Ensuring a sustainable and resilient Agriculture and Food Industry in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell

Little attention has been given in this electoral campaign to an important issue for residents of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell: How to ensure the resiliency of the Canadian Agriculture industry in the 21st Century?

I am concerned that the Government is not paying attention to Canadian farmers and food policy or to the important building blocks that can ensure the resilience of Canada’s agriculture.

I know that Canadians expect leadership from Ottawa to ensure the sustainable exploitation of land, water, and forests. Farmers need attention and support in their efforts to create a resilient long-term rural economy built on flora and fauna diversity, on active personal owners and communities, and on strong food and agriculture industries. I know that without federal leadership we will continue to see a reduction of forests, agricultural lands and the overall quality of our food and life.

I have worked with others inside the Green Party to advocate for an Agri-Food policy that: meets the food and health needs of people; supports diverse and profitable farming and food industries; and makes sustainable use of the environment and thus reduces our dependence on natural resources.

A resilient agri-food economy is built on a strong foundation, on solid buildings blocks such as:

• Built-in compensation that ensures landowners continue to be the stewards of the land, the forests and the water ways, in all their natural diversity,
• A bank of heritage seeds established to guarantee access to diversified and resilient seeds for all crops and cultures,
• Adequate funding and grants to promote organic farming,
• Steady reduction of chemicals in the food production chain to reduce the level of chemicals found in our food and the human body,
• A full stop to international treaties that do not protect Canadians’ rights to their water,
• International Trade Agreements that recognize the legitimacy of dairy and other commodities marketing boards as essential to the economies of Eastern Ontario and Québec; and
• Youth agricultural apprenticeship programs and grants for the establishment of new agri-food co-operatives.

I know Canadian farmers want to market safe, nutritious, locally-produced food and the Green Party wants to help them build a strong sustainable farm economy that rewards the farmers for producing high quality food, supports local marketing, protects the domestic food supply and respects the soil, water and air on which our economy and our health depend.

Sylvie