For immediate release: October 4, 2006
McGuinty Government Investing In Farm Safety Education
Programs Aim To Reduce Farm Injuries
Queen's Park - The McGuinty government is investing
in programs to promote farm safety, Minister of Agriculture, Food
and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky announced today.
"We want to enhance the health and safety of those who live
and work on Ontario's farms," said Dombrowsky. "This funding
will help make safety programs accessible to farmers and their families
across the province."
The government is providing a total of $360,000 over three years
to the Farm Safety Association to help the association reduce injuries
and illnesses on Ontario farms. This year's first installment of $60,000
was presented last month.
The association was established as a not-for-profit organization
more than 30 years ago to promote safety and provide safety education
to farm workers and employers. The association provides numerous services,
including:
- Workplace safety program development and workshops
- On-site employee safety training programs
- Workplace safety and health inspections
- Training for volunteers involved in the Farm Accident Rescue Program.
"We appreciate the Ontario government's support for our work
to promote safe, healthy workplaces and lifestyles," said Dean
Anderson, Farm Safety Association president. "Through our continued
efforts, the farm workplace injury and fatality rate has been on a
decline over the past five years. This investment will help us to
increase safety education and awareness so we can reduce that number
even further."
"Our government is committed to safe and healthy workplaces
in all sectors," said Labour Minister Steve Peters. "By
extending the Occupational Health and Safety Act to farming operations,
we have provided farm workers with the same basic rights available
to other workers. We continue to work closely with the farming community
to help them make farms safer places to live and work."
The funding for farm safety programs is one of the ways the McGuinty
government is on the side of rural families. Other initiatives include:
- Providing $910 million over the past three years for farm income
stabilization and support programs, including $110 million in new
provincial funding announced at this year's International Plowing
Match
- Investing $26 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic
Development program
- Contributing, with the Government of Canada, up to $298 million
to the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF)
over five years to improve and renew public infrastructure. The
province announced an additional $75 million for rural infrastructure
at the International Plowing Match.
"The association has provided key leadership in developing and
delivering programs to improve farm safety," said Dombrowsky.
"We are pleased to continue to support this organization's valuable
efforts."
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Contacts:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
416-326-3072
Dave McLeod
Communications Branch
519-826-3198
