Farmers will be present in Ottawa on Canada Day

[dalek]

June 23, 2006 - Farmers of Ontario and Quebec will show their presence during Canada Day celebrations on July 1st.



Farmers and consumers alike are still waiting for the much needed assistance to secure and maintain agriculture and home-grown food industry in Canada. The $1.5 billion announced in the federal budget has not been detailed, let alone delivered to an industry being maintained on a shoe-string.



While farmers planted crops and hoped that the promise of funds to come would materialized soon, consumers need to know that their efforts and support of farmers have not resulted in even a promise to see the budget announcement materialize before harvest.



Local farmers, simply calling themselves “Grassroot Farmers” have decided to be present for Canada Day celebrations on July 1st to let Canadians know that farm issues are far from being resolved and seek ongoing public support. Among issues, we’ll list the following:

· Grain and oilseeds farmers have not received the cash injection or the risk management program they need to grow food and feed their families.

· Dairy imports continue to worry farmers about the long-term viability of the supply management system that gives Canadians safe, quality, traceable dairy goods they deserve.

· Farmers producing beef and pork still face trade distortion brought on by foreign government subsidies.

· Horticulture is crippled by high input costs, including energy costs that are soaring for all Canadians.



Farmers from other parts of Ontario and Quebec will join local farmers to show they remain united. They will hand out 100% Canadian ice cream and promotional items such as “Farmers Feed Cities” tattoos to thank Canadians for their support and seek continued support to resolve the issues currently facing farmers.



Farmers will arrive in Ottawa on June 30, to visit 24, Sussex Drive, before parking tractors in the downtown core for daytime celebrations on July 1, 2006.




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Information: Jean-Marie Menard ,613-443-2646,jmmenard@sympatico.ca
Dwight Foster,613-880-7456 dwightfoster@hotmail.com
John Vanderspank 613-880-8480 jmpspanky@aol.com

[grassfarmer]

Well done to the farmers of Central Canada! Unfortunately you can't count on any support or similar action from producers in the West. Apathy is king out here and although most producers complain plenty they won't do anything to help themselves.

[Horse]

GF the producers are not producers they are either contracted to the multi Nationals or are into the banks trying to be the big auger or they are just using agriculture to invest large salerys or windfall income from resources.
I dont supose we will ever see agri come full circle and be a modest way of live again with smaler producers but the big boys must be getting hammered because the only help avalable is very high cost or not very reliable or not even available,

[cowman]

Horse: Was talking to a manager of a very large nursery/sod operation and he was telling me most intensive type operations are bringing in Mexicans to do the work. He says they are good workers and are satisfied with a low wage. He told me they intend to bring in Mexican truck drivers next year!
Every industry in Alberta is crying for labor? Not just agriculture.

[wilagro]

Yes, yes, THEY are all crying for labour...especially CHEAP labour.

How many ads do you see asking for help in harvesting field or garden crops where they state the wage being paid? Very few, as this is NEGOTIABLE.

In B.C., the blueberry farmers cry and carry on because they can't get pickers. No bloody wonder...they pay next to nothing. Some of the students from eastern Canada who used to come out from Quebec even, can't afford the return train fare and derive any real gain from the experience.