September 19th, 2017

Horwath, NDP MPPs celebrate rural Ontario at International Plowing Match

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and the NDP MPPs celebrated the contributions and future of Ontario's agricultural producers at the annual International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Walton, Tuesday. While in Walton, Horwath said that it’s time for a premier that invests in rural families and agricultural producers, including health care and education close to home, and takes action to deliver relief from sky-high hydro bills.

'I want to thank every farm family for your hard work,” said Horwath. “Every day, you help feed nearly 14 million Ontarians, and the world beyond our province. You never let us down, and you deserve a premier that never lets you down – that means ending the rural school closures and investing in our students, ensuring that there’s good health care close to home for all families, and it means delivering more affordability for your business and for your family, including by bringing Hydro One back into public hands so we have some control over hydro bills, again.”

Ontario's agricultural sector is a vital part of Ontario’s economy, generating more than $36 billion in GDP and accounting for one of every nine Ontario jobs. Horwath said it’s critical that producers have a premier that’s ready to listen to them.

“Farming families need a real partner in government that understands the unique challenges and exciting opportunities in running a successful business in rural Ontario,” said Horwath. “As we celebrate the rich rural culture of our province, we need to do everything we can to give the next generation the opportunity to choose to build their future in rural Ontario. That starts with a government that listens to producers and is ready to work with Ontario farms to help them take their place as world leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.”