OTTAWA, ON – On Wednesday, April 05, 2006, thousands of farmers from across Canada gathered on Parliament Hill to increase awareness to the farm income situation. A large group of producers from Dufferin-Caledon were also present at the rally.

Several representatives from Ontario including: Ron Bennett, President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture; Peter Tuinema, Chair of the Grains and Oilseeds Safety Net Committee, as well as several grains, oilseeds, and pork producers attended caucus discussions with parliamentarians to stress the urgency of the current situation. The issue was also the basis of many questions during Question Period.
Mr. Tilson was present at both Question Period and Ontario caucus discussions and was eager to comment on events of the day. “The demonstration was quite impressive today. I was particularly pleased that several of my constituents present at the rally. Rural Canada is extremely important to this Government, unlike previous governments.

Mr. Tilson went on to say, “During the course of the last six weeks, the new Agricultural Minister has traveled across Canada to listen to farmers as they explain their impossible financial situations. Fortunately, our new Government has already taken action by sending out payments of $755 million under the Grains and Oilseeds Program and last week we announced that we’re scrapping the deposit requirement and replacing it with a fee, making it more affordable for producers. This a terrific start.”

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