Supporters

"When producers claim to be organic, consumers must be aware that unless they are buying from a certified producer the products they are paying a premium for have not been vetted by a third party. The consumer is taking a risk in trusting that the organic claim is valid. That risk is eliminated when you buy from a certified producer; you know exactly what you getting when buying certified."

"Ben and I have worked very hard to produce our certified organic vegetables for over a decade now. The certification is something that makes us proud and we take all standards very seriously. It has always saddened us when others use the word "organic" but do not pay the fees, do the paperwork, or make the time for an annual audit/ inspection. We are raising small children, paying debt down and farming a lot of food. It's hard, but we know that it is the only fair way for us to use the label "organic."

"While there are responsible growers making such claims due to lack of regulation, it is still a buyer beware environment. As well, the lack of regulation discourages some farmers from taking the extra step towards certification because they are able to skirt on the borders of organic selling without it."

"It’s important to go after people who abuse the label. We would like to see assistance for the truly great organic vendors and producers."

"As a certified organic retailer, we won’t carry an organic product unless it is certified to the federal standard. Many times that means that we have to turn down Ontario producers, or prioritize non-local ones, due to the lack of regulation in Ontario."

"Today's food industry is bursting with marketing terms that confuse consumers. The organic certification system is the only system in Canada that provides true legitimacy to products farmed and produced to higher ecological standards. It's imperative that any loopholes in the regulation system be fixed so that consumer confidence in organic food remains high."

"Keen to see firm action from MPs and the Ontario government to warrant renewing organic certification for our farm. After seventeen years of our certifying at great expense and with little or no government support, we are looking for strong regulation backed up by enforcement. The public and true organic farmers deserve it."

"Healthy soil, like clean water, is a finite resource. We must protect Ontario's precious soils and support the farmers who enrich it if our farm lands are to produce food for future generations. That's why the Green Party of Ontario is in favour of organic regulation: because in order to improve our soils and protect our waters, it is important for this province to protect the organic farmers who are investing in our future."

"The growth of organic farming is critical for environmental sustainability. Organics help in the battle against climate change and can substantially reduce mass use of pesticides. Both are critical to a liveable world. Helping organic producers and consumers with honest labelling will make a difference in Ontario."

"Bill 153 represents an opportunity for farmers, producers, legislators and consumers to work together to create a 'Made-in-Ontario' approach to ensure the continued consumer confidence in organic labelling. I am looking forward to working with my colleague MPP Peter Tabuns, the Organic Council of Ontario and the Minister of Agriculture to ensure that Bill 153 addresses the inconsistency in organic labelling, while ensuring small local producers can continue to provide local, high-quality products to Ontarians."

"There is a hole in Ontario law and it needs to be fixed! As it stands, food products being sold in this province do not have to meet many requirements to be labeled “organic”. This means that some producers and vendors can call a product “organic” without a lot of evidence to support that claim. This does not seem fair to Ontarians wanting to purchase organic food. Luckily, if passed, the Organic Products Act, also known as Bill 153, will fix this hole. Among many changes, this bill will ensure that all organic products have gone through a well-defined, province-wide certification process before being approved. I look forward to supporting this bill as it makes its way through the legislature in the coming months. This is needed legislation!"