Schreiner calls for moratorium on closing rural schools
By Kaitlynn Anderson
Staff Reporter
Better Farming and Farms.com
Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner called for a moratorium on the closing of rural schools as Monday’s proceedings wound up at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s Annual General Meeting today.
Schreiner, who grew up on a 2,000-acre beef farm, also stated the party’s goal of bringing clean, renewable natural gas to farms across the province.
The Guelph resident gave his take on hydro costs to a packed house at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre in Toronto.
“The biggest reason for rising electrical prices is the amount of money being spent rebuilding nuclear power facilities.”
Earlier in the afternoon, delegates heard from the University of Kentucky’s David Freshwater, who made a number of points about rural development in Ontario.
“You need more going on in rural areas than just agriculture,” said Freshwater.
And, agricultural policy can help achieve that.
“Instead of just being about commodities, (we need to focus on) communities.”
Schreiner’s and Freshwater’s addresses fit with the “Producing Prosperity” theme of this year’s AGM.
The event concludes tomorrow with appearances by the Honourable Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Patrick Brown, leader of the Ontario P.C. party and Andrea Horwath, leader of the Ontario NDP party.
The OFA will hold its AGM in Hamilton for 2018 and 2019.