Oxford MP pays tribute to area farmers and ag industry as uncertainty continues

Lee Griffi, Editor

Oxford County’s Member of Parliament wants farmers to know just how much he appreciates the work they do to keep us fed.

“Our farmers feed our families, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for what they do,” said Arpan Khanna.

“Waking up early before sunrise and working the fields to make sure Canadians and the rest of the world get good, nutritious food. That is something we should always be thankful for. They work extremely hard, they are very talented, and Oxford has some of the best soil in the country,” he added.

One of the MP’s concerns when it comes to agriculture is what he said is the government’s punishment of farmers through taxes and red tape.

“Canada should be a place where we can make more, grow more, harvest more, and become a self-reliant country. I think we have the potential, the foundation, the people, the farmers, and the land. It’s time we get behind them and support them so we grow more locally and compete with the rest of the world.”

Khanna said Canada is the only country in the G7 with a 30 per cent fertilizer tax, which comes from the federal government’s carbon pricing. He added the cost raises the price of Canadian-produced food significantly.

“We have one of the highest levels of food inflation in the G7, something that doesn’t make any sense since we have some of the best farmers. We need to support our farmers so they can produce food at a reasonable price to feed our families.”

Another Conservative concern comes from the cost of Canadian-made food compared to other countries we import it from. Khanna pointed to a local pricing example to explain why many consumers are choosing foreign-supplied groceries.

“You can’t blame those families. For example, I was at an asparagus farm and they told me it costs $5 per pound to produce here in Oxford County, yet it costs $1.50 to produce in Mexico and have it shipped over 3,000 kilometres away. It makes absolutely no sense to me why we are punishing our farmers with rising costs and red tape.”

Khanna said increasing taxes on farmers, truckers and retailers results in higher prices at the checkout.

“We are hearing about a lot of farmers who are selling their land because it no longer pays to be in the business. Putting all the work in and making sacrifices should mean something, and that’s what we are fighting for.”

One cloud hanging over the heads of many Canadian industries is the ongoing trade and tariff battle with our neighbours to the south, something he said is having a crippling effect on our agriculture industry.

“Even the farm equipment being tariffed is going to push costs higher for our producers. There are talks about supply management and what the US wants to do with our dairy, and Oxford has a strong sector, which raises some concerns. We also need to ensure we can offer our goods to the rest of the world.”

Khanna added uncertainty surrounding our relationship with the USA is one of the reasons why the official opposition has asked for Parliament to be reconvened early in the interest of transparency.

“We want to make sure our farmers, workers and businesses are fully aware of what’s going on so they can have a predictable future. Whether it’s for agriculture, automotive or any other industry, we should be back at the table negotiating with our largest trade partner.”

Khanna recently attended Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock where he hosted federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. The event highlights the industry as a whole, including new technologies. He said Canadian companies are true innovators.

“There’s a lot of AI being used these days for smart, efficient farming. Different tools and technology are making it less labour-intensive and more cost-effective. It’s good to see those advances happening, and what blows my mind is seeing Canadian innovation now leading the world and attracting investments and exporting products all over the world.”

He also thanked Oxford County farmers for putting in the hard work to feed families locally, across the country and the world.

“We are forever grateful and hold on – I know there is a lot of red tape and barriers that challenge you every day, but Conservatives will continue to be by your side, championing the issue that matter to you. We will get through these uncertain times and unleash Canada’s potential.”