Lambton Shows Strong Support at Solidarity Rally

On April 5th, fifty-six people from Lambton and neighbouring counties filled a bus and showed their support by travelling to Ottawa along with 10,000 voices to deliver the message of agriculture’s ongoing economic crisis to Members of Parliament and government staff.

While the majority came from Ontario and Quebec, there were farmers from all provinces calling on the federal government to deliver sound farm programs and resolve the issue – not only for the short term, but for the long term.

Leaders of farm organizations from across Canada outlined circumstances in their own province and particular commodity. A number of people from the city joined the crowd, some of them waving signs stating their support for farmers and appreciation for the food they produce.

Minister Strahl has not listened to the collective voices of farmers who have said repeatedly they need a fully funded risk management program. Both provincial and federal governments need to come to the table, willing to support the Risk Management and Production Insurance programs that agriculture has put forth.

The soon-to-come federal budget must acknowledge and provide funding for these programs. Then the province needs to match those funds over a period of years. We also need to see continued support and strengthening for the marketing systems farmers have succeeded with for years. Lambton farmers can be proud of their efforts in getting the attention of politicians and bureaucrats at the Ottawa rally. Unfortunately, the work is not over.

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