OTTAWA – “I am pleased that our Conservative government has taken steps to develop policies that truly work for Canadian farmers”, said Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright. “Our government is acting to promote healthier, safer food for Canadians while increasing the bottom line of our farmers- unlike the Liberal National Food Policy, which is nothing more than a batch of recycled ideas from downtown Toronto.”
The Liberal Party has actually voted against farmers at every opportunity. They have, among many items, blocked recent attempts to modernize the grain industry, as well as drought and flood tax deferrals for cattle ranchers, and a $75 million budget inclusion to assist Canada’s ailing slaughterhouse industry. According to Mr. Benoit, “Mr. Ignatieff and his party seem intent on punishing rural Canadians. His party’s movement against farmers, in addition to his punishment of rural Canadians by moving to keep the wasteful long-gun registry, show a complete lack of concern for rural farming communities. Our government finds these actions to be despicable.”
Mr. Benoit went on to explain the government’s initiatives in working with farmers and rural Canadian communities. These include:
- Extensive investment in international markets for farm products;
- The creation of Canada’s first organic regulations and the strengthening of Product of Canada guidelines and Made in Canada guidelines, and;
- The delivery of $5 billion in direct payments to farmers through the government’s Business Risk Management suite.
“Our government remains committed to the welfare of Canadian farmers and Canada’s rural population”, Mr. Benoit concluded. “While the Liberals promote their downtown Toronto food agenda, our Conservative government will continue working with farmers.”
