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The Rural Voice, 2006-08, Page 491 s a 1 s k v e r e a e Lt e s P n e it d d e y at la E ie •e in is :e )f y ie ip to consequences, or instead, chooses to court the risks, is a matter of choice for that person. Based on the authorities, it appears that policy concerns are satisfied if the risk and its consequences are apparent to the potential tortfeasor." The court has decided that the manufacturer of the contaminated feed may be responsible for the financial losses suffered by Canadian cattle farmers and that the plaintiff in this proposed class action should be permitted to pursue this claim. However, the claim must now be qualified as a class action before the possible legal liability of the defendant will be determined. The significance of the case is that it establishes that a manufacturer of contaminated feed in such circumstances may have liability for losses suffered arising from resulting regulatory restrictions by those with whom the manufacturer has no commercial relationship.0 Agrilaw is a syndicated column produced by the full service London law firm of Cohen Highley LLP. Paul G. Vogel, a partner in the firm, practices in the area of commercial litigation and environmental law. Agrilaw is intended to provide information to farm operators on topics of interest and importance. The opinions expressed are not intended as legal advice. Before acting on any information contained in this column, readers should obtain legal advice with respect to their own particular circumstances and geographical area. The deadline for the September issue of The Rural Voice;. is August 16, 200 Advice Ontario colleges enlisted to deliver ag. skills service The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has engaged the Colleges of Ontario Network for Education and Training (CON*NECT) to deliver the Canadian Agricultural Skills Service (CASS) program on their behalf as of today. CON*NECT is a partnership that assists government, business and industry in building and maintaining capacity by providing pathways to education, training and research resources. "The CASS program can help producers and their spouses improve their farm profitability and increase their income choices," said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri -Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. "This is a good example of how Canada's new government and the provinces are working together to support the agricultural community in Canada." "The Government of Ontario will work with CON*NECT to ensure that our farm families are aware of the opportunities provided by the CASS program," said Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky. "Individual farm families can access new markets and rural communities can benefit from the new skills acquired by program participants." CASS is a part of the Renewal Pillar of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) and provides $55.47 million in training funds to help Canadian farm families improve their income options in the face of an increasingly complex business environment. Delivering CASS through the CON*NECT, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, will provide improved access for Ontario farmers to a full range of training and business planning programs and information, tailored to the specific needs and opportunities of the Ontario's agri-food industry and rural communities. The CASS program will be available until March 31, 2008. To find out more about eligibility requirements and application forms, visit www.agr.gc.ca/cass or www.ontario.ca/cass or call the CON*NECT CASS Centre toll-free at 1-877-830-0200.0 Solar energy harnessed by Firefly As the Province of Ontario faces potential energy shortages, FireFly Energy is taking the initiative to implement their own power generation by installing solar power in their new office building in Guelph. FireFly Energy and its parent company, Ag Energy Co-operative have installed 51 solar panels on the roof of their newly acquired office building on Speedvale Ave in Guelph. The electricity generated by these solar panels will meet the majority of the office's power requirements. In addition, the generation will result in 11 tonnes of carbon dioxide production being avoided each year which is equivalent to planting about 2,000 trees. "We're very excited about our new solar power project and the opportunities it opens up" states Bruce Fraser of FireFly Energy. "Not only are we supporting a clean and renewable source of energy, but we're learning first-hand about this technology and will be able to give practical and valuable advice to our customers". To visit the site or to learn more about FireFly Energy and its new solar roof, please visit www.fireflyenergy.ca or contact our office. FireFly Energy is a division of Ag Energy Co-operative. FireFly offers long-term: fixed price natural gas and electricity programs to help people control their energy costs.0 AUGUST 2006 45