As mega benefit concerts with megawatt star power go, it doesn't get much more Canadian focused than the Farm Tribute Canada concert and festival. Farm Tribute Canada is uniting farmers, artists, consumers, and concerned citizens to create awareness about the benefits of good food from Canadian family farms. Dear Premier McGuinty, As you know, Canadian agriculture is one of our country's pillar industries. The agriculture and agri-food industry spans a great number of smaller and diverse industries and sectors - from various primary commodity groups to food service providers and food manufacturers. Our industry accounts for one in eight jobs in Canada and 8% of the Gross Domestic Product. I am asking you to take immediate action to support the Farm Tribute Canada concert and festival. Currently we have agricultural producers in some sectors that would definitely benefit from the carefully designed grassroots awareness campaign that Farm Tribute Canada supports. Rural and urban communities need to come together in support of the Canadian farmer. If this doesn't happen soon, we stand to lose more pork, beef and fruit producers and millions of dollars from our rural economies, which are already hurting. We simply cannot afford to lose one more farmer. You have the power, and the responsibility, to improve the chances of success for countless hardworking families; they need you to do the right thing. I understand and support that Farm Tribute Canada's case for support - to buy Canadian produced foods - is positive, and non-political. In fact, Farm Tribute Canada has been working with agricultural producers to develop a campaign that is celebratory and educational. In seeing how the U.S. Farm Aid concerts have built such strong support for American farmers, we do not see the FTC concert event as a one-time gimmick, but the beginning of a visionary initiative to bring together urban and rural communities in support of Canadian farmers. I believe Farm Tribute Canada is not only about farmers, but all Canadians. It is about encouraging everyone to take an active role in shaping the way we look at food, and becoming educated in the paramount importance of supporting the 'buy local food movement.' By increasing the demand for locally produced foods, we believe that Farm Tribute Canada will be helping to raise awareness as to the significance of buying local while helping people to recognize the value offered at many levels, freshness, taste, contribution to local economies and the preservation of our environment. During these hard times, we especially need an event that will allow everyone to celebrate what it means to be Canadian, and remind everyone that our family farms and ranches across Canada need our support. I would be extremely proud to have our provincial government stand up and be recognized as the champion of the Canadian farm family. I encourage you to support Farm Tribute Canada, for the good of us all.

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