Huron Expositor, 2005-03-23, Page 44 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, March 23, 2005
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Canada
Editorial
Food tax
unlikely to aid
struggling
farmers
There are taxes for just about everything under
the sun. There are taxes on hotel stays, airplane
rides, tobacco, tires, alcohol, newspapers, health
care, drivers' permits, new vehicles, gas bills and
the list goes on, ad nauseam.
Now, Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle, among
others, is suggesting the time is nigh for a one per
cent food tax to ensure the needs of the agricultural
industry are covered.
Indeed, there are even suggestions in some
quarters that the tax will balance out a system
wherein some higher paying professions are not
taxed quite enough.
Others have argued, often successfully, that new
taxes are necessary in order to ensure that those
who indulge - in tobacco, for example - are paying a
premium in taxes so that their projected burden on
the health-care system is at least partially
subsidized.
It is with that line of reasoning in mind that
perhaps it is time for the federal or provincial
government to introduce an "old stick -in -thy -mud"
tax, wherein those who abstain from products like
alcohol, tobacco or meat, are faced with an
additional tax, say of about seven per cent or so, to
ensure they're paying as much in taxes as their not
so clean -living neighbours.
After all, such a plan would be in line with other
tax policies, practised since time immemorial, like
charging childless couples education taxes or
expecting those same taxpayers to rejoice when $5
billion in federal money is targeted for daycare.
Oh granted, in the end, an old stick-in-the-mud tax
would be punitive and silly, but isn't that the same
principle on which so many of the country's
procedures and practices are founded on?
Plus, this new fangled tax, dedicated towards a
certain segment of the population that otherwise
manages to consistently .fly under the federal
government's radar, would ensure no Canadian, no
matter how conservative, is free of the bonds of
excessive taxation.
Failing the implementation of that, the notion that
a one per cent food tax is a sound plan should be
summarily kicked to the curb. While the idea, at first
glance, might be not that difficult to swallow, the
problem is it lays the groundwork for an onslaught
of changes that will raid the pocketbooks of those
not employed in coveted careers, like the political
realm. •
Further, there is little doubt that the introduction of
a food tax would lead Canada's old friend, the
Goods and Sales Tax, into the grocery arena
meaning, in the end, consumers will be paying even
more, while farmers make the same piddling
amount, while the bureaucrats try to "streamline"
the system and the packers go to town.
Clinton News -Record
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Farmers' message being heard across Ontario
To the Editor:
"Twice now the countryside
has invaded Toronto,
delivering a message of
frustration and a demand for
change and support.
Twice, the urban media
scrambled for a quick
education on countryside
issues before refocusing on
Martha Stewart's comeback
and Michel Jackson's
lifestyle.
To be fair, the urban media
did get the key messages
right. The stories I read and
heard had the Ontario
Federation of Agriculture -
led demonstration focused
on more money for the
business of farming and
problems with how
regulations are handled.
The Lanark Landowner -
led protest delivered the
message that over -regulation
is eroding the ability to earn
a living in rural Ontario.
The problems were
defined and communicated.
Were the solutions?
The suggested solution for
farming's money woes was
an immediate cash infusion
in an amount exceeding the
total budget of the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and
Food. Immediate help is
urgent, but let's not kid
ourselves that this puts
anything right.
Short-term help is likely to
hinder repositioning the
business of farming in
Ontario. Remember the
Crow Rate - that
transportation subsidy to
western grain that
disappeared in the 1995
federal budget?
It took political guts to pull
See ONTARIO, Page 5
Although it's already spring, when
is the spring-like weather going to come?
Although you wouldn't have
guessed it, with your mittens,
toques and snowbrushes all still
within arms reach, spring
officially arrived on Sunday.
When spring arrived at 7:33
a.m. I'm guessing that there
were no little tulips trying to
poke their heads through the
soil or there were no birds chirping in early morning
sunlight, but the season was probably greeted with some
snow flurries.
In fact, little girls planning on wearing a new spring dress
to church on Easter Sunday, should trade that dress in for a
parka, if the weather continues its frigid pattern.
While this hasn't been the worst winter on record, I am
looking forward to being able to see the first robin of spring.
The seemingly endless mornings of clearing snow off my
car and waiting five minutes to let my engine warm-up
before leaving are getting to be a bit tedious.
I'd be willing to trade in my winter windshield wipers for
a chance to give my car a spring cleaning and drive down
Highway 8 with my window down with some tunes cranked.
But until this wintery weather ceases, I guess I'll have to
shiver my butt off while waiting for my front windshield to
defrost.
While winter driving in Huron and Perth -hasn't been as
Middle Ground
bad as what I've heard
as it can be, there have
been times when I
wonder if I'll make it
out of my driveway, let
alone to the office.
Last fall, I was being
warned about huge
snowfalls in this area.
People told me that in one night we could get massive
amounts of snow.
My questions is: Where's that winter?
Personally I'd prefer some bad snow days compared to the
everlasting winter.
When will the deep freeze end? Haven't we put up with
enough?
With Wiarton Willie's prediction of an early spring turning
out to be a farce, I'm wondering if we can trust any mammal
to predict the weather.
I mean do we trust cows to tell us when where going to get
our tax returns back, or do we trust pigs to tell us that it's
soon going to be a full moon?
The only way, I guess, I'll be able to tell when spring
comes, is when all the dust bunnies disappear from under my
couch.
Given my record for cleaning, be prepared for a long
winter.
Local ice dealers have busy times after cold
weather freezes Egmondville dam, 1880
APRIL 9, 1880
The Post Office Inspector
has issued notices asking for
tenders for carrying the mail
between Bayfield and
Seaforth. The contract is to
extend for a period of four
years.
The wife of Joseph Couch,
Cromarty was very badly
scalded. Her little daughter,
while pouring water out of
the kettle, accidentally let it
slip and the contents poured
over her mother's legs.
Robt. Winter of town has
purchased three acres of land
from James Sparling for the
sum of $250.
The recent warm rains
have had a most invigorating
effect upon the fall wheat,
but have made bad roads.
Miss Minnie Mellis,
Kippen has brought her
winter school to a close.
The new cemetery in
Stanley contains two acres,
and is beautifully situated on
Lot 21 on the Fourth
concession of Stanley.
Surprising quantities of
salt are being taken out of
Grey Sparling's salt block.
No less than 30 team loads
of land salt were taken to
Teeswater last week.
The council of Stanley has
appointed John Reid Jr.
treasurer. This is a very good
appointment.
The manager of First
Presbyterian Church have
underway a plan to liquidate
the debt on the church
property including the cost
of the new manse now in the
course of erection.
APRIL 7, 1905
Peter Jordan, Third
concession of Hibbert,
recently sold to James
In the Years Agonc'
Cronin of Dublin, 16 steers
averaging 6,400 pounds for
the snug sum of $1,100.
The farers of Chislehurst
have formed a beef ring for
the summer season. They
have 20 shares and each one
taking a share furnishes a
heifer that will dress about
400 pounds, and receives 20
pounds of beef. They have
engaged James Rivers, who
is well known and is an
experienced butcher.
Francis McCulla of
Leadbury ploughed a field of
sod last week.
John McPherson of
Leadbury held a bee cutting
cord wood on Monday
afternoon.
Robert Govenlock, of
McKillop near Seaforth met
with a very serious accident,
while assisting in taking
down an old building on his
own farm. A timber fell on
him fracturing his leg near
the ankle.
The town water cart was
out for business for the first
time and it was needed too
as the dust was flying on
Main Street.
N.M. Cantine, the founder
of the city of St. Joseph was
in town, seeking a license
for his big hotel at St. Joseph
and if he succeeds it will be
run by his own management.
John Walker of Roxboro,
has just removed from the
kitchen of his residence a
"Victoria" cooking stove
which he purchased from the
late John Kidd in 1860. It
was in constant use until last
week when he had it taken
down to make room for a
stove of more modern
construction.
APRIL 4,1930
The syrup making season
is underway in Tuckersmith
and reports say there is a fair
run and extra good quality.
Stanley Ryan of
Londesboro has leased Geo.
Barr's farm at Londesboro
for the summer months.
Mr. Chuter of Varna is
busy these days, decorating
the interior of St. John's
Church.
Robert Campbell Jr. of
McKillop, brought into the
produce store of Isaac
Hudson, a Rock egg which
measured 9.5 by 8 and inside
was a second egg of ordinary
size.
Some of the farmers on the
second of Tuckersmith are
trying to rush the season and
they have started spring
plowing.
M.E. Elliott of Varna made
a large shipment, of hogs to
Kitchener on Saturday.
The roads are in a bad
condition at Varna and syrup
making has had a rest.
James Sangster and staff
are busily engaged taking
down the frame addition at
the rear of the cottage that
Mr. Bengough recently
purchased on King Street in
Hensall.
APRIL 8, 1955
Mr. and Mrs. Norman
Ireland, Lethbridge. Alberta
recently celebrated their 50th
wedding anniversary. Mrs.
Ireland is a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. J.M. Govenlock of
town and Mr. Ireland is a
former resident of
Egmondville.
More than 6,000 chickens
had a narrow escape from
being burned to death when
fire completely engulfed a
large machine shed at the
farm of Mervin Dietz,
McKillop Township east of
Winthrop. the loss was
partly covered by insurance.
Terry Atkinson has moved
his family into the residence
on Church Street which he
recently purchased from J.T.
Hugill.
The 40th anniversary of
highly esteemed citizens of
Brucefield, Mr. and Mrs.
Simon McKenzie, was
marked on Sunday when
friends and relatives
gathered at their home to
spend a few pleasant hours
with them. They were
presented with two scatter
mats.
The Kippen East. W.I. held
their last dance of the season
with a good attendance.
Murdocks orchestra supplied
the music for dancing.
APRIL 3, 1980
After the first of May,
Tuckersmith township
council will have to pay
more for the water it buys
from the town of Clinton for
the residents of Vanastra.
There were both smiles
and tears as 80 members and
friends of the Seaforth
Horticultural Society
honoured Dr. Roger
Whitman, their honourary
president, who is moving to
Texas soon, at a dinner last
Wednesday evening.
Canoeist took to the icy
waters of the Bayfield River
at Seaforth Sunday for the
Seaforth Optimists Club 8th
annual canoe race.
Ron di Dove
It's almost nine
o'clock and Ron
isn't home yet.
to _
r
if something
happened to him?
What if he's lying in
a ditch somewhere
Wowl It's already
dark out. Why isn't
Ron home yet?
by bavid Lacey
I'M HOMEI
8I6 DEAL I
Who caresl