Meeting of Québec and Ontario Agriculture Ministers Focuses on Supporting Local

Toronto, May 1, 2013 - François Gendron, Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Québec, and Kathleen Wynne, Ontario's Premier and Minister of Agriculture and Food, met today to discuss subjects of common interest within the framework of the Québec-Ontario Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

"Buying Local"- a Priority for both Ministers

The Québec and Ontario ministers briefed each other on their respective initiatives relating to the promotion of local foods. In particular, they discussed Foodland Ontario, Québec's Act respecting Reserved Designations and Added-value Claims, Aliments du Québec and Ontario's Local Food Act, currently before the Ontario Legislature.

"For Québec, one of the goals of the future food sovereignty policy will be to increase the presence of Québec food on consumers' plates. We hope that, because of our efforts, more and more Quebecers will ask their grocers or restaurant owners for Québec products," Minister Gendron pointed out.

"The Ontario government is very interested in moving forward with a local food strategy that will grow our markets here at home and across the globe. With consumers in both provinces so passionate about local foods, there is ample opportunity for our two governments to work together," said Premier Wynne.

During the meeting, the ministers agreed to explore the potential for collaborating on the promotion of local agri-food products and for working with the federal government to ensure that federal regulations align with these efforts.

Protection of Supply Management

Québec and Ontario account for three quarters of Canada's producers under supply management (dairy, poultry and egg sectors). The ministers noted that supply management is essential in providing quality local food products to consumers and ensuring the economic strength of agriculture and agri-food sectors of both provinces. The ministers joined in their call to the federal government to continue to defend the interests of supply managed farmers in all trade negotiations.

The two ministers also indicated that supply management must continue to evolve, and committed to working with industry towards mutually beneficial and balanced market based opportunities.

Ongoing Bilateral Collaboration

The ministers noted the past successes in joint research and export promotion activities, and committed to continuing these collaborative efforts to the benefit of the industry in both provinces.

Together, Ontario and Québec account for nearly 38 per cent of Canada's agricultural production and close to two thirds of food processing in Canada.

In September 2009, the premiers of Québec and Ontario signed the Québec-Ontario Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which established commitments in matters of cooperation, regulatory harmonization, and innovation.

Source:

Maxime Couture
Press Attaché
Office of the Deputy Premier
and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Phone: (418) 380-2525

Gabrielle Gallant
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Food of Ontario
Phone: (416) 326-3069

Information:

Media Relations
Direction des communications
Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries
et de l'Alimentation
Phone: (418) 380-2100, extension 3512
www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca


For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca