Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Heat wave continues
The First heat event of the season continues today, as a heat warning remains in tact by Environment Canada.
Temperatures today will reach the low thirties with humidex values near forty. Overnight lows are expected to be near 21 degrees, providing little relief from the heat during this timeframe. Temperatures are expected fall below heat warning criteria by Tuesday as a trough moves into Southern Ontario.
Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.
Drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place.
Seek a cool place such as a tree-shaded area, swimming pool, shower or bath, or air-conditioned spot like a public building.
Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle.
Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers concerned about minimum wage increase
The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) announced recently an immediate concern for the ongoing viability of their sector. While greenhouse vegetable growers agree there is a common interest in sharing in a healthy economic well-being, the recent announcement relating to significant increased minimum wages combined with proposed changes to the employment standards, signals the imminent closure of many family-run greenhouse farms.
As with any business, greenhouse farming requires a stable business climate that allows for the responsible planning of future investments. For a sector still recovering from an onslaught of regulatory burden and government-imposed costs, such as cap and trade, paying an additional $3.60/hour for each worker is an insurmountable hurdle.
The OGVG estimates the additional expense will cost the sector over $30 million next year, and another $40 million the year after that. Specifically, this represents a 35% increase in labour costs. No business can absorb this type of significant impact without consequences. The short term consequences will include the loss of small farm operations, reduced availability of local produce and an increased presence of imported produce of the grocery store shelves. OGVG would encourage the government to undertake a full economic impact assessment prior to implementing this type of drastic change.
“Our sector is already reeling from the most recent impacts of cap and trade,” stated George Gilvesy, OGVG Chair and “this ‘piling on’ of costly policies will undoubtedly put an end to an enviable growth story for Ontario greenhouse vegetable production.”
For a capital and labour-intensive sector struggling to remain competitive, the latest announcement will make it even harder to stem the flow of greenhouse investment to neighbouring U.S. states and Mexico. “Labour makes up the largest single cost in the production of greenhouse vegetables and changes of this magnitude make it impossible to plan and invest in the future” said Gilvesy. “We need the government to work with us to ensure further greenhouse growth and investment remains in the province.”
About OGVG
OGVG is responsible for licensing all growers, packers and marketers of Ontario greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. Currently, OGVG has over 200 growers, representing nearly 2900 acres of high-tech hydroponic greenhouse production.
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
Photo of the day
The Sombra Optimist Club was proud to present Murray McAllister with their annual Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award to recognize his 54 years of service to the citizens of St Clair Township.
Murray has been active in area sports teams, the Port Lambton Community Hall, a longtime member of the Port Lambton Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Sombra Museum to name but a few of his numerous activities.
Weather forecast for Monday, June 12, 2017
A heat warning is in effect.
Today – Mainly sunny. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. High 32 except 24 near Lake Erie. Humidex 40. UV index 9 or very high.
Tonight – Partly cloudy. 30 percent chance of showers overnight with risk of a thunderstorm. Wind west 20 km/h gusting to 40 becoming light this evening. Low 21.
World news
The Pittsburgh Penguins are Stanley Cup champions once again
Penguins celebrate their second straight Stanley Cup
Sidney Crosby is the Stanley Cup MVP
Anti-government protests underway all over Russia
Emmanuel Macron’s party set for a landslide in French parliament
The Wynne government really doesn’t care about the effects of it’s policies on agricultural business, it’s policies are centered on being re-elected which means they really only need the GTA to vote for them.