P.E.I. NDP leader calls for farm tax credit for food donations

The leader of the NDP on P.E.I.says more should be done to help eliminate poverty and food insecurity and he has has a fewideas.

Mike Redmond said Tuesday thatIslanders are very generous during Christmas, making donations to places like food banks.

• Preservation program aims to improve food security on P.E.I.

Yet many Island families continue to struggle to makeends meet, he said.

Redmond, who does not have a seat in the Legislature,saidthere are ways government, businesses and people can help.

Plastic-bag tax

For example, he said, Nova Scotia has introduced a farm tax credit. In return for giving to food banks, farmers get a tax credit equal to 25 per cent of the fair market value of the donation.

• Tax credit helps farmers donate, but lots of food still wasted

He'd also like to see a universal breakfast and lunch program on P.E.I., and a tax on plastic bags.

Redmond saidit's great there wasunanimous support in the Legislature for a guaranteed income pilot project. But he'sdoubtful it will get off the ground when Ottawa and the provinces can't even agree ona health-care accord.

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