HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1991-08-07, Page 8Page 8
Times -Advocate, August 7, 1991
OFA declares state of emergency for Ontario agriculture
By Ray Lewis
MITCHELL - Leaders of the On-
tario Federation of Agriculture,
Ontario Corn Producers Associa-
tion, Ontario Soybean Growers
Marketing Board and Ontario
Wheat Producers' Marketing
Board, met in Mitchell, Thursday,
to address concerns over the state
of emergency they have declared
in Ontario agriculture as of June 3. -
Thc meeting was part of a prov-
ince -wide tour, conducted by the
four major organizations, to meet
with local fanners and members.
Plummeting prices for grains and
oilseeds are now well below the
cost of production, and in real dol-
lars, lower than tie depression
years of 1930.
"The purpose is to commit the
local farm leaders and farmers to
get out there and join the lobby for
the survival of the family farm in
Ontario," said Roger George, presi-
dent of the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture. ""there has been a
marked lack of commitment by
both levels of government, despite
promises made to farmers to stand
by therm in their hour of trial."
Members arc encourgagcd to
mobilize in an effort to emphasize
to members of Parliament and the
Ontario Legislature, the serious-
ness of the financial crunch facing
farmers during the transition from
ad hoc programs to the new safety
net programs.
"What is at stake is more than
the family farm," said George. "It
ultimately comes down to the fu-
ture food security of our nation.
M some point in time, taxpayers
and the governments of Canada are
going to have to decide whether
they want a domestic farm industry
or rely on bringing their basic food
supply in from south of the bor-
der."
The crisis doesn't affect just
farmers, considering the role that
agriculture plays in the economics
of Ontario. For every dollar that
agriculture generates, there are an-
other seven dollars created in eco-
nomic activity, such as steel mills
and food processing. There are
85,000 jobs in the food processing
sector alone.
"Without the basic supply of raw
material from our farms," said
George, "those jobs won't be
there."
Addressing a crisis - Frank Anthony, president of the Ontario Corn
Producers' Association (left) and Roger George, president of the
Ontario Federation of Agriculture were part of a panel which arrived
in Mitchell on Thursday, to address the public on the state of Onta-
rio's agriculture.
The Scenario
• Ontario cash prices for corn and
soybeans arc at all-time lows,
measured in real (inflation adjust-
ed) currency; the same applies for
initial prices for new -crop winter
wheat.
• The value of stored corn, for
some farmers is now Icss than the
sum of amounts owing to elevator
companies for storage and drying
charges plus repayment obligations
under the advance payment pro-
gram; when farmers sell their crops
they are getting invoices rather than
cheques. The situation is equally
bleak for soybeans.
• Most fanners are operating with
lines of credit much reduced from
previous years. Many have no line
of credit at all, and arc counting on
sales of corn and soybeans to pay
1991 springtime seeding bills. Be-
cause of the situation described in
the preceding paragraphs, this is
proving impossible.
•The wheat crop, which has been
traditionally counted on as a mid-
summer cash-flow source, is very
small. Because of excessively, wet
weather last fall, many farmers, es-
pecially in southwestern Ontario,
were able to plant little or no wheat
at all. Yields arc 20-30 percent be-
low average. And for those who
will be harvesting wheat this sum-
mer, dramatically lower initial pay-
ments will mean that the 1991
wheat harvest will represent a
much -reduced source of summer-
time cash.
• The income/cash-flow assistance
from presently announced govern-
ment programs is woefully inade-
quate to meet financial needs over
Tax protest group forms in 'Bend
Continued from front page.
slashing to their budget to get it to
17.19 percent.
"I personally held mine back be-
cause 17 percent is too much."
Another Ontario resident who has
refused to pay his taxes is Craig Ste-
vens, a member of the London Tax
Coalition who spoke to the Grand
Bend residents and convinced them
they needed a coalition.
"I've done it and I feel good
about it," said Stevens about with-
holding taxes.
If enough of us withhold our
taxes, we're not going to suffer.
We're going to gain," said Forbes.
There are nearly 60 coalitions in
Ontario and Jim Montag, also of
the London Coalition predicted it
would take 100 coalitions and
100,000 members across the prov-
ince to make an impact on the pro-
vincial government and before No-
vember's municipal election.
"Your moaning now about tax-
es, wait until next year. That's why
you should have a coalition," said
Stevens.
Stevens and Montag came
armed with facts and figures indi-
cating that over half of all taxes in
Ontario goes towards education.
"It's not anti -tax, we all know
we have to pay taxes," said Mon-
tag.
"Education is the biggest part of
the budget...something has to be
out of line. We want to find out
fresh
Honey
Honey
Honey
Honey
Honey
Mon. -Sat.
9 - 5:30
Closed Sunday
Ferguson
Apiaries
11
where the waste is," tie added.
The London Coalition have
members who have analyzed, in
great detail, the London Board of
Education budget. Stevens doesn't
like what he secs.
He said Ontario taxpayers
shelled out $13 billion in public
education this year, up over one
billion from the year before.
"We should all be disturbed
about that," said Stevens.
The Ontario Taxpayers Associa-
tion are going head-to-head with
the Ontario Secondary School
Teachers Federation over the ris-
ing cost of education.
The teachers are fighting back
and want teachers to get behind
their trustees and those politicians
sympathetic to the financial needs
of education.
"We haven't got into teacher
bashing, that serves no purpose,"
said Stevens.
However, he did make several al-
legations of mismanagement of
funds by teachers and administra-
tors. Stevens claimed substitute
teachers are hired and never show
up.
He also said such equipment as
VCR's and canoes go missing. Ste-
Lucan Bible
LUCAN - "We are geared up for
an unforgettable exence this
summer;' side Robertson,
this year's director of the Lucan
Community Vacation Bible
School. The volunteer staff from
the community are really excited
about the "Sonward Ho!" theme
and are aiming at creating an excit-
ing learning atmosphere.
The Lucan Community Vacation
yens would like to see the Coali-
tion have the right to monitor pro-
fessional development days.
Stevens claimed the Minister of
Education, Marion Boyd does not
have the final say when it comes to
education, at least not in London
anyway.
"Most of the power in the educa-
tion system is in the hands of the
administrator," said Stevens.
Members of the Grand Bend
Council attended the meeting and
seemed to have mixed emotions
about taxes. Woodley came loaded
with numbers showing the increase
in taxes since 1988.
"Our track record is
good compared to other
Ki rkton
ities,' said Woodley.
"Provincial and federal taxes
seem to be the biggest problem.
They have a deficit my great-
grandchildren will be paying," said
councillor John McDowell.
"It seems its not the elected peo-
ple who spend money, it's the bu-
reaucrats. They're wasting money."
Former reeve Bob Sharen said
the people of Grand Bend should
make attempts to try to reduce
costs in their own municipality.
"If each of use undertook to do a
little more cleanup it would cost
less for public works. People have
asked for services and get them
reasonably whether they want them or not,"
municipal- said Sharen.
couple adopts
Continued from front page
know what was to come," Mery said.
A couple days later, three of the new fathers flew to Bucharest to attain
passports for their children. The trio could not believe their ears when
they were told, "We do not work on Friday afternoons. You'll have to
come back Monday."
Avoiding an airplane cancellation or delay, the three men awoke at two
in the morning and drove the seven hours to the country's capital.
With their new son, and passport in hand the Hems were more than anx-
ious to return to a supportive family and excited friends who decorated
their home while they were away.
School now registering
Bible School has been operating children to enjoy on Pioneer
for more than a decade. This year—Saturday,- august 1' , m 1
the community volunteer teachers 11:30 a.m. This is the chance for
and helpers seem to be making an community children to pre-registtrr,
extra special effort for the Pioneer have some pioneer fun and beat the
theme school which will run from rush on Monday morning, August
August 19 to 23, 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 19.
a.m. Any interested in more informa-
The community may also notice tion about the Bible school can call
this year a VBS hay wagon at the Janie Robertson, the director at
Lucan Revival Centre ready for 227-4538.
Stratford premieres Treasure Island
STRATFORD - The world pre-
miere of Elliott Hayes' new adap-
tation of Robert Louis Stevenson's
classic adventure story Treasure
Island, begins preview perfor-
mances in Stratford's Festival
Theatre on Saturday, July 27 at 2
p.m. The production opens Thurs-
day, August 1 at 7:30 p.m. and
plays in repertory until November
9, 1991.
Join the voyage of Jim Hawkins
as he courageously matches his
wits with the scheming pirate
Long John Silver in a tale of cut-
lasses and cutthroats, of dubloons
and maroons, of mutiny on the
high seas and treasure on a tropi-
cal isle.
Treasure Island is directed by
David William with design by De-
bra Hanson, music by Alan Laing
Try the relaxing atmosphere of the country
Book your next conference or meeting at
Centralia College
(519) 228-6691 Fax (519) 228-6491
Group and special rates available
CENTRALIA
COLLEGE
Huron ' ark, Ontario NOM 1190
Ontario
Ministry of
Agriculture
and Food
lighting design by John Munro,
fights directed and stunts co-
ordinated by John Stead, and
movement by John Broome.
The Cast of the production fea-
tures Edward Atienza as Ben
Gunn and Blind Pew, Wayne Best
as Morgan, Geoffrey Brumlik as
Jim Hawkins, Richard Fitzpatrick
as O'Brien, John Franklyn -
Robbins as Squire Trelawney,
Lorne Kennedy as D. Livesey,
Roberta Maxwell asd Mrs. Haw-
kins, Rod Menzies as Captain
Smollett, Leon Pownall as Long
John Silver, and Brian Tree as Is-
rael Hands. Also appearing are
Paul Aikins, James Binkley, Ste-
phen Bogaert, William Dunlop,
Timothy French, Ron Hastings,
Larry Herbert, Robert King, Jef-
frey Kuhn, Tim McDonald, Paul
Miller, Michael Querin, Todd San-
domirsky, John Stead, and N.
Shawn Williams.
Treasure Island is sponsored by
National Trust.
Available to service the cittabW In
our community and surroundng
areas.
For more infotion
and
bookings,
se Earl's Taxl Inc.
at 235-1013 and ask for Ron
or Sylvia Walker
VISSCHER FARMS COUNTRY MARKET
Open Mon. - Fri. 9 - 8. Sat. 9 - 6
CIMDSED SUNDAYS
Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Potctoes
Also other Ontarto fruits and
vegetables in season
Baked goods, jams, honey etc.
3 miles west of Exeter on Hwy. 83
Phone 237-3442
the next sjx months. The support
from existing programs is substan-
tially less for Ontario grain and oil-
seed farmers than in other major
grain producing provinces. The
new GRIP and NISA programs
should, in combination, provide
reasonable income support in 1992,
but this is of little comfort to pro-
ducers who face financial disaster
in the coming weeks.
• Governments must take action
to avert an impending economic
and social tragedy, and to ensure
that grain and oilseed producers are
treated equitably in all areas of
Canada
As indicated, with'one out of eve-
ry five jobs in Ontario dependent
upon agriculture, the crisis runs
deep. Several members who oper-
ate grain elevators acknowledged
the fact that accounts receivable
have already doubled this year, and
some district co-op's feel that if
something isn't done soon, they'll
be forced to close their doors.
Said Frank Anthony, president of
the Ontario Com Producers' Asso-
ciation, "We need a safety package
from both the federal and provin-
cial governments, and need it now,
Six months will be too late to save
many farms."
Usually, in the past, there was a
time when low prices in one com-
modity were offset by higher prices
in another. The big problem this
time, is that everything is so low
that profits are hard to find in no
matter what they produce. Many
are forced to supplement their in-
come with off -the -farm employ-
ment, and nowadays it's not uncom-
mon to see a farmer and his wife
bringing in second and tertiary in-
comes to support their farm. Many
wives work in town, but as things
on the farm grow steadily worse,
those jobs arc also lost because
business in town stows.
The crisis is already affecting a
number of small towns. arm im-
plement dealerships report many
more instances of farmers repairing
old equipment and making do, rath-
er than purchasing new. The story
is the same from car dealers.
"The signs are there," said Bev
Hill, a cash crop farmer who also
operates a grain elevator in Varna.
"More and more people are shop-
ping locally, which normally
would be good. But in this case,
they're shopping at home because
they can get credit." '
The underlying danger signal for
arca farmers, is the fact that very
few young Carolers are entering the
market, while more and more of the
older ones arc quitting the game.
Said one area farmer, "What do
you do with a 16 -year old son
who's wanted to do nothing but
faun. Do you encourage him, or
show him the books?"
ArrowWOOd
Farm
Pick your own
Blueberries
$1.49 Ib.
Four roads south of Mel -
borne, on County Road 9.
Turn right, go 1/2 mile
Monday-Frlday 8 - 8
Saturday 8 - 5
Closed Sunday
289-2403
PRICE BREAKTHROUGH
Introducing the
THE NEWEST
to the 5 * ._ = Collection
ADDITION
• 10' Mesh Dish
• Electronic Package
• STAR•1 =Satellite
• Installation
$2895.00
Arlen Stub
... Float 90 Vodettaiiwtatt
THEDFORD
296-5565
BIL- HASKETT
We're lad
you asked!
BOB FLETCHER
1,7 PRE.PLANMNG RALLY NECESSARY?
Some people, particularly younger people, are skeptical about the val-
ue of pre -planning for funeral services. How can we plan, they ask, so
far in advance of when such services might be needed?
We encourage people, even younger people, to pre -plan now for fu-
neral services for three reasons. First, pre -planning makes the funeral
choices more sensibly made without the personal stress that a death
may generale. Second, pre -planning enables one to make his or her
wishes Mown in advance. Finally, there can be no disagreement
among family members as to what to do and how much to spend when
everything is planned in advance.
Simply put, pre -planning takes the burden off the family at the time
when they can least be capable of bearing it -- when a loved one dies.
We do not suggest that a decisions are made in advance. the family
should not be totally deprived of their part in the planning. All the ar-
rangements are made with our trained funeral directors who will help
you make your choices wisely and without pressure.
ONTARIO FUNERAL
SERVICE ASSOCIATION .
Ono:smarated)
FUNERAL HOME
Phone 235-1220
II(LIERS,.
rv..
\r3
'
'
(.tti:.ITNESS SYSTEMS1-'-
1111 ...
OOMING
'".7f;9a.
• ,,, IN
f
,.,�, SPT.
For information call
Bill Montgomery
235-1319
that profits are hard to find in no
matter what they produce. Many
are forced to supplement their in-
come with off -the -farm employ-
ment, and nowadays it's not uncom-
mon to see a farmer and his wife
bringing in second and tertiary in-
comes to support their farm. Many
wives work in town, but as things
on the farm grow steadily worse,
those jobs arc also lost because
business in town stows.
The crisis is already affecting a
number of small towns. arm im-
plement dealerships report many
more instances of farmers repairing
old equipment and making do, rath-
er than purchasing new. The story
is the same from car dealers.
"The signs are there," said Bev
Hill, a cash crop farmer who also
operates a grain elevator in Varna.
"More and more people are shop-
ping locally, which normally
would be good. But in this case,
they're shopping at home because
they can get credit." '
The underlying danger signal for
arca farmers, is the fact that very
few young Carolers are entering the
market, while more and more of the
older ones arc quitting the game.
Said one area farmer, "What do
you do with a 16 -year old son
who's wanted to do nothing but
faun. Do you encourage him, or
show him the books?"
ArrowWOOd
Farm
Pick your own
Blueberries
$1.49 Ib.
Four roads south of Mel -
borne, on County Road 9.
Turn right, go 1/2 mile
Monday-Frlday 8 - 8
Saturday 8 - 5
Closed Sunday
289-2403
PRICE BREAKTHROUGH
Introducing the
THE NEWEST
to the 5 * ._ = Collection
ADDITION
• 10' Mesh Dish
• Electronic Package
• STAR•1 =Satellite
• Installation
$2895.00
Arlen Stub
... Float 90 Vodettaiiwtatt
THEDFORD
296-5565
BIL- HASKETT
We're lad
you asked!
BOB FLETCHER
1,7 PRE.PLANMNG RALLY NECESSARY?
Some people, particularly younger people, are skeptical about the val-
ue of pre -planning for funeral services. How can we plan, they ask, so
far in advance of when such services might be needed?
We encourage people, even younger people, to pre -plan now for fu-
neral services for three reasons. First, pre -planning makes the funeral
choices more sensibly made without the personal stress that a death
may generale. Second, pre -planning enables one to make his or her
wishes Mown in advance. Finally, there can be no disagreement
among family members as to what to do and how much to spend when
everything is planned in advance.
Simply put, pre -planning takes the burden off the family at the time
when they can least be capable of bearing it -- when a loved one dies.
We do not suggest that a decisions are made in advance. the family
should not be totally deprived of their part in the planning. All the ar-
rangements are made with our trained funeral directors who will help
you make your choices wisely and without pressure.
ONTARIO FUNERAL
SERVICE ASSOCIATION .
Ono:smarated)
FUNERAL HOME
Phone 235-1220