While manufacturing is enjoying a significant revival in St. Thomas and across southwestern Ontario, it is easy to overlook the role played by agriculture.
Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack highlighted the impact of the agricultural sector on the local economy at this week’s MP/MPP luncheon, hosted the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce at the CASO station.
Flack pointed out that agribusiness contributes about $800 million of economic activity in Elgin county.
He noted that, “Whether you’re a farmer, primary producer, food processor, farm supplier, further processor, distribution, transportation, one in nine jobs in Ontario is related to agriculture. It’s a big economic factor. Really big.
But are we missing opportunities, suggested Flack.
He continued, “I believe the biggest opportunity for us is to look at food processing.”
MP Andrew Lawton added a cautionary note.
“We also have to make sure that our agricultural sector, along with manufacturing, which are the two most hardest hit by the US’s threats, are not casualties of trade negotiations.
“Not just with the US, but in general. One of the things I will say is that beef is right now being discussed in the context of a potential trade agreement with South American countries, and cattle farmers have been very frustrated about this, not knowing what it’s going to look like, because the last thing we want is for our grocery stores to be flooded with lower cost and lower quality Brazilian beef, which will come at the expense of Canadian beef farmers who have had to face a lot of challenges.”
Lawton closed off in supportive fashion.
“So the view I take and I advocate for is that we need to pull every lever the government has at its disposal, and it starts by supporting our local domestic farmers right here in Elgin.”
Written by Ian McCallum
