Congratulations, Justin Trudeau!

Congratulations to Justin Trudeau and his Liberal team on their resounding victory at the polls on October 19th. While the preservation of Canada’s best farmland and water resources did not become a national issue on the campaign trail, it did surface in local debates, especially in the Pickering-area where a citizens’ group is trying to stop a proposed airport on the Federal Lands.

It was encouraging to hear the three Liberal candidates in the region vow that an airport would not be built on the 8,000-acres of Class 1 soil should the Liberals take power. They won their seats and we will hold their new government to its campaign promise.

Congratulations to our Partners, Land Over Landings, for their persistent and positive efforts to preserve the Federal Lands for food production. To our new Prime Minister, we urge you to move swiftly on this issue so this land can once again grow food and the Canadian economy. Also, if you’d like a lawn sign for Rideau Cottage, we’ll make the arrangements!

Thank you

Several excellent MPs were not re-elected, including some who supported our fight against the Mega Quarry and brought the issue to the House of Commons. We would like to thank the NDP’s Matthew Kellway, Craig Scott and Peggy Nash. We have fond memories of their field trip to the Melancthon potato fields, forests and rivers in the summer of 2012.

We also appreciate the support of the Green Party of Canada in raising Food & Water First on the campaign trail and at candidates’ debates. A special thanks to the leader of the Ontario Greens, Mike Schreiner, for encouraging candidates to take the Food & Water First Pledge.