by PATRICIA GROTENHUIS
A reception at Toronto’s Queen’s Park to gain support for changes in farm risk management made urban politicians aware of the issue, says one organizer.
“We heard from a number of people who dropped in that were not from rural ridings about how they’re concerned, and they want to hear the story about agriculture in Ontario,” says Steve Illick, an Ontario Pork director who represents the board on the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Coalition. The coalition organized the reception.
Yasir Naqvi, member of provincial parliament for Ottawa Centre has requested a private meeting with the coalition, Illick adds.
More than 30 members of provincial parliament and some staff attended the coalition’s Tuesday event at the seat of the provincial legislature.
“We had tremendous support from the MPPs, and some offered advice on how to proceed,” says Judy Dirksen, OASC member and Ontario Veal Association President. “Overall, it was a really good day.”
The coalition is trying to raise awareness of the issue in urban populations because most Ontario votes come from those areas.
With agriculture accounting for 13 per cent of Ontario’s gross domestic product and providing more jobs than the automotive industry, Illick stresses part of the awareness that needs to be created is about the scale of agriculture in Ontario.
The coalition is planning a series of town hall meetings across Ontario, in both rural and urban areas. The first of these took place in Stratford last week. Most of the 300 people who attended came from rural backgrounds, Illick says.
There is some concern a new risk management program will hurt export industries but Illick says this is not likely to be a problem. Individuals who rely on exports have the option to not enrol in the program, he explains.
As support from MPPs grows, the coalition is targeting the public across Ontario. Without public support pressuring the provincial government, there are not likely to be any changes to the current program, representatives say.
Dirksen says coalition members are keeping an eye on the July meeting between federal, provincial and territorial agricultural ministers and will meet shortly to determine next steps. Setting dates for other town hall meetings will be on the agenda. BF
All these years same old
All these years same old basic leaders doing same old thing , we should not bet the farm on their getting success. A poor program would do more harm than good. They are going to have a hard time justifying themselves as good leaders if a no good program is brought forward. Their resignations will be justified
Another hired out secret meeting
To feel encouraged is like being excited about seeing pony p**p under the Christmas tree and declaring Santa must have brought me a pony!
TORONTO papers on April 14th "nothing" - following the April 13th MEDIA blitz at Queen's Park (ANOTHER FAILED HOLLOW PROMISE). There was nothing in the paper - only a 'Jesus Day' at Queens Park - which I don't think related to OASC.(although the problem warrants divine intervention from somewhere) I also watched the Toronto Night News and saw nothing.
Imagine 300 rural people from the rural backwoods ... met in Stratford to tell urban people their problem and the TO media did not pick it up either! Maybe they were not invited like so many farmers when there was no notice in even the farm papers. Good planning by the "hired" facilitator.(read as, our own OASK group can not run their own meeting)
Well fear not, this strategy was such a success they are planning more of these informative secret meetings!
Like the shy boy in the dark dance hall winking at the pretty girl to get her attention ... works well! He still has no program and single too!
same old BS spin as used
same old BS spin as used for decades calling mpps