ONTARIO PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE GOLDIE GHAMARI LAUNCHES “CARLETON CONVERSATIONS” SERIES, STARTING WITH AGRICULTURE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

North Gower, Ontario (September 11, 2017) – Farming families in the riding of Carleton are facing significant challenges to their economic viability, such as the proposed small business tax changes, rising hydro prices and plans to raise the minimum wage.

Today, Goldie Ghamari, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario Candidate for Carleton, announced the launch of “Carleton Conversations” a series of talks with Goldie about issues that matter to the residents of Carleton.

The first in the series will be “Talk with Goldie about Agriculture”, with Special Guests: Jennifer Mann, FBC Farm & Small Business Tax Specialists; Debra Pretty-Straathof, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Director; Terry Otto, Ottawa-Carleton Federation of Agriculture Policy Committee Member; Janet Acres, Carleton Dairy Farmer; and more.

WHERE AND WHEN

  • Thursday, October 5, 2017
  • 7pm to 9 pm
  • Alfred Taylor Rec Centre
  • 2300 Community Way, North Gower

QUOTE

“Carleton’s hard-working farming families are worried about their farming future. They need to have their concerns heard. I am looking forward to listening and learning from those who know farming best – the farming families themselves.”

  • Goldie Ghamari, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario Candidate for Carleton

QUICK FACTS

  • In 2014, Agriculture and agri-food services generated $108.1 B, accounting for 6.6% of Canada’s gross domestic product and provided one in eight jobs in Canada, employing over 2.3 million people (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada).
  • The number of female farm operators in Canada is on the rise and in 2011 was reported at 27.5% nationally, with Ontario having the second largest proportion of female farm operators at 28.4%. (Statistics Canada).
  • In the 15 years from 2001 to 2016, the number of farm operators in Ontario have decreased by almost 15,000 from 85,020 to 70,470 – rate of 1,000 per year. (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs).
  • During that same period, the number of farms in Ontario have decreased by over 10,000 from 59,728 to 49,600 and farmland has decreased by almost 470,000 hectares from 5,466,233 to 4,997,245 (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs).

CONTACT

Ken Bednarek, Media Relations
613 986 1345
ken@votegoldie.ca