MP Warkentin wants to see plan from Ottawa to get students working in food supply sector

Grande Prairie-Mackenzie MP, Chris Warkentin says the federal conservatives want to see more support for farmers and food producers.

“Canadian farmers and producers in our food supply chains are facing a critical shortage of workers, due to COVID-19,” says Warkentin.

“This shortage has the potential to disrupt production and could translate into higher costs at the grocery store for Canadians.”

Warkentin also points out that many of the current COVID-19 reliefs announced by the liberals discourage people from getting a job.

“Our concern is that so many of the programs that the government has announced are paying people to stay at home and not be in the work place, explains Warkentin.

“We do know that there are employers across the Peace Country, including agriculture, that can maintain social distancing and the requirements that the province and health authorities have laid out.”

Warkentin also mentioned that seven years of inconsistent weather has made life more difficult for our region’s farms as well.

He points out a program for farmers would be a win-win for both employers and workers.

“Young people can get that first opportunity in agriculture, maybe giving them a lifelong passion for it, while at the same time supporting our farmers who desperately need the support right now.”

Before entering politics, Warkentin was raised on a farm in DeBolt and says he learned so much about agriculture, and the food supply chain from the experience.

“It was one of the greatest foundational elements of my life,” praises Warkentin.

“Learning where food comes from as well as the role agriculture plays both in our local, and national economies as well as the fabric of farms in building our local communities. These are a few lessons I learned on the farm, concludes Warkentin.”

– Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom

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