Ontario PC Leader in Waterloo-Wellington to announce policies for Ontario's farmers
Ontario PC Leader John Tory joined members of his team at Fred Wagner's farm near Breslau in Waterloo-Wellington to launch their plan for Ontario's farmers on June 5th. On hand for the announcement were MPPs Ted Arnott, Toby Barrett, Ted Chudleigh and Ernie Hardeman along with Ontario PC candidates Michael Harris (Kitchener-Conestoga), Bob Senechal (Guelph), and John Rutherford (Perth-Wellington).
“I was honoured and delighted that John chose Waterloo-Wellington to announce our Party's agriculture policy,” Mr. Arnott said. “Our farm families continue to need our support, and Waterloo-Wellington is one of the most important food producing Ridings in Ontario.”
Mr. Tory detailed the following components of a PC plan to address the issues facing Ontario's farmers:
- 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.
“Instead of deflecting responsibility as the McGuinty Liberals have done, a PC Government will work with the Federal Government and the farming community to design flexible support programs that work,” said Mr. Tory. “Farmers used to be able to depend on the government for respect and support. Ontario's farmers have not received either from the McGuinty Liberals and as a result, our province's rural way of life is suffering.”
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