On Monday, June 21, the federal government announced the easing of some travel restrictions for fully vaccinated Canadians returning to Canada. The Quarantine Act is still in effect however, requiring farm workers to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Canada. Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) says that the requirements of the act, including transportation, food, wages, and… Read More
The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) held its 160th annual general meeting last month and with it came the election of its new chair and vice chair. Bill George Jr., a grape grower in the Niagara region, will take over the position from Jan VanderHout, a greenhouse grower who has served as chair for the past… Read More
AT ISSUE The Ontario government recently announced extensive amendments to Bill 148, the former Liberal government’s labour and wage reform bill which included a phased-in minimum wage hike. Included in the new “Making Ontario Open for Business Act,” is a freeze on the next planned jump in the minimum wage, from $14/hour to $15/hour, until… Read More
Greenhouse vegetable grower Jan VanderHout will serve another one-year term as chair of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA). He first assumed the role in 2017 and was re-elected at the OFVGA annual general meeting earlier this week. Grape grower Bill George was re-elected as vice chair. “It will be a busy year… Read More
The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) has been working to “actively engage the audience of young farmers in Ontario,” starting with the OFVGA Young Farmers’ Program, launched at its annual general meeting held this past January. As part of the program, a group of young farmers attended the OFVGA annual meeting, with full… Read More
Reports of increased bee deaths in the spring of 2012 in areas of Ontario and Quebec were alarming, but, at the time, attributed at least in part to the unseasonably cool and wet spring. This past spring, however, had more average temperatures but also had a higher than average reported bee kills. What’s troublesome about… Read More