For Immediate Release
November 18, 2005

Sterling and PC Agriculture Critic meet with local farmers

Farmers share their agriculture concerns

(Carleton Place, Ontario) – Lanark-Carleton MPP Norm Sterling and Nepean-Carleton MPP John Baird today welcomed Toby Barrett, Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP and PC Agriculture Critic to a meeting with representatives of the local farming industry and municipal leaders.

The 10 local farmers shared concerns about the McGuinty government’s lack of action on numerous issues including creating a Risk Management Program to provide timely assistance to farmers when they are faced with challenges like low commodity prices or unforeseen boarder closures.

“The McGuinty government has been ignoring Ontario farmers,” said Mr. Sterling.  “A government cannot ignore the second largest industry in its jurisdiction, nor can it ignore the people who feed the rest of the population.  I was glad that Mr. Barrett made the trip to meet with this group, proving that he recognizes the importance of Eastern Ontario’s farming community.” 

“Since being named Agriculture Critic I’ve met with farmers in Southwestern, Southern, Central and now Eastern Ontario, and everywhere I go the message is the same – our farmers are hurting,” said Mr. Barrett after the meeting.  “They’ve been overburdened by excessive regulation, low commodity prices, soaring energy costs and worries about the future.”

“I appreciate the time these farmers took to meet with us today,” said Mr. Sterling.  “We will take their concerns back to Queen’s Park and push the Minister of Agriculture and the McGuinty government to address their concerns now.”

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For more information:

Norm Sterling, MPP

613-253-1171