Tories to revamp farm income support

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 | 11:15 AM ET

CBC News

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper kept the heat on Paul Martin over the national unity issue on Wednesday while announcing $500 million in new money for farm support programs.

Harper refused to back down from a remark on Tuesday that suggested Martin wants sovereigntists to win in Quebec so his Liberals can play the defenders of federalism to distract voters from scandals.

Martin said on Wednesday the comments went too far and suggested Harper withdraw them. Harper refused.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper climbs aboard a tractor while campaigning on a farm in Chatham, Ontario, Wednesday, Dec. 21. (CP Photo/Tom Hanson)

"This accusation I've made against Mr. Martin arises because it is Mr. Martin who's talked continually about a referendum and about having a PQ government in Quebec," Harper said.

• INTERACTIVE: Parties & Issues

"I don't go around demanding apologies," Harper said at a campaign stop in Chatham, Ont. "I can take a punch."

Harper was on a family farm near Chatham to announce his party's policies on agriculture, which include $500 million in additional spending on farm income support.

The Conservatives would replace the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization Program with a new program and introduce a separate disaster relief plan, he said.

Echoing a similar announcement made yesterday by Martin, Harper said a Tory government would require gasoline and diesel fuels to include five per cent renewable content such as ethanol and bio-diesel by 2010.

Harper said his party understands agriculture and rural issues better than the Liberals, who have been indifferent to rural Canada.