HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1981-07-29, Page 74.1
Henderson attacks
marketing report
• EDMONTON - At the end
• of the 1 1 federal -provincial
agricultural inhdaters' con-
ference, Ontario Agriculture
and Food ,Minister Lorne C.
• Henderson said that farm
credit, interest rates, the
cost -price squeeze and
marketing are the major
• concerns of farmers today.
Henderson had ',strong
words for the Economic
• Council Of Canada's recently
released report on
regulatory reform as it ap-
plied to marketing boards.
The minister said the
report lacks credibility "The
council's researchers seem
to have consulted everyone
except farmers and their
organizations in developing
• the report," he said. He
criticized the council's chair-
man for not staying at the
Edmonton conference long
•enough to answer policy
questions from provincial
ministers and stated that the
report had been released in a
•manner that ensured max-
, imum adverse publicity for
agricultural organizations
and marketing boards in On-
tario.
• "Marketing boards have
developed over the years to
assist farmers in meeting a
ntunber of problenis related
to the provision of a
• wholesome supply of food,"
Henderson said. "As far as I
am concerned, supply
management and marketing
boards have my full support,
I cannot understand why the
Economic Council of Canada
are so opposed to supply
management when it is clear
that many producers of coin-
moditiez without such plants
are &Icing serious economic
problems.
"If people want to criticize
those boards, they had better
come up with some workable
alternatives," the minister
concluded.
Henderson said he was en-
cotiraged to learn • that
• federal government plans to
present an improved • hog
stabilization program within
four months.
•
He also commented
favorably on the recently in-
troduced changes to the
• Farm Credit Corporation
Act which will expand the
credit available to pro-
ducers.
• Refuting to the strategy
for the agri-foal • sector
outlined by • the federal
minister, Henderson said it
closely follows a policy
paper presented by Ontario
to • the 29 •dkricultural
ministers' conference in 1979
and is a matter which re-
quires further development
and discussion if Canadian
agrictdture is to fulfil its
Locknew Sentinel, Wednesday, July 29, 1951-1age
44ioated by Sal Irons, Vials Rd Elmo's Om 'N31120
Nobody has been more critical of Ontario Hydro in the ; the hearings within the next five or six months. Farmers are
methods formerly used to erect power lines across this pro -1 being asked to participate in the hearings,
vince than I have been. /I , Already, they - the farmers are conwlaining because the• ,
Every time I have criticized the government-owned utility, hearings are going t,O be held during the busiest part of the
public relations people on Hydro's payroll have been just as farming when farmers will find it difficult to attend the
quick to throw manure in my face. -Which is part of the meetings.
detnocratic system, I suppose. So be it. I suggest that farmers make it a point to attend
My criticism- 'stemmed from the high-handed methods of those meetings; make the time, if at all possible. The
land acquisition used by the utility. At one time, neighbor ; transmission line is needed. Any lengthy delay will cost all of
was played against neighbor, hastily -prepared offers to buy , us. much more money. If the line isn't completed as soon as
were poked in front of farmers, the threat of expropriation possible, more coal-fired generating will add to pollution and
was used. costs.
Contractors came on the land and didn't care what kind of , If farmers want parity with their city cousin i in the cost of
a mess was left. Some of the best and most productive land in hydro -- they now pay_abo_ut 33 percent more than city
the province was lost. dwellers -- then I suggest the choice of the route should be
In recent years, that attitude has changed. Public hearings made with as little delay as possible.
have been held and a concerted effort by Hydro to appease I Yes, I know: the report on the need for the line was delayed
farmers was put in place. High time too. while the province went to the polls. Bill Davis was well
Environmental assessment hearings were hild. .Alternate aware that he might lose some rural votes if the routes were
routes were suggested. Land -buying methods were standar- !, suggested before the election. ,It was just simple, smart
dized. The farmer, usually the last to be consulted, wa in- 1 politics. We all know that expediency is the better part of the
volved in suggesting routes. 1 political process. ,
So ould •
Ontario needs a second corridor carrying a high-power ' -
why
because of poshlitics?farmers have to make up their minds
transmission line from the Bruce nuclear generating coin- 1
For the good of everybody hi the province. The need for the
plea cloy/11_10 the industrial heartland. Not onlY that, but ' line is beyond doubt. We have known about it for more than a
Canadians and Ontarions can benefit in hydro power sold to I
decade. The time needed for discussion and to hold hearings
the power-hungry Americans. ,
should not delay the project until 1988.
Considerable discussion and dozens of hearings have ! We know it is needed. We know the generating capacity is
already been held about this second transmission line. It will if there. We know any surplus can be sold. We have cussed and
cut a wide swath through some of the finest farmland in the ' discussed it long enough.
world and too much farmland is being lost now to urban I hope the agrictilture community, after careful study, and
sprawl- Hydro, after seeing that acquisition is done in a fir and
The provinceohas announced six possible routes for the cor- equitable manner, will not delay this project for another
potential. ridor. re hearings will be held. Hydro hopes to conclude seven years. •
Plan to Attend the 1981
11th Annual Lucknow •
Craft Festival
• (Incorporated)
Sponsored By
The Lucknow Agricultural Society
Friday, July 31st
1
12 Noon to 10 p.m.
Saturday, August
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Lucknow Arena
I
Fre.DrnwsWiIbeMadeThrOUghOUtBOthDtiYS
Admission Mc
Oaken Under 12 Free,
If Accompanied By An Adult
Free Parking • Meals For Solo 1
0..44.40.4..661.4104.4.41•^44.410.46.60.40.0•.44.66.46...•••.61.41,%.••4er.e..••^46...ii•-,44.60.46.6•••••4.4.
• Don't Miss - The Sidewalk Sale Thurs, Fri., & Sift.
04%
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• WE'RE MOVING
AND WE NEED HELP
We would rather sell more
• and move less
20 0 OFF
ALL -ITEMS INSTOCK
• Fresh Floral Arrangements not briduded
• SALE PRICES IN EFFECT FROM
JULY 2ist to AUGUST 1st
NO REFUNDS - NO LAYAWAYS
Quinn's Flowers and Gifts
• Lucinow •Phone 528-2033
Closed Mondays • Ope Friday July 31st (only) till 9 pa.
oft
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