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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2014-08-20, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, August 20, 2014 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com ilion Expositor PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 RO. Box 69, 8 Main Street Seaforth Ontario NOK IWO phone: 519-527-0240 fax: 519-527-2858 www.seaforthhuronexpositor SUN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher neitclifford@sunmedia.ca MAXWELL BICKFORD Advertising Rep. max.bickford@sunmedia.ca DIANNE MCGRATH Front Office seaforth.classifieds@sunmedia.ca WHITNEY SOUTH Multimedia Journalist seaforth.news@sunmedia.ca MARIE DAVID Sun Media Group Publisher Grey Bruce Huron Division 519-364-2001 or 519-372-4301 SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 YEAR $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 2 YEAR $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) SENIORS 60 WEEKS $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 120 WEEKS $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT RO. Box 69 Seaforth ON NOK "IWO For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: phone: 519-527-0240 Advertising is accepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (CPP) for our publishing activities. Canada' editorial Pork producers stuck in food fight It hasn't been easy being an Ontario pork pro- ducer in recent years. Lower prices, more expensive feed, legislation (Country of Origin Labelling) from the Americans that would hinder Canadian exports to the U.S., and that nasty disease (porcine epidemic diar- rhea) that caused a panic earlier this year within North American and still remains an issue. As if producers didn't have enough on their col- lective plates, now they've been dragged into an international food fight with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He's placed a one-year ban against all meat, dairy, fish and fruit and vegeta- ble exports from Canada and other Western nations. It's Putin's retaliation for the economic and travel sanctions that Canada and its allies have placed against Russia in response to the former Communist nation's aggression in Ukraine. Ontario's pork producers aren't alone in facing the burden of the Putin directive; other agricul- tural producers will also be affected. But local pork producers as a group might be carrying most of the burden. Russia remains Canada's fourth- largest export market for pork. As of June 30, Can- ada had exported $213 million worth of pork to Russia. That's a lot of meat and it's a lot of business, and for any sector to lose that, even for 12 months, can present a host of new financial challenges for its participants. Pork is big business in Ontario, but it's even big- ger business in Southwestern Ontario. Most of the pork comes from this side of Toronto. Perth County has the heaviest concentration, with 282 producers registered with the Ontario Pork Pro- ducers Marketing Board, and Huron County is close behind with 256. But there are 89 producers in Lambton County, and 49 in Chatham -Kent. They and their colleagues number almost 1,500 producers in total, who collectively raise 4.8 mil- lion hogs annually. Producers are so far putting up a brave front. On Aug. 8, one of the marketing board's executives said he's confident the business lost to Russia will be replaced. But that's a tall order. If sales to Rus- sia had continued as they had in the first half of 2014, total Canadian sales for the year might have reached $426 million. That's a lot of bacon. Even through sadness comes a little light Early last week, the world lost an amazing talent. An actor and comedian loved by many, Robin Williams took his own life Aug. 11, and the world sat up and took notice. Social media platforms exploded with messages of sympathy, video clips and fond memories of a man who often touched not only our funny bones, but our hearts as well. Whether it was slapstick comedy, or a touching drama, everyone has a favourite Williams film, and the spectrum is broad. I know for me, movies like The Birdcage, Hook and Aladdin top the list, but for others, it was his soulful portrayals in works like Dead Poet's Society and Patch Adams that really struck a chord. Once again a celebrity none of us really knew, but always admired, has left us saddened but full of fond memories. But in Williams' case, a lot of us are also left asking, why? The word depression has always been clouded in stigma. Mental ill- ness isn't something we really want to talk about; after all, it's really just all in their heads, right? As someone who has fought my own struggles, as well as witnessed the battles of others, it became clear to me long ago, mental illness isn't just something made up or imaginary. According to the Canadian Men- tal Health Association, some form of mental illness will indirectly affect every Canadian at some time through a family member, friend or colleague, while 20 per cent will have a personal experience in their lifetime. What's more, suicide accounts for 24 per cent of all deaths among 15-24 year olds in Canada, and is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women from adolescence to middle age, with men being four times more likely to be affected as women. Far from a figment of our Column Whitney South Huron Expositor imagination, a host of genetic, bio- logical, personality and even envi- ronmental factors can cause men- tal illness. With so much coming into play, it's no wonder we have a hard time understanding what it all really means. And let's be honest, what we generally fear what we don't understand. No wonder almost half of those who feel they may be suffering from depression or anxiety have never gone to see a doctor. Stigma or discrimination are serious barriers, not only to diag- nosis and treatment but also to acceptance, not only to others but to ourselves. But there is good news too, research has shown once depres- sion is recognized, help can make a difference for 80 per cent of peo- ple who are affected, allowing them to get back to their regular lives. Williams' death seems to have brought about somewhat of a change across the World Wide Web. People all over the globe have started sharing information, and even personal stories, on how to help battle anxiety and depression. The message is definitely getting out there. And though I think it's wonder- ful something positive can come out of something so sad and sense- less, I hope society's understand- ing won't cease to exist along with the breaking news coverage. For anyone who just needs someone to talk to, please call the Huron Perth Helpline and Crisis Support Team at 1-888-829-7478; 24 hours a day, seven days a week SEAFORTH HURON EXPOSITOR — HOURS OF OPERATION MONDAY: 9:00 - 5:00 • TUESDAY: - CLOSED • WEDNESDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • THURSDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • FRIDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • SATURDAY & SUNDAY: - CLOSED ADVERTISING DEADLINE: FRIDAY AT 2:00 • PHONE 519-527-0240 • FAX: 519-527-2858 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com