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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2016-01-06, Page 44 News Record • Wednesday, January 6, 2016 Ii1i1TiTfl1 www.clintonnewsrecord.com Clinton News PUBLISHED 53 Albert P.O. Box (519) 482-3443 www.clintonnewsrecord.com Record WEEKLY — EST. 1860 St. 39 Clinton ON NOM 1L0 LTJ POSTMEDIA MARIE DAVID Group Advertising Director - Grey Bruce Huron Division 519 376-2250 ext 514301 or510 364-2001 exL 531024 : r- si NEIL CLIFFORD Advertising Director neil.clifford@sun media.ca VALERIE BILLIES Journalist dinton.repolter@sunmedia.ca DAWN JOHNSTON Sales Representative clinton.ads@sunmedia.ca TERESA SMITH Front Office clinton.classifieds@sunmedia.ca SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 YEAR $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 2YEAR $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) SENIORS 60 WEEKS $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 120 WEEKS $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged but that balance of advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographic error advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Ad- vertising is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time. The Clinton News -Record is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproducing purposes. Publications Mail Agreement No.40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 53 Albert St., Clinton ON NOM 1L0 (519) 482-3443 Clinton News Record is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For more information or to file a complaint go to www.mediacouncil.ca or call toll free 1-844-877-1163. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (CPP) for our publishing activities. Canada z0 Member of the Canadian Community Cnc1 Newspaper Association and the Ontario Community Newspapers Association editorial No convict amnesty with change in pot law Postmedia Network When someone is charged with a crime, the laws in place at the time of the offence dic- tate how that individual will be punished if convicted. The exception is outlined in Sec- tion 11(i) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which states: "Any person charged with an offence has the right ... if found guilty of the offence and if the punish- ment for the offence has been varied between the time of commission and the time of sentencing to the benefit of the lesser punishment" The Charter says nothing about granting amnesty to a convicted individual whose offence later ceases to be a crime. That's why, if mari- juana is legalized in Canada, the legislation should not come with an amendment that allows all those previ- ously convicted of possession of marijuana to be pardoned and have their criminal records expunged. The number of Canadians charged with possession each year runs into the tens of thousands. Pardons would have to extend not just to the citizen caught with a small amount, but to notorious suppliers and dealers as well. Proponents oflegalization argue a marijuana posses- sion conviction can play havoc with an individual's life, including gaining employment and travelling across the border into the U.S. That's unpleasant, but these are adults who knew they were breaking the law. They should face the conse- quences of their behaviour. When asked about the possibility of pardons, Jus- tice Minister Jody Wilson- Raybould remained vague, but dropped one hint that would suggest she may be considering it. "We will cer- tainly look to have more to say about how we're going to move forward. But that includes actually having conversations ...with differ- ent levels of government and ensuring we speak to Canadians who have been impacted!' Canadians "who have been impacted" will no doubt speak up with one voice demanding amnesty. A good precedent for han- dling a change in the law was set with the faint -hope clause, which allowed pris- oners with life sentences to apply for parole after 15 years behind bars, 10 years ahead of schedule. That clause was repealed in 2011, but those who had been imprisoned before then are still eligible to apply, even though the clause no longer exists. Anyone sentenced to life after the repeal is not eli- gible. What was in force pre- viously stayed in force when the law changed. The federal government should not equate existing marijuana convictions to innocence. Food security harmed by processing void Peter Epp Postmedia Network The biggest news story for Canadians in 2016 could be rising food prices. The Univer- sity of Guelph's food institute estimates the average house- hold spent an additional $325 on food in 2015, and suggests consumers will be spending an additional increase of approximately$345 in 2016. According to the institute, meat prices are expected to rise from 2.5 to 4.5 per cent, fish and seafood from one to three per cent, dairy and eggs by as much as two per cent, fruit and nuts by 2.5 to 4.5 per cent and vegetables by as much as four per cent. Over- all, the institute is forecasting that food costs could climb by as much as four per cent. Many Canadian house- holds will be able to accom- modate that increase com- fortably, but others will find it difficult. Already, there are households finding it difficult to make ends meet, especially with rising electricity costs in Ontario. For those on social assistance or holding down several low-paying jobs, abig- ger grocery bill represents a financial crisis. There are two reasons for the cost increase in food. Although Canada's agricul- tural sector is highly produc- tive and diverse, much of the food we consume is imported, especially fruits and vegetables. Canadians are particularly vulnerable with a sinking dollar. The other reason is a changing climate and the impact on parts of the world that have traditionally been highly productive. Califor- nia's Central Valley, which grows much of the vegeta- bles for the U.S. and is a significant source for Canadians, has suffered under drought for several years and its crop produc- tion has been impacted. Some of this food infla- tionwas inevitable as Cana- dians and their govern- ments allowed the nation's food security to be lessened. No nation should be dependent on another for something as basic as food, and yet Canada, a nation with the natural capacity to produce a bounty, looks beyond its own border for much of its food. Part of the problem is a Inspiring Women in Huron Awards Special to Clinton News Record Do you know a woman who has improved the lives of other women and chil- dren by being a role model and advocate using their tal- ents, vision and determina- tion to make our commu- nity a better place? The YMCA, in partnership with the Huron Women's Shelter is accepting nominations for the 3rd annual Inspiring Women in Huron Award. The award recognizes women who have demon- strated a contribution to improving the lives of women and children in one or more of the following areas: arts and culture, com- munity, diversity, education, business/professional lead- ership, global action, health and welfare, leadership, phi- lanthropy, social justice, sport, volunteerism, or women's rights. Nominees are in the age categories of 16-30 years and 30 + years. YMCA Senior VP Kathi Lomas -McGee explains, "The YMCA's focus is to build healthy communities by strengthening families, addressing challenges fac- ing children and youth and improving personal health. We are thrilled to help hon- our these women who also strive to improve our communities." Donna Jean Forster -Gill, Executive Director for the Huron Women's Shelter states, "Huron Women's Shelter has been support- ing and championing women in Huron County since 1985. We are delighted to partner with the YMCA in offering this special awards event in Huron County. We live in a community where many amazing women are inspiring to us all each and every day! We are fortunate lack of processing facilities. Ontario farmers are adept at growing crops, but lack the domestic facilities to have some of those crops pro- cessed. This is a recent phe- nomenon; since the turn of the century, Ontario has lost its fruit processing industry and much of its vegetable processing industry. We have fewer meat packing plants than ever before. When our dollar was stronger, the loss or reduc- tion of these facilities didn't have as much an impact in the average household. Now it does. to be able to celebrate them at this event. I have no doubt that everyone who attends this event will leave inspired." Winners will be awarded at the 2016 Inspiring Women in Huron award ceremony on March 4, 2016. Deadline for Nomi- nations is January 29, 2016. Nomination forms avail- able at www.ymcaswo.ca, hard copy or by request to: athomson@ymcaswo.ca. CLINTON NEWS RECORD — HOURS OF OPERATION MONDAY: 9:00 - 5:00 • TUESDAY: - CLOSED • WEDNESDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • THURSDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • FRIDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • SATURDAY & SUNDAY: - CLOSED ADVERTISING DEADLINE: FRIDAY AT 2:00 • PHONE 519-482-3443 • FAX: 519-482-7341 www.clintonnewsrecord.com