Premier makes surprise visit at March Classic

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he’ll continue to press the federal government to pass Bill C-234, which exempts grain drying and some barns from the federal price on carbon.

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Ford was a surprise speaker on the Grain Farmers of Ontario March Classic program. It was the first time that Ford had spoken at the March Classic.

“I also want to give a huge shout out to all the hard-working farmers and vendors for everything you do to protect your food supply chain and put food on our table,” he said during the grain farmer organization’s annual networking, speaker and trade show event in London March 19.

Ford had no new program update to give, but spent his time committing not to raise taxes and touting his government’s record.

He touted Ontario’s massive growth of 800,000 new people in 2023, which he says was larger than the population growth of Florida and Texas combined.

Ford says he’ll continue to advocate for the passage of Bill C-234.

“All carbon tax schemes, they’re absolutely awful. They take money out of people’s pockets, they increase the cost of every product you produce.”

The Ford government recently passed a bill that requires the government to hold a referendum before levying any carbon tax. Ontario doesn’t have its own carbon  pricing system, but it is under the federal pricing scheme.

He also promoted the government’s plan to emphasize buying in Ontario versus lower cost product in government procurement.

“Americans get away with it, so let’s start doing it,” he said.