Lakeshore Advance, 2012-04-25, Page 7Premier visits Hensall Coop
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A), Cheryl Heath
Ontario's Pretnier is calling on Canada's Prime Minister to
step up to the plate. •
Dalton McGuinty, who visited the Ilensall site of the
Hensall District Cooperative Inc. with Agriculture Minister
Carol Mitchell on Wednesday, is calling on the federal
government to "cone to the table" so the provincially -backed
Risk Management Program for farmers is all that it can be.
After touring the facility and sharing a personal anecdote
on his days in construction with coop employees, McGuinty
began his media presentation by paying tribute to the coop,
which employs more than 400 people and has been serving
the community since 1937, as well as to I Iuron-Bruce's MP
who took over the agriculture portfolio last year.
Calling Mitchell "a powerful and effective champion for
farmers and the agrifood sector, generally," McGuinty says it
is time for the federal government to commit to funding the
RMP so producers from all participating sectors are protected
when the need arises.
The RMP, which was recently permanently embedded into
provincial policy care of the Liberal party, has earned rave
reviews in the agriculture sector, as it was a program long
sought out by the grain and oilseeds sector, which largely
crafted it.
'thanking Ontario farmers for their determination, drive,
innovation and persistence, McGuinty said, "it has not been
an easy business or an easy line of work, but we have some of
the best farmers in the world."
McGuinty said In a "world of price volatility," the RMP
offers farmers stability, predictability and bankability.
"We listed to our farmers, we listened to Carol," he said,
adding the RMP proves the province sees farming as the
cornerstone of rural Ontario.
Still, said McGuinty, the federal government's commitment
to RMP will play a pivotal role in its long-term success.
"We have yet to hear from any leaders that they are
prepared to come to the table to ensure the program works,"
said McGuinty. "We urge there and encourage there to come
to the table once again.
Asked whether he had any advice for his federal
counterpart Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff now that an
election is nigh, McGuinty offered a flat "no," but added he is
encouraging all ratepayers to vote.
During a media scrum, McGuinty deferred to Mitchell on
the question of whether the provincial government will revisit
the idea of mandating 10 per cent ethanol in all fuel, a plan
that was supposed to be in full effect by 2010.
Mitchell, who is also the MPP for Iluron-Bruce, saki the
province has met its promise on the ethanol question, though
the amount required has been reduced to 7 per cent.
"It's a promise that has been delivered on," she said.
'Ihe Green Energy Act and the controversy it has created in
some communities proved to be another key question for
McGuinty, who said he stands by his government's record of
attempting to find renewable energy sources.
Asked about a recent report that Ontario has had to shut
down nuclear power plants because of too much supply and
not enough demand, McGuinty said that scenario beats the
( one of 2003, when there was a multiple day blackout in vast
swaths of the province.
"If I have to choose between a shortage as we did in 2003
or a surplus, I'm for the surplus," said McGuinty, adding
Ontarians should be pleased that Ontario Hydro sold $300
million worth of energy last year.
Asked why the Green Energy Act stripped municipalities of
much of their usual powers with regard to setbacks and zon-
ing, McGuinty said his government wanted to ensure energy
companies knew Ontario was open for business.
"We didn't want a scenario where we were advertising as
open for business except for these 67 municipalities with an
asterisk," he said of the province, which is home to more than
440 municipalities.
Adding that a three-judge panel has
recently concluded that there are no
negative health impacts from wind
farms, McGuinty adds Ontario's
"setbacks are the biggest in North
America"
Questioned further as to what type of
impact the GI:A's unpopularity its some
quarters will have on the Oct, 6 Election
Day, A•tcGuinty said it will be up to the
voters to decide.
"1 know it has created some tensions,"
said McGuinty. "We have not stopped
listening:'
ultimately, saki McGuinty, the goal is
to harness wind and solar power so that
in 20 years, it chunk of Ontario's energy
will conte from renewable resources.
Further, he added, close to 8,00(1
people have signed on for the microF1'1',
which is a testament to its popularity.
"C'arol's riding has been a hotbed of
investment and participation in these
kinds of programs," he said, adding
Ontario has earned a reputation as the
No. 1 manufacturer of automobiles and
now it is time to draw different types of
industry.
As for whether the wind portion of
the GEA could spell the death knell for
his party come election time, McGuinty
said, "1 look forward to being judged.'
McGuinty also fielded questions
about the 1larmonized Sales'I)tx, which
he said has been a boon to farmers.
"We have to have a modern tax
system," he said, adding voters will let
the Liberals know how they felt about
both the IIS'T and GEA come Oct. 6:
"1 look forward to the public passing
judgment on us"
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Wednesday, May 4, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 11
cHeath
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell chat with
Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson and Earl Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of Hensall
District Cooperative Inc., at the coop's Hensall site on Wednesday.
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