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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Hardeman fights for Ontario Farmers [Queen’s Park] – Amidst thousands of Ontario farmers protesting the lack of action from Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal Government, Ernie Hardeman, MPP (Oxford) rose in the Legislature to speak on behalf of Ontario’s farmers. Hardeman began the day meeting with and discussing important issues with farmers on the front lawn of Queen’s Park. Estimates say over 5000 farmers descended upon the Ontario Legislature this morning. Most of the gathered farmers made note and discussed with Hardeman that Premier Dalton McGuinty was nowhere to be found. Minister of Agriculture, Steve Peters also was nowhere to be found while the Legislature was sitting. “On the biggest farming awareness day of the year, where is our Premier, where is our Minister of Agriculture? Why did Steve Peters see the need to be out on the lawn shaking hands, but then didn’t bother to show up here to answer our questions? Farming is in crisis and it’s a sad time when the Minister of Agriculture doesn’t even bother to show up and fight for farmers”, said Hardeman. Later in the Legislature, Hardeman raised important questions regarding recent funding cuts to crop stabilization programs in favor of salary and wage increases at the Ministry of Agriculture. Hardeman asked why, “in the 2004 budget the Liberal Government slashed safety net supports for crop stabilization by $50 million – a 33% cut. This at a time when the Ministry of Agriculture saw their administrative budget skyrocket by $11 million – a 68% increase” further Hardeman stated, “the numbers don’t lie. You cut monies previously spent to help our farmers in favor of rewarding Queen’s Park bureaucrats with increased salaries and wages”. -30- For more information, contact: Ernie Hardeman, MPP (Oxford). Phone: (416) 325-1239. |
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