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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-09-09, Page 11 INCON1'O#ATr 1 HI. 1U1A T1 S1 ANItARD hHI'. HA) F 1F.1.L) ,7t UT, NO, 36 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1987 50 CENTS Free trade would turn Canada into "a great 'big national park," BY PATRICK RAFTIS "If we had true free • trade with the Americans on everything, then we could turn Canada into a great big national park for them to play in," former federal Minister of Agriculture Eugene Whalen told over 200 people at a meeting organized by a group of Huron and Perth County agricultural producers at Holmesville Township Hall, on Aug. 3. "Supply Management After Free Trade?" was the topic of the three-hour panel discussion organized by the Huron - Perth Supply Managed Commodities Com- mittee. The panel included Whalen, Pro- vincial Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell and Nelson Coyle, information officer for the Canadian Chicken Marketing Agency. Dr. Harry Brightwell, Member of Parliament for Perth riding and Lambton MP Sid Fraleigh were also invited to par- ticipate, but withdrew their acceptance after learning who the other panel members would be. Fraleigh and Brightwell, both federal Progressive Con- servatives, sent letters explaining their decision to be read at the meeting. Both indicated they did not wish to be drawn into partisian politics with the Liberal members of the panel so close to the upcoming provincial election. Brightwell said such an encounter could prove "to the detriment of the candidates, including the one from my own party". Both stated they would be pleased to par- ticipate in discussions on free trade with area farmers at any time after the Sept. 10 election. OCTOBER DEADLINE Also controversial, was the organizers' decision not to include Riddell's fellow Huron Riding candidates on the panel. "We didn't want to turn this into an all - candidates meeting," explained chairman Bill Jongegan, adding the October deadline on the "fast -tracking," of the free trade talks between Canada and the United States was the reason for holding the meeting at this time. Ultimately, Huron NDP candidate Paul Klopp and Conservative hopeful Nico Peters were each given five minutes, after the panel members had delivered their ad- dresses, to give their views on the topic. EUGENE WHALEN Whalen, a former minister in the Pierre Trudeau Liberal government, is now presi- dent of Agricgltural International Development Association of Canada. He told the audience the Americans view free trade as an opportunity to "export their chaos," and "mismanagement," into the Canadian market. The flamboyant former minister said farmers must speak up now, to prevent their supply management systems from being eroded in the proposed dealings with the Americans. "I don't know why in heaven's name, you're not doing more (speaking out) as farmers — you're supply -managed system will disappear," he warned. "No matter how efficient you are — and you are at the most efficient now that you've ever been — you can't compete," with the Americans without supply management, he explained. Whalen suggested it would be unfair of the federal government to consumate a deal that would jeopardize the existing marketing systems. "We built a system — we, the producers, the provinces and the federal government, working together in the true spirit of Con- federation. When they suggest you can't have any more supply -managed products, that's against the Charter of Rights." Whalen said supply management in such sectors as the dairy, poultry and egg in- dustries, has made Canadian farmers more efficient, not less -so, as some detrators have suggested. He said free enterprise agricultural systems, which leave producers free to produce more goods than the market can absorb are a "waste of energy, com- modities and resources — when you know what the market can consume and you can control it." NO SECTOR SAFE Beef and pork farmers, many of whom favor a' free trade arrangement with the USA, would also stand to lose by an agree- ment, said Whalen. "Do you think for a minute, that they would let you keep Tri -partite Stabiliza- tion," he asked? . American farmers, said Whalen, envy the Canadian system of marketing boards and supply management. "I've heard American farmers say 'you have a good system here, but they would never allow us to have it in the States,' because the USDA (United States Depart- ment of Agriculture) would never give up it's power," to the boards, he said. Whalen concluded with a warning to farmers not to trust the American and Canadian free trade negotiators to keep their best interests at heart when making a deal. "Don't believe anyone, when they say they're not discussing destroying your system," he said. ALL ON THE TABLE Huron MP and provincial agriculture minister Jack Riddell also said it would be "naive," of farmers to assume their marketing system was not being discussed by the negotiators. Turn to page 3 • It wasn't quite 9 a.m. but these kindergarten students were getting into their school work anyhow. September 8 marked the first day of school for thousands of children, and at Clinton Public School, Mrs. Hogan's class was eager to begin Adam Leppington ( left ) Jonathon Richter, Heather Jewell and Leonard Steep were the first to dig into the sand. Below. crossing guard Doug Bezzo assists students crossing Highway 8. This is Mr. Bezzo's first year on the job. ( Anne Narejko photos SUMMER VACATION'S OVER, IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL Piano factory has one week to obtain capital By Anne Narejko CLINTON - At this point, things don't look very promising for Canada's last remaining piano factory. They are on their last exten- sion to secure operating capital for the fac- tory which is $1 -million in debt, leaving them seven days to do so. Last week, owner Paul Ryckman was given an additional two week extension on the August 31 deadline before unsecured creditors could take action to close the doors at Draper Brothers and Reid Ltd., putting the other eight of 35 employees out of work. To date, Mr. Ryckman has been told he has a guarenteed loan of $400,000 from the (lntorin rin\rp,nnmont ('nrnnr-,tion •,nA �.., has found an investor, Robert Reid, to carry out building rehabilitation. Other avenues have been dead ends. The Royal Bank and Federal Business Develop- ment Bank have not come through. Getting the operating capital is Mr. Ryckman's only problem. He has orders which number over 1,200, triple last year's orders. Unless a major announcement is made by the government or a private investor very soon, Canada will lose its last piano factory and Clinton will lose an employer - an employer which has offered jobs to craft- smen for 112 years. Tykes win All Ontario CLINTON - The Clinton Tykes went on the traditional ride around town on the old fire truck on September 7 to celebrate bringing home a provincial championship. The team won the All Ontario champion- ship at an eight team tournament held in Bolton on September 5 and 6. Also playing in the tournament were teams from Bolton, Bowmanville, Thorold, Tillcnnhnra Sfrthrov, Valley Fest. and Blenheim. Clinton went undefeated in their five games, beating: -Bowmanville 6-5 in eight innings; Bolton 7-1; Blenheim 18-17; Thorold 6-4; Blenheim 9-3. A more detailed account of the tourna- ment, along with a picture, will be carried in the September 16 edition of the News - Record. Council defers decision on seeking approval authority Action has been deferred by Huron County Council on a recommendation that it ask the provincial government to delegate the ap- proval for certain planning functions to - county council. The recommendation was made at coun- cil's regular September session during a report presented by its planning and development committee. However, fears expressed by some members of council that such action could have serious ramifica- tions prompted deferral of the issue until all members of council have had time to review a detailed submission on delegation prepared by the planning and development department. In the report presented by the committee, council was told that the Planning Act allows delegation by the provincial govern- ment of some planning functions to county council. The report recommended council ask for formal delegation of: Approval authority for plans of subdivision; approval authority for plans of condominium; approval authority for part lot control bylaws; ap- proval authority for road closings°pursuant to specific sections of the Planning Act and review of zoning bylaws as per the minister's interest, including official plan conformity, minister's zoning orders and provincial policy. Bayfield Reeve Dave Johnston was the first to raise concern over the committee's recommendation and said he feared Huron County is trying to assume control of all planning. "I would like to know why you feel the county would be able to do a job better than the local municipalities," hF asked county planning director Gary Davidson. Mr. Davidson replied that the final ap- proval authority does not rest with the municipality currently, but with the pro- vince and as a result projects often are bog- ged down waiting for a provincial decision. "This ( delegation) would bring the deci- sion one step closer to the municipality," he said. Delegation would not take any authori- ty from the local municipality, he added. Mr. Johnston, however, said he felt the planning and development department could be putting the county in the position of possible conflict with one of its member municipalities. In his opinion, the county is not in that position at present since the onus of final approval is at the provincial level. Committee negotiates to obtain ownership of landfill site The Holmesville landfill Site Committee is negotiating with current owner George Lavis to obtain ownership of the landfill site, currently shared by six municipalities. Goderich Administrator and secretary of the committee, Larry McCabe and Public Works Commissioner Ken Hunter are negotiating with Lavis on behalf of the com- mittee, which includes representatives of the towns of Goderich and Clinton, the townships of Goderich and Colborne and the villages of Lucknow and Seaforth, on a deal that would see ownership of the site transferred from Lavis to the committee for a nominal amount. A draft agreement has been circulated to the respective councils of the participating municipalities for consideration within the next few weeks. The proposed agreement calls for the group to be responsible for any problems relating to landfill, past or future and to pay for all surveys and legal costs, in- cluding costs incurred by Lavis. Under the agreement Lavis would no longer be the owner and operator of the site, but would continue to supply fill and cover material for the site at an agreed price. McCabe said the agreement, which has not yet been approved by any of the councils involved, is still in the negotiation stage, so he could not release details on potential costs to the municipalities. If an agreement is reached, as McCabe expects one to be within the next few mon- ths, costs may also be shared by the Town of Seaforth and Tuckersmith Township, if they are accepted as users of the site under a separate agreement now under consideration. .N Mr. Davidson argued, however, that the situation of possible conflict already exists under the current system since the provin- cial government usually goes along with county recommendations on such planning functions. An elaborate system of checks and balances, however, usually allows the municipality to say no to a development if it does not want it, he said. "Problems occur, however, when the municipality and county have given ap- proval to development and the ministry is dragging its heels." Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle said that since the planning and development department is involved in the drafting procedure for such functions as bylaws, delegation of ap- proval authority to the county would very likely place it in a position of conflict. Mr. Davidson again argued that the poten- tial for this scenario already exists under the current system and that delegation would not increase the risk of that happen- ing. "If a local municipality does not ap- prove a bylaw, there is no bylaw," he said. Mr. Johnston supported Mr. Mickle's sug- gestion that council defer action on the recommendation until members of council have had more time to study the detailed report. He also suggested that Mr. Davidson or a representative speak to each of the local councils on the report during the defer- ral period. Council .will again consider the recom- mendation at its regular October meeting. CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL BUILDING FUND