Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak is vowing to “cut red tape” in the agricultural sector in his party’s most recent policy paper, which was unveiled at a press conference at Woodrill Farms east of here on March 14.
Hudak was joined at the press conference by the party’s agriculture critic MPP Ernie Hardeman and Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece.
They attended a closed meeting with agricultural representatives from the area prior to the press conference. They were also joined by Guelph PC candidate Anthony MacDonald, a harness racing driver and horse racing industry advocate.
“Our paper wants to see Ontario fire on all cylinders,” Hudak said of the white paper titled Paths to Prosperity: Respect for Rural Ontario.
It’s the 12th white paper released by the PCs recommending ways to improve the overall provincial economy.
According to Hardeman, the paper is the result of consultations with farmers, agri-food business and food processing representatives.
“Their major concern was red tape,” Hardeman said. “One hundred and fifty-four days a year they spend just filling out forms for the provincial government and that is unacceptable.”
If elected, the aim of the Tory policy is to reduce by 33 per cent within three years the regulations, permits and certificates required by several government ministries when dealing with farm issues.
The paper proposes “one-window” access so farmers can deal with one ministry rather than several when building a new barn. If farmers want to build a barn they must meet the standards of five different ministries.
“Farmers should be in their barns and fields feeding the world, not behind their desks pushing paper,” Hudak said at Woodrill Farms, a recognized seed growing and grain elevator business.
Hardeman said reducing government red tape could assist abattoir businesses that have been dwindling due to tougher regulations. He added abattoirs operated by single owners should not face the same regulations that apply to larger operations.
“The majority are closing down because they felt they couldn’t meet the regulations,” Hardeman said.
The Conservatives are also calling on the government to bring in a two per cent biodiesel mandate for all diesel fuel sold in the province. Ontario currently has no biodiesel mandate, while they are enforced in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
“This is a policy that helps unite us as a province,” Hudak said. “It means we can have cleaner-burning fuel.”
Hudak also addressed the current crisis in the horse racing industry after the provincial government cancelled its slots at racetracks program that provided about $345 million for the horse racing industry from slot machine profits.
The Liberal government, under new Premier Kathleen Wynne, recently announced transition funding for racetracks, including Elora’s Grand River Raceway, to assist with establishing and supporting a horse racing season.
“The government has created temporary deals with some tracks, essentially to pay a bit of rent to house the slots and keep some money flowing while it works on its big casino expansion plan,” a section in the PC white paper states. “That doesn’t give the horse racing industry any certainty.”
MacDonald agreed, saying the industry is in decline due to uncertainty surrounding the government cancellation of the program.
“We have no reason why this has been cancelled,” he said.
“Regulations should help businesses survive,” Pettapiece said. “They’ve become a hindrance to business.”
Wellington County Warden Chris White said he welcomed the white paper announcement and pointed to the significance of the announcements by both Hudak and the premier held in the county over the past two weeks.
