The Rural Voice, 1998-06, Page 70PERTH
Andy DeVries, R.R. #2, Atwood NOG 1B0 Phone/Fax 519-356-2133
PCFA Office 229-6430 Fax 229-6269 e-mail: denham@quadro.net
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER ' The Rural Voice is provided to farmers
Perth County by the PCFA.
The Ontario budget and Ontario agriculture
On May 5, 1998 the Ontario
Budget was brought down. This
budget focussed on health care,
training, and tax relief, with little
mention of agriculture and food. The
following are some of the initiatives
in the budget that may be of interest
to Ontario Farmers.
RST Rebate on Building Materials
The RST rebate on building
materials has been extended for
1998-99. In the first year 1996-97
there were 1,078 rebate claims
totalling $1,921,678. In 1997-98
there were 3,335 rebate claims
totalling $7,321,485. According to
the Minister of Finance the 1997-98
total is the most representative of
program demand because the
program was fully operational during
that period and farmers were aware
of the program.
Rural Youth Job Strategy
The budget announced the
creation of a four year, $35 million
Rural Youth Job Strategy (RYJS),
with $6 - 8 million allocated to the
program for the first year. OMAFRA
is developing the operational details
for the strategy, but it is likely that
the program will reflect the
recommendations of the Rural Youth
Advisory Panel Report released in
March 1998. RYJS will concentrate
on OMAFRA Initiatives undertaken
at the local/community level, but it is
possible that links to other ministerial
programs will be explored where
appropriate. Overall, the objective of
the RYJS is designed to improve
access of rural youth to educational,
training, and other labour market
entry/business development
assistance services. Further program
announcements are anticipated for
late June or early July.
Rural Crime Prevention Strategy
The government has proposed five
new initiatives, worth more than
$150 million over five years, to
improve safety in communities.
Among them is the Rural Crime
Prevention Strategy. Details of the
66 THE RURAL VOICE
strategy are not available, however, it
appears that the program will operate
in conjunction with the OPP,
concentrating on reducing the number
of break-ins in rural and cottage
areas.
Transportation
The 1998 Ontario budget
announced that the government will
invest more than $820 million in
1998-99 to upgrade Ontario's
highways, including the northern
highway network. Details are not
available at this time regarding the
allocation of this money, or upgrade
programs planned. The planned
operating and capital expenditures for
the Ministry of Transportation have
decreased significantly from 1997-98,
due primarily to the transfer of
responsibility for provincial
highways to municipalities.
Great Lakes Improvement
Foundation
The Great Lakes Improvement
Foundation is a new initiative of the
Ontario government. The provincial
budget stated that the government
will provide initial seed money of $5
million for the foundation. Additional
funds will be sought from other
sources. The mandate of the
foundation will be to clean up and
improve the Great Lakes. The
foundation will have two roles —
sourcing additional funds, and
administering a fund for
environmental activities. Details on
the foundation are not available.
Internet in the Classroom
Over the next two years, the
government, together with private
sector partners, will invest $130
million to strengthen the internet
networking of the education system.
Details of the program are not
available.
It was also announced that Ontario
will invest $3 million to help provide
comprehensive business and
technology training, from executive
to entry-level, in the
telecommunications industry. The
program will be provided through
Humber College and
Telecommunications Learning
Institute (TLI), involving 26 industry
partners. Full capacity will be
training for 17,000 employed workers
annual ly.0
PERTH COUNTY FEDERATION
OF AGRICULTURE
JUNE DIRECTORS'
MEETING
Thursday, June 25, 1998
Downie Mutual Insurance Office
Sebringville 8:00 p.m.
ALL MEMBERS ARE
WELCOME TO ATTEND
PERTH COUNTY JUNIOR FARMERS
present
FATHER'S DAY BRUNCH
June 21, 1998
Sebringville Community Centre
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
$6.00 per person Children 5 and under Free
For more information contact Tom Mathieson
519-271-5329