will continue to be available to everyone who needs them. These… Read More
Tag: Government of Ontario
The Government of Ontario is launching a new round of the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative, with support of the federal government’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) program. The $10 million program will provide funding to eligible free-standing meat plants and abattoirs to make short-term investments in meat handling and processing equipment, technologies, and practices that… Read More
The Ontario government has revealed its plans to help address veterinary shortages in the province, with a focus on large-animal practice in northern and remote communities. A $15 million spend will establish a new Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program with the University of Guelph and Lakehead University, at Thunder Bay, to train more veterinarians…. Read More
Premier Doug Ford’s government released its latest budget for Ontario, with a major focus on health care and housing. Tucked in the budget, however, are a few items directly or indirectly applicable to agriculture in the province, including a focus on improving veterinary access in under-serviced areas, support for trades, and a manufacturing credit. In… Read More
As of this week, the Ontario government is expanding its workplace safety COVID-19-compliance blitz to more businesses, including farms. The campaign began last week focused on big-box retail stores. More than 300 provincial officers will now be focusing on retail, restaurants providing take-out, gas stations, and farms, among other essential businesses. Officers will enter businesses to… Read More
Bill 156, the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020, has received Royal Assent following a vote of 68 for, 22 against in the Ontario legislature. The new law features heavier fines for trespassing on farms, including: Escalating fines of up to $15,000 for a first offence and $25,000 for subsequent offences, compared… Read More
Ontario’s government will roll out $150 million in cost-share funding through its Improving Connectivity in Ontario (ICON) program as part of its plan to build broadband and cellular service in rural areas. ICON is part of the province’s $315 million initiative called Up to Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan. When leveraged, ICON has… Read More
It won’t be long until the government of Ontario decides the fate of Bill 132. It’s an act to reduce “burdens on people and businesses by enacting, amending and repealing various acts and revoking various regulations,” according to the government’s website. Currently, members of the standing committee are meeting to discuss the Bill, and will… Read More
Ontario’s government has released its proposed animal welfare model to replace the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Act. Earlier this year, the OSPCA informed the province it would no longer carry out animal welfare enforcement in the province, necessitating a revamp of the current animal welfare enforcement model and rules…. Read More
Earlier this year, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) informed the government it would no longer be carrying out animal welfare law enforcement. The announcement has spurred the need for an overhaul of Ontario’s Ontario Animal Protection Act, but also left a gap between the current set up and the… Read More