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The Citizen, 1992-02-19, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19,1992. Will the politicians follow? The last of the federal government’s national unity conferences ended on the weekend without spelling out all the answers to Canada's problems, but at least have set the country on a new course that could bring success...if the politicians don't muck it up. The five conferences held across Canada over the past few weekends, brought together some politicians and constitutional experts just as in most such conferences, but brought a breath of fresh air in the number of ordinary Canadians that were included. They were people without a turf to protect, without power to be gained by taking this or that constitutional option. What they had to gain was a strong Canada, a Canada that could protect what they wanted as individuals. As individuals they showed a love of the whole country, not just their own little corner. They showed a willingness to compromise, not seek an edge in bargaining. Unfortunately, the constitutional process must now be turned back to the bureaucrats and politicians. Once again the premiers will have to become involved and once again they're likely to claim that in the interests of protecting "their" citizens, they must insist on more power to the provinces and less to the federal government. One would hope they might get the message that came through loud and clear at those conferences: that even if Quebec must be given more power, ordinary Canadians don’t still want to see a strong central government for the rest of the country. One would hope that provinces like Ontario might see that a reformed Senate might be a small price to pay even if it does give small provinces a disproportionate amount of power. The ordinary people conferences were about understanding and giving, about putting love of country first. It's too bad we couldn't have more such conferences- conferences for instance that would bring a wide variety of Quebecers together with ordinary people from Alberta and Newfoundland and Ontario to let them define what the country is. What the delegates at the conference found is that they started comparing what we had in common, not what was different. We need to tell the petty politicians to bring people together, not drive them apart Uphill battle Perhaps as many as 25,000 Canadian farmers will gather on Parliament Hill to show their support for orderly farm marketing this Friday. If they don't accomplish much they may at least stimulate the economy by giving work to 500 tour bus operators. The farmers, most members of supply management systems for dairy products, eggs, chicken and turkey, are fighting an uphill battle. They are a tiny minority of Canadians caught in a huge game where the majority see them as an obstacle to better things ahead. There are indications that although the federal government has pledged to support supply management in the GATT talks, negotiators are prepared to give in to foreign demands to more access to our markets in order to gain freer trade in industrial products. Who can blame the federal government if it gives in? Who is on the side of the farmers? Certainly not big business which sees opportunities for even more international trade with less regulation if the GATT talks succeed. The huge companies that process chicken and dairy products would love to see an end to the marketing board system that would let them buy raw materials when and where they want, and at whatever price they can beat producers down to. Certainly not consumers who see marketing boards as driving up the price of milk and eggs and chicken and turkey and who look fondly across the border at bargain-basement priced products from huge factory farms. Not even many of their fellow farmers support the supply management farmers. Western grain farmers have been pressing the government to bargain away supply management to get an agreement between the Europeans and the Americans to end their trade war which has bankrupted many western farmers. Many beef and pork farmers are philosophically opposed to supply management. It's ironic that in a country where the entire rural economy is in trouble, the one group of farmers that is in reasonably strong financial shape should be under attack. It's ironic that while everyone complains about subsidies to agriculture, the farmers who take the least subsidy (absolutely nothing in the case of eggs, turkey and chicken) should be the ones government, consumers and their fellow farmers should be ready to sacrifice. It doesn't make sense, but in this dog-eat-dog world, what does? Looking Back Through the Years ONE YEAR AGO February 20,1991 The Brussels rail line received a temporary reprieve under a ruling handed down by the National Transportation Agency. Canadian National Railway had applied to abandon the line from Listowel to Wingham through Ethel and Brus­ sels. The downsizing of Huronview to reduce the number of residents of the present Huronview down to the capacity of the two newer, smaller homes to be constructed, was post­ poned due to construction delays. The Huron County Health Unit announced it would no longer be providing the immunization clinic for adults and travelers at the Goderich office. The first issue of "The Canadian Voice" came off the presses, as the Blyth Festival launched their national newsletter on play devel­ opment in Canada. Blyth’s share of the cost of the Blyth and District Community Centre increased by five per cent under new figures on who used the arena complex. THREE YEARS AGO February 15,1989 A group of Morris Township farmers became the first Huron County landowners to formally protest the 'Rails to Trails' propos­ al, requesting the return of the Continued on page 23 CitizenTheNorthHuron P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont NOG 1 HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable In advance at a rate of $20.50/year ($19.16 plus $1.34 G.S.T.) for local; $41.73/year ($39.00 plus $2.73 G.S.T.) for local letter carrier In Goderich, Hanover, Ustowel, etc. and out-of-area (40 miles from Brussels); $60.00/year for U.S.A, and Foreign. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. 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