Brenda O’Farrell
The Advocate
An estimated 1,000 members of the Union des producteurs agricoles took to the streets of Quebec City on Dec. 6 to draw attention to the increasing challenges farmers in the province are facing.
Under sunny skies, a light snow and minus-16 temperatures, the parade of agricultural producers from all regions of the province made its way to the National Assembly, where they demonstrated, calling attention to the growing concern about the financial viability of many farms and the need to encourage and support young people to invest in the sector.
“Producers participate every day in a very important social project, that of feeding their fellow citizens,” said UPA president Martin Caron in front of provincial legislature. “In return, they wish to be at the heart of discussions and decisions having an impact on their future as well as that of the next generation. This future is more fragile than ever and it is high time that lasting solutions are identified and implemented.
“What will be on the plates of Quebecers for the next 10, 20, 100 years that is at stake,” Caron said.