The Ontario Federation of Agriculture was reminding the federal government last week of the industry’s needs prior to the federal budget.
“We have contacted Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz outlining funding promises from recent months, including the last election campaign,” President Bette Jean Crews said.
“Agriculture in Ontario makes a huge contribution to the country’s economy and we need sound and prudent investment by the federal government to grow that contribution.”
A recent letter to Ritz referred to the annual payment of $100-million to address increasing production costs. Those costs continue to increase, and farmers are still waiting for the government to meet its commitment, Crews says.
There is also a need to extend emergency advances to the cattle and hog sectors for another year; Canadian society is awaiting needed revisions to food labeling regulations so consumers can know where the food they are buying is produced.
The letter reminded Ritz the final payments under the CAIS inventory transition initiative and the kickstart initiative, $900-million and $600-million respectively, have not been provided to farmers.
“We know the government has been hearing from municipal leaders about the need for infrastructure funding.”
“Our farm businesses rely on sound infrastructure to help drive the rural economy. The OFA wants assurance that rural Ontario gets its fair share of needed infrastructure spending,” said Crews.
