Industry Leaders Endorse Grow Ontario Strategy

November 28, 2022

Grow Ontario is the province’s plan for a strong, sustainable, and stable agri-food supply chain that supports farmers and food processors, promotes Ontario-grown and made food, attracts a modern and innovative talent pool, and ensures Ontario can continue to be competitive in a global market.

Quotes

“Building and securing a robust food producing sector is in all our interests. The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers wishes to thank Minister Thompson and the Ontario government for their solid support in delineating a strong aggressive path forward that is measurable and clear for all of us in the agricultural industry.”
– George Gilvesy
Chair of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers

“Investments in innovation and technology that increase production on-farm will help grain and oilseed farmers advance their contribution to food security and Ontario’s economy. We are pleased to see Grow Ontario focus on agriculture innovation and technology.”
– Crosby Devitt
CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario

“Ontario Pork supports the Grow Ontario Strategy. We look forward to working with the provincial government to reach long-term objectives that will enhance pork producers’ ability to provide safe and nutritious food to Ontarians and the world.”
– John De Bruyn
Chair of Ontario Pork

“On behalf of the 1,300 chicken farming families across the province, we thank Minister Thompson and the Ontario Government for collaborating with farmers and the agri-food community to develop the Grow Ontario Strategy. The Poultry Research Centre of Excellence will help further establish Ontario as a leader in innovation, productivity, sustainability, animal welfare, and food safety.”
– Murray Opsteen
Chair of Chicken Farmers of Ontario

“Minister Thompson’s new strategy charts a bold but achievable direction toward further growth and resiliency for agriculture in our province. Ontario’s greenhouse flower producers are excited to help the province achieve these milestones and build a bright future for Ontario’s farmers!”
– Ed Vermolen
President of Flowers Canada

“As the province’s largest manufacturing sector by employment, initiatives like Grow Ontario are crucial to supporting the essential work of the food and beverage processing sector. The goals of the initiative include high priorities for the sector like labour recruitment and retention as well as supply chain stability. We look forward to continuing to work with the province on these important initiatives going forward.”
– Chris Conway
CEO of Food and Beverage Ontario

“The livestock sector is a key pillar of Ontario’s economy, environment, and food security. Livestock Research Innovation Corporation looks forward to helping implement OMAFRA’s Growth strategy, innovating toward a robust future.”
– Brian Miller
Chair of Livestock Research Innovation Corporation

“The key pillars identified within Grow Ontario are essential to the long-term success of OABA members who operate feed mills, grain elevators and crop input businesses and who serve farmers throughout the province. Robust and resilient agri-food supply chains, utilization of innovative technologies to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, and access to the right people to fill key labour gaps are essential to agri-businesses now and into the future as we look to positively contribute to Ontario’s economy.”
– Russel Hurst
Executive Director, Ontario Agri Business Association

“On behalf of Dairy Farmers of Ontario, we would like to thank Minister Thompson and OMAFRA for all their support in the dairy and agriculture industry. Grow Ontario will help to grow and demonstrate the importance of food produced and prepared in Ontario. We look forward to continuing our work with the Minister.”
– Murray Sherk
Chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario

“It is vital that we align to grow and develop the agri-food talent pool to meet the people’s demand that contributes so positively to Ontario’s whole agri-food system. The Grow Ontario Strategy is well positioned to support the growth demands of Ontario’s agri-food talent pool. This strategy will address the education, skills development, training, and awareness needed to attract workers in the province with the needs and opportunities available in the agri-food sector.”
– Kathryn Doan
Chair of AgScape

“As Canada’s Food University, the University of Guelph has been a longstanding champion of growing the provincial agri-food sector through research innovation that supports consumers and farmers, and through our education of the next generation of agri-food leaders. We are grateful to Minister Lisa Thompson and the provincial government for their visionary support of a competitive, responsive and sustainable agri-food sector through the Grow Ontario Strategy.”
– Dr. Charlotte Yates
President of the University of Guelph

“The Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) is delighted to see the launch of Grow Ontario which firmly sets out the key ingredients for the sector’s future success. To truly drive Ontario forward, we must jointly invest with industry in purpose-driven research and innovation programs, and in the people, skills and technologies that collectively bring solutions to the problems that lie ahead. The strategy will be an enabler for ARIO advice on research and innovation, including world-class infrastructure that will align with and support the province’s long-term goals. We look forward to the review of the ARIO Act to address the long-term research needs of the sector, including innovation and technology as a key area of focus.”
– Dr. Lorne Hepworth
Chair of the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario