Coalition encouraged by Queens Park showing

Friday, April 16, 2010

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