Has anyone participated in Code of Practice zoom meetings

[burnt]

For example - was at a County Official Plan review meeting a little over a year ago. Sat at the 'Environment" table where the county planner was holding forth on the importance of mapping the "natural features" such as wetlands.

She has a well-established reputation as a highly functional member of the canine genus.

I asked if the wetland mapping meets all the Provincial criteria for being legally designated as such.

She replied that the Conservation Authorities had created the maps, so yes, they likely do.

Being quite familiar with the Provincially mandated process, I asked if she is familiar with the "Ontario Wetland Evaluation System" - it lays out in fine detail the step-by step process for evaluating and designating a wetland.

She replied, "I've heard of it".

So then I asked if she can affirm that the legally-mandated steps have been followed in the county mapping of these features.. She saw where this was heading and replied, "Are you suggesting that we tear up the county mapping?"

I replied, "I'm suggesting that you had better be able to produce the (pertinent accrediting pages) from that System because, otherwise, when you face a legal challenge on this mapping, it won't go well for you".

She was right pissed, knowing that she had lost control of the "conversation".

The best part was that there were a number of municipal councilors sitting in the round table. They knew she had just got her ass handed to her, but didn't know the significance of the exchange.

They remain willfully ignorant.

[bfl2008]

This is quite concerning as it is not being represented by farmers, but career commission director farmers. They rarely represent the majority of farmers' interest, rather their own personal opinions.

Call your commissions, demand a voice, be willing to represent. I heard AB's member was only because no one else volunteered, not sure I believe it but if that's the case...pretty sad.

Commissions are feeling the heat with refund requests at all time highs so they should have it in their interest to do what their farmers ask of them. But if no one reaches out...shame on us.

[wmoebis]

If farmers aren't behind this why are the ones they pay and elected to sit on the boards and at the table still their voice? Are Farmers telling their commissions that they are not representing them. Unless they are kind of mixed messages here!

[SASKFARMER]

The process is over today.

[blackpowder]

Sat in on todays meeting.
I have mixed feelings about this.
Mostly I tried to point out the need to be careful what they promise. 12 pages of health and wellness affirmations when simply stating that provincial labor codes are the standard sufficient.
Someone getting paid too much for word salad. And yes, it most likely could and may well be used as a starting point for legislation some time in the future.
End user assurances and information??
That's the job of our industry commissions and groups isn't it? 😂

[wmoebis]

Sat in on todays meeting.
I have mixed feelings about this.
Mostly I tried to point out the need to be careful what they promise. 12 pages of health and wellness affirmations when simply stating that provincial labor codes are the standard sufficient.
Someone getting paid too much for word salad. And yes, it most likely could and may well be used as a starting point for legislation some time in the future.
End user assurances and information??
That's the job of our industry commissions and groups isn't it? 😂

Are Farmers in favor of this seems producer commissions and orgs are for it. Are they giving the true feeling of the producers. A lot of them at the table are paid employees working for Farmers commissions or elected members that are there to make sure Farmers get their say. So are Farmers in favor or not I'm hearing no from Farmers that attend the meetings but yes from your representatives?

[burnt]

Are Farmers in favor of this seems producer commissions and orgs are for it. Are they giving the true feeling of the producers. A lot of them at the table are paid employees working for Farmers commissions or elected members that are there to make sure Farmers get their say. So are Farmers in favor or not I'm hearing no from Farmers that attend the meetings but yes from your representatives?

You catch on quick.

Much quicker than "our" reps.

There was a letter in this week's Ontario farmer from a well-known farm community member who absolutely shredded his farm org for diametrically misrepresenting his views on the P.C.'s Conservation Authority bill.

He spoke for many of us.

[blackpowder]

I have to believe that most farmers are in favor of doing business ethically and projecting information at consumers.
Not something that is worded as if it were rules. I think the more time you spend in politics the more accustomed you become to self congratulatory group decrees. Hence orgs all get useless.
The author of these papers was writing to a govts eye and not the grunts.
11 pages on nutrient management.
14 pages on pesticide management.
12 pages on health and wellness.
7 pages on soil management.
8 pages on water management.
7 pages on seed selection.
7 pages on land use and wildlife.
When will we learn that less is more?? And who are we selling with this stuff. I'm beginning to think the audience for this stuff all reside in Ottawa.
When asked what are we getting in return I got crickets. "Thank you, next question"

[bucket]

While on the zoom meeting...I started googling some of the participants...interesting...but explains why the participant lists were stopped ...and while they call it a farmer forum ...it wasn't.

Much like the way the seed tax meeting in Saskatoon in December of 2018 was stacked with people representing the pro side of the seed tax....it became obvious that those contributing have an interest in seeing this going forward...the industry was well represented.

Very few run of the mill farmers were on these meetings...

Today it was interesting to see how they respond or deflect....as an example why does Susie Miller keep saying that grain companies are ..."""""selling grain on your behalf..."""" meanwhile not long ago in the WP the WGEA was pointing out that once the grain falls through the grates at the elevator it is no longer farmer's grain and we should be cognizant of that fact...

Ted Menzies in his video talks about building a Canadian brand....more bullshit ...exports are running 4 to 5 million tonnes ahead of last year....Canada's grain was sold out at a low because buyers knew they could come in under the radar without farmers or the rest of the world knowing until well after the fact...


And why haven't they addressed the issue of the DU involvement....

at the end of the day ...this is back door legislation pre-amble ....

I hope I am wrong.

And remember no code of practice will protect you from being blamed or participating in more forced rules like the Triffid testing fiasco...nor will it protect your markets from idiotic politicians opinions/actions that cost western canadian farmers market access...

This code of practice is voluntary ....until it isn't...and the Triffid flax , deershit , and politicians comments prove that...its voluntary until it isn't ....then it is mandated or law set by others and no amount of getting ahead of the curve ball will change that...

Remember this...its legislation pre-amble.

And its voluntary until it isn't....not by your choice either way...

I can't use the word naive because that makes me a boomer...learn for yourself.

History repeats.

[bucket]

So while more of the nonsense goes on about a Canadian brand for market access for our grain....


""""""Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association, said grain companies need to better understand exactly what information farmers are seeking before providing a detailed response to the proposal.

But he noted that farmers need to understand that once a grain company buys their grain on the elevator driveway it becomes their property and there may be compelling reasons why they don’t want to share what happens to that grain beyond that point.""""""""

So while Ted Menzies talks about market access for our grain....who is he really representing????? me thinks he is brown bagging some grainco money...