Premier Wynne: agriculture is ‘fundamental to who we are as Ontarians’

Wynne fielded questions on many of her government’s policies

By Diego Flammini
News Reporter
Farms.com

Premier Kathleen Wynne praised Ontario’s agricultural history during the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM).

 “Agriculture is fundamental to who we are as Ontarians,” she told reporters yesterday. “Part of the culture of this province and part of the way this province was built was by the agricultural community. And many of us can trace our roots a couple of generations back to a farm.”

During the media scrum, Wynne fielded questions about some of the policies her government is planning to implement in the future, including the increased minimum wage.

But that particular piece of legislation seems non-negotiable, according to the Premier.

“We know how abundant this province is and when we’ve got people working full time who have to go to the food bank, that’s not good enough,” she said. “So we’re going to move ahead (and) we’re going to increase the minimum wage.”

Wynne noted the agricultural community could face some challenges as a result of the minimum wage increase. Ontario Minister of Agriculture Jeff Leal will work with farmers and small businesses to come up with support systems during the transition, she said.

The IPM continues until Sept. 23.