Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Southpoint Sun - 7
Epp calls on Trudeau to ease restrictions at border Editor’s note: Chatham-Kent-Leamington MP David Epp has written the following letter to the community. LEAMINGTON — Now that we’ve had time to learn more about COVID-19 and are witnessing accumulated evidence of the emotional toll it takes on cross-border families, my colleagues and I are calling on the Trudeau government to take a compassionate approach to resolve situations where families remain separated during the pandemic. Our thoughts are with all families and committed cou-
ples that have been separated during this pandemic. Since early June, my Conservative colleagues and I have been highlighting cases of Canadians who were unfairly excluded from the Liberals’ immediate family criteria to reunite in Canada. My colleagues and I are calling on the Trudeau government to take a compassionate approach to resolve situations where families remain separated, while ensuring the health and safety of Canadians. No one should have to guess whether they will be allowed
across the border to be with family. The government must be clear about who can travel across the border, and in what circumstances. Conservatives continue to support limiting travel between Canada and the US until the COVID-19 outbreak is under control in both countries. But there is a basic issue of fairness, where Liberal Ministers give themselves the power to provide compassionate exemptions for individuals entering from countries other than the United States, or well connected, elite billionaires can secure
exemptions to visit Canada, but Canadians separated from family and partners in the US, do not have the same access. That’s just wrong. The Trudeau government must put forward a responsible plan that clarifies the criteria, fixes this inconsistency, and protects all Canadians. I continue to support my colleague, Marilyn Gladu, MP for Sarnia-Lambton, who sponsored e-petition 2657 that called for committed, non-married partners (such as fiancés and long-term relationships) who are not captured in any defini-
tion of immediate family to be allowed to use the same immediate family exemptions as other Canadians. Here in our riding of Chatham-Kent--Leamington we have an above average level of personal and business cross-border relationships given our proximity to the busiest international crossing in North America. Conservatives call on the Trudeau government to bring forward a clear, fair and compassionate plan that allows Canadians to be reunited with their loved ones.
Nicholls pledges to help farmers improve business operations LEAMINGTON — Rick Nicholls, MPP for Chatham-Kent Leamington, recently congratulated Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ernie Hardeman, on a recent announcement to commit more than $7.9 million in cost-share funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) to eligible farmers and other agri-food businesses. Included among the more than 670 projects are 20 projects in Chatham-Kent and Leamington. These local projects represent a total investment of $237,128.70. “Once again the Government of Ontario, in partnership with our federal government, has come through for our agriculture community”, says Nicholls. “This investment will not only support our agri-food sector, but will bring more safe, high-quality foods to our tables”. “Our farmers work tirelessly to supply the array of
safe, high-quality agricultural products that feed our province, our country and the world,” said the Honourable Ernie Hardeman, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “By making these strategic investments we are helping to improve the competitiveness of our agri-food sector and secure it for long-term sustainability, especially during these difficult times.” Through the Partnership, these initiatives will support improvements in areas such as enhanced traceability systems, upgraded animal-handling equipment, and strengthened biosecurity measures. Examples of projects supported through this programming include: • Improving food safety systems on farms to meet or exceed international certification standards; • Planting over-wintering cover crops to improve
soil health and reduce soil erosion losses; • Actions to help prevent pest damage at greenhouse operations; • Developing a product that will open new sales markets for a farm business; and • Upgrades to animal-handling equipment and improved biosecurity measures. The funding is in addition to programming launched this year to assist the sector in meeting challenges related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Such programming includes the launch of a portal to connect farms and other agri-food sector business with labour needs to job seekers; the creation of the Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program; and the recent investment of an additional $50 million into the Risk Management Program for this year, one year earlier than originally promised.
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