Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne visits farm to talk about support for agriculture

PARIS, Ont. – Premier Kathleen Wynne says a $40-million-a-year fund the Liberals would introduce if they win the election would help farmers and the agriculture sector at large.

The Liberal leader sported red rubber boots and tried her hand at driving a tractor while touring a farm in Paris, Ont.

The money would come from a $2.5-billion “jobs and prosperity” fund aimed at providing government grants to businesses, which was part of the Liberal budget that failed to pass.

With many of the province’s rural ridings held by Progressive Conservatives, Wynne was asked if the announcement was part of a push for those votes, but she says she is fighting in all 107 ridings.

Wynne says farmers, bankers, food processors, doctors, nurses and teachers are all critical to the health of the province, no matter where in Ontario they live.

Wynne also spoke about a Liberal “farms forever” program, aimed at protecting agricultural land close to urban centres.