Encouraging the Next Generation of Canadian Farmers

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Thank you for that warm welcome.  Before I begin, I'd like to express my gratitude to the Jones family for hosting us today at their beautiful farm.  Thank you for your western hospitality, Faron, Patty, Justin and Brandon.  We appreciate all of you being here today and allowing us to be here.  I'd also like to thank my colleagues who took time out of their busy schedule to be here today.  First of all, welcome to my introducer, the local Member of Parliament, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and of course, Member for this riding, Regina-Qu'Appelle, please give a hand to Andrew Scheer.  Welcome also to the Member of Parliament for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre, Parliamentary Secretary to the House Leader, Tom Lukiwski.  And of course, a man you all know well because he is Saskatchewan's senior representative at the cabinet table and whose hard work made today's announcement possible, please give a big hand to Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. 

Friends, in every region of this great country - in the Atlantic, Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and of course right here on the Prairies - Canadian farmers work from dawn 'til dusk producing the food that keeps our country nourished.  Before most of us have had our morning coffee, our farmers are already out seeing to their livestock.  Long after we finished putting away the supper dishes, they're still out tending to their crops.  The hours are long, the work is tough, and the financial risks and stresses are great, but in spite of it all, Canadian farmers persevere. 

Farming in Canada is not just about producing the best quality food in the world.  It truly is a way of life, a way of life that has built this country, a way of life of which we are proud.  Respect for the land, commitment to the community, belief in strong families; farming has shaped our national character, and farmers embody the quintessential Canadian attributes: endurance, resiliency and fortitude. 

Even at the best of times, these hardworking men and women face challenges.  Now during the global recession, these challenges are that much greater.  The worldwide downturn has caused uncertainty and volatility across our economy, and agriculture is no exception.  Today's farmers are feeling the strain, and those who wish to enter the industry face tough choices.  If we don't take decisive action to bolster the sector now, the 84 000 farmers expected to retire over the next 15 years will not be replaced. 

That’s why today I'm pleased to announce our Government's next step to assist today's farmers and those who will follow them in the future. As committed in our Economic Action Plan, we will be introducing legislation to help make credit available to new farmers, to young people taking over the family business, and to agricultural cooperatives with a majority farmer membership.  This move will give our farmers the additional support they need to establish and improve Canada's farms today and ensure they can pass them on to their children in the future. 

Now, Minister Ritz will follow me momentarily with more of the program details, but let me just say this: today's announcement, as are all the announcements connected to our Economic Action Plan, are at their heart of where we are headed as a country.  As the world struggles with the effect of global recession, we as Canadians are not standing idle.  We are looking ahead and we are seizing economic opportunities. 

Our Economic Action Plan is using Canada's strong fiscal position to aggressively fund initiatives in communities across this country, initiatives that will strengthen our nation and generate economic growth for years to come.  By looking forward today and investing in our bedrock industries, we are seizing opportunities, the opportunities that will get us through these tough times and ensure that our nation emerges stronger than ever.  Thank you.

All News

---

Related Items