The Rural Voice, 2005-05, Page 60HURON
519-482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
Box 429, Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0
Website: www.hcfa.on.ca Email: huron@ofa.on.ca
The Rural Voice is provided to all OFA
Members in Huron County by the HCFA.
Federations attend "Queens Park 101"
On March 22, farmers from Perth
and Huron Counties headed to
Toronto for "Queen's Park 101".
John Wilkinson, the MPP of
Perth/Middlesex, along with the Perth
County Federation of Agriculture
organized the day. Last August the
Perth County Federation organized a
day called "Agriculture 101" which
was designed to pull urban MPPs out
of their offices and onto different
farms in Perth County and teach them
about agriculture and the importance
of the industry. Agriculture 101 was a
great success and it got the ball rolling
for an idea for a Queen's Park 101
where farmers could go to the
Provincial Legislature and learn about
what happens there.
On March 22 the agricultural lead-
ers headed to Toronto for a very
informative get-together with MPPs at
Queen's Park. The day included a tour
of the Legislature buildings, as well as
presentations from MPP Wilkinson,
Carol Mitchell (MPP, Huron/Bruce),
Steve Peters (Provincial Agriculture
Minister), Sean Conway (longest
serving former MPP), Donna
Cansfield (MPP for Etobicoke Center)
and Premier Dalton McGinty. John
and Carol congratulated the
Federations and the Ontario farm
community on such a great rally held
on March 2. Carol mentioned that it
was the most organized rally that they
have had and also one of the largest.
The Premier's message revolved
around his government's goal "to hold
on to more of the tax dollars generat-
ed in Ontario" and to use those dollars
"here and invest in Ontario" and in
Huron resolution sent to OFA
The following resolution was
passed at the Huron Federation of
Agriculture March Board meeting and
forwarded to OFA to be presented at
their April Board meeting.
WHEREAS most Ontario farmers are
experiencing serious financial losses,
and WHEREAS all lobbying and
demonstrations in protest have been
unheeded by government, and
WHEREAS it is extremely necessary
that farm organizations adopt more
effective methods of lobbying
and whereas two conglomerates own
and control all of the shelf space in the
food stores across Canada;
and WHEREAS those two conglom-
erates post record profits annually;
and WHEREAS they can import from
countries and other provinces that
subsidize food production;
and WHEREAS Ontario farmers can-
not compete in the market and earn a
reasonable profit under these circum-
stances,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
that one unified voice and OFA take
the lead in organizing farmers to con-
duct all further demonstrations of
farmers' discontent e.g. (On the prem-
ises of urban food stores and food
importers) on a continuous basis until
parity with U.S. and Quebec agricul-
ture is achieved for all
sectors of food production in
Ontario.0
Thank You
In addition to the list of "thank yous" in the last issue of The Rural Voice
for donations to the "One Voice Farm Rally" in March, the following have
donated since then: Dauphin Farm Supply, Dungannon; Howson &
Howson, Blyth; Huronia Welding, Goderich; Hayter's Turkey Ltd.,
Dashwood; Heartland Community Credit Union, Clinton.
Again we thank these businesses for their consideration to the farming
community.0
56 THE RURAL VOICE
particular to invest more in young
people's education.
OFA President Ron Bonnett also
attended the day, and spent a great
deal of time in discussions with
Minister Peters and the Premier.
Throughout the day the agriculture
leaders got to ask questions and give
comments to our provincial leaders. It
was a very informative day that pro-
vided a better understanding of the
daily lives of our elected representa-
tives.
Both groups are really looking for-
ward to participating in the second
Agriculture 101 this summer.0
Huron County Federation of Agriculture
BOARD MEETING
Fourth Monday of the Month
8:00 p.m. — Vanastra Office
Members Welcome!
WINNERS'
Winners of the draw held at the
Western Farm Show in London in
March for a $50 grocery voucher
from their local grocery store were
Allan Peel, Bill Munn, Ben Benoit
and Joanne Ryan.
Congratulations!
HCFA OFFICE HOURS
Mondays and Fridays
9 a.m. to 12 noon
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday
Please leave a message.
(519) 482-9642
1-800-511-1135
FAX (519) 482-1416