For Immediate Release:
November 24, 2005

Barrett calls for provincial funding for beef, cash-crop, tobacco and horticulture

Queens Park - Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture again failed to provide a timeline for a provincial response to funding proposals from beef, cash-crop, tobacco and horticulture funding proposals following questioning by Ag. Critic Toby Barrett in the Legislature November 23rd..

In his first query to Minister Dombrowsky yesterday, Barrett reiterated a farmer’s question from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture convention.

“Yesterday morning at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture convention, you did leave enough time for one question - I'd like to ask that question again,” Barrett stated. “When will Premier McGuinty, with an elected majority government, empower you to fund the grains and oilseeds proposal?”

Before admitting that current risk management programming is failing grain and oilseed farmers, the Minister pointed to the need to “work together”.

In contrast, Barrett used his supplementary question to push the need for immediate action on behalf of the province.

“Other sectors are in trouble, not only cash crop but also beef, tobacco and hort - they all have funding proposals on your desk,” said Barrett. “Farmers don't have time to wait. Minister, the question remains: Will you take action? Will your government take unilateral action, find the funding now for cash crop, beef, tobacco and fruit and vegetable?

On November 23rd, the federal government announced $755 million for grain and oilseed farmers.

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For more information please contact -

Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett - 519-428-0446, 416-325-8404