 |
For Immediate Release Letter to the Editor - Agriculture in Ontario As our province’s economy enters into a very difficult period we are all concerned about what the future holds for our towns, friends and neighbors. It is during difficult times like these that we realize how fortunate we are as Ontarians for the good work our Ontario farmers do – the industry that has been the backbone of this province since Confederation. Our farmers and agricultural industries are poised to be a major part of Ontario’s return to its former position as the leading province in Canada - but to do so it needs a partner in the government of Ontario. Our leader, John Tory, and my caucus colleagues heard these valuable insights at our Agricultural Roundtable held at the International Plowing Match in Teeswater, Ontario. We brought together leaders from many of the different segments of our provinces agricultural sector to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing our farmers. Our leaders in agriculture told us that when it comes to farming we need to start thinking strategically and start thinking long term. We need, not only a better plan to allow today’s Ontario farmers to succeed, but we need to a vision for Ontario agriculture 10 years from now. While each segment of Ontario’s agriculture sector faces specific challenges they have many common goals and a common request that we hear far too often under this current government. They want a government that is in their corner rather than in their way, government that fights for a level playing field for our farmers. They want a true partner that fundamentally believes that Ontario farmers built this province and that strong support for the sector is a ‘no brainer’. Red tape, taxation and a lack of strategic vision are not going to boost our farmers nor are they a helpful way to bring our Ontario economy back. We have to stop piling on new regulations, on top of inspectors, on top of cumbersome programs which are costly to apply for and rarely pay out the right amounts to the right people. As the Official Opposition critic for Agriculture and Food, I can say that the Ontario PC party’s support for our Ontario farmers has never been stronger and that we will continue to fight for positive changes that benefit the industry both inside the legislature and beyond. We have continued to advocate for a funded, long term, comprehensive risk management program, we introduced a bill to allow farmers to post seasonal, directional signage to promote their produce, produced a report on what the government can do to ensure the future of tender fruit and grape growers and held an economic roundtable to hear suggestions on strengthening all sectors of the economy, including agriculture. Meetings like the one held in Teeswater are just the beginning as we work to put our agriculture sector and Ontario economy back on top. We hope that members of the agricultural community will continue to let us know what they need to ensure that agriculture will continue to be the backbone of the province. Ernie Hardeman
|
 |