News Release – Jones – Organic Legislation Passes Second Reading

(Dufferin-Caledon) – Today, Bill153: Organic Products Act, 2017 passed second reading. Bill 153 is co-sponsored legislation between NDP MPP Peter Tabuns and PC MPP Sylvia Jones. The Bill would ensure consumer confidence in organic products by requiring that all organic products sold in Ontario have been certified.

“The Federal government adopted the Canada Organic Standard in 2009, so that all organic products sold across provincial borders or carrying the Canada Organic Logo must be certified as organic,” said Jones.

“However, in Ontario there is no restriction on what can be called “organic”, meaning people are free to call any product organic regardless of whether the product is actually organic,” said Jones.

“Bill 153 seeks to address this inconsistency to ensure that consumers can continue to have confidence in organic products,” said Jones.

“Five other provinces: Quebec, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Manitoba, have already address this gap by creating their own provincial organic standard,” said Jones.

“The Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario and the National Farmers Union – Ontario, all support Bill 153’s call to ensure that consumer confidence in organic products is maintained,” said Jones.

“Bill 153 passing second reading represents an opportunity for the Ontario government to consult with producers and consumers about how we can make a “Made-in-Ontario” solution that addresses the gap in the organic standard that currently exists in Ontario,” said Jones.