Mr. Speaker, farming is a way of life for over 200,000 Canadian farm families from coast to coast. Too often, however, it is also a way of injury and death. Six hundred and ninety-seven Canadians died in farm related accidents between 1990 and 1996. Most of these deaths could have been prevented.
During National Farm Safety Week, March 10 to 17, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, together with corporate partner, John Deere Limited, are urging farmers and their families to think about how they can protect themselves from the possible hazards of living and working on a farm.
Lambton Farm Safety Day is held every summer in my riding to teach children some of the safety concerns on the farm. I congratulate the organizers of this well attended program. This year's national theme of “Safe Farming is Smart Farming” highlights the need for everyone involved in agriculture to promote safety awareness and to follow safe practices.