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For immediate release Hardeman supports Coalition’s Request QUEEN’S PARK – Ernie Hardeman, Oxford MPP and PC critic for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs today commended the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition on their work to support Ontario farmers and asked the Minister of Agriculture to do her part. “I want to commend the coalition for coming together to speak with one voice on behalf of our farmers,” said Hardeman. “That is their role. Your role, Minister, is not to be a lobbyist but to take action to help them.” Hardeman asked the question on the same day that the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition held an information reception at Queen’s Park to inform MPPs about the urgent need to support Ontario’s farmers. This follows a successful townhall meeting held in Stratford on April 6 which was attended by almost 300 farmers. The Sustainability Coalition was formed to address the crisis in Ontario Agriculture and the fact that the current support programs aren’t working. In January they submitted a proposal for a cost-of-production based business risk management program similar to the one that was recently cancelled for grain and oilseed producers. Today Hardeman asked the Minister of Agriculture: “Will you commit today to reinstate the grain and oilseeds risk management program and use the new money in the budget towards a broader business risk management program as the coalition requested?” Despite the fact that Hardeman asked the question twice the Minister refused to answer it directly. The Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition includes the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, Ontario Veal, Ontario Pork, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency and Grain Farmers of Ontario. “I want to commend the Sustainability Coalition for coming to Queen’s Park to deliver the message that our farmers need help now,” said Hardeman. “If this government truly supports local food and Ontario farmers it’s time to demonstrate that with real action.”
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