Rural Economic Development (RED) Program
News Release

For Immediate Release 07 Nov, 2006

McGuinty Government Helps Promote Awareness Of Ontario Agriculture

Royal Agricultural Winter Fair To Showcase "Journey To Your Good Health"

Toronto - The McGuinty government is supporting an innovative exhibit at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair that promotes the role of Ontario agriculture in contributing to the health and wellness of all Ontarians, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced today.

"Today's announcement demonstrates the McGuinty government's commitment to rural Ontario," said Dombrowsky, attending this year's Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. "This investment in The Royal will create more than 150 part-time jobs over three years, and increase people's awareness of the connection between Ontario's agriculture sector, healthy diets, and a sustainable environment."

The province, through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, will contribute $973,800 to help the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Association and Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. promote the role of Ontario agriculture in contributing to the health and wellness of Ontarians.

"We know that 28 per cent of Ontario children and youth are overweight or obese, which will have a serious impact on our health care system. The Royal Agriculture Winter Fair and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs are strong partners in reversing this trend by helping us promote the importance of healthy and active living," said Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson.

"Thanks to the support of the provincial government, we will be able to promote the importance of agriculture in contributing to the health of Ontarians at The Royal," said Bill Duron, chief executive officer of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. "Our Journey To Your Good Health exhibit will also allow us to engage elementary school students in hands-on activities about how food and exercise affect health."

The Journey To Your Good Health exhibit at The Royal will educate visitors about health and nutrition through interactive displays, product sampling and live presentations. The focus will be on the role of the Ontario agriculture providing safe, quality food that is essential for health and wellness.

Other initiatives that help families in rural Ontario 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 $520 million in the Ontario Ethanol Growth Fund to expand ethanol production in Ontario
• Investing more than $26 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Program.

Through the RED program, the Ontario government and its rural partners are building stronger communities that work better for the people who live in them.

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Contacts:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
416-326-3072

Brent Ross
Communications Branch
416-326-9342

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For more information:
Toll Free: 1-888-588-4111
Fax:1-519-826-4336
Email: red.omafra@ontario.ca