Grey County farmers have been assured by the President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture that they wont be on the hook to pay for water protection and species at risk legislation.
Gerry Kamenz told the Grey County Federation of Agriculture Annual General Meeting that is a serious concern of most farmers they will end up having to pay to protect clean water or endangered animals that may be found on their property.
He reassured the group that simply is not the case as Premier Dalton McGunity as assured him that everyone in the Province will help pay to endure that our drinking water remains safe, the air is clean and endangered species are protected.
Kamenz says the Premier told him as much in their most recent meeting in the past month that farmers will not be burdened with paying a disproportionate amount in protecting a public resource.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture President also warned farmers that there is a better than average chance of Ottawa running a deficit because of the current world economic crunch.
Kamenz says when that happens, cuts will no doubt be made in all federal and probably provincial ministries including agriculture and that could result in the reduction or elimination of some popular farm programs.
Kamenz also says farmers in Ontario and Quebec should start working together to pressure Ottawa to deliver better agricultural programs.
He says between the two Provinces, they represent more than 180 of the 308 seats in the commons
Kamenz says if they could decide collectively what their future should be in agriculture then central Canadian farmers will determine what farm programs will look like in the future.
