Hundreds of Rural Residents, Some on Tractors,
Protest at Ontario Legislature
(March 9, 2005, Toronto CP) Hundreds of
rural residents, some riding tractors, rallied at the Ontario legislature
Wednesday to press the provincial government to help them overcome what
they say are "desperate times."
About 300 people waved placards targeting the provincial government's
stand on farm subsidies and a host of other concerns. The protest - the
latest in a series of farm-based rallies held this winter in the province
- was organized by the Lanark Landowners Association.
Its president, Randy Hillier, said farmers would be delivering 11
resolutions to the legislature.
"They deal with things as diverse as the Nutrient Management Act, the
new greenbelt legislation, property rights, fish and wildlife conservation
and the extensive overregulation of rural Ontario, which is depriving us
of our ability to earn a living," Hillier said in an interview.
He said the frustration farmers feel toward the provincial government has
peaked.
"We're demanding action now," he said. "Last week, they
(government) got another advisory committee struck to talk about the
problems. What we want is not the talk, we want the action, and we're
demanding the action."
"We have thousands and thousands of farmers and rural landowners
facing desperate times."
New Democrat Gilles Bisson said the protest showed that provincial and
federal politicians are no longer listening to the interests of rural
residents.
"There's a real sense by people living outside of the urban centres
that both the federal and provincial governments have sort of lost touch
with what needs to be done," he said.
While police were preparing for a three-pronged entry into downtown
Toronto from highways surrounding the city, traffic problems were largely
muted during the city's morning rush to work.
But police said as the protest grew, traffic problems could mount.
"This is going to affect traffic throughout the day to some
extent," said provincial police Sgt. Cam Wooley.
Organizers of the protest said Tuesday they expected about 600 tractors to
participate in the event.
Security was higher at the legislature for Wednesday's protest than one
held last week by farm groups. Toronto-area workers were cautioned against
driving to work and were encouraged to use underground tunnels to enter
the building. |
