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VICTORIA – Canada’s ministers of agriculture welcomed the
federal government’s announcement of a $1 billion aid package for the
agriculture sector today, while rejecting additional provincial funding for the
initiative.
A joint statement issued by the provinces of
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia,
Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan applauded Federal
Agriculture Minister Andy Mitchell for a federal initiative aimed at improving
cash flow for struggling Canadian farm families.
“We wish to commend the
Government of Canada for making such a substantial investment in short term
relief for our nation’s farm families. This package is a significant commitment
from the federal government to Canada’s agriculture sector.
“All governments
acknowledge that the combination of economic pressures resulting from BSE,
depressed commodity prices and ongoing trade disputes has put our entire
agriculture sector in an extremely difficult financial position.
“However, our individual
provinces already have committed unprecedented resources to this crisis and to
long-term programs developed for the national Agricultural Policy Framework.
“The federal government
alone has the fiscal capacity to deliver an equitable, national agricultural
support program without compromising commitments to priorities such as health,
education and infrastructure.
“All provinces have
raised the issue of affordability for agricultural support programs with the
federal government in the past. This
remains a crucial issue that requires further discussion and resolution. We
look forward to that discussion at our next meeting.”
Canada’s next scheduled meeting of
Federal/Provincial/Territorial Agriculture Ministers is set for July in
Kananaskis, Alberta.
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Communications Director Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries 250 356-2862 |
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Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
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