For Immediate Release:
February 24 2006

Minister finger-pointing and empty words for Grain and Oilseed farmers

Queen’s Park—MPP Toby Barrett’s continued to pressure on the provincial Minister of Agriculture for action on the Grain and Oilseed Risk Management Proposal was met with more empty words in the Legislature yesterday.

“In the last week and a half we've seen two very large cash-crop farm protests in both Guelph and Ottawa,” stated Barrett. “Minister, my question is simple - it can be answered with a yes or a no - will your government comply with the farmers' ultimatum, the March 9 deadline for a risk management program for our grain and oilseed farmers?”

When Minister Dombrowsky refused to answer the question directly, Barrett moved to underline the need for decisive action to allow farmers to plan for the coming year.

“You know, the deadline isn't really about you or the Premier; it's about planting season and the banks,” Barrett pointed out. “Farmers have to buy seed, they have to buy fertilizer, they have to buy spray, they have to buy fuel -- repairs for their machinery. This deadline is very real. I hope you would address it.”

“The federal Liberals announced $755 million. The federal Conservatives announced an additional $500 million,” Barrett continued. “My question to Minister Dombrowsky: How much are you announcing?”

The Minster failed to indicate an exact amount – instead opting to repeat that Ontario is waiting for the federal government to act first.

-30-

For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (519) 428-0446, (416) 325-8404, or 1-800-903-8629