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| For immediate release Hardeman: Support Must be Delivered, no Excuses
QUEEN’S PARK – Today in the Ontario Legislature Ernie Hardeman, Oxford MPP and PC critic for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, told the new Agriculture Minister that she must ensure all the support dollars are actually delivered to farmers in need, no excuses. “We know that current support programs aren’t working,” said Hardeman. “The government has a choice – they can create a program that works so farmers get the support they need or they can do what they have done in the past – ignore the need and reallocate the money to their own priorities.” Public Accounts documents show that in 2008-2009 $82,600,000 was quietly reallocated away from Business Risk Management Transfers. According to estimates document $325,415,700 has been allocated for 2009-2010. “I ask the Minister to commit to making sure that the farmers get every single penny of the $325 million allocated for support programs,” Hardeman said in the statement. In response to a question on the risk management program earlier in the day Carol Mitchell talked about the need for more consultation. Almost a month ago the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition submitted a proposal for a risk management program that would cover non-supply managed sectors. Hardeman used his statement to reinforce the urgent need to create the program requested by the coalition. “Ontario needs to adopt risk management programs for all sectors. There is no time for excuses,” said Hardeman. “The grain and oilseeds program has already proven to be a success and should be continued today.” - 30 - For more information, contact:
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