Election Toolkit

Farmers Matter | Election Mobilization Kit

Engaging with Government for Agricultural Sustainability

The Farmers Matter Election Mobilization Kit will help you, any agricultural and/or commodity organizations to which you belong, and your community engage your local candidate or members of the news media to put agricultural sustainability and Farmers Matter’s four core messages on the 2011 federal and provincial election agendas.

Why should everyone – farmers and non-farmers alike – care about getting agricultural issues on the elections agenda?

Food is the foundation of any society. Unlike many other modern amenities we enjoy, we literally cannot survive without food. As has been clearly demonstrated in the Middle East over the past few months, food shortages or uncertainties about the food system create societal, and consequently political, unrest. A nation that has the natural resources and experienced specialists capable of producing its own abundant supply of healthy and safe food is indeed a right to be preserved, nurtured, and developed.

Canada’s farmers are struggling. For example, despite the craze over local food, the average Ontario farmer only nets $25,000 a year, which is why most have second jobs. The average age is of a Canadian farmer is 53. Their children do not want to take over simply because they cannot make a living at it – and this is leading to the almost imminent collapse of the Canadian farm industry once the present generation retires.

Therefore, ensuring the sustainability of Canada’s farmers is key to our being a productive, economically stable, food sovereign nation.

Farmers Matter sees the upcoming federal and provincial elections as prime opportunities to bring agricultural issues to the forefront of the political agenda. These issues severely affect Canadian farmers’ ability to farm in a sustainable and efficient manner. Farmers are also affected by outdated policies that not only affect them, but ultimately consumers as well.

Getting active prior to and during the election period by offering policy solutions for a more equitable and sustainable agriculture system is a strategic and efficient way to get all levels of government invested in promoting agricultural sustainability across the country.

Inside this mobilization kit you will find the following tools:

** Should you have questions about how to use any of the templates or guides in this kit do not hesitate to contact the Farmers Matter Media Director April Stewart at april@albapr.ca or (450) 370-8357.