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NEWS
Green Party of Ontario (GPO) Leader Mike Schreiner renewed his commitment to an Ontario Food Strategy that supports Ontario farmers while providing all citizens with access to healthy local food. Schreiner believes a profitable farm sector is important to building a prosperous green economy that nourishes our families and communities while promoting health and well being.
While criticizing the Liberal government for not offering sensible solutions to the farm income crisis, Schreiner outlined the GPO’s five point strategy to support and promote the viability of Family Farms in Ontario:
1. Tax Reform that does not penalize farmers for value-added and value-retention facilities, as well as incentives for food vendors to purchase from local farmers and tax credits for farmers and processors to make food donations.
2. Regulatory Reforms that promote smart regulations that support local food processors by considering the size and scale of operations and the implementation of incentives for good land stewardship by paying farmers for producing environmental goods and services.
3. Investment in Rural Infrastructure and Transition Programs to support value-added and value-retention facilities and production practices, local marketing and distribution systems, and research and innovation programs.
4. Buy Local campaigns including a commitment to purchase 40% local food in government of Ontario facilities with mandated increases over time, including a requirement for government facilities to measure and report on local food purchases, and to develop a coordinated provincial healthy food program for schools.
5. Work with the farm community and the federal government to replace CAIS with income stabilization programs with lower caps that have less red tape, are more accessible for a diverse range of farms and don’t penalize farmers who experience bad years.
QUOTES
“A profitable farm sector is critically important to building a prosperous green economy that nourishes our families and communities while promoting health and well being.”
– Mike Schreiner, Leader, GPO
“It’s time for real solutions to support Ontario farmers, not empty government rhetoric. Greens are committed to tax and regulatory reforms to support family farms and a government commitment to buy local food.”
– Mike Schreiner, Leader, GPO
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Contact:
Jaymini Bhikha
416-275-8573