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Latest news
- MARK your calendar July 21th at 7 pm NEW updates from OMAFRA on Step 3 Reopening and beyond for Fairs and Exhibitions
- July 7 Information from OMAFRA on Step 2 Reopening for Fairs
- Ontario Moving to Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen on June 30
- The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) welcomes new agriculture minister as part of the provincial cabinet shuffle.
- Convention 2022 see details below
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News
We are pleased to have OMAFRA join a webinar to provide information and help answer your questions about the Step Three regulations and beyond as they pertain to your fair and/or any events you may be planning this year.
Note: if you have any questions, you must send them to Vince Brennan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please mark in the subject line of the email “Questions or comments for the webinar.”
All questions must be received by the end day on July 16th 
Click here to register for the webinar.
Please click here to read below the links to News Release and Updated Regulations
News Release - click here to read
Updated Regulations - click here to read
For immediate release
The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) welcomes new agriculture minister as part of the provincial cabinet shuffle.
STIRLING, ON [June 18, 2021] – Today, the Ontario government announced a shuffle in its cabinet, resulting in several critical ministerial positions changing hands. A notable change impacting the OAAS and its member agricultural societies is the departure of Hon. Ernie Hardeman as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Hon. Lisa Thompson will take over leading the agriculture, food, and rural portfolio in Ontario.
As we look forward to working with Hon. Lisa Thompson, as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the OAAS and its membership would like to acknowledge and recognize the very significant contributions of Hon. Ernie Hardeman as a strong supporter of the OAAS and our agricultural societies and rural communities. Minister Hardeman was a true advocate for agriculture and rural Ontario and understood the importance of Ontario agricultural societies to their local communities and the entire province.
“We regularly engaged with Minister Hardeman over the past few years and appreciated his passion for agricultural societies and his desire to see our industry survive, thrive and continue to contribute to their communities,” said Vince Brennan, OAAS Manager.
“We are especially appreciative for his support of our agricultural societies during the pandemic,” said Beth Howell-Vervaecke, OAAS President. “We wish him the best in his future endeavours and have appreciated our time working together.”
The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies looks forward to working with Minister Thompson to continue the valued partnership between OMAFRA and the OAAS. “She has a significant understanding of agricultural societies and their key role in agriculture education and food awareness as well as the multiple benefits agricultural societies bring to their communities”, said Brennan.
The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) is the umbrella organization for over 210 Ontario agricultural societies with over 35,000 members across the province. The OAAS provides support, training, and resources for our member agricultural societies to assist them in supporting and deliver agriculture education, food awareness, heritage, tourism, and cultural programs and experiences in their communities.
For more information, contact:
Vince Brennan
Manager
Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies
613-395-2465
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
”Celebrating 175 years.”
2022 Convention: February 17-19,
#FairsAreResilient
“Teamwork makes our Ag Societies Strong.”