Beefing Up the Agenda at Queen’s Park

For Immediate Release

June 8, 2009 (Guelph, ON) – Representatives of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) were in Toronto last Thursday for their 6th Annual Queen’s Park Barbecue on the front lawn of the Legislature. The barbecue, which has become one of the most highly anticipated events with MPPs and their staff, is the pinnacle of a consistent provincial lobby effort on behalf of Ontario beef producers. And, this year, the event drew much media coverage as Premier Dalton McGuinty attended to show his support of the sector.

Ontario cattlemen have enjoyed alliances with all three parties over the years, and were pleased that The Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, again took part in serving beef to the over 600 barbecue guests. As well this year, Bob Runciman, Interim Leader of the Ontario PC Party and the Official Opposition, took a turn in slicing the beef, as did Andrea Horwath, Ontario NDP Leader.

Gord Hardy, OCA President, was pleased with the turnout and also delighted with the individual meetings that OCA representatives were able to hold with MPPs during the morning.

“Our organization exists to lobby and communicate on behalf of producers and this barbecue and lobby day has become our flagship event at the Legislature. We’re always glad to be able to meet one-one-one with our elected representatives during the day, to engage them in our issues and reiterate our industry’s needs. The barbecue serves to show that while we continue to ask for support, we’re grateful for the ongoing attention we do receive. It also helps us to showcase the outstanding beef we produce in this province!”

OCA’s messaging included the outstanding request for a $20 million dollar pilot ledger account program for the Ontario Corn-Fed Beef program. It also restated recommended changes to AgriStability (the current national Business Risk Management program for farmers), to make it more useful to beef producers and a request for interest-free loans to young farmers. Like other agriculture sectors, the beef industry is facing challenges with an increasing average age of producers and a lack of young farmers who are willing or able to get into the business.

“Our industry has had its share of challenges over the last few years,” says Hardy. “But we know that our contribution to the Ontario economy is significant. Beef farming contributes as much to the Ontario economy as an automotive plant. We cannot continue to lose farmers. We need programs that work for us if we are to be a sustainable and profitable industry. I hope that while people enjoyed our product, our messages were also heard.”

The Ontario Cattlemen’s Association is a grassroots organization, formed in 1963, that represents the interests of Ontario’s 19,000 cattle producers.

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For more information contact:
Gord Hardy, OCA President: (519) 227-1113
Lianne Appleby, OCA Communications Manager: (519) 824-0334