Ontario PC Whitby-Oshawa candidate Lorne Coe stands up for the Agricultural community

Today, Ontario PC Whitby-Oshawa candidate Lorne Coe, Ontario PC Critic for the Environment and Cap-and-Trade Critic Lisa Thompson, and former MPP Garfield Dunlop hosted an agricultural roundtable at the Brooklin Royal Canadian Legion.

“Today we heard about the impediments our agricultural industry is facing, but we also heard about the opportunities that can grow the agricultural industry in Whitby-Oshawa,” said Coe. “My colleagues and I are committed to seeing the agricultural sector flourish and grow here at home.”

One of the main issues discussed was the exhaustive red tape businesses have to deal with in Ontario. Currently, there are more than 350,000 regulations in the province; for example agri-businesses and food processors waste an average of five weeks per year filling out forms.

Another concern was the Wynne government’s plan to introduce a carbon tax to Ontario. “I worry that a cap-and-trade system will be nothing more than a continuance of the Liberals photo-op environmentalism agenda – having little positive impact on reducing emissions” explained Coe. “Worse yet, this carbon tax will see direct cost increases on our grocery products, and make our products uncompetitive in other jurisdictions.”

Thompson added, “The discussion has once again reinforced what we in the Ontario PC Party have been saying all along: that the Ontario Liberals are just not in it for farmers anymore, especially in Whitby-Oshawa. Whether it’s ignoring the science on the issue of neonics, the staggering amount of red tape they face, the appropriation of prime agricultural land, or the decimation of Ontario’s racing industry, farmers are feeling the brunt of this government’s bad policies. The PC Party recognizes that agriculture is one of the key pillars of our economy, and instead of hindering our farm families, we should be supporting them”.

Coe concluded, “I know that farmers are the best stewards of the land – the land is your livelihood, and that’s why you take care of it the best. I also recognize that agriculture is integral to Ontario’s economy – the food you grow feeds our cities. That is why I want to be your voice at Queen’s Park.”