The Harper Government’s Economic Action Plan is already delivering real results for Canadian farm businesses and farm families, Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz reported.
“Agriculture is a vital sector of the Canadian economy and Canadian farmers must play an important role in helping Canada recover from the global recession,” said Minister Ritz. “That is why our Economic Action Plan included key investments to make sure Canadian farmers can maximize market opportunities, and that is why we have taken extraordinary action to cut down on red-tape and delays so farmers can benefit from these investments right away.”
“Farmers remain the backbone of the local economy for hundreds of communities throughout Canada,” said the honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture). “The bottom line is that our plan will make sure farmers come out of the current global situation stronger than ever.”
Ministers Ritz and Blackburn provided Canadians with a progress report on the investments for farmers contained within the Harper Government’s Economic Action Plan. One of the most important initiatives contained within that plan is new legislation to guarantee an estimated $1 billion in loans over the next five years to help Canadian farm families and cooperatives obtain the credit they need despite tighter global credit markets. This affordable credit is vital for Canadian farmers when they are investing in new equipment, buying quota, and expanding their land base.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan is also delivering new investments to help livestock producers get their product to market, with a new $50 million program to improve efficiency and competitiveness in Canadian slaughter facilities.
The Harper Government’s Economic Action Plan is also providing farmers with access to cutting-edge technology and research facilities by delivering a $25.9 million investment to update eight laboratories across the country. These investments will support agricultural research, strengthen Canada’s food safety system and create 270 jobs in our communities.
In addition, the Harper Government is helping farmers develop new products, tap into new technologies and open new markets through the $158 million investment in the Agri-Innovations program.
Canada’s Conservative Government is working with farm leaders and provincial and territorial governments to get the Agri-Flexibility program up and running this summer. The Economic Action Plan’s Agri-Flexibility program will deliver $500 million over five years to help the sector adapt to pressures and improve its competitiveness. This will help create opportunities by driving innovation and maximizing market opportunities.
