Nick Parsons’ Combine Odyssey
Arrives on Parliament Hill

March 20, 2000

OTTAWA — Today Jay Hill, together with Official Opposition Leader Preston Manning, welcomed Nick Parsons as he completed his six-week combine odyssey to Parliament Hill. At a rally sponsored by Mr. Hill, Nick Parsons was greeted by the national media, MPs and a contingent of farm producers from as far away as Saskatchewan. The rally consisted of speeches from Preston Manning, The Canadian Federation of Agriculture, and members of the Liberal, NDP and PC parties.

"The historic arrival of Nick Parsons and his Massey Ferguson combine in downtown Ottawa, was a sight to behold. The Official Opposition laid out the welcome mat for Nick, who has brought the farm crisis to the forefront by his odyssey. Canadian farmers need the federal government to take action by addressing unfair international subsidies, low commodity prices, high taxes and input costs, and the means of transporting and selling their products," stated Hill.

"The Agriculture Minister has promised money to farmers numerous times, but never quite seems to deliver. The AIDA program has yet to get money to most farmers and now they need to seed another crop. All the money in the world on the cabinet table doesn’t do a damn bit of good for farm families until it’s on their kitchen table," stated Hill.

Following the rally Nick attended a meeting with Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief. Although the meeting was friendly, Nick is still determined to meet with Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister does not feel the same about meeting with Nick.

"All Nick wanted was a few minutes of the Prime Minister’s time. Farmers have their backs to the wall and yet the PM still refuses to take agriculture seriously and give farmers the respect they deserve. I think Nick said it best today…Mr. Prime Minister, the message is simple: If you don’t support agriculture, quit eating," concluded Hill.