With a federal election looming in October, the Grain Farmers of Ontario have a few asks for whoever wins.
First, they want a Trade War Fund created for the non-supply managed farming sector. More specifically, grain farmers, “who are suffering from global trade disputes and competition with U.S. and Canadian supply-managed farmers, who are receiving government bailouts,” according to a GFO news release.
Second, they want the federal government to normalize relations with China, invest in domestic processing and international grain markets, pursue new trade deals and ratify ones, and eliminate other countries’ tariffs.
Third, the GFO wants the feds to scrap the carbon tax and implement what it calls a Clean Fuels Standard, “that recognizes the contribution of domestically produced corn ethanol and soy bio-diesel as low carbon alternatives.”
In the statement, GFO president Markus Haerle said that, in light of $16 billion in relief being given to U.S. crop farmers in May: “We expect the same recognition and support from our government.”
