AGRICULTURE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MP MEET WITH LOCAL FARMERS IN THE OKANAGAN
April 08, 2009

KELOWNA, B.C. April 8th, 2009 - Today, Pierre Lemieux, Parliamentary Secretary to the federal Minister for Agriculture and Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country hosted a roundtable discussion at the offices of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan with local farmers to get their input on agriculture policies and to let to them know about programs the Government of Canada is delivering for farm families.

 “Our Conservative Government knows that agriculture is the backbone of Canada’s economy so we work with farmers to develop programs to make sure it hits the farm gate,” said Mr. Lemieux. “This roundtable was also a great opportunity to explain some of the programs we’ve already created and are available to help them during these times of economic instability.”

Mr. Lemieux explained initiatives delivered in Canada’s Economic Action Plan designed to help farmers succeed during this time of economic instability. They included:

  • A $500 million agricultural flexibility program to invest in marketing, innovation, and environmental projects,
  • Emergency loans of up to $400,000, with the first $100,000 interest free with an extra year before those loans come due,
  • Tax relief for farm families; and,
  • Improved credit access for new farmers.
“It is important that our agriculture programs reflect the needs of the people they are meant to help,” said Mr. Cannan. “Feedback from our farmers is necessary to ensure the programs that exist and those that are being developed are working and will be effective.”

Cannan said the participants at today’s meeting were positive about the efforts made on their behalf by the Government thus far and they look forward to continuing to work together to support the efforts of BC farmers.

The roundtable was part of the Conservative Government’s ongoing commitment to get input directly from farmers when developing agricultural policies. Additional consultations with representatives along the entire value chain will continue to be held in the coming weeks and months.