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Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada News Release MINISTER STRAHL RESPONDS TO THE DEMANDS OF FARM PROTESTERS FOR A MEETING OTTAWA, ON - In response to protests by farmers at several food distribution centres in Ottawa, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board Chuck Strahl issued the following statement: "I am very aware of the tough situations facing farm communities across Canada, including those in Ontario represented at these protests. The government is actively looking at options in dealing with a complex situation for the entire sector and wants to find the best means of assisting farmers through this difficult period. "Earlier this month Prime Minister Harper and I met with a group of farm leaders on Parliament Hill and listened to their concerns. Last Saturday, during the long holiday weekend, senior officials from my department met with the leaders of the protest group and I myself have met with farmers across the country, including some of those protesting in Ottawa last week. "Since I have been Minister, it has been my priority to listen to our farmers. I have traveled to every province, I met with every provincial agricultural minister, I have held 11 roundtables with industry leaders in each province and I have met with over 240 industry representatives and talked and listened to hundreds of farmers about the situation in the country. Last week, I met with Minister Dombrowsky from Ontario and Minister Wartman of Saskatchewan to discuss specific challenges in their provinces. "In recognition of the urgent issues facing Canada's farmers, this Government's first action was to immediately improve and accelerate payments through the $755 million Grains and Oilseeds Payment Program. As of April 16, we have sent out more than 88,100 cheques worth more than $466 million, of which more than $64 million have gone to Ontario farmers. These funds are continuing to go out and nearly all of the committed funds will be in producers' hands in time for spring planting. "This Government also committed to increasing the annual federal investment in agriculture. We're going to follow through on that commitment and are currently working on a detailed plan to be announced in the near future. In the meantime we ask for your patience." -30- |