The Ides of March
The Ides of March, the anniversary of the death of Julius Caesar and a difficult time financially for Canadian Agriculture.
Last week the Ontario Government announced funding for agriculture. A total of $125 million is not adequate during a time of financial crisis, but is a show of support by the Provincial government. The $80 million dollars for grains and oilseeds, $35 million for edible horticultural crops along with the $10 million to be used for traceability in livestock is financial assistance for producers.
The breakdown for crops grown locally includes: $.18/bus for corn, $.43/bus soybeans and $.154/bus winter wheat.
The records for 2005 Agricorp production numbers will be used to calculate this information. The benefits should be mailed to producers in mid April but the lobby effort needs to be continued for both the Ontario and Canadian governments.
Minister Dombrosky has stepped forward and acknowledged the need to have long term programs in place, but we need a written financial commitment. The Canadian government has been advised assistance is required now and in the future to provide a viable farm economy.
OFA members will be receiving template letters in the mail which will encourage you to lobby both levels of government for financial commitments. Please make the effort to call, write, or email your local MP’s and MPP’s. You can make a difference.
The contact addresses are as follows:
- Bev Shipley, M.P., Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
House of Commons, Ottawa, K1A 0A6, [email protected]
21 Arnold St., Wallaceburg, N8A 3P3, 519-627-4899 or 1-800-585-2640 (f) 519-627-4635 380
Albert Street, Strathroy, N7G 3J1, 519-245-6561 or 1-800-586-4614 (f) 519-245-6736 - Pat Davidson, M.P., Sarnia-Lambton
House of Commons, Ottawa, K1A 0A6, [email protected] or
1000 Finch Drive, Unit 2, Sarnia, N7S 6G5, 519-383-6600 - Maria Van Bommel, MPP, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
777 Bay St, 17th Flr, Toronto, M5G 2E5, 416-585-6756 (f) 416-585-6767 [email protected] or
4156 Petrolia Line, Box 1450, Petrolia, N0N 1R0, 519-882-0221 (f) 519-882-3939 or
208 Margaret Ave., Unit 6, Wallaceburg, N8A 2A1, 519-627-1015, (f) 519-627-7174 - Caroline Di Cocco, MPP, Sarnia-Lambton
Room 428, Legislative Building, Toronto, M7A 1A4, 416-325-7622 (f) 416-325-7917, [email protected] or
Bayside Mall, Unit 29, 150 North Christina Street, Sarnia, N7T 7W5, 519-337-0051 (f) 519-337-3246
On a lighter note, we would like to welcome Brenda Miner as the new secretary. She lives in Warwick Township and is a fellow farmer along with her husband, Bruce and four children. She has experience as a legal Secretary and has been secretary for both the Lambton 4-H Association and Lambton Cattlemen.
She has a wealth of background in a variety of volunteer positions and has a knowledge of Lambton Agriculture. She will be an asset to our organization. Her contact number for LFA is 519-828-5028.
Remember the Lambton Federation of Agriculture is only a phone call away.
~Debbie Coke~
President, Lambton Federation of Agriculture