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The Huron Expositor, 1978-03-02, Page 15e loot in , (Aiwa are appreciated by Bob Trotter. Eldale Ad . Oni en-1126 We are losing farms in Ontario HURON Tf EXPOITOR, MARCH 2, 1978 —15 Huron farme rs in Ottcnnici Protest imported food. Lower Interest Rates 2 1st and 2nd Mortgages anywhere in Ontario on RESIDENTIAL -- INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL and FARM PROPERT Interim financing on n ew 'construed or land development REPRESENTATIVES IN YOUR AREA PHONE SAFEVVAY INVESTMENTS & CONSULTANTS LTD. Head Officer 56 Weber Sfreet East, Kitchener 15191744-6535 Branch Offices) '705 Gotterleh Street, Sit MO11519032-2044 504 Tenth Street,Hattover [519)360121 Evenings David Be non [5191 794-3217 "WE BUY g SUNG MORTGAGES F4OR INSTANT CASH" NOW AVAILABLE ON, The iaii0:8SideriPTiaiiaTht247: taxed just4ike urban homes with consideration made. to location,' and services.,, The 'Rural 'Ontario Municipal Association assessment .,department can: produce productive valueS .for all farms and can be brought into place ' 'aS. ' quickly . .as market value. assessment. Bill Benson toAd.the 'crowd. . . Nova ScotiaaLnd some of the U.S. states have already 'made farmlands and buildings exempt. Mr. Benson 'said "As, long• as I pay taxes like eery 'other househo'Ider that's acceptable. Tax exemption • is seen as government and province setting priority in food. policy. To. the urban consumer this is, acceptable only as long asiit 'doesn't cause-a stir on the shelf". Mr. Benson 'pointed Oat • . Ouerstions from peOple• at the meeting ranged from why the SHIPPER to UNITED CO-OPERATIVE OF ONTARIO LIVESTOCK DEPARTMENT. :TORONTO Ship your livestock with. The municipality would t take a mill rate for the land total tand declared tax free and submit a‘bIll to the province for the taxes. With this proposal the farmer is: not identified with the farm land. One cheque to each municipality would cut costs, the OFA head said. -Having the land legislated as tax exempt would make it free from' being changed by the Whim of the government.' County was present to comment. on the need for grant reform so that townships would 'not be paying more. "The OFA 'proposal is acceptable to me as a' farmer and a council official." said•-Mr. Ginn. • Hobby farmers were also a' subject of concern.• A fanner is anyone producing over $2,000 in one year ,and is eligible for, tax rebate. `3 don't know what the: goyern rrienthas -in-mind but-they shonld raise 'costs' and have- other criteria for._ determining, farms" said. Mr. Hannam. "The OfA is using scare tactics on the farmers" said Eileen Palmer , Goderich deputy reeve who said she 'represented the urban resident. "I support the market assessment and feel that thefarmer•are capable of forming a decision and making up their own minds." Merle 'Gunby summed up "This is the best we have• come up • with yet. What's the alternative?" • salD M. Gunby.- "None have , been suggested yet" • The OFA needs to know'-the impact on the communities and has to date not replied formally to Altirs'toVernment, Mr. rHannam said. • "No more compromising''• assured Mr. Hannam. "We are open. direction of our membership". The Huron County', Federation will take a vote at a later date as , to how they stand on the OFA proposals. L FOR THE BEST IN * Parts * Service ' ,7ARAricq.sor,iest * 'Rentals IT'S 13 I.; ;'U SPORTS A RECREATION LIMITED VARNA 262-5809 HOEGT ARM SUPPLYTIMITED Brodhagen, Ontario Tel: 3452941 After hours, 345-2243 Barn washing find disinfecting • Spraying with, carbola whitens and disinfects as it' dries, Cattle sprayingi for lice and warble control. r. rr .r7 irrr-71.7-7, • News Item: The number of farms in Ontario '. has de creased steadily between 1956 'and 1976 but production in many farm products has inereasied,. a statistical study says. • The study, released by the treasury. ministry, said the-- 1976 total of 76,983 farms represents an 18.7 per cent de- croaseaince 7'971. These statistics come from the provincial government; Statistics, of course, can be made to proire almost any- thing. Such as 50per cent of the married people in Ontario are Men. Or if your parents had no children; it, is unlikely • that:you will bave children. But these statistics say a great deal about what 'is happening on the farm. front: Few people realize how many farmers have simply 'quit -in the last decade. 'Many have been forced to quit or have faced' bankruptcy. Too often, the auctioneer's hammer is accompanied by the ' sound of tears as someone's. dreams and' hopes have gone on the block., I don't, want to sound lirisa: bleeding heart for farmers. I have- been' accused ,of that, too many times to core. But the statistics should Indicate to anyone able to add that something is wrong in farming. Almost 20 per t'ent' orthe' farmers in Ontario/left the farm in 20 years. ' It 'Screams tile message that tob many farmers are find- ing it too tough to stay in. business. In my home county - Waterloo more than 40 per cent 'of ,the farmers have ' a second -job. In other words, 40 of every 100 have to aug- ment their farm inconies with another job so they can remain on the farm. Again, ,this seems to me to be a terrible indictment of the economy when primary producers must drive a truck, a. bug', a delivery wagon, become a part-time sales- man, janitor, horse trainer.or what-have-you'. • • This ,same statistical . report gives a bit of a clue, thou h. It says that production was up -in the. last couple yeaW- the Combined, fears of government takeover' a land in the future and of urban residents '? viewing grant system of taxation ashandouts to the farmers, were not soothed Monday night when Peter Hannani, , president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, spoke to a concerned Crowd of over 200 people 'at the Clinton high school. Mr. .Hannam explained 'the OFA 'pojicy on the property •trix, reforms being proposed . by the' Ontario government.. Mr. Hannam and ,Bill Benson. !nd ' vice preSident of the 7,ederation went over the .. hisiory, talc .reform which Started. 'in 975 with the proposal that . ;overnment pay ',100.To., .Of the 'axes and a lien be put against the andand ayable by the farmer • I the farm is taken out of iroduCtivity in the following ten ears. The Blair Report came next and uggested that there were too ' )any • uses '.for tax fundS. It .ggested propety tax be used for and expenses and people tax 'for eople services. , • A long term tax solution would. ce the removal of education tax n property arid-Would- involve' *MI in income tax, property ix, sales tax and corporation tax. • .F.verything would have, to be ,ssessed and're-d . ded up. This . mould- take„ Mr. Hannam aid. Until people s rvices are taken ,ff of property tax there will . emain many inequities said peter Hannam. Therefore -the WA has suggested a short term ilternative until that time. The OFA wants farms assessed eon productive value determine& 'y the gate to gate sales. This' land (farmland and Littildings),defined sa productive would then be legislated as suet.," and tax exempt. MIKE •DOYLE Tuesday is Shipping Day From Dublin, CALL DUBLIN 345-2656 ZURICH 236.4088 , even though there were fewer farmers - but' the value of the products produced was down in many eases. - In other words,• fewer farmers were able to produce more but they, in turn, got lee for all their increases in production. No wonder thethad to -quit. HoW many other sectors of the economy' can make the statement that fewer people produced more? Not 'many. Most sectors of the economy produced less yet hired more people to'do it. That is why Canadian products 'aye being priced out of ' world„markets: We are producing less and it is costing More'money. Except in farming. - " For instance,':-Ontario potato production rose.,22..8, per cent from 1975. Bat the total value, of potatoes This past year-Was $37' million, down 8.2per cent from 1975. ' Marketed production of grapes, for instance, also in- creased from 1975 to 1976 but the Market valUe was down by $3 million.' Ron Moyer, chairman of the Ontario Grape Growers Marketing Boacd,.said it well: "In sum total, our growers worked harder,' committed greater, expenses to , their year-round vineyhrd operations and took a substantial reduction in pay for the second year running." No' other sector of the economy has taken a pay cut. It's like the old song' says: Old, McDonald had a farm. With emphasis on had, the past tense. OlclegcDonald got „screwed out of his farm. The- average-age-of-the-Canddian7f-armer-W-abourb3 years. Too many young people take a long, hard look at the long, hard labor involved in farming and steer clear of it. It is just simply not attractive enough tolteep enough young people on the land. It. is time Canadians became aware that a healthy agri- cultural economy is essential to the health of this nation. We enjoy the lowest food prices in the entire world:. Too often„thoUgh„those low fOod prices are at the ex- pense of the farmer. need for tax reform to respassers being hard:to take care of. Some: people felt there was a thin line between a grant and taxes that 'in years ahead they, Would lose ownership of the Mr.'. Hannam` pointed out that the, precidence' in the courts concerning the payment of taxes is the lowest indicator of ownership. Land belongs to whoever is named on the deed" • Hannam. "As to the future the government could take' over your land tomorrow. We can anticipate all kinds of fearful possitilities in ken years time. But who's to say what can happen", Mr. Hannan) told the crowd. Garry Ginn, W.arden for Huron 66 11v Over 50 farmers froftp Huron, Bruce and Perth Counties were among.. .over 1200 farmers from across Ontario and across Canada who poured into the, Chateau Laurier, Ottawa to express their solidarity and concerns at the Co-conference called by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture .on Wednesday, February 22 to coincide with, the government's National Food Strategy 12, Conference. Farmers overflowed both, the conference room and convention hall. OFA 'president, Peter Hannam stressed that farmers will not accept a cheap food policy. Probably the greatest achievement the government food strategy conference can 'make is a greater awareness of.;, farm • problems. stated Mr. Hannam.. • Commodity groups and farmers gave their unanimous support to four main, objectives. They demanded expanded markets for tarm prodticts both at home and abroad. Dairy farmers, were told the' cheese import quota must be rolled back to 35 million pounds.. "Food is imported that 'Is -produced under- much- -lower standards than are required in Canada. We find this very gating", said Merle Gunby, First Vice-President of 'Huron County Federation of Agriculture. The Federal Government must proclaim its -,ermanent support for the right of farMerk to mark et their pro ducts collectively. Speaker after ,speaker took to the flow' to state that since other industiies and services Canada Federal Minister of Agriculture was in attendance. The Minister negative reaction from farmers. The Hon. - Eugene Whalen, stated his support of marketing had union's and associations, they boards and said he would resign if Must love ,professional.,agricyl- he, thOught the Government turiste to deal with their own would do anything to htirt industry. Marketing Boards. At a recent The Government of Canada meeting, he stated:- that all must 'disassociate itself publicly provincial ,-Ministers . of ; from support of a cheap national Agriculture voiced • support for food policy and mutt abandon Marketing Boards. Plans to limit the price-of food. Mr. Hannan) stated that. those New Canadian FederatiOn of present were there to help Agriculture PreSident. DobSon Support th\e Minister' in his Leigh (Alberta) point ed out that endeavours far *hive 'fern , • the food system has served H owever, we -would consumers well. "Farmers need have been more reassured had men than sympathy from make a commitment Mr. ,Trudeau himself come to the4,, consumers" said Mr. Leigh. In response to a comnient..01,,-,-rneeting to Health and Welfare Minister, to Agriculture. A - strong commitment by MoniqUP Begin that there is a iGti ndvnesrtnr-ymenLtuoldtheb.rAinggr.teultu,ral national emergency in nutritionNy, Peter Hannan) stated. that. an nutrition problem in Canada was more understanding and support fiOm, all other Government Ministries, commented Mr. Hafina In conclusion, OFA Fre/sident, Peter Hannam : stated that Joe Clark, Lorne Nygrern andEtigene Whalen had -all expressed their support for Canadian Agriculture to hint: onsidering food is such a strategiccommodity,' It is difficult to understand' wily -Canada's primary producers should 'be plagued by 'Government• inaction._ "Let's, n of be lulled into :rest now'', cautioned President Hannam, "let's go back home and continue talking about farming problems and).- finding, solutions. We must not let the Government get ' away with talking, talking, talking and 'no action. We can, make achievements for Justice and Equity." V tinpini et InualgratiOn Canada Bud Ciallan,Mlnletra 2579-A 'Smile Overheard in the office 'coffee shop: "1 wouldn't say that he's conceited, but he's , absolutely ' convinced that if he hadn't been born, people, would want to knolv why not." Unfortunately that's not true. It, seems that some peoike like you think there's nothing wrong •with ripping off Canada's Unemployment Insurance pro- gram. "All We did was fail to report a little extra income while getting UIP With that sort of behaviotr you could be charged with a criminal offence. Isn't itiust like shoplifting or theft? Cheating on Unemployment Insurance is stealing from your neighbours, friends, fellow employees,. employers, and the ' Government of Canada, all at the same time. And not being.avail- able for work when you're getting UI is abuse, pure and simple. "How did you ever find out?" ,4 - Unemployment Insurance has almost 500 full-time trained claims' investigators on staff. And, like any-modern organization, - we're:using new data-handling techniques to their best advan- tage. We match up Records of • . .. .200 hear OFA head in Clinton Employment with claim records. The claims investigator may be alerted by an agent at the Unemployment/Insurance office, or by our central fact-finding computer system. If there's evidence' of abuse or fraud, the investigators will make a recommendation for action to either the UI agent or legal counsel. •- "Well, what are you going to do with us?" Dependifig on the serious- ness of your offence, you may have to pay an administrative voluntary malnutrition. The Federal and Provincial Governments must implement effective co-ordinated and meaningful stabilization and. /or income assurance programs. - "We were promised stabiliza- ..tion and. we, were promised an - income, for all we could produce years ago. We can't live on words", 'said Peter Hannam. A telgrarn from the Prime Minister', the ,Right Honourable Fierre , Trudeau, stat ing 'he would- be unable to attend the „ Farmers , Co-Conference drew A message about tho8e who think they can chea ere not C. few. - For your sake, please play it 1114" straight with us. Emplbyment and, Immigration Canada Bud Cullen, MI niater penalty. Or, you could be charged in a court of law under the. Unemployment Insurance Act or the Criminal Code of Canada. Conviction means a.criminal .record. And benefits wrongly ob- tained must be paid back in full. In any case, it's not very pleasant. We're not in business to prosecute people. Avoid this by dealing with us as fairly as we try to deal with you. The people of Canada should not be cheated by an irresponsible The L'nemployment Insurance qmnnission and the Department of Manpower and Itranigration have become the Canada Employment and Immigration Convnissiotfai for a time, you'll still see pr local offices identified as Unemployment Insurance offices or Canada Manpower. Ceittres: When they're together in one location, they'll be called Canada Employment Centres. Canada's unemployment '4,k,1 /4 Insurance Program Working with people who *ant to work. V 4i • •