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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-05-12, Page 22 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MAY 12, 2004 9L8IdngGbss 4 Main Si., Seaforth 527-b783 *Reflexology *Deep Muscle Therapy *Ear Candling *Reiki In Home Services Provided Gift Certificates Available Jennifer McClinchey 92 West Wink= at 9entorth, ON NOK 1WO 527-171 r 4 01 r•► 'T'ucker's MEAT SHOP 27 Main St., Seaforth 527-0036 Great Meal Ideas - Fresh Meats & Deli Frozen ilireats,Vegetables, Fruits, Appetizers Party Trays - Meat, Cheese, Fruit, Vegetables, Pastry Catering - for meetings & *pedal occasions News Canadian meat packers required to open books for federal government From Page 1 Steckle said the federal government made $30 million available to the country's meat packing plants — as part of about $1.58 billion in financial assistance to industry stakeholders — in the days following the discovery of a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on May 19, 2003. 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"We asked for these packers to come to the committee during the first round and all but two refused so we sent a further letter — a letter of summons," Steckle said. "They responded to that but in many cases did not answer the questions the way we felt they should and we felt they were less than forthcoming." Steckle said the committee knew something wasn't coming forward which led to another request — this time asking for financial records to be reviewed by a panel of forensic auditors engaged by the Library of Parliament. "Since we're the last advocate for farmers we felt we had to take it to the next step," Steckle said. "We said if we can't get the information we're seeking maybe we can get it out of the financial records. We took it to the next level and asked them to open their books." Originally the deadline of April 21 was set and passed without any movement by the meat packers. A second deadline of April 30 was set and all but two ignored the request. "I think the citizenry of this country has a right to know," Steckle said. "When Canadians have supported the beef industry — and they've rightfully done so with confidence in their product and with confidence in our system — they have a right to know. " (T h e government) spent $2.5 billion of the taxpayers' money to help farmers when in fact we don't believe that farmers got their due reward out of this amount of money. We believe that it certainly could have mitigated some of the losses that farmers sustained over the last year." Steckle said while the industry has been changed forever — the border remains partially closed to Canadian beef exports as the one-year anniversary approaches next week — the fight must continue for farmers. "When you have farmers taking cows to market and they end up getting the trucking bill and having nothing for the cow there's something seriously wrong," Steckle said. An investigation by the Alberta government in March 'Since we're the last advocate for farmers we felt we had to take it to the next step,' -- Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle concluded that the meat packing industry was not taking advantage of circumstances to pad its profits. The packing plants said their costs went up because they now have to pay to get rid of animal parts, such as spinal cords, which are considered to pose a higher risk of passing on BSE. The plants did not open their books to the Alberta government during its investigation. Alberta's report found that the price of lower -end cuts of beef came down slightly, while prices for higher quality cuts remained steady. The report said about 25 per cent of the useable portion of cattle goes to ground beef, while about 18 per cent goes to the higher -end cuts. Steckle called Prime Minister Paul Martin's recent trip to the United States a positive step in reopening the border but said there remains a small pocket of resistance amongst American politicians. "The majority of senators and congressmen would certainly be pro opening the borders again," Steckle said. "But, there's an outfit in the states that has been working hard to keep Canadian beef out of the United States and they have spent a lot of money." Steckle said he expects the contempt charges against Canada's meat packing industry to move forward in the coming weeks and months. Families living day to day during leukemia challenge From Pogo 1 Both families agree that something similar could happen to anyone. "We kind of go day to day. Otherwise, it's overwhelming," said Sandy Smithers, Mackenzie's mom. And, both families have had other health challenges to deal with recently. Four years ago, Cheryl was diagnosed with cervical cancer and in three years ago, Bob Fisher, Mackenzie's dad, began to lose his vision with a condition called central retinal vein occlusion. "You need to realize these things can happen to anybody and they change your life pretty darn quick," said Paul. Both Sydney and Mackenzie are expected to make a full recovery. Sydney has two siblings Mackenzie, 6, and Kyle, 4. Mackenzie has two siblings Matthew, 15, and Courtney, 19. Steckle predicts June 28 as federal election date By Matt Shuffle Goderich Signal -Star Editor Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle is ready for an election. Although it had been widely speculated for weeks that Prime Minister Paul Martin would make an election announcement on Mother's Day, Canadians continue to wait and wonder when a federal election might be called. "I guess I know about as much as you do," Steckle said last week. "Since you and I talked last we're probably two weeks closer than we were then. "But, if I had to put a time on it I would suggest that we're probably looking at June 28." Many political pundits have suggested Martin would call an election in the next couple of weeks sending Canadians to the polls on June 14 or June 28. It remains possible, but unlikely, that an election would be called for July 5. "We're ready to go and have been ready for some time but whatever the time is and whenever it is obviously we've gotta go," Steckle said. "I would have been happy to put it off for another year but I don't call elections." Steckle, looking for his fourth mandate from Huron -Bruce voters, was first elected in 1993. Voters returned him to Ottawa in 1997 and 2000. "When they're called we have to be ready but I guess elections aren't won in 37 or 39 days during an election period," Steckle said. "For incumbents they have to be won on whatever days arc between elections and if my record isn't what people believe they want in their Member of Parliament then obviously I have failed. "I believe that we'll have a favourable outcome but I take elections seriously and I don't take anything for granted." Once an election is called Conservative Party of Canada candidate Barb Fisher, New Democratic Party candidate Grant Robertson and Family Coalition Party candidate Dave Joslin will challenge Steckle. Quoted 'We're ready to go and have been ready for some time:— Huron-Bruce MP Paul Stock's Clarification__. A street fight on Highway 8 last weekend involved seven police cars but not all of them arrived before the crowd was dispersed by police, says the Huron OPP. While one officer responded to the call, two cars, which held a total of three officers, responded to the first officer's call for back-up, The street fight, which involved several fights going on at the same time, was broken up before the remaining four police cars arrived in Seaforth. A number of the people on the street at 2 a.m.were not involved in the fight and were leaving the bar at closing time. Hurley's Celtic Inn owner Sarah Morgan disagreed that a number of fights were happening that night. "It was irresponsible and inaccurate to refer to it as a wild west scene," she said of last week's newspaper article. "A crowd was gathering that came from another event in town and one fellow was trying to start a fight. There was one officer, along with effective crowd control from our staff, that handled the situation beautifully," said Morgan. The Huron Expositor apologizes for not calling management at Hurley's Celtic Inn for comment in the original story last week.