CFFO urges the government to get its fiscal house in order
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) outlines some of the key messages that it delivered to Finance Minister Charles Sousa on the upcoming provincial budget. CFFO President Lorne Small’s biggest take-home message to the government was that its priorities should be to get its fiscal house in order. The farm group also pushed for a reduction in red tape and regulatory burdens on farmers and investment in innovation and commercialization of new agricultural opportunities.
The farm organization noted that there are a number of farm families who have relatives in Europe and watch the situation unfold in Ontario and are concerned. CFFO says that the amount of debt and deficit levels is unsustainable and that the province needs more fiscal responsibility. The group also says that their farm membership is prepared to share the burden, but also ask that that burden be shared across all sectors.
CFFO says that the second biggest concern for farm families is the increasing burden of red tape. The group says that consultation is needed between government officials and the agriculture industry so that streamlining can be achieved so that farmers can be more competitive. Lastly, the farm organization is advocating for innovation and commercialization. CFFO says that the government should enable farmers and the agri-food sector to grow their businesses.
These comments were made it this week’s commentary, and can be read in full at: http://www.christianfarmers.org/