Bobbi Ann Brady is raising concerns about the Ontario government’s latest budget, saying it is falling short for both families and farmers.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the Haldimand-Norfolk MPP said residents looking for affordability measures are disappointed, adding that the agricultural sector shares those concerns. Brady emphasized that while the government often positions itself as a champion for rural Ontario, more concrete action is needed.
She pointed to ongoing trade uncertainties as an example, noting she had previously called on the province to act decisively and invest in Ontario’s agri-food industry. According to Brady, the sector plays a vital role in the province’s economy, contributing nearly $51 billion to Ontario’s GDP and supporting close to one million jobs—comparable to the auto manufacturing industry.
Brady highlighted food manufacturing as a key economic strength but warned that without targeted investment, the sector cannot reach its full potential. She referenced concerns from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, which criticized the budget for lacking policies aimed at expanding food processing capacity.
“Straight from the OFA news release: We are disappointed by the absence of direct policy aimed at expanding food processing capacity in Ontario,” Brady said during her remarks.
She also argued that many of the agriculture-related announcements in the budget were not new, describing them as largely recycled initiatives.
To address these gaps, Brady suggested several measures, including creating a dedicated agri-food processing growth fund, enhancing risk management programs, strengthening Foodland Ontario and buy-local initiatives, modernizing wildlife damage compensation, and improving agricultural impact assessments.
Brady concluded by saying the government continues to overlook the importance of farmers and the broader agri-food sector, despite their essential role in putting food on Ontarians’ tables.
You can hear her full comments below:
