““BACK-TO-LAND” PLANS ANNOUNCED,” Brantford Expositor. May 27, 1932. Page 2. ---- Governments and Municipalities Will Share Cost, Minister Says ---- Interest is being taken here in connection with the projected "back-to-the-land" project now being devised by the Ontario government. Yesterday, Hon. William Finlayson, minister of lands and forests. made the definite statement that eventual arrangements under which families will be placed on farms will be charged to the federal provincial and municipal governments.
"The Dominion," explained Mr. Finlayson by way of clearing up widespread misunderstanding that has existed in regard to the scheme "has appropriated something over $200,000 and it is proposed that the Ontario government should appropriate a similar amount and the various municipalities should make further appropriations so that there would be a similar amount available of over $200,000 from the municipalities from which settlers come. It is proposed that the maximum paid in any case should not exceed $600, and this would be contributed to equally by the Dominion, the Province, and the municipalities In addition to this the Province supplies the land that is necessary for the settlement scheme, This would provide for about 1000 settlers in the Province of Ontario and the amount would be allocated to the various municipalities who are willing to contribute to the scheme."
Mr. Finlayson said that this back-to-the-land movement was being undertaken as part of a general scheme to assist In unemployment relief. Personal selection of suitable men willing to work and with agricultural experience was regarded, he added, as being essential to the success of the scheme. As soon as further details are available, a statement will be published, so that the matter may be discussed jointly by the municipalities and the two governments.
