Barrett: Budget hinders agri-business

SIMCOE – Opposition agriculture critic and Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett again highlighted the impact of cuts to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs during debate in the Ontario Legislature.
Barrett called the food and beverage industry “good news” as it is a sector that grew by 11 per cent from 2007 to 2012, however, as he stated, “Businesses face ever-increasing input costs—I mentioned the red tape—and, rather than helping, the consensus seems to be that Ontario’s latest budget and latest approach continue to hinder.”
“We see a $28-million budget cut. We know that the Rural Economic Development Program seems to be on the chopping block. OMAFRA lost out on Green Investment Fund initiatives. There’s a payroll tax of nearly 4% courtesy of the Ontario pension. The industry will be hit with cap-and-trade fuel taxes, with no compensation in return.
Barrett also referenced a Twitter site, OntarioFarms. “The question: “Are you satisfied with agriculture’s inclusion in the 2016 budget?” The answer: A resounding 88% said no.”

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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org

 

 

ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
OFFICIAL HANSARD
Wednesday, April 6, 2015

Mr. Toby Barrett: Food and beverage is one of the few good news—it’s a sector that grew by 11% from 2007 to 2012. Ontario, yes, is one of the largest food and beverage manufacturing hubs in North America, perhaps only after Chicago. Los Angeles might have something to say about that as well.
The need for Taste Your Future, the skills program—however, the sector is facing the highest electricity rates in North America, the highest debt load from this government of any subnational jurisdiction, the second-highest combined provincial and federal income taxes, and, of course, rolls and rolls of red tape. A recent survey by Angus Reid: 57% of Canadians say that rising food prices have made it more difficult for them to feed their households. This is tough on low-income earners and young people. It’s led to 71% of respondents switching to cheaper brands. They’re cutting back on meat; they’re cutting back on fruits and vegetables.
The $28-million cut to the budget for OMAFRA did not help. There was a reaction from the farm community. There’s a Twitter site, @OntarioFarms. The question: “Are you satisfied with agriculture’s inclusion in the 2016 budget?” The answer: A resounding 88% said no.
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We see a $28-million budget cut. We know that the Rural Economic Development Program seems to be on the chopping block. OMAFRA lost out on Green Investment Fund initiatives. There’s a payroll tax of nearly 4% courtesy of the Ontario pension. The industry will be hit with cap-and-trade fuel taxes, with no compensation in return.
Businesses face ever-increasing input costs—I mentioned the red tape—and, rather than helping, the consensus seems to be that Ontario’s latest budget and latest approach continue to hinder.