Federal government representatives are conducting outreach across the country, hosting events designed to reassure Canadians about the impacts of the ongoing trade war. A recent stop brought MP Wayne Long to Forbesvue Farm in St. Clair Township, east of Sarnia, to emphasize the government’s commitment to financial support for farmers. The Forbes family, who have operated their dairy farm for three generations, manage approximately 350 head of cattle, including 200 milking cows. While they have witnessed numerous U.S. administrations target the Canadian supply management system, Kevin Forbes stated their focus remains firmly on the domestic market. “We’re not really looking to export. We’re not trying to get into that game,” Forbes said. “Our primary focus is strictly Canadian consumers and a fair and equitable quality product for them.” During the visit, Long, the Secretary of State responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions, stressed the federal government’s dedication to providing funding to help farmers navigate economic challenges. “Canada is taking action for defense workers, businesses and communities,” Long stated. Earlier this week, the federal government announced an additional $7.5 billion in funding for tariff impact relief. This package aims to help farmers offset increased costs, particularly on equipment purchases. Long highlighted the government’s commitment to rapid deployment of these resources. “There’s a sense of urgency here. We’re going to make sure the regional development agencies, obviously, the Business Development Bank of Canada, are funded. So these programs will go out literally within weeks.” The Secretary of State explained that working with regional development agencies (RDA) like FedDev Ontario and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is key to the effective distribution of funds. “The RDAs are going to actually manage the funding, especially through the rapid response initiative,” he noted. “So applications are actually actively going in there now. They’re being evaluated. We’re going to turn those around really, really quickly.” Forbes expressed his continued dedication to running the farm and supporting local businesses, adding a message of confidence in the government’s broader strategy. “I think you have to filter out the noise a certain amount and have faith in our government that they’re going to continue to do what’s right for Canadians,” he said. “And not just the dairy farms, but negotiating trade deals that are mutually beneficial for all Canadians, Canadian families, consumers and businesses.”
