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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-09-09, Page 5teafirginaligiraliiq 4 GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1987—PAGE 5 0611.11.1.111.110611.41.51061111301119, The Liberals have earned a chance Riddell says 4ELECTION 87 BY DAVE SYKES Tradition has always played a vital role in the politics of this agrarian -based coun- ty, but incumbent Jack Riddell, the Minister of -Agriculture and Food in the Peterson Liberal government, is worried about complacency in this election. With au expanded riding through redistribution and the Liberals enjoying an insurmountable lead in the popularity polls, Riddell, the sitting member. since winnifigg a by-election in Huron -Middlesex in 1973, should be coasting to Thursday's election. But that has hardly been the case. Despite weekly cabinet meetings in Toronto, attending official functions on behalf of his ministry and keeping up with ministry affairs, Riddell says he -has cam- paigned as hard in this election as he did the first time he ran. "There is simply no room for com- placency in this election," he said while surveying the plowing match at his Dashwood -area farm during the county's 60th plowing match Friday. "There is some apprehension about the lead we have in the polls and David Peterson doesn't want us to get complacent about where we stand. I'm campaigning harder this time than ever before." The campaigning has taken Riddell to all corners of Huron, familiar turf for the minister, to talk to people about the main issues; education, free trade, health care and leadership. For the farming communi- ty, ,he insists, the implications of free trade, as the deadline for a negotiated set- tlement looms large, are critical. "I can't see the benefit of opening up our borders to the U.S.," he said. "I don't know why there is a big push. We've always dealt with the U.S., we've always traded with them and they've been our biggest customers." He does fear that the Americans will be taking aim at eroding our social programs, health care and stringent health restric- tions imposed on imported goods. To them, he says, these things are another subsidy. "Peterson has taken a stand on free trade and he wants to safeguard what we have. Pork and beef farmers have free trade but other commodities would he vulnerable. It could mean the end of the family farm in Ontario." While the state and popularity of the federal parties does impact on the three main parties at the provincial level, Rid- dell says Peterson has shown the leader- ship qualities the electorate demands. "He has made the tough decisions over the past two years and has proven himself," Riddell commented. "Extra - billing was banned, we were left with the separate school funding issue and tackled it, freedom of inforamtion and privacy legislation was introduced and the spills bill also came into effect. People are saying they like his leader- ship, they like what Peterson has done and they feel he deserves the opportunity to lead the province. I think his leadership capabilities have surfaced and that he has found his niche." Of course, during the Liberals two-year reign, Peterson had the support of Bob Rae and the NDPs and Riddell said that sup- port was much in evidence during the two- year accord. He said the NDP supported the Liberals on tough issues and offered 95 per cent support on initiatives. "Now it's time for people to judge us on our policies," Riddell explained. "We in- troduced over 80 new initiatives in agriculture alone and increased spending from $328 million to $563 million. We've done more for agriculture in the past two years than was done in the past 15 years. People have been very complimentary about our programs." Agriculture critic for many years in the Legislature during the Conservative Nico. Peters - PC government years, hidden says he is com- fortable in the agriculture and food port- folio and while he is pleased with the in- itiatives introduced, he says there is much more to do for the industry. "Just recently I have introduced the Farm Start Program, the $14 anaihioea I.and Stewardship Program and others. They are all budgeted and ready to go. They are programs that are already in place, not just promises." he explained. All parties have been attacking the education system, offering programs and money that will help introduce school children to computer sciences and provide necessary skills training and develop- ment. In a campaign speech in Goderich, Riddell told party supporters that the pro- vince should be training its own young people. "There have been areas that have been neglected over the years and we have to improve the quality of education," Riddell said. "Our skills training is badly. lacking and we have to import much of our skilled labour. Now is the time to start training our own people and not rely on other countries. "Many schools and teachers are dealing with large class sizes and this is not a knock against teachers, but some children fall through the system. We have to im- prove that." Riddell said is ministry will also meet the challenge of providing the highest quality food without contaminants. That will mean control measures imposed on the agricultre industry with respect to the use of pesticides and fertilizers. It has been said that once the electorate of Huron elects a sitting member, he will retain that seat until retirement. Jack Rid- dell, Minister of Agricultre and Food, says he will not rely on the loyalty alone, but rather, will work for his support and re- election. Jack Riddell - Liberal Peters optimistic 'of minority win BY DAVE SYKES A "self -professed idealist and dreamer" Progressive Conservative candidate Nico Peters believes his --party could- realize a minority government in Thursday's general election. And the Tuckersmith Township farmer likes his chances of unseating incumbent Jack Riddell, Minister of Agriculture and Food. "In this riding, there is not as much em- phasis on party lines and that will work in my favor," he said in a telephone inter- view. "I'm optimistic we'll form a minori- ty government. I have a warm feeling about it. I've stopped and talked to a lot of people during the eampaigr .and they've been very receptive." And he allows that the electorate of Huron has been more than receptive to his party's initiatives and the tough stand leader Larry Grossman has taken on the issues. One of the main issues consuming the campaign is that of free trade and the im- pact it will have on our agrarian -based economy in Huron. Peters says that while many people simply don't understand the implications, he feels a free trade deal will work for Ontario. "People think it will just happen over- night but the deal will be phased in," he ex- plained. "People who have a problem with it think that once the deal is signed, all restriction will be gone, lifted and they look at it as a bad thing. They don't understand. "We've had two years of fear from a government that's kept people in the dark. The government could have outlined the procedure better. Peterson is of the at- titude he won't accept a deal. That's not Paul Klopp has `faith in people' BY PATRICK RAFTIS For a number of reasons, Huron New Democratic Party candidate Paul Klopp, hasn't been the most visible contender in this riding during the campaign for the Sept. 10 provincial election. One of those reasons, is one Klopp feels makes him the most suitable candidate to represent this area. The Zurich 'area farmer has been too busy in the fields to spend a lot of time "running around all day shaking hands and kissing babies," according to his own promotional material. "I've been busy working the farming operation and I don't have the luxury of hiring help to do the work while I'm cam- paigning," he said in an interview with the Signal -Star. Running a farming operation in Huron County and being close to the concerns of hi'S neighbors, means Klopp considers his line of work to be an asset in the election. Still, he does not view himself strictly as a "farm candidate". "I see myself as a working person in Huron County, who happens to be a farmer and thinks Huron County is a good place to live," said Klopp, a who has been involved with the Huron County and Ontario Federations of Agriculture since he was 21 -years -old. j{lopp, who raises pigs and cash crops on his Hay Township farm, credits his wife Heather (they have a 22 -month-old son Timothy) and his neighbors, with pitching in and helping him find time to canvass for support. "1 have an excellent wife and excellent neighbors," said Klopp, who says his cam- paign team, led by Lucknow area farmer Tony McQuail, finds. hime "plenty to do," in the way of appearances around the riding. Last Thursday, Klopp spent the day in Goderich, meeting voters and touring such local industries as Domtar and Champion. PINPOINTS ISSUES Locally, Klopp pinpoints five issues as being "big concerns," for . Huron residents: foreign ownership, farm finance, . prices for commodities, small business operations and automobile in- surance rates. He claims incumbent MPP Jack Riddell, the provincial minister of agriculture, has not lived up to the stand he took on some of these issues before his Liberal party came to power in the last election. "When Jack was in opposition, he liked to talk a lot about cleaning up foreign ownership and farm finance," said Klopp, adding that he feels the Liberals have had time to take steps in that direction but have not done so in a meaningful way. "I have a committment in that area (foreign ownership and farm finance)," Klopp stated. The key to the NDP platform for correc- ting the farm finance situation, according " to Klopp, is an expansion of the Ontario Savings Office, to provide long-term, low interest credit to farmers in tandem with the local credit unions and the federal Farm Credit Corporoation. "The Province of Ontario Savings and Loan Office, which was created in 1919, can be revitalized, or it can be dome through the credit unions, which is the same idea," Klopp contends. Asked how he, as a farm federation member, felt about the job done by Riddell as agriculture minister, Klopp replied "As a minister of agriculture, he started to use the same jargon as the Conservatives did when they were in power". AUTO INSURANCE . One of the NDP's most controversial platforms in this election has been the pro- posal to create a government -run automobile insurance system. Klopp feels it would be a workable and popular idea, that really would bring about an overall reduction in driver -paid premiums. "From talking to them, I've gathered that people really do think that driver - owned (government) car insurance can work," he said, noting that such a system positive. We're saying we will accept a deal, but a fair deal." Claiming it's a matter of attitude, Peters said_it_is_noLa..tirne_to back up on_a_deal, "We have to look forward but understand that even the best deal will have some bad effects. But, we can dovetail assistance programs to help." Foreign ownership of farmland still re- mains a priority issue in Huron Peters says, adding that farrhers are concerned about the absentee and corporate owners in their neighbourhoods. He also says that many crash croppers are "pressed to the wall" and not receiving the help required. "We're not part of the insanity of other countries and we're not going to encourage over -production," he explained. "I think farmers would be willing to lay land aside, about 15 per cent, voluntarily. "We could then provide a higher stabilization on the. remaining crops. It would be based on 85 per cent of the land and it could create an incentive. It would also cut costs for seeds, fertilizer and sprays. The incentive makes- sense and when things turn around in the 1990s, the subsidies would not continue." Leadership is playing an important role in this provincial election and Peters feels that his '`take -a -stand" approach typifies the tough stance of the provincial party and its leader. "I feel that you can gain votes on your own and that your opponentslose votes," Peters said. "Grossman has taken definite stands on issues. You can't bend over backwards for everyone. That's wrong. You have to represent the majority and be conscious of the minority and special needs groups. "You can't mortgage yourself in this would "help keep profits in Ontario". The system would have to be "self finan- cing," to work he said, adding that "bad drivers," would still have to pay higher premiums for insurance. "Insurance is something that's not a free ride," he stated. Klopp feels that the lack of resistance by the insurance industry to auto insurance reforms proposed by the Liberals and Con- servatives, shows that they aren't as likely to be effective. "It's like a lion without teeth," said Klopp, of the Liberal plan to set up a regulatory body to govern the industry. FREE TRADE Klopp feels there is no way Ontario is go- ing to come out a winner in the current free trade negotiations with the United States. "No, there isn't any (way to come out ahead), the way that it's going," he said. Klopp said trade between the two coun- tries should be structured like the present auto pact. "If you want to sell a product in Ontario, you've got to make it in Ontario, or at least in Canada," he insists. The Americans, Klopp said, will insist on maintaining countervailing duties, which would restrict Canadian imports into the USA. The NDP supports the retention of marketing boards in the agricultural sec- tor as protection for Canadian farmers against highly -subsidized American producers. Klopp claims American -based multi- national corporations would be the main benefactors of a free trade agreement. The NDP maintains a similar position on small business assistance and job creation. The party wants to replace imported products with Canadian goods, thereby creating jobs and keeping money in the country. They would also beef up Canadian content rules to encourage more manufac- turing in Ontario. FAITH IN PEOPLE business and I think I've put myself across as someone who will not hedge. I won't balance on an isue and I think -that typifies the party stand." Election issues are mainly based on agriculture -related items and Peters says he will represent industry and commerce for Huron. And planning must be in place if Huron is to become a well-rounded county. "We're at a transitional' point in our history now and we must plan or things will just happen arbitrarily without any pre -planned goals," Peters offered. "If I am elected, I will talk with each council. We need more industrial diversification in this county. We should tell our story to the province and the provincial representative should be telling our story." Diversification is becoming more of a ncecessity in Huron where Peters says many farmers are taking full-time jobs to keep the family farm operation going. "The 1980s were critical times for farmers and land values were escalating but many had to find work off the farm," he said. "We can't help them with short- term programs, those are only political promises. Some long-term planning is re- quired for the county and for farming." While Peters' only previous contact with public life involved running for school board trustee a few years ago, he has been involved in community and farming groups, and claims he sensed that public life was an inevitability for him. He said the gruelling campaign has been tempered by the warm and friendly reception he receives along the way. And as for the results on Thursday, the self -professed idealist and dreamer believes he'll be part of a minority government. Paul Klopp - NDP Klopp explains his motivation for being active in organizations such as the OFA, is much the same as his reasons for running as an NDP candidate. "I have a great faith in people. I don't buy the idea that you can't do anything because the government runs everything. Government is people," he said. He feels compelled to take action on issues because there is no other way to make a difference. "If you can see a difference and you just sit back, how can you expect others to try and make a difference." Klopp said the NDP's voice has been in - strumental in such issues as pensions for the elderly, health care, the ban on extra - billing, environmental protection, equal pay, farm finance reform and affordable car insurance. The party is fighting for ideas that the average person will benefit from. They have common sense ideas that can be done," he said. The Huron NDP is running a frugal cam- paign in this riding. For "financial and en- vironmental reasons," they have put up a minimum number of signs. To cut down on overhead, they have not rented office space, but are working out of their homes.