DFO leadership, including Board Chair Mark Hamel and CEO Cheryl Smith, highlighted the strong operational performance of Ontario’s milk producers, underscoring quality outputs and market relevance. They framed the sector as critical to provincial economic health, noting that Ontario’s dairy industry accounts for $8.7 billion in GDP and supports more than 91,000 jobs, underlining dairy’s role as a pillar of regional agribusiness.

Presentations at the AGM leveraged fresh market data for 2025, with consumer demand trends showing sustained interest in dairy protein — particularly cheese and yogurt categories — outpacing broader fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). This consumer momentum was positioned as a strategic advantage for processors and retailers aiming to capitalize on high-quality local milk.

Premier Ford’s remarks affirmed a political commitment to protecting and promoting supply management, a system that regulates production and stabilizes returns for farmers within Canada’s dairy value chain. His appearance signaled that dairy remains a priority for provincial policy, with implications for farm-gate stability and industry confidence heading into key trade and regulatory debates.