1.What opportunities are…

1.What opportunities are there to grow the agriculture, aquaculture and food processing sector in the North?

Opportunities in Northern Ontario are endless for agriculture, aquaculture and food processing sector. This is proven by acknowledging the local movements in City’s such as Dryden, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Timmins, and some Northern Indigenous Communities to name a few.

There is a responsibility for the government to notice these local shifts and provide tools for individuals, business and organizations to build manageable careers within these sectors. Local food movements, healthier food initiatives, environmental and sustainable benefits, and educational learning that involves children in this sector, are some opportunities that stick out most.

2.Who is best positioned to develop these opportunities?

Government and local organizations that provide support are the best positioned to help develop these opportunities. But who is best positioned to IMPLMENT these opportunities are local business, individuals and Indigenous Communities, not industry!

Government is within the best position to get the ball rolling which I can assume the intentions are with the Northern Ontario Agriculture, Aquaculture and Food Processing Sector Strategy. These initiatives give people like me, young, enthusiastic, and willing to work hard and long for no wage, the hope to push forward with personal goals in creating a small business in this sector.

3.What are the advantages to growth of this sector?

Growth in this sector can lead to;
• stronger communities,
• jobs,
• economic growth,
• educational and technology advancements,
• healthier food and products,
• less transportation of products,
• environmentally friendly initiatives,
• food security locally and in Northern Communities,
• opportunities to the working and middle class,
• small and family business growth and opportunity, and
• traditional methods of agriculture and harvesting.

4.What are the barriers to the growth of this sector?

The barriers to the growth of this sector in the Northwest is funding and mentoring. Unless a small business or an individual has been saving their whole life to start a business, or it has been passed down from generations, it is a hard to get into this sector.

There are several types of loans, with relatively high interest rates (Prime + 4-5%) that one can apply for and grants if you are lucky enough. Though the biggest hurdle is finding the mentoring or affordable assistance to create a feasible business plan that would be accepted. More resources should be available for interested parties to obtain mentoring or assistance from Government agencies or non-for profit organizations to create business plans that are realistic and that can grow a business.

5.What actions does industry need to take to drive growth while ensuring it happens in a sustainable manner (e.g. social and environmentally responsible)?

There should be more initiative to support small business and individuals. Not industry. Fortunately industry has support, funding, business growth and a potential to expand without further action.

Action has to be placed with the rest of the struggling demographic who wants a piece of this sector and who can provide unique advantages, such as improved, unique and healthier products. Of course it will not meet the volume of production that industry is able to do, but that is a long term advantage. Less corners are cut to try to produce an enormous yield and there is a more genuine focus on the quality of product, which is lacking in most supermarket shelves.

It is important to give the power back to the people who have the passion to do what they love and by doing this the social and environmental responsibility is already met. You will have smaller scale production using more traditional methods of sowing, management and harvesting of products. Local associations will create a sense of community that maintains the market by outlining where the local market needs more assistance or vice versa. This can also allow local challenges be it pests, disease or infection be dealt with as a community, coming up with control measures or steps forward.

We have to think, rather than making everyone compete for a spot on the top and to make them feel threatened by their neighbour’s success. We want to work together to maintain and encourage the local market and continue economic growth.

6.What can industry and government do to support growth opportunities that meet the objectives of the Sector Strategy?

Industry and government can support growth opportunities that meet the objective of the Sector Strategy by providing financial assistance, mentoring programs, learning workshops, and encouraging jobs within this sector.

Offer small farm or hobby farm tax rebates that can allow families to be encouraged to grow and produce their own food, and not be penalized for the tools and machines that make ‘living off the land’ easier. Such as electric fence, rototillers, etc.

7.What can industry and government do to support the involvement of First Nations and Métis communities in this sector of the economy?

In order to encourage development of this sector for Indigenous Communities you must support businesses that are willing to go to Northern Communities to build infrastructure (Greenhouses, processing areas and storage buildings), invest in 4 season greenhouse infrastructure, provide people to train and hire local community members to be involved and employed. Most importantly, incorporate their traditional practices to make food that suites their culture and needs.

Involve the youth of communities to participate, the elders for their knowledge and support, and allow each community to have full responsibility of the success of the projects after a time period (2 – 3 years). This provides ownership and pride.

Always provide support in challenging situations. Considering the environment in most Northern Communities, weather will be a challenge. Therefor the Government must be willing to assist in these struggles.

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I appreciate this opportunity and I look forward to see how the Government moves forward with the Northern Ontario Agriculture, Aquaculture and Food Processing Sector Strategy. I hope to see small businesses supported in this sector and Indigenous communities an opportunity to provide affordable food and products to their communities .

Thank you!

[Original Comment ID: 210769]