LIBERAL GOVERNMENT ACCEPT RUNCIMAN’S PLEA ON FARMERS’ MARKETS

(Queen’s Park) – After a flurry of press coverage following Leeds Grenville MPP Bob Runciman’s criticism of the government’s plan to impose regulations on the province’s farmers’ markets, Minister George Smitherman announced an exemption for the markets.

“This is a great win for rural Ontario,” exulted Runciman. “The government was feeling the heat for moving ahead with an assault on rural traditions and thank goodness the media attention has forced common sense to prevail.”

Today’s announcement marked the third time in less than a year that Runciman has raised concerns that have resulted in policy reversals by the McGuinty Liberal government – 1000 Islands Premier Destination status, fish sanctuary denigrations along the Rideau, and now farmers’ markets regulations.

“It indicates that opposition members can play an effective role on behalf of Ontarians,” concluded Runciman.