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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-03-06, Page 1The CitizenVolume 24 No. 10 Thursday, March 6, 2008 $1.25 ($1.19 + 6c GST)Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Inside this week Pg. 6 Pg. 8 Pg. 10 Pg. 13 Pg. 23 Board hears from parents Blyth’s Kings score tourney gold Blyth skaters get awards In support of farm safety Awards presented to Brussels skaters At the Huron County Federation of Agriculture’s Members of Parliament meeting, March 1, Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron-Bruce got thanks for aid to pork and beef farmers, but complaints about the program’s deficiencies. Federation director Bev Hill asked Mitchell to “take another look at fine-tuning to reduce significant inequities,” in the program. “A number of hog producers won’t be eligible because of the 50 per cent eligibility rule.” The program requires that at least 50 per cent of a farm’s income must come from beef or pork (or horticulture) in order to qualify for help from the province’s $150 million program to aid under the current financial crisis. Mitchell explained that Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food officials met with representatives of the cattle and pork industry to discuss ways to help. “We wanted to get money into the hands of people who needed money quickly,” she said. “I don’t disagree we could have done it better.” Paul Klopp, Federation director zeroed in on Mitchell’s sugges- tion that pork and beef representatives agreed with the 50 per cent criteria. “Did they say the cut-off should be 50 per cent?” he asked. “I’m hearing it was an agreed- upon number,” Mitchell replied. “I wasn’t in the room. I’ve asked the cattle and pig (representatives) and they said it was an agreed number.” Larry Lynn of the Huron County Grains and Oilseed Producers said the program is causing problems among his producers. “We’ve been told to diversify and when we do we’re penalized,” he said. “Then what cut-off would you come forward with?” wondered Mitchell. Part of the issue was to get the money out as quickly as possible, she said. “In all programs there are some people who gain and some who lose.” If there is another program it will not likely be delivered in the same way. Every time an emergency program has been rolled out it has been done differently to try to meet the circumstances, she said. “I don’t think anyone would tag us with not listening.” Farmers critical of aid program Huron Bruce MP Paul Steckle was publically critical of the new Conservative budget presented last week in Ottawa, saying that they’ve adopted simplified ideas from the Liberal playbook. Steckle openly criticized the budget, saying that the finance minister must have been looking over Liberal leader Stéphane Dion’s shoulder when preparing the budget. Steckle said that the Conservatives have spent so much during their time, that if the Liberals do take over, there won’t be any money left for them to spend. “We have no cushion left and I think it’s a shame that we’ve taken everything we had and basically threw it away. It was really a sign from this government that they won’t leave any succeeding government with any money to play with,” he said. Steckle said that the Conservatives had good intentions when they put money towards the deficit, but that there should have been money left for hard times, which he said may be on the horizon. After starting their term with a $97 billion surplus, Steckle said, there is now just $1.3 billion of surplus going into the 2009/2010 fiscal year. Steckle also criticized the reduction in the GST, something that took $60 billion of that surplus to achieve. He said that it’s unfortunate that many consumers aren’t even seeing that reduction, that many establishments haven’t adjusted their prices to reflect the reduction. “If incomes at $35,000 and under were given a tax break then the money would have been given to the people who really need the money in this country,” he said. “At least then we could say that we’ve done something for the people who need it. We’ve done nothing with this tax measure to help the people who really need it.” Steckle addressed the economic slowdown that has been forecast recently and said that going into a deficit situation just isn’t the Liberal way. “It’s just not in the Liberal genes to go into deficit anymore. We’ve made that commitment, so for us to come forward and make promises to do things with a cupboard that’s empty, people wouldn’t believe that for a minute,” he said. Steckle stuck up for his riding again, saying that far too much money has been directed away from the average Canadian. “We’re not rich people in Huron- Bruce,” he said. “But we are people who are prudent, people who try to make it on our own and people who don’t want government assistance.” However, when it came down to points adopted from the Liberals in the Conservative budget, Steckle said he supports them, because in the end it’s about what’s best for Canada. “Politics is politics and we all Suppliers of vending machine and cafeteria services in Avon Maitland District School Board facilities have been advised to begin the process of complying with proposed provincial legislation limiting the levels of hydrogenated vegetable oils – also known as trans fats. In a report delivered to trustees at a regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 26, business superintendent Janet Baird-Jackson cited a recent provincial government announcement about the legislation, saying “trans fats can contribute to childhood obesity . . . Most obese children become overweight adults, putting them at higher risk for diabetes and heart disease.” According to Baird-Jackson, efforts to decrease trans fat levels have already been underway for a couple of years in Perth County high school cafeterias. That’s because cafeterias in all Perth sites are operated by Chartwells, a Canadian subsidiary of UK-based Compass Group, listed on the Chartwell’s website – citing Fortune Magazine – as the seventh largest employer in the world. “It’s easier for them to make these types of changes because they already have experience in some of their other locations,” Baird-Jackson said, noting the United Kingdom has been aggressive in its regulatory fight against the exposure of young people to trans fats. Cafeterias in Huron County high schools, meanwhile, are operated by one of three independent caterers. “At least two of (those independent) operators were aware of (the proposed legislation) Right, left, right On a cold, snowy day Feb. 27, some lucky East Wawanosh Public School students got to spend a day at the Wawanosh Nature Centre. While their counterparts played tag, the other half of the class donned snowshoes for a hike in the bush. From left: Evan Wesselink, Jesse Van Camp, Nick Irwin and Spencer Stevenson. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Time to fall back Sunday By Keith Roulston The Citizen Steckle critical of budget By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Continued on page 6 Board pushes healthy snacks By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen Continued on page 6 If there was any question that spring is edging ever closer is the return to Daylight Saving Time at 2 a.m., Sunday, March 9. This is only the second year for the early start to DST. Beginning in 2007, the second Sunday in March became the time to spring forward, a change from the first Sunday in April. The time to change back to Eastern Standard Time in the autumn was extended this year as well. This year’s date to fall back is 2 a.m. Nov. 2. Remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.