Mr. Speaker, this weekend Niagara Falls celebrates the 36th anniversary of the blossom festival parade.
The tender fruit lands of Ontario delight us with the beauty of their blossoms. Its industry, which contributes to our economy, is also the source of 15,000 jobs.
A severe crisis is facing the industry. Its survival may well depend on the implementation of the strategic plan completed by the working group on December 19, 1994. Because of escalating labour costs, tariff cutbacks under the free trade agreement and the deregulation of the industry, growers are experiencing heavy ongoing losses.
Imports control prices so growers cannot recover cost increases from the market and the lands are frozen for agricultural purposes.
The recommendations contained in the revitalization plan may provide workable solutions to the problem.