Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-04-19, Page 13To review TORONTO - Under a proposal submitted to the Minister of Energy today, Ontario householders would pay about $3.50 a month more for electricity in 1990, says Ontario Hydro Chairman and President Rob- ert Franklin. Hydro's proposal for an average 5.2 percent increase in electricity prices will be reviewed by the Onta- no Energy Board at a public hearing beginning.in May. "The main reason for the increase is the cost of new generating equip- ment being brought into service to meet Ontario's five percent a year growth in electricity use,' Franklin said. "We also face increased costs for maintenance. of the existing electrical system, for environmental 5.2% hydro increase protection measures and for energy efficiency programs," he said. Franklin said revenue of almost $6.58 billion will be needed from Ontario customers next year This --is $474 million more than theex- pected revenue for 1989. Increased sales are expected to contribute $149 million, leaving the remain- . ing $325 million to be recovered through the proposed 5.2. percent rate increase. The proposed increase is an aver- age. Largeindustrial customers served directly by Ontario . Hydro would see their bills increase an av- erage 5.1 percent. Ontario's 316 municipal utilities would be charged an average 5.5 percent more than in 1989. Based on consumption of 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, the av- erage householder who is served by a municipal utility now pays about $61 a month. Based on consumption of 1;000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, the av- erage householder who is served by a municipal utility now pays about $61 a month. Following the public hearing on the rate proposal, the. Ontario Ener- gy Board is expected to issue.its re- port by the end of August. In the (all, after considcration of the Ener- gy Board's recommendations and in' light of the lastest business condi- tions and financial outlook, Hydro's Board of Director$ will set electrici- ty prices for next year. By Bob Trotter. Agriculture is in for the biggest and most important confrontation in its history. Canada has had a tradition since the 1800s of helping farmers. Giv- ing grants and subsidies to help the agricultural sector is part of the fab- ric of our country. the tradition was established more than 170 years ago. This aid for agriculture started when the United Empire Loyalists came here from the seaboard states. Tools, seeds and even animals were given to the Loyalists by the gov- ernment. The tradition has grown over the years to the point where other sectors have been helped as well such as the steel industry, the mining industry and the auto manu- facturing industry. To suggest that the government should not help agriculture is like .unto,suggesting that motherhood is obsolete. That is the way it was for many years. But the times, they are a - changing. The discussions under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade arc setting agriculture up for a big hit. GATT neighbours are say- ing that,' grants and subsidies should be phased out. Around the world, the movement is swelling to stop the so-called "coddling" of agriculture. Even in the European • Common Market, where agricultural subsidies have been ,the foundation of the federa- tion, nations arc seeking ways to curb the money going to farmers. In France, the world's biggest cul- prit when it comes to agricultural subsidies, negotiators are willing to talk about agriculture. It has been so bad in the ECM that pundits have said farmers will kill the federation. There is a lot of truth. -in the accusation. More than 80 percent of •the ECMs budget goes to agriculture, a staggering amount. I can foresee the future. Fewer farmers dominate the pic- ture. In Ontario, for instance, only about nine of the 125 seats in the legislature can be called agricultural ridings. All the rest are urban or perhaps even semi -rural. Farmers have, then, lost their. political clout. In truth, they have produced their way out of being political giants. Fewer farmers are needed to produce food for the nation. As the farms of this nation disappeared, the political clout of farmers also disap- pcarcd. Politicians will not have to pay any attention to the "farm" vote because, as a political power, it has lessened, That means farmers will have to ,take a back scat to every other segment of the econo-my. It is becoming increasingly difficult for premiers and prime • ministers to find farmers to fill inet. seats..A classic way the deputy prime minister, Don Mazankoswki, has been hand- ' ed the agriculture'minister's portfo- :_ Ji&_Brian, the walking jaw, could not find a competent farmer in his 1 ranks to fill the agminister's scat. • Docs that not say something to farmers across this nation? In On- tario, I think there are only about two ministers in the Cabinct who are listed as farmers. Jack Riddell is one, of course, as is Bob Nixon, but he it the provincial treasurer .agminister's, chair as well. It is also inter- ung to note that both- these men also listed their calling as teachers. -- being raised to pursue agricultural interests. The legislature -- which, at one time not too manyyears ago, was regu- lated b?thc farm calendar -- sits at all times of the year these days and plowing, seeding and harvest- ing are ignored. Doesn't this say something to the agricultural sector? They are in a precarious posi- tion. They could become the for- gotten sector of the economy be- cause there are not enough members at the senior levels of government who care a hoot about green, growing things. Too bad, isn't it? ea.ers ip rogram - at sown, , ensa , e , receive • an Award of Achievement for successful completion of the Advanced Agricultural.Leadership Program (AALP). Dr. Freeman McEwen pre- sented the award during a seminar in Alliston in March. Down is one of 28 MLP 1989 graduates. Over the past two years they have examined economic, political and social issues in Canada, the U.S. and Brazil. AALP is designed to help tomorrow's leaders gain knowledge, skills and confidence' to shape the future of Ontario agriculture. Times -Advocate, April 19, 1989 Page 13 At Cook's we have the peopleandpmductsto help You grow Profitably Part of the Cook's Crop Input Team (from kit w right);• Let Cook's -help you get your crop into the ground this spring. vie handle a full range of dry and liquid fertilizers, crop protection products.and quality seed.. With.over 100 years . of experiences the experts at Cook's can help you develop a crop program that's both ' economical and effective in reaching your yield goals. For everything you • need this spring, come to Cook's. Nobody puts more into helping you growa profitable crop. . Branches: Hensall (519) 262-2410 Centralia (519) 228.6661 , Kirkton (519) 229-8986 Walton (519) 527-1540 • Amberley (519) 395-3601 Atwood 4519) 356-2292. Division of Parrish 6t Heimbecker, limited s. S'' Frank Carry - Hensall Agri -Sales Representative. 2 years with Cook's Harold Foster - Centralia Agri'Sal s Representative. 15 years with Cook's Paul Bushell - Amberlcy •Branch Manager. 2 years with Cook's Ali K i l• ell - " t 1'I sew yoi i call l trade with confidence." e." 1 ANHYDROUS AMMONIA PrePlant or Side Dress 60 Nurse Tanks Safety Checl(ed and ready to go 001. Field Ready Applicators Pull Type • Tool Bars__. Safety Kits Available -----";"Delivery available - 15 MT delivery truck • Most economical form oree" nitrogen for your corn crop a kit 00 "Farmers working together for over 50 years'" Hensall District Co-operative Hensall 262-3002 1-800-265-5190 1