The Rural Voice, 1978-04, Page 19More than 200 showed up at the meeting
to hear Mr. Hannam say that he favours a
long term solution that would see
education taxes, and other people services
removed from the property tax base. This,
however would take years, he said so the
OFA had agreed to a short term solution
which would see farm land assessed at its
production value with farmland not taxed
while only farm homes would be taxed. The
provincial government would provide a
grant in lieu of taxes to the local
municipality on all farmland.
Bill Benson, second vice-president of the
OFA said that in Nova Scotia and some
U.S. states farmland and buildings are
already tax exempt. "As long as I pay
taxes like any other householder that's
acceptable." Tax exemption is seen as the
government and province setting priority
in food policy. To the urban consumer this
is acceptable as long as it does not cause a
stir on the shelf."
Some questions from the floor brought
out the fear that there is a thin line
betv.cen a grant and taxes and felt that in
the ycars ahead they could lose ownership
of their land. Mr. Hannam said that court
decisions have long shown that the
payment of taxes is the lowest indicator of
the oy: ncrship of the land. "Land belongs
to whoever is named on the deed" he said.
"As to the futufe, the government could
take over your land tomorrow. We can
anticipate all kinds of fearful possibilities
in 10 years time. But who's to say what can
happen."
The OFA proposal won support from
Gerry Ginn. Huron county warden. reeve
of Godcrich township and a farmer. He say:
the need for grant reform so that townships
would not be paying more. "The OFA
proposal is acceptable to nic as a farmer
and a council official." he said.
Merle Gunby of Dungannon said that the
proposal is the best suggestion that has
conic up. He said so far no alternatives
have leen suggested.
Mr. Hannam said the OFA needs to
kno‘. the impact of the proposal on
communities and had to date not replied
formally tui the government. "No more
- compromising." he said. "We arc open t.
the direction of our membership."
Local Junior Farmers
win championship
The Junior farmers from Zone 7.
comprising of Huron, Perth. Bruce and
Grey counties won the overall trophy at the
provincial winter games held on Feb. 25 in
Newmarket.
The Zone 7 men's basketball team won
all its games as did the mixed volleyball
team and the men's badminton team. Both
the men's and the mixed curling teams
won their competitions. The Zone 7 team
took 100 out of a possible 135 points. It was
the second straight win for Zone 7.
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THE RURAL VOICE/APRIL 1978. PG. 19.