No action on One-Window Access For Farmers

QUEEN‘S PARK – Today in the Ontario Legislature Ernie Hardeman, Oxford MPP and PC Critic for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said that although it has been a year since the PC Party proposed a one-window approach and slightly less since the Liberals copied the commitment, the government has done nothing to help farmers.

“One year ago today our leader Tim Hudak announced that a PC government would implement one- window access to government for farmers and agri-businesses,” said Hardeman. “Three months later the Liberals copied our commitment and promised one-window, but they have done nothing to create it or reduce red tape.”

The PC proposal was to create a one-window access to government for farmers and agri-businesses through OMAFRA. It would eliminate conflicting answers from different ministries and make it easier for farmers and agri-businesses to obtain the information and approvals required to grow their business.

“We‘ve heard numerous stories of farmers and companies who asked the government what they needed to do and completed all the requirements, only to be told there is another test, another study or another permit,” said Hardeman.

During the statement Hardeman pointed out that agri-businesses, food processors and farmers are all struggling with unnecessary regulation and difficulty obtaining information from government on the rules they are required to follow.

“The red tape problem facing the agriculture industry is just as bad as ever, but this government continues to ignore the problems in rural Ontario,” said Hardeman. “It‘s time to reduce red-tape for our agriculture industry. It‘s time to actually follow through on a commitment and implement our one-window access.”

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For more information, contact:
Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford
(416) 325-1239