For Release: September 20, 2005

Ontario Government Backs Agri-Food Industry
Calls On Federal Government To Do More

Listowel - Ontario's $30 billion agri-food industry is critical to the strength of the rural economy, and the federal government ought to be doing more to support it, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky said after she and Premier McGuinty met with the province's farm leaders today.

"The challenges faced by many Ontario producers are the direct result of international trade policies," Dombrowsky said. "It is time for the federal government to step up and deal with these issues both at the international table and at home."

Premier McGuinty and the Minister met with farm leaders representing a cross-section of the province's agri-food industry at the International Plowing Match and Rural Exposition, which runs from today to September 24, 2005. Their discussion covered a number of issues and opportunities that are facing the agri-food sector.

Minister Dombrowsky also said she was looking forward to building on the progress the government has made with the industry at the second annual Premier's Agri-Food Summit, scheduled for this winter.

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Contact:
Kelly Synnott
Minister's Office
(416) 326-6439