HANSARD

September 16, 2010

Food Bank Donation Tax Credit Question

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: My question is to the Premier. Bob Bailey, MPP for Sarnia-Lambton and proud member of the Ontario PC caucus, has a bill regarding a food bank donation tax credit for farmers up for debate this afternoon. The bill offers some relief through a tax credit when farmers donate unsold produce and food to their local food banks. I anticipate that the McGuinty Liberals will support the bill because they hastily assembled a non-binding resolution that calls for pretty much the same thing as our bill.

Premier, my question is: Why didn't you bring forward government legislation to help farm families with a food bank donation tax credit yourself, like the Ontario Federation of Agriculture requested in the pre-hearings for the last budget?

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: Back to the Premier: It's a hard time for farm families. While the Premier wants to talk about his HST and eco taxes, their priority is to manage the loss of $143 million in farm support. The problems with your smart meters won't help. Maybe the Premier doesn't know this, but livestock won't wait for time of use and farmers don't have the margin to afford your expensive and failing hydro experiments.

The choice facing Ontario's farm families is to decide who is listening to their priorities. The Ontario PC caucus will be at the plowing match for more than just the parade. We have put forward a tax credit for them.

If the McGuinty Liberals truly support farm families, will you agree here and now to pass all stages of Bob Bailey's bill immediately?