For Immediate Release

January 20, 1999

Tory farm assistance plan a joke:
half-baked program does nothing for farmers most in need

Queen's Park - Liberal Rural Affairs Critic John Cleary is calling on the province to stop playing games with Ontario's farm families. The Cornwall M.P.P. chastised Ontario Agriculture Minister Noble Villeneuve for giving farmers false expectations about when and if they will receive much needed financial assistance to save their livelihoods.

"The Minister yesterday issued yet another feel-good announcement confirming the obvious - farmers are in dire straits and immediate assistance is critical," Cleary said. "Minister, please tell us something we don't know."

In early December of last year, months after the pending crisis became obvious, the Minister announced an income relief program with great fanfare. He also promised that application forms would be mailed in early January. Yesterday's statement confirms that assistance package application forms are just now being issued, almost a month later than originally promised.

"I say to our farmers, don't hold your breath. We've just passed the first anniversary of the ice storm, and thousands of people still haven't seen those cheques yet," Cleary said. To add insult to injury, most farmers will find that they will not qualify because of tight restrictions on eligibility. Many mid-sized farms, those needing assistance the most, will be left to fend for themselves.

"I agree with our farm leaders - the tight program criteria make it too restrictive to compensate those most in need," said Cleary. "People are angry - the Minister must do the right thing and adjust the program to help these people through this unprecedented crisis."

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Contact: John Cleary, MPP (613) 933-6513




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