Ontario is applying to the federal government for financial assistance to help ease the effects of a drought gripping the province. Ted McMeekin, Ontario's minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, has asked Ottawa to accelerate tax relief for livestock producers in regions that are most affected by the drought. The province has also asked Agriculture Canada to help the province assess support options for livestock producers. McMeekin says the dry conditions are having an adverse effect on crops. Average rainfall for July around Ontario is 12 millimetres this year, compared with 89.
