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The Huron Expositor • March 22, 2006 Page 3
Demonstrators asked to keep farm protest lawful
From Page 1
Webster, that it has been all sun-.
shine and roses.
Nonetheless, said Webster, he
plans to stay in Queen's. Park for as
long as it takes to capture the gov-
ernment's support.
"I think we need a"
large rally in Queen's
Park," he' said. "Don't
get discouraged because
I think we can do it if
we all work together.
Remember; we're only
as strong as our weak-
est link."
Earl Wagner, branch
manager at Hensall Co-
op where he has worked
for 41 years said he
believes the key to win-
ning the battle is_ stick-
ing together.
"I think Ontario
should step up to the
plate a little stronger," he said,
adding it is disconcerting to watch
as other governments support farm-
ers while Canada leaves its own to
twist in the wind.
Paul Steckle Huron -Bruce's MP
said he empathizes with the farm-
ers' plight, which he is well aware of
as he is both a former farmer and ag
supplier.
Steckle reiterated his support for
the RMP and told farmers that he is
continuing to lobby on their behalf.
However, _ he added there are no
easy solutions and that new plans,
like a food tax with the proceeds to
-benefit ag producers, might be a
step in the right direction.
And, Steckle encouraged demon-
strators to keep their actions limit-
ed to what is allowed by law.
Steckle was asked why there isn't
a political will to.help farmers and
who is running the show, politicians
or bureaucrats.
Steckle said as Huron -Bruce's MP,
he has the political will to stand up
for farmers "but it takes more than
one."
As for the second query, Steckle
said while politicians are the law
makers, bureaucrats are the ones
that interpret them so messages
sometimes get lost along the way.
The Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MP
said all federal parties can work
together towards a solution.
"When agriculture does well,
everybody does well," said Shipley,
adding long-term solutions to trade
inequities must also be
found.
Rob Emerson, repre-
senting Bruce County
farmers, asked why
newly elected Prime
Minister Stephen
Harper did not list
agriculture during his
recent speech about
Canada's top five pri-
orities, especially in
light of the fact
Statistics Canada is
predicting farm
income will drop 74
per cent from 2005
levels.
Shipley did not have
an answer to Emerson's question
but vowed to bring the message for-
ward to his party.
"You've got my support, my com-
mitment, to make agriculture No.
1," said Shipley, though he would
not promise that farm aid would be
in the federal budget.
Paul Mistele, vice-president of the
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
(OFA), said the grassroots -based
demonstration efforts are on the
right track.
"We have to hang together," he
said. "The message is being deliv-
ered."
He said efforts like Webster's are
also proving fruitful.
"Society values farmers," he said.
"Society still values a lone farmer in
his Buick."
Ag supplier Mery Erb, the meet-
ing's last . speaker, says he
empathizes with farmers on many
levels, including the fact that unlike
ag suppliers, processors and pack-
ers, there are no margins to work
with.
Ultimately, he says, a level play-
ing field is required.
"We're being out hustled, out mus-
cled and outgunned in Washington,
DC," he said.
Hill reported there are several
demonstrations and rallies on tap
farmer in his
Buick,' --
Federation
of Agriculture
vice-president
Paul Mistele
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for the coming weeks. First up was
a rolling tractor rally on Highway
402 into Sarnia on Friday as well as
the shutdown of four truck scales on
Highway 401.
Meanwhile, a large-scale tractor
rally set for Toronto on Tuesday
actually began to ramp up on
Monday as tractors began to roll up
to Queen's Park.
Such demonstrations proved to be
a favourite with those participating
in Thursday's meeting as a survey
showed two thirds of those in atten-
dance found them to be most effec-
tive.
Hill noted there had been 15
demonstrations in the 15 days pre-
ceding the meeting.
"The cause is Risk Management,"
he said.
Dennis Debot, a Wallaceburg-area
farmer, who attended the meeting
-as a show of support and to invite
farmers to the 402 protest, had
some tough questions for Huron -
Bruce's MP.
In reference to some demonstra-
tions, Debot said farmers have had
enough of sitting back.
"You say don't go there, but we are
going there, Paul (Steckle)," he said.
"Thirteen years (of the Liberals) in
power and look where we're at."
Debot added Steckle made no
mention of RMP during an ag meet-
ing held at the Wheels Inn in
Chatham prior to the election.
Like Thompson, Debot vowed all.
rallies will be legal.
Joe Vermunt added future rallies
could be held around roads, borders
and food terminals.
Other suggestions from the audi-
ence included leaving seeds
unplanted and asking anglers and
hunters for support.
Another possibility, said Vermunt,
is sitting outside Dombrowsky or
Strahl's house until the issues are
dealt with.
Hill summarized the night's pro-
ceedings by noting it is unbelievable
the province doesn't want to ante up
with $200 million given that that
amount of money is often wasted at
Queen's Park.
"We're looking to Chuck Strahl for
leadership. We're hoping our agri-
culture minister will be a minister
for agriculture," he said. "The other
message is; we're not going away."
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