The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2005-03-30, Page 5Despite lobbying lesson, farmers' bottom line remains financial aid By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor While a "Government Relations 101" day for farmers at Queen's Park last week was "quite informative," Huron County Federation of Agriculture president Nick Whyte said the bottom line for the agriculture industry remains "show me the money." "It's fair ball for them to explain why it's so difficult to meet everyone's demands all the time but we're more than justified in asking for help with the level of government support farmers in the United States and Quebec are getting," said Whyte after the event. Whyte was one of close to 50 farmers from Huron, Perth, Bruce and Middlesex Counties invited by Perth -Middlesex MPP John Wilkinson and Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell to learn how to lobby the province more effectively. Wilkinson, who toured urban politicians through Perth County farms last year to help them learn about rural issues, told the Stratford Beacon Herald last week that the day at Queen's Park for farmers could help create the same understanding among farmers about challenges faced by the government. "There's a great deal of goodwill we can capitalize on. The farmers want to be part of the solution and I know my colleagues want to be part of the solution too," he said last week. The local farmers met with provincial Agriculture Minister Steve Peters, Premier Dalton McGuinty and Health Minister George Smitherman, along with "a number of others whose job it is to lobby the government." Whyte said the farmers were told about the decreasing transfer payments being paid to Ontario from Ottawa, along with the fact that Ontario has a deficit and Ottawa has a surplus. As well, the farmers were told about the increasing amounts being spent on health care in Ontario, with close to half the budget going towards the health system. "We were sharing the difficulties down on the farm and they were showing us the difficulties of running Queen's Park. It was a good exercise and the general discussions were positive," said Whyte. "They spent a long time telling us why funds are needed throughout the province. There are many huge issues out there," he said. However, Whyte said the farmers will continue to press for $300 million in aid for the grain and oilseed farmers, with 40 per cent of the total expected from the province and 60 per cent from the federal government. "They were supportive and they certainly acknowledged there's a problem out there but one has to be a little cautious about raising expectations," said Whyte. "The true test of lobbying is how successful we are at getting the money to the people who need it and that hasn't taken place yet," he said. After two mass rallies at Queen's Park recently, Whyte said he's heard the next step could be a similar effort uniting farmers across the country in a rally at Parliament Hill in Ottawa in April. Rising dairy prices blamed for increase in pizza prices by Godfathers chain By Eric Collins Lakeshore Advance Staff Godfathers Pizza Restaurants across Ontario have said they will remove signs in restaurants regarding an increase in food prices. The signs cited dairy prices and said in order to maintain quality, they would be forced to raise the prices. Without naming the restaurant, the issue was brought up in the House of an increase in companies. He also went on to say he believes people would be willing to accept an increase when presented with the fact of the billions of dollars worth of debt. The constituents mentioned by Steckle were Dave and Kim Ross of Whitechurch, who noticed the sign at a Godfathers restaurant in Wingham. "We don't think (the sign) is appropriate," the Rosses said in a letter to a Wingham newspaper. Quoted 'The farmers are being harassed. They are the culprits every time something happens,' - Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle Commons by Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle who said a constituent had brought the sign to his attention. "One of my constituents was confronted with a sign indicating the pizza would now cost more because dairy farmers were charging more for milk," Steckle said in Parliament. "Notwithstanding that I have not seen a sign saying pizza prices have increased because of the cost of hydro, fuel, labour or rent, the information is erroneous." Steckle went on to say in the hypothetical $14.24 cost of a medium pizza, the farmers' share would only be 61 cents. "The farmers are being harassed," Steckle said. "They are the culprits every time something happens." Huron -Perth board member of the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Sharon Weitzel said, "Pizza restaurants' margins are being squeezed and they are looking for someone to blame it on and they are trying to blame it on us," The head office of Godfathers Pizza refused to divulge the actual percentage of impact the increased cheese price would have on an individual pizza. Godfathers' executive Dorothy MacDonald confirmed in-store prices would be going up 1.5 per cent solely due to the increase of the price of cheese. MacDonald said there were obvious other increased costs due to inflation, however the increase in cheese was the most impactful. She said although her costs and inflation have continued to rise, there has been no rise in prices in two years. "This was the straw that broke the camel's hack." MacDonald said. Steckle cited other increases such as hydro and took issue as to why those were not mentioned in the sign. He said dairy farmers were easy targets compared to hydro or gas "We have never seen a letter saying pizza prices have increased because of the increased cost of hydro, fuel, meat, flour, rent, or paid help." In the letter they also said this was not fair to the dairy farmers who have had to overcome so much. "Farmers of Canada have been hit hard because of the BSE situation," the letter continued. "We as dairy farmers don't need to be blamed for a pizza price increase. We also have to 'pay more at the store but we are not complaining." "We are not trying to take away from dairy farmers," MacDonald said. She went on to say they were trying to inform the customers of the reason for the increase. The major problem for her company she says, is they are not considered manufacturers and thus have to purchase cheese at the regular retail cost. "Wholesale or retail is not the real issue here," Weitzel said. "The real issue here is that cheese for frozen pizza is priced differently than cheese for fresh pizza. Frozen pizza manufacturers must be able to export to the U.S. at a competitive price. This price only makes sense for restaurants here if consumers could order here or call Detroit and have fresh pizza delivered. Fresh pizza is priced higher than frozen pizza in the U.S. as well. They are different products." According to data from a Canadian Restaurant and Food. Service Association (CFRA) report and a Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) survey of Canadian pizza prices as of November of 2004, the cost of a pizza is only four per cent from dairy farmer. According to the study and report, this percentage is dwarfed by the six other factors including 29 per cent of the cost coming from salaries, wages and benefits, 29 per cent from food costs except dairy, and profit, taxes and royalties which make up 12 per cent. The Rosses contacted the head office of Godfathers and were told the signs may be revised for content and then reposted. PARISH MISSION with Redem torist Fr. EugeneO' O'Reilly y April 3" to 6'h, 2005 at St. James Parish Seaforth Evening services are at 7:00 p.nt. Theme Day "Intimacy with God/Self ' Sun., April 3 "Living the Reign of God Today" Mon., April 4 "Reconciliation" Communal Penance to follow Tues., April 5 "Discipleship" Mass will be celebrated on this day Wed., April 6 THE HURON EXPOSITOR, March 30 2005-5 HURON EAST NOTICE Municipality of Huron East Please be advised that the location of the next regular meeting )f the Council of the Municipality of Huron East on April 5, 2005 has been changed from the Town Hall, Seaforth to the Brussels, Morris & Grey Community Centre at 7:00 p.m. J.R. McLachlan Clerk -Administrator 519-527-0160 Church Services BEREAN COVENANT CHURCH A BRANCH OF GRACE TRINITY COMMUNITY CHURCH Orange Hall, Seaforth 527-2682 4:oo pm Worship Service Pastoral Team: Pastor Bob Penhearow Pastor Ron Matthews Pastor Royal Hamel You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church A Congregation of the Parish of The Holy Spirit Jarvis St. Seaforth Fr. Michael Atkins Parish Office 527-1522 Sunday, April 3rd Worship at 9:30 a.m. Mon. April 4 - Prayer Group / Growers Group 7 p.m. Tues. April 5 - A.C.W. Meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wed. April 6 - Healing Service at 7p.m. Catholic Church St. James RC Church 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am St. Columban RC Church Saturday Mass at 7:30 pm Father Lance Magdziak Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Egmondville United Church Sunday April 3" 10 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship Steve Hildebrand - Lay Pastoral Minister In Training EVERYONE WELCOME NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 54 Goderich St. W. Sun., April 3, 2005 Sunday School Adult & Youth 9:30 a.m. Junior 11:00 a.m. Worship 11 a.m. Rev. John Gould Sermon: The Church with Nothing First Presbyterian Church 59 Goderich St. W., Seaforth Rev. Henry Huberts Sunday, April 3 Worship at 11:15 a.m.. Sunday School & Nursery School Provided Introducing the New 2005 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 with Special Value Package' Mai Choose SuperCab or Super Crew SVP Lu« foe Oyu • Edition at the same great lease offer: Features • 4 61_ V8 Engine • Automatic Transmission • 4 -Wheel Disc Brakes with ABS • Power Wndowskock&Wrors • AM/FM Stereo with CO • Steed Co ,trc4 • Ar Condtgnrng • Tit Steering • Autolarr • Remote Keyless Entry • AS Terrain Tres • Solt -told pear Seat • Power Rear S. ie For ow.. 24 =Ms ell. WSW dims EIOUP411112 mat Ow Windows • 4-P , Wring farness • Taigate lock • And Much MOW M t•e.+rlb "rear. p•rdy1.,150 w. �t PLUS S1,000 No -Extra Charge Accessories BUILT ,r,/ TOUGH cum't l 67MUCH 2005 Ford Ranger Edge SeperCab 4x2 • 3 OL V6 • 15' Mearned Auminu n Wheels • Fog Lights • Corot; Keyed Wheel L;1 . LIAM Foe Om Makings • Ar Corotiprg • AM/FM $179 Stereo vitt$ CO Meyer • P235 An owl Tim; • 4 -Ph Wiring Harness • AutOrtgtk • And Mucl, More. PLUS St,000 No -Extra Charge airea AM Ages well ► wsibe st.lee r et Aeoassorlas M /n -b wea a■ re•rw d War Carol We keep thinking about value because we want you to drive a Ford. ford.ca Built for life in Ontario PLUS, NOW WITH $1000 OF NO -EXTRA CHARGE ACCESSORIES, IT WILL LOOK EVEN BETTER. CROOss FROM OVER 50 OERUNE FORD ACCESSORIES INCLI D0NO: Bed Tent It��,•*'•rlgl Chrome Bug Shield Bed Extender Keyless Entry Tonneau Cover Available on F-150, F250, F-350 Super Duty j•: and Ranger. Hurry, offer Ends April 30th 2 talt111111111111111 rser/mMon 11woods=MAO reseedspelutowest aIseselse 20DSFeel rSOW tm,aMoalwtaORR(Rep waWawa tr, tetra Owl 30K S Sopat 0 0re a ell Tawe keens* rat to ex* le OM was I MlM a Artrr Cell kcar'r rd t9 "gal .eels n 000 8.000 Ord stoma VIS w. eat to mem r a*eS h pops , so Ft50u1�ee{�egpr� q,s� ,ge*MePM.etll►eW*tarI tiFoonl►�,perEA}9wett1Q"t b�t,rowC.malateifPant29titrm euros rroswee•sed331V19 ire 21/16 five, bar ivfi Ford Owl b allrp Mrd* tt Ston/ vete Fal raw oleo "e f r, 115ri,) 443 Rf moMt WWI rOMY.1• M.-5 www awe $3 99o'TJ ali e7eA areal a sjMM tads 'stied Sire artillery et ramp "Mew d 40 00 550 000 r" vie 2V15',aro sof *asp el 6 are pr b" aer ielc0 MS? Wel are EOka6re met 10 Sxvh thecal at te prior d Most iD t 1606 or, vis we beet Surly Owe mei De maws te rod NM brags o• oaf's, oldt4r"5 rd oonales tMM4e s r ewe, ear re se unfit, MOW 3 rw re women we sir els Ps easeeeelr M tnr all 8Q MOMS A natal y 1143 503 d ems wear ear ell argil a arioro pipe e ctrl" exiira w eerie "re carrel next rec. a '4:3,1685 r 14 nae eCa 5 vara tot. tele a Ars et "tAret &JArt ad Ynd to Oritood 4 files eat cape 1t +SA1' 3511 karo rrrarict tlrrewar be, er I sekabee twr Sdrr attars "re >oDr b M Lewises 4rmpr+eor tn0's+ meed qtr An )0i , ""e re Arden w re, 1^e rens "dM L• 'raw b volt WO ^w ow yea Iran, sfrt n 0 8d. 201117 NMI Overt 114 S(4