Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-10-28, Page 6When a child is born missing a limb, or loses one in an accident or due to illness, The War Amps is there to help. And tomorrow, graduates of the CHAMP Program for child amputees will carry on the legacy of "amputees helping amputees." To see a listing of our Canadian Military Heritage documentaries, visit our Web site at www.waramps.ca. Documentaries can be borrowed tree-of-charge or purchased al cost-recovery prices. To order a pamphlet that lists our Canadian Military Heitage documentaries, contact The War Amps. E-ZEE ACCESS: TN.: 14100-250-3030 Fax 1-100-219-S MIS tworevis mos Mn aann PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2004. HCFA hears Canada letting 'ag industry down By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor The Canadian government is letting the agricultural industry down. This was the message, voiced strongly by Wendy Holm, P. Ag. to the hundreds of people who turned out to the annual Huron County Federation of Agriculture's general meeting in Brussels, Oct. 21. Holm, of Bowen Island, B.C.. is an award-winning agrologist, farm columnist, economist and author. She has provided economic and policy analysis to Canada's farm sector for over 30 years. The title of her message was Hard Ball: Playing to Win on the Farm Trade Front. In his introduction to Holm, Stephen Thompson of the Clinton area, said that "few had done what Holm can do." Noting that she had left MP Paul Steckle, "tied up in knots" and "speechless", Thompson added, "It's always good to have someone who can stir things up a little bit." To begin her talk, Holm listed some statistics showing where farmers stand internationally on support for agriculture. The bottom line was that compared to other Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, Canadian farmers are losing ground. `Jhat's, what reports are saying. Support is being cut faster than for any other OECD nation." The contribution to domestic economy is 60 per cent more than that of U.S. farmers. The country is third lowest in terms of cost to food. That it creates a significant number of jobs in this country, would be something, Holm said, "you would think would create respect. Our farmers are outperforming." Yet, Canadian farmers receive 53 per cent lower levels of farm support than their American counterparts, she said. For OECD nations, they are in the middle. "We are stronger in our economy, creating more jobs. By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor There were words of optimism and hope among the greetings offered from guests at the Huron Federation of Agriculture's annual regional meeting in Brussels, Oct. 21. Warden Bill Dowson in noting the number of county councillors he had seen in attendance that night, said he felt it "bodes well for agriculture." However, he also expressed a concern that while there was much talk about preserving agriculture and farmlands, people seemed to be forgetting about saving the "rural way of life". "We've got to work yet all of our support measures are down — drastically." "In 20 years I have never seen a situation like this facing Canadian agriculture. It's catastrophic and the public doesn't understand." She urged farmers to "speak in one voice" and stated that Canada's current minority government provides the opportunity to do so. Moving on to the BSE crisis, Holm said the government should be using the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to get the border open to ruminant animals. "When the one case of BSE was found in May, 2003, we had the scientific panel report in June that said there was no danger. We should have had that boruer open. America's right to keep it closed is not there." Holm explains that until NAFTA this would have been based on precautionary principle. "When in doubt, don't." However, now they have to show there is a risk to another country and cannot impose a restriction on trade if there isn't. "Period," emphasized Holm. "There is no question about this." The response to the crisis, was that Canada was lucky because it was the only country America had ever given some access to with BSE. Holm said this was the message given to provincial ministers. She spoke to B.C.'s agricultural minister who said he had not been told about the possibility of using NAFTA. "He said the feds are telling a completely different story." On a radio talk show, Holm mentioned NAFTA to then Ontario agricultural minister Helen Johns. "Her response was that we were lucky, Canada is the first country the States has given access to." "I was becoming concerned that here's this argument and no one's using it." A trade lawyer on the show, Michael Woods, backed up Holm's contention that NAFTA applies to the crisis. "He said I was completely right and Canada should be together with urban people to preserve that." Paul Mistele, Huron's liaison to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, said the strength that comes from the grassroots is key to bringing solutions to agriculture's problems to fruition. Opportunities are out there, he said and farmer organizations need to send a message to government. "If it comes to energy we have the answers." Mistele also said that it is important to put a face on agriculture. Farmers are too far removed and have to put their face back in front of consumers to say, 'This is who you're supporting.' using it." Holm got a letter from Woods explaining the avenues that could be pursued. Chapter 11, allows a company to sue the government. This is what the Alberta cattlemen are currently pursuing. "What the Americans did when they didn't open the border is basically expropriate that market share from Canadian farmers and gave it to American farmers." The one drawback of Chapter 11 is that it is always breaking new ground, said Holm. "There's no certainty, but if it works it should benefit the cattlemen." Chapter 20, on the other hand, is a "slam dunk". This is a panel ruling, a nation-to-nation dispute. They broke the rules and if we win they would have to open the border immediately or we penalize them. I'd like an export tax on pharmaceuticals." "NAFTA has teeth. It lets you do this. Chapter 20 needs to happen and should have in July 2003." That the cattlemen are challenging the U.S. with Chapter 11, without the government backing them with Chapter 20 is ridiculous, said Holm. "The response of this government has been a soft approach. But this is killing our rural community. It's destroying lives. When has this ever happened? When has there been a sector so abandoned by public policy?" Her response from federal government as to why NAFTA hasn't been used was that they didn't want to prejudice negotiations. "What negotiations? (Chapter 20) is not a legal process, it's a panel ruling. It's not personal, it's a right." Another representative told Holm that the industry hadn't asked for Chapter 20 to be used. "Since when is industry responsible for public policy? How are they to argue their rights under a trade defence?" To rely on change after the U.S. election is not a good idea, said Holm. "This 'soon, soon, soon', we keep hearing: we're not going to have an industry left. If it doesn't open after Nov. 3, how prepared are we to continue the waltz with Ottawa?" CONCERNS Canadian response to the crisis, also raised concerns for Holm. "The packing sector is too highly concentrated. You can't let farmers be that vulnerable. It's really dangerous because these guys are far too powerful." Domestic capacity needs to be increased. "What happens when that border opens. How do we protect those new small plants? How can they be quicker, smarter, faster than the big multi-nationals? They are an important answer structurally for Canada but not the answer to the BSE issue. Holdbacks are also a concern. "Who owns the cattle and how much of that money is going into ranchers' pockets." Holm said, "The Canadian taxpayer is picking up the U.S. tab because they are afraid to say, 'cut it out'." Finally, the fate of Canadian's independent ranchers is at risk. "If we • leave them twisting in the wind on this, we're going to lose." PUBLIC POLICY The issue has raised some public policy issues, said Holm, most notably that Ottawa has failed to protect Canadian ranchers. "It's like going to a fire and not connecting the hose. Someone said to me`Why not sue Ottawa for not protecting their farmers?' I'm not a legal expert but it seems to me that Ottawa has a moral issue here." IMPLICATIONS TO INDUSTRY "Someone asked me how the ranchers could let this happen. Look at it another way. If they can, what's going to happen to the rest. It's a fight all of agriculture has to be concerned with. It could be you next time." REASONS FOR OPTIMISM Holm did list some reasons to be hopeful. She mentioned hearing of a new mandate to "look after producers' interests" As well she has "tremendous respect" for the undersecretary' to the agricultural minister. "I think he's a strong fighter for agriculture." The minority government is good leverage in this fight, she said. She also told farmers to contact the media and compliment them on stories and reports about the issues. "We have to support them with a little positive feedback." STRATEGY To persevere the industry needs a united farm voice, said Holm. "Canadian farmers deserve way better. Washington is playing politics and we have Chapter 20. Ottawa's failure to invoke it is a public policy breach." RESOLUTION Holm also spoke of her farmers' resolution to exempt water from NAFTA. "Whether you love or hate NAFTA, water should not be included. It's an issue of sovereignty." The Canadian public, she said, is "scared to death about the water thing." Creating a platform of farm organizations to present the argument against water in NAFTA in a non-partisan, pro-active and professional way will be a boost to the industry, said Holm. Continued on page 7 Warden pleads case for rural way of life Public Notice Your Rights Under the Personal Health Information Protection Act The privacy of your health information is important. On November 1, 2004, the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) comes into effect. The act: • Creates rules for the collection, use and sharing of personal health information by doctors, hospitals, pharmacists and other healthcare providers; • Gives you the right to request access to your own health records from your healthcare provider, • Gives you the right to determine how your personal health information can be used; • Gives you the right to request corrections to your health records if the information is inaccurate. If you believe that any individual or organization that provides you with healthcare is not following the rules of PHIPA, you may complain to the Information and Privacy Commissioner. For more information: Call our INFOline at 1-800-461-2036 TTY: 1-800-387-5559 Visit: www.health.gov.on.ca @ Ontario WENDY HOLM P.Ag