Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop has responded favourably to today's announcement of approximately $80 million in additional assistance that will be available to Ontario's farmers this year.

Changes for Market Revenue Insurance will put about $55 million more into farmers' pockets for the 2001 crop year, while a new Net Income Stabilization Account (NISA) companion program will provide a further $24 million.

"Today's announcement brings needed assistance to the agricultural community in Simcoe North," said Dunlop. "It rewards the hard work of our government which worked with Ontario's farmers to press the federal government for more funding."

Amendments to the Canada-Ontario Market Revenue Insurance Agreement will boost the support level for Ontario grain and oilseed producers to approximately 90 per cent, from 85 per cent, and will extend the program through the end of the current framework agreement, providing coverage for the 2001 and 2002 crop years. In addition, the agreement is being amended to allow full access to the Ontario Gross Revenue Insurance (GRIP) surplus, which will be fully paid out by the end of the 2002 crop year. The federal portion of these funds is estimated at $62.8 million, while the provincial portion is approximately $37.6 million. Additional crops of spelt, buckwheat, millet, sorghum and rye will also be added. A second interim payment in the range of $40 million for the 2001 crop year will be made shortly.

A second Canada-Ontario agreement, pertaining to NISA contributions, will allow Ontario?s farmers to contribute an additional one per cent, for a total of two per cent of the eligible net sales for the 2001 stabilization year. The Governments of Canada and Ontario will each contribute an amount equal to 50 per cent of the amount contributed by the participant. These funds will come from the existing Canada-Ontario Framework Agreement.

"We know that farmers in my riding have been hurting for some time, and I'm pleased that Agriculture Minister Helen Johns has again demonstrated the commitment of the Eves government to providing much-needed support to a sector that is so important to our community," said Dunlop.

The support for Ontario?s farmers announced today is in addition to the $1.2 billion in bridge funding recently announced by the federal government. Ontario has already committed to provide its 40 per cent share of that assistance. Together, these two initiatives will help Ontario?s farmers make the transition to a longer-term approach to sustainability.