Protesting farmers sow traffic chaos

I was listening to an interview about this on CBC this morning and it really made my day when the farmer being interviewed said that rural Ontario wants to be its own province. Andy Barry asked the guy what he thought of Torontonians who wanted to separate from rural Ontario and he said something to the effect of 'right on.' So we're all in agreement then, let's make this happen, the only issue so far as I see it is who has to take the 905ers and maybe Ottawa. I say if the farmers won't take them then we send them to Alberta where they really belonged in the first place. That is unless anyone else has any bright ideas.

Mar. 9, 2005. 07:42 AM
Roads may be even worse on afternoon drive
FROM CANADIAN PRESS
Convoys of farm vehicles were preparing to converge at the Ontario legislature today in the province's latest farm-based protest.
The OPP was preparing for a three-pronged entry into downtown Toronto from highways surrounding the city.
"This is going to affect traffic throughout the day to some extent," said OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley.
One group was to arrive in Toronto from the Oshawa-Whitby area east of the city. A second was to approach from the north along Highway 404 and a third convoy was to arrive from the west, along Highways 401 and 427 and the Gardiner Expressway.
"Most of the groups are expected to leave around 9 a.m., so they'll just be at the tail end of the rush hour, and we think they'll take about an hour and a half to two hours to get down to Queen's Park." said Woolley.
"We expect them back on the highway probably around 3 p.m. for their return trip."
The OPP has cautioned farmers to limit their convoys to one lane on the highways.
"They are being reminded of the potential legal ramifications of disobeying the law — we'd rather have this organized than not, so they are going to be sticking to one lane," said Woolley.
"While these farmers are not getting an official escort, there will be additional officers to make sure the procession is safe."
Organizers of the protest said Tuesday they expected about 600 tractors to participate in the event, but the OPP is expecting a smaller number of farm vehicles.
"I think the cold weather has something to do with it. We're expecting maybe a bit over 300," said Woolley.
The protest follows one last week at the legislature.
The man behind today's rally says he is looking to make changes for rural Ontario — not just for farmers.
"We've created 11 resolutions which we want to have tabled in this legislature," said Lanark Landowners Association president Randy Hillier. "This government does not listen. Not only do they not listen, they don't respond and they don't act in the interests of rural Ontario."
Queen's Park security is taking more precautions for this protest than one held last week by farm groups. Employees have been cautioned against driving to work and are encouraged to use underground tunnels to enter the building.