MPP Arnott again expresses strong support for supply management
Following a meeting with area farmers John Krul and Arnold Vervoort, MPP Ted Arnott reiterated his continued strong support for the supply management system in Ontario .
“Our supply management system is central to our farm economy and to our way of life in rural Ontario . It ensures that we have stable supply and pricing for essential foods that family farmers bring to market,” Mr. Arnott stated. “Instead of facing wild price fluctuations that would throw farmers out of business, Ontario 's dairy, poultry, and egg producers get a fair price in the marketplace. That price reflects the fair value of their labour and fair returns on their investments, and consumers pay a reasonable price to put food on the table.”
Mr. Arnott's comments also follow a visit by Ontario PC Leader John Tory to Waterloo-Wellington last week where he detailed components of the PC plan for Ontario's farmers that include the following:
- Work with farmers to negotiate a long-term, stable and flexible model of farm supports with the Federal Government based upon the Quebec agricultural model;
- Increase support for farmers by an additional $300 million annually by the end of the first term starting with an additional $150 million for farmers in the first budget;
- Within 30 days of taking office, the new PC Government Minister of Agriculture would meet with farm organizations and work to develop a better process to avoid payment delays;
- Show real leadership by encouraging and promoting a ‘Buy Ontario' strategy and ensuring that all public institutions purchase food from Ontario farmers; and
- Work with farm organizations to expand the ‘Buy Local' Foodland Ontario campaign, work with producers and the grocery industry to establish Ontario Foods sections in stores and better promote the benefits of Ontario food to consumers.
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