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Policy and Solutions Forum

Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of CommerceUniversity of WindsorUnifor

Windsor – May 14, 2014

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2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Crops 23.0 23.2 22.7 25.8 29.8

Livestock 18.9 18.1 18.9 20.3 20.8

Payments 4.1 3.3 3.1 3.5 3.4

Canada – Agriculture ($ Billion)

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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Farms 37,895 37,010 35,000 34,400 35,300

Average Net Worth

1.2 million

1.3 1.4 1.5 1.8

Canada 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.7

Ontario

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2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Exports 9.35 8.85 9.40 9.92 10.82

Imports 16.45 16.88 16.86 18.28 19.80

Ontario Agri-Food Trade

Premier’s Challenge – Double the rate of growth of exports

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$1.4 Billion in trade each day

$716 Million cross each day between Ontario/U.S.

AOFP

Food Processing $39 billion

Agriculture $11 billion

Auto manufacturing $43.6 billion

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2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Jobs

GDP Farming 4.0 3.9 4.1 4.0 4.0

Food/Beverage Processors 11.7 11.4 11.3 11.0 11.0 95,321

Food Services 7.5 7.5 7.7 7.9 8.1 339,702

Food/Beverage Wholesale 4.0 3.8 3.8 3.9 3.9 35,852

Food/Beverage Retail 5.7 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 165,152

Ontario

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Overall 574.5 BillionGoods Producing Industry 131.7

Agriculture 8.7Mining 6.5Utilities 11.5Construction 32.8Manufacturing 76.2Service Industry 442.4

Ontario is 37% of Canada G.D.P.

Ontario GDP

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#1Soybeans SheepCorn LambsGreenhouse Veg Hens & Chickens“Other” Veg TurkeysGrapes EggsFloricultureNurserySodTobaccoGinsengDry Beans

Ontario Agriculture DiversityMore than 200 commodities

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ESSEX % of Province

Farms 1581 3.04

Greenhouse 6,211,393 sq./m 49.5

Wheat 27,197ha 6.11

Apples 554 ha 8.65

Grapes 480 ha 7.45

Tomatoes 1867ha 27.86

Essex

Labour (weeks) 262,705 11.85

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2012 (823.4 million)

Greenhouse Vegetables 492.3Soybeans 112.2Corn 47.6Nursery /Floriculture 41.8Mushrooms 34.2Field Vegetables 26.3

EssexFarm Cash Receipts

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Agriculture is big business in Canada Ontario and Essex County

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• Land base• Rural/urban• Environment

• Natural resources Water Climate

• Labour• Cost• Availability

• Competitiveness Low cost jurisdictions

• Escalating input costs• Energy • regulation

Challenges

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Consistent and growing demand Significant regional (500Km) market Technology Adaptation

Production Transportation

Government Support challenge to double growth rate and create 120,000 jobs

by 2020

Market Development

Opportunity

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Consistent cross border systems Infrastructure Regulation Harmonization

Enhanced marketing and promotion Stabilization of Workforce

Regional transportation network Consistent utilization of foreign worker programs Skills development

Technology adaptation Consistent, stable, reliable and competitive

energy

What Must Happen