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Farmers promise to keep up warehouse blockades
Updated Sat. Apr. 15 2006 8:38 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A group of farmers they will continue blocking three Ottawa food distribution terminals until the federal government meets their demands.
"As soon as the PM gets here, we'll go home," one farmer said Saturday.
The blockade -- which allows three trucks per hour to pass at one warehouse -- started Thursday and was to end at noon on Saturday.
However, "It's unanimous decision from the farmers here and we're here for the long haul," farmer Dwight Foster told reporters.
"There is solidarity in the industry and if we have to, we'll show them where the food comes from and if it's not on the shelves, they'll realize there's a problem," added David Bryan.
On April 4 and 5, farmers came by the thousands to Ottawa's Parliament Hill to demand more farm aid.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture claimed farmers need $6.1 billion this year to bring their net incomes up to average levels.
The National Farmers Union released a study claiming that farmers would only earn seven cents from a box of cornflakes.
While one shopper interviewed by CTV Ottawa thought that maybe the problem was too many small farms, others supported the farmers' call for more subsidy money.
Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl promised that he would fight in cabinet for a five-year, $2.5-billion aid package, but also said no money would be coming until after the federal budget is tabled.
In an April 6 Parliamentary debate, Prime Minister Stephen Harper committed to an additional $500 million per year in farm aid.
A local Conservative MP said help is coming.
"There is work that needs to be done, and it is being done," Pierre Lemieux, who represents the Glengarry-Prescott-Russell riding.
"It just takes time. It's taken 13 years to get to this situation, and it takes time to put in place the plans and processes to fix this situation," he said.
The farmers say they'll believe it when they see it.
In the meantime, they are threatening to expand their protest to include liquor and beer stores and possibly border crossing if they don't get help soon.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Chris Day
Updated Sat. Apr. 15 2006 8:38 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A group of farmers they will continue blocking three Ottawa food distribution terminals until the federal government meets their demands.
"As soon as the PM gets here, we'll go home," one farmer said Saturday.
The blockade -- which allows three trucks per hour to pass at one warehouse -- started Thursday and was to end at noon on Saturday.
However, "It's unanimous decision from the farmers here and we're here for the long haul," farmer Dwight Foster told reporters.
"There is solidarity in the industry and if we have to, we'll show them where the food comes from and if it's not on the shelves, they'll realize there's a problem," added David Bryan.
On April 4 and 5, farmers came by the thousands to Ottawa's Parliament Hill to demand more farm aid.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture claimed farmers need $6.1 billion this year to bring their net incomes up to average levels.
The National Farmers Union released a study claiming that farmers would only earn seven cents from a box of cornflakes.
While one shopper interviewed by CTV Ottawa thought that maybe the problem was too many small farms, others supported the farmers' call for more subsidy money.
Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl promised that he would fight in cabinet for a five-year, $2.5-billion aid package, but also said no money would be coming until after the federal budget is tabled.
In an April 6 Parliamentary debate, Prime Minister Stephen Harper committed to an additional $500 million per year in farm aid.
A local Conservative MP said help is coming.
"There is work that needs to be done, and it is being done," Pierre Lemieux, who represents the Glengarry-Prescott-Russell riding.
"It just takes time. It's taken 13 years to get to this situation, and it takes time to put in place the plans and processes to fix this situation," he said.
The farmers say they'll believe it when they see it.
In the meantime, they are threatening to expand their protest to include liquor and beer stores and possibly border crossing if they don't get help soon.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Chris Day
