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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 1999-05-26, Page 24wwwwwwiwwww► ..) W•e•ADE r i rnn PLUMBING I -Committed to Quality Service - > Repairs ' > New installations I 1 > Complete Bathrpom `Renovations 1> Water Softeners 1 > Reasonable Rates 1 Licensed Plumber 1 Licensed Gas Fitter $ 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 I 1 2 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, May 241, 1119111 News Candidates tell Federation thein goals for agriculture From Pogo 1 first and foremost educators or -children." Tom \IcQuail explained - his . knowledge of and experience with the agricultural industry: "1''.c had the opportunity to work with many of you over the years as president of this federation. as well as chair of the Foodtand Hydro :Committee." the lifelong farmer told the audience. In addition. he stated that his ' involvement in the 1990 Paul Klopp election campaign gave him the opportunity to work With Elmer Buchanan. then Minister of Agriculture, as his Executive Assistant in Toronto. During that time. McQuail noted that. the NDP initiated several programs that benefitted farmers. One example :he gave was the "stable funding" provided for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Christian • • Fanners Federation. The NDP developed a • stronger 'awareness of and oncern for environmental issues facing farmers. he stated. which was part of the Environmental Farm Plan Program. He further pointed out the NDP helped establish the Rural Loan Pool "that allowed farmers to reinvest in agriculture in their :ommunities'• .as well as encouraging theethanof. Ihiological fuehi program in Ontario. "It is wrong to •cut the health care. education and our communities to -.fund a 'tax break', that tpuly only. • ' benefits the wealth j:" \lcQuail said. He concluded bs stating that the money sa\ ed from .eliminating the tax cut for those with taxable • incomes over 580.000 will be "Plower -back into health are. education and our comfnunrties. Huron' MPP Helen Johns emphasized the current state of agriculture as well as highlighting •the programs and initiatives that have been • developed. organized and executed during the past four' ears. • • " Rpral communities have prospered. the business -of agriculture -is evolving. our rural communities • are prospenng Huron -Bruce is Netter off than it was four years ago:'' s4 d Johns. "Agriculture is a.priority for this government:" She -stated ':that the government is committed to as-sisting rural Ontario and recognised tarming_as a business in the Right 10 Farm legislation. "We want to and are prepared to assist rural Ontario." stated Johns, adding that, "The • Conservatives have addressed agriculture in every single budget." • She also pointed out that in the most recent budget. the government has ensured that farmers have access to. '`The best the world has to offer in research. technology and management practices." Many issues were addressed during the hour and a half long question period. but the following two queries are examples of the majority of topics to which the candidates had to answer. Q. What is your commitment to agriculture?• Lamont replied •first by outlining both his personal as welt as the Liberal understanding of and commitment to agriculture. He stated that his family has been involved in the agricultural business for many years and that. "I have a very strong : personal commitment to work with people in agriculture across the riding ... to take their problems to the government and to act on the issues that are before them. • From•a.party.perspective. the Liberals want to ensure that rural Ontario is receiving programs that are "more than 'announcements". Lamont concluded by saying that the Liberals will promote and support the quality agricultural products of Ontario. "I believe agriculture is one of the most important parts of our society." responded McQuail, adding that he has been a fanner for his entire adult life and understands agriculture's role in creating an ecologically sustainable society. "i not only have. a• ,strong . occupational commitment to agriculture, but also a vet' firm belief that we are an important part, of the 'solution- for many of the serious problems we face `today." he said. McQuail went on to state that 'the, NDP has a commitment to agriculture which is exemplified by the programs:_they initiated during their time in office and have a clear vision: for the present time. "We would work with the farm and rural community of Ontario on economic strategy that would be guided :by four principals; diversification, preservation, economic development and opportunities for our youth," McQuail- said. The NDP would restore the effectiveness of the Ontario . Ministry of Agriculture. Food and Rural Affairs. which McQuail said has been hampered by funding cuts. In addition. McQuail stated that the NDP would ensure that the farmers receive a fair price for their commodities. In her response, Freihurger stressed that the agricultural "playing field" is not level when the world market is considered. She stated that Ontario's policies need to be equivalent to those of their competitors, sueh as Quebec. "On a level playing field, you are not going to find anyone more innovative and entrepreneurial," she said, adding that she pays more for the Ontario produce because she believes that it isa superior product. Freiburger'also notedthat ecological conservation is a very important issue, and - stressed the water system needs to be clean and pesticides used wisely. Johns began her reply to the question by explaining that the Tory government has increased the agriculture budget by $128 million. as well as maintaining and creating safety nets that have helped Huron and Bruce County farmers. In the_most recent budget. Johns indicated that the Tory. government put $35 million into research, technology and management practices which proves their commitment to agriculture. . "We have also, each year. temporarily. eliminated the retail sales tax for farm buildings." said Johns. "And this year we permanently eliminated the retail sales tax for buildings plus a number of farm products." -Johns stated that the commitment has extended to include all aspects of rural life through the development of public-private partnerships across Huron -Bruce. Q. To ensure that schools are not closed, do you guarantee the continuation of the 20 per cent top up of• the education funding formula? Freiberger stated the the FCP would give no guarantees that the 20 per cent top up of the education • funding formula . would continue.' McQuail' indicated that the 20. per cent top up will be. revised by the NDP, "So that (the funding) actuahy'reflects the costs of operating schools in rural ontario." NeNi,..1,1)-/-1-i."May 1 to June 15, 1999 Come join the Seaforth Recreation Department's Tuesday, June 1, 1999 9:00-10OOam at the Seaforth & District Community Centres Drop in to have a look or participate Prizes to be won prizes brought to you by the Huron Heart Health Network Everyone Is Welcome For more information please call the Recreation Office at 527-0882 Ministry of *tallith ®Ontario fire � R ,� IMINICANITNIM )• "We propose putting $360 million immediately into the education system and to change the Harris:education funding formula so that it. 'will recognize the importance of community schools," he stated. McQuail added that the money will also protect Junior Kindergarten. - early childhood -development education as well as special needs programs. Also; the NDP would redu.cc tuition fees by 10 per cent, "So ihat our brightest and hest. ,not just our richest.. kids get a university education." "The Liberal government is committed to not ,closing rural schools." responded Lamont. "The basic, problem is the funding formula which is going to drive the shut down .of rural schools because they are deemed not to be large enough to have the kind of quality education -the current government believes to be correct.", According to Lamont; the Liberal Party will not be :continuing the the 20 per cent top up, Instead. they will be properly funding schools based on the needs of the rural schools themseh•es. not based on single decisions made outof Toronto. . Lamont stated that some of ' the funding decisions ssould be put hack into the h'gndsof local. school hoards. The Motivation for this -decision is that file :differences between Hui -On -Bruce 'and Toronto could he y-ecognized and. "To ensure that. the education is there for our rural•conimunitie%.",,' The .Conservatives -have called 20 per cent -top, up perma.nent. ""So yes: we guarantee the continuation of the 20 per cent top up." .said Johns. An integral part of the -Tory education polio. according to' Johns. is the. notion of "fair funding".. "Four years ago, what happened `was •kids.in Toronto had 59,0(0 spent on their education.and-kids in Huron -Bruce' were having 56,000 spent on their education. That's not- fair for our kids and that". not a good education s. stern,- she stated.""Etery child in' the province•descrses trrhavtt the same dollarn-The-it, - education.- Johns stated that the other parties have declared that they will reverse Bill 160 if they get • into power. hitt warned that. "If they reverse Bill 160, our kids will he back at $6.000 and those kids in Toronto will he hack at 59.000." "What we.have-to say is Bill 160 helped our kids: we got more money in our schools," she said. We need fair funding -and fair funding for rural Ontario:" Complete Automotive Repair "Class A Mechanic" TIRE SALES SERVICE 8 REPAIR ARCHE'S S j eeothe ® 527-0881 24 Goderich St- E. Sea ort GRAY @NSURANCE BROKERS INC Allan Carter, Broker • Home • Auto • Commercial • Farm 522-0399 Seaforth 1-800-265-0959 Strathroy i 5274863 Specializing In All Your Residential Needs \!rttf 11r1YtrIr11IYYY Internet... the easy wayl • instant Account Activation , • Easy Setup FREE CDROM Software • 1st Class Customer Support- 7 Days a Week • Web Site Hosting & Design Services ••Hofne/Commercial Dedicated & Dial-up Services • Full v.90/K56 FlesJX2/1SDH Technology Supported • 100.mb of bandwidth • over Two T3 connections! Experience the Internet with T3 Power! 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RR=1 Bayfield, C t. i__'• Nt 1 lC* • 19) 43230?A , lit, 1 1 I, • 4 Civs ONTARIO PROVINCIALELECTIONEC You Can Vote Before June 3rd If tour name is on the %'oten list but suu expect to be was or unable Ni tote on election ,los. you inn tokeodhantage of any :chance poll in roar efectoraI distr cl Itolltds use at the advance polls w►p k counted* the dose of the regtilot pods on eleaion day Eligible ►titers who wish to sole Al an. advance pill, but sdho hase not set. rtceisid their Nonce of Kegistration confirming tsar then in. on the Siders List, mit obtain a Centecate to Vole from the resIsuin.assistnnt it the Advance poll Incrtion poor to casting their ballot • .Adlancc Poll Voting The Fullolling \\ ill Be Held :fit Locations At Area Advance Polls jinn! i 10am to K p m on Wcdnestlas. Thursiles, Inde%. May 26th, 2'th and 15th In the electoral district Returning Office from loam toxpm • optswurdos. Mo 22nd and Mondor• through Fnda} May 2a1h to 2Kth, inclusne In the Electoral District of HURON -BRUCE ® Elections Ontario (519) 235•4718 425 Main Street South, Exeter • • Pon Elgin lire Hall, Pon Elgin • Piasidson Centre, 601 Durham, Kincardine • u Ingham Council (banters', *Ingham • St Georges Parish h all, Goderich • Clinton Council Chambers, Clinton • Municipal Office, Seaforth • Commumts (entre, Lucknow If you base friends or relaihes oho hate diftkulry reading. please muse them mime of the information in this itotke © Elections O Ontario ..qy r. Wormed APV17