Aspin promises support for local farming industry

Jay Aspin Conservative Candidate
News Release

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Jay Aspin Conservative Candidate has announced his intention to support the agriculture initiatives outlined in Budget 1011 as well as incorporate these programs with other complimentary farm related economic initiatives to create jobs and grow the economy in Nipissing-Timiskaming Riding.

A re-elected Conservative Government will help farmers by working to improve access to export markets by increasing the funding for and strengthen the Market Access Secretariat and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service.
In addition, I want to:

• Continue to support the branding and marketing of Northern Ontario Agricultural products such as the FedNor supported booth at the Royal Winter Fair

• Provide access to a two-year Agricultural Initiative to support knowledge creation and transfer and to increase commercialization of agricultural innovations

• Provide an extended strategy for disease control in the hog industry

• Review food inspection capacity in the region as a result of the increased funding of the Canadian Food Inspection agency for the next five years. This could enable, for example, market opportunities for Northern branded lamb and beef.

“Clearly, these are initiatives that will create jobs and grow the economy of this area” said Aspin “This is my first priority for this region. I want to have a firm hand in the implementation of this agricultural assistance so I can get RESULTS FOR THE RIDING by creating jobs and developing a better economy”

“This Agricultural Plan is a great fit with my strategy to create geographic clusters announced earlier this week. Clearly, your Road Ahead: Vision 2015 is an ideal project for the Powasson/Chisholm cluster” emphasized Aspin.

Focus on Jobs and the Economy - Strategy for Nipissing-Timiskaming

Everyone agrees, in this election, the central theme for Nipissing-Timiskaming is the creation of jobs and the growth of our economy. My background as a business and economic developer is best suited to address this issue by implementing the government’s “Here for Canada” Plan for Jobs and Growth in this riding.
To accomplish this I am prepared to undertake as follows:

1. Work Co-operatively with FedNor to get maximum job and economic benefit for Nipissing-Timiskaming.

This region has already received millions in benefits from FedNor. The program has been strengthened with the addition of $4 million over the next 3 years which will allow more support for job focused economic projects. It would be my intention to work cooperatively with FedNor and its Minister to get the maximum benefit for our riding. It would be my intention through actions outlined below to provide for equal participation in the FedNor initiative throughout our riding.

2. Community Based Approach

To encourage Jobs and Growth in Nipissing-Timiskaming I propose creating 12 geographic clusters to address specific local economic needs. Each community economic cluster will focus on initiatives that will create jobs and growth of the economy specific to their area. Community based committees furthering these developments will be encouraged to work with FedNor officials as well as the Community Futures Development Corporations. Projects that will move forward will be based on the maximum benefit created for each cluster in terms of future job growth and economic development. A more proactive approach will be encouraged among federal officials to provide assistance and encouragement for solid development projects meeting specific “jobs and economic growth” criteria.

3. Enhance the Business Advisory Services

I will work closely with the CFDC network to install an business advisory unit within the CFDCs operating in the Nipissing- Timiskaming riding. This unit would ensure the business benefits of Budget 2011 are widely known and widely understood so the businesses of the region get maximum advantages from the new incentives in the budget.

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