18 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Ontario Grain Farmer Put agriculture on the municipal election agenda Grain farmers can help shape local decisions by asking candidates where they stand on rural infrastructure, land use, taxes, fees, and practical farm policies Municipal elections give grain farmers a chance to raise local issues that affect their businesses, from infrastructure and land use to taxes, fees, and environmental regulations. Ontario is holding municipal elections on October 26, 2026. As the election date approaches, grain farmers have an important opportunity to make sure agriculture remains a priority in their communities. Municipal governments may not set national trade policy or provincial farm programs, but they make many of the decisions that shape day-today farming. Local councils influence rural roads, bridges, drainage, landuse planning, stormwater fees, property taxation, conservation authority representation, source water protection, and regulations that affect farm operations. Those decisions matter to Ontario’s grain farmers, who depend on reliable infrastructure, practical policies, and a competitive business environment to grow crops, move equipment, reach markets, and continue contributing to rural communities. Agriculture is a major economic driver in rural Ontario, and municipal leaders need to understand how local decisions affect farm businesses. That’s why Grain Farmers of Ontario is encouraging farmer-members to speak with candidates, ask questions, and help ensure municipal policies recognize the importance of a strong and competitive agricultural sector. WHY MUNICIPAL DECISIONS MATTER Municipal issues can have a direct effect on farm businesses. Rural roads and bridges must be able to handle equipment and truck traffic. Drainage systems must support productive farmland and protect surrounding communities. Planning decisions must balance growth with the need to preserve agricultural land and avoid unnecessary conflicts between farms and non-farm development. Municipal taxes, stormwater fees, and local regulations also affect the cost of doing business. Agricultural land functions differently than urban and industrial properties, and policies need to reflect those differences. Fair, predictable, and practical rules help farm businesses invest, grow, and remain competitive. Environmental policies are another area where municipal leadership matters. Farmers are committed to protecting soil, water, and natural resources, but conservation authority policies, source water protection programs,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQzODE4