HANSARD

February 25, 2010

MEMBERS' STATEMENT
ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: Yesterday our leader, Tim Hudak, met with a number of fruit growers and spoke at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetables Growers' Association conference at Brock University. During his speech he reiterated the PC caucus's commitment to the agricultural and horticultural professionals in this province.

We know this is just one sector of the agriculture industry that needs help urgently. Our hog farmers, our cattle farmers and our fruit and vegetable farmers are losing money, and the current support programs just aren't working.

They aren't asking the government to write a blank cheque. They are asking for an insurance program that's based on the cost of production. Their proposal includes Ontario farmers contributing to the program in good times and bad, through insurance premiums.

Ontario farmers not only produce world-class products; they anchor our rural economy. For that, Ontario farmers deserve to see some respect in return.

All the Liberal clichés in the world don't cover the fact that Dalton McGuinty and his government see farmers as nothing more than window dressing and scapegoats for Liberal broken promises and failed Liberal policies.

Tim Hudak and the PC caucus will not follow Dalton's path in treating farmers as an afterthought. Tim Hudak and the PC caucus will work with Ontario's farmers and sow the seeds for an economic plan to help our farming families have a sustainable future.

Ontario's fruit and vegetable growers know that there is a huge difference between Tim Hudak and Dalton McGuinty. That difference is underlined by Dalton McGuinty's ongoing failure to provide a principled commitment and needed support-