As an organization with a mandate to lobby on behalf of producers, OCA was again extremely busy in 2009. Now, more than ever it is crucial for Ontario cattle producers to gain political support in order to promote viable solutions for the industry as a whole.

OCA was pleased to accept, for the third year, an invitation to participate in the province’s Pick Ontario Freshness Campaign. During this one-day event, a mini-farmers’ market is set-up on the lawn of the Main Legislative building at Queen’s Park and Ontario commodity associations are invited to showcase their products for MPPs, the media and Queen’s Park staff.

OCA also held its 6th annual Queen’s Park Barbecue in June, on the South lawn of the Main Legislative building at Queen’s Park in Toronto. Between 500 and 600 people, including MPPs, their staff, and the Queen’s Park Press Gallery turned out to enjoy smoked Ontario Corn-Fed Beef tenderloin. The day again provided an opportunity for OCA Directors and staff to meet one-on-one with MPPs from all parties. Although OCA staff and Board – as well as county association representatives – meet with MPPs whenever they can, this annual barbecue and the concurrent individual meetings continue to be a key part of our lobby.

As well, OCA continues to lobby federally on a regular basis. Working with CCA, OCA participates in Ottawa Fly-In Days, of which there were four in 2009. One Fly-in Day included a barbecue at Parliament Hill’s East Block, to raise awareness about the cattle industry crisis. This event allowed OCA Directors some valuable face-time with Minister of Agriculture and Agri- Food, The Honourable Gerry Ritz.

Your association also provided input into Ontario’s budget by delivering a pre-budget submission to the provincial Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. OCA sees this as a chance to promote the issues that are of importance to Ontario’s farmers, and to ensure that government has notification, in writing, of how producers can be helped, financially.

In June of 2009, OCA was pleased to hear that the Ontario government planned to move forward on establishment of an Ontario Animal Health Act, which has been a long-time lobby request of OCA and the Ontario Livestock and Poultry Council.

This legislation is a necessary tool for government and industry to manage disease outbreaks that threaten the food supply, animal health and human health. OCA provided comments on the proposed act, and in December, the act received Royal assent. As well, in 2009, two issues of the Ontario Steakholder (OS) were mailed to all Ontario MPs and MPPs during the course of the year. OS is a communication vehicle, issued on an as-needed basis, that provides politicians with the inside information needed to gradually build a better understanding of our industry, so that they are better able to work on your behalf.

Finally, the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition (OASC) was initiated in late fall and included cattle, veal, pork, grains and oilseeds, and fruit and vegetable growers. Ontario’s former Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, The Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, charged Ontario agriculture groups with developing a Business Risk Management program that would work for all - in time for the Federal-Provincial-Territorial meeting for Agricultural Ministers in February. All commodities have agreed to support Cost of Production (CoP) type programs. The success of this group will be determined early this year.