The Rural Voice, 2001-04, Page 76HURON
Box 429, Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0
519-482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135 Website: www.ofa.on.ca/huron Email: huron@ofa.on.ca
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
• The Rural Voice is provided to all farmers
in Huron County by the HCFA.
Ontario farmers provide strong show of solidarity
With almost 6,000 tractors, trucks
and cars and even more people,
Ontario farmers provided a strong
show of solidarity aimed at the
Federal Cabinet during their Day of
Action on Wednesday, March 14.
"Farmers across Ontario have
captured the need to demonstrate
their solidarity to get the Federal
Cabinet to increase support for safety
net programs and to support
agriculture in the future," says Jack
Wilkinson, President of the Ontario
Federation of Agriculture (OFA). He
was one of the speakers at the rally in
Ottawa.
and Pickering where OFA Vice -
Presidents Ron Bonnett and Bill
Mailloux delivered the key messages.
The rallies came at the conclusion of
convoys of farm vehicles across the
province. The convoys began in
Windsor in the southwest, and the
eastern counties surrounding Ottawa.
Others came from central counties to
the Pickering rally site.
"I was particularly impressed with
the number of farmers who became
involved and the demonstrations of
public support," said Mailloux,
noting that traditionally Ontario
farmers are reluctant to participate in
Forms ready for Farm Income Disaster program
There were also rallies in Guelph
The Government of Ontario is
continuing its support program for
farmers who had a disastrous harvest
last season, Minister of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs Brian Coburn
said today.
The Farm Income Disaster
Program (OFIDP) builds on the
Ontario Whole Farm Relief Program,
which was in effect for the 1998 and
1999 tax years. New program
features for the 2000 tax year include
pre -completed application forms, and
the filing of applications over the
telephone, to enhance client service
and program efficiency.
"This program provides needed
support to farmers when their annual
income falls dramatically, due to
poor weather, or depressed
commodity prices," said Coburn.
"All Ontario producers with a
valid Farm Business Registration
number will receive an application
and information package," Coburn
added. "I strongly encourage them to
use the Quick Check, and make an
application to OFIDP if they believe
they are eligible for assistance."
The Ontario Farm Income Disaster
Program is the provincial component
of a three-year federal -provincial
initiative and is cost -shared on a
60:40 per cent basis,
For complete program
72 THE RURAL VOICE
such demonstrations. "It appears their
information, contact the OFIDP
administration at 1-877-838-5144, or
visit the OFIDP website at:
www.gov.on.ca/omafra
A series of information meetings
will be held across Ontario. Some of
the local meetings include:
Shakespeare & District Optimists
Hall, Tuesday, March 27, 1:00 p.m.,
1 Thompson St., Shakespeare; CAW
Hall, Woodstock, Tuesday, March
27, 7:00 p.m., 126 Beale St.,
Woodstock; Ramada Inn London,
Wednesday, March 28, 1:00 p.m.,
817 Exeter Rd., London; Walkerton
Ag. Society, Bldg # 2, Tuesday, April
3, 1:00 p.m., 210 Durham St. W,
Walkerton; Seaforth Legion,
Tuesday, April 3, 7:00 p.m., 123
Main St. S., Seaforth; Centre
Dufferin Community Centre, Friday,
April 6, 1:00 p.m., 200 Fiddlepark
Lane, Shelburne; Guelph Place Hall
& Restaurant, Monday, April 9, 1:00
p.m., 492 Michener Rd., Guelph.
For more information please call
1-877-838-5144.0
HCFA OFFICE HOURS
Mondays and Fridays
9 arn. to 12 noon
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Please leave a message.
(519) 482-9642 / 1-800-611-1135
FAX (51 9) 482-1416
anger and frustration have reached a
point where they want to do more to
ensure the Federal Cabinet takes
them seriously," he says.
The rally in Guelph was staged at
the Agriculture Canada building on
Stone Road. With this federal
building as a focal point, farmers
came from all directions, many
driving their tractors, and others in
their trucks and cars after leaving the
Windsor to Pickering convoy. "There
was a definite mood of commitment,"
said Bonnett.
"These farmers are committed to
maintaining the pressure on the
Federal Cabinet until they understand
the $500 million announced earlier
this month is not enough to get them
through the current financial crisis,"
he said.
Previously $900 million had been
requested by Canadian farmers with
$180 million of that targeted for
Ontario farmers.
"We will analyze the impacts of
the Day of Action," Wilkinson says,
and "if additional demonstrations are
deemed necessary, I am convinced
our farmers are prepared to continue
the pressure."0
THANK YOU
A HUGE thank you to all local farmers,
agribusinesses, and others who helped to
organize and participated in the March 14
"Farm Protest" at Guelph, Pickering, Ottawa
and Windsor. Thanks also to those unable
to attend who contributed financially.
HURON
SLICE OF HURON
Once again it is time for the
Annual `Slice of Huron" to be
presented at the Seaforth Arena
and Agriplex, April 17, 18, 19 for
students in Huron/Perth public
schools.
A Public Open House will be
held Wednesday, April 18 from
6:30 to 8:30.p.m. Please bring an
Item of non-perishable food for
the local food bank.