April 12, 2006

Will last Ontario farmer turn out the lights?
           
Springtime marks a new beginning for farmers looking forward to getting back on the land.  Rather than a fresh start, this year brings a dark cloud for Ontario’s farmers.  The farm income crisis reached its climax last week, as desperate farmers descended on Ottawa for the latest large tractor protest.

How did we get here?  In nearly every sector, farmers say existing farm support programs are not working.  We need to build bridge funding programs, and the funding must be delivered now.  Moreover, the programs must be useable and bankable.

On anther front, a senior Ministry of Agriculture official was recently quoted saying, “if you can’t compete with imported apples, should you be growing apples?”  This is a formula for a country that cannot, and will not, feed its own people.  I categorically reject his vision.  Peter Twynstra, organizer of last week’s London rally, was equally clear.  He called it “shameful.”

In March, Minister Dombrowsky’s office released a document alleging that Ontario’s cash-crop farmers receive more support than their American counterparts – sending the signal that her office believes everything is rosy.  But, her comparison is based on past commitments of one-time funding.  Again, a rebuttal is required.

If the McGuinty government holds this mindset, what comes to my mind is, “will the last farmer to leave Ontario turn out the lights?”

Finding solutions to the farm income crisis has been one of my top priorities at Queen’s Park.  In addition to attending the rallies in London, Guelph, Whitby, Ottawa, and Queen’s Park in recent weeks, I continually remind the Minister of Agriculture that farmers are in crisis.  Her response is always the same- “Go to Ottawa.  Ask the feds.” 

So, I took her up on it.  This past week I joined thousands of farmers in Ottawa for a massive tractor rally at Parliament Hill – I was also in Ottawa the week before.  Again, the usual signs- “Farmers Feed Cities,” “Equity with US Farmers,” “Pinocchio.”

While in Ottawa, I had two productive meetings in Minister Strahl’s office.  I learned that Minister Strahl has worked very hard to come up to speed on the farm income crisis and is amenable to replacing CAIS.  He has travelled the country talking to farmers, and accelerated the $755 million payments under the grains and oilseeds payments program.  Over 73,000 cheques totalling $400 million have already been sent.

At Queen’s Park, Minister Dombrowsky continues to say, “I’m on the dance floor, I need a partner.”  I looked around in Ottawa, but I couldn’t find her anywhere.  I have Minister Strahl’s phone number if she needs it.