Dairy farmers heading to Ottawa by tractor to press for supply management
Dairy farmers from Ontario and Quebec took part in a similar protest in 2015 prior to the federal election. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
Tractor-borne dairy farmers from across Quebec will pass through Montreal today on their way to Ottawa, where they will gather on Parliament Hill to demand supply management in the dairy industry be maintained.
A dozen farmers driving tractors are expected to rally in Longueuil at 9 a.m. before making their way across the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.
Once on the island of Montreal, the tractors will go along De Lorimier Avenue, Crémazie Boulevard and Lajeunesse Street before taking the Viau Bridge to Highway 148.
Organizers expect more tractors to join them as they head west to Ottawa.
The milk farmers will arrive on Parliament Hill Thursday, where they will be joined by dairy farmers from Ontario.
Quebec dairy farmers say they were promised financial compensation from Conservative and Liberal governments in exchange for signing Trans-Pacific and European trade agreements, but that they have not received anything as of yet.
The farmers are also requesting the government find an alternative to importing diafiltered milk.
Producers say the imported milk bypasses Canadian safety regulations.
Source: CBC
