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Zurich Citizens News, 1978-05-11, Page 3:'3•',�,`�`CPQ•:.L't3;£''�"ct:)`'�'.?i?'tfi'',�Y`:,�. •" ,: i� ,.�'���. <V';x, >y�x,•.. :at'. By JACK RIDDELL k MPP Huron -Middlesex There has been con- siderable discussion about the status of The Occupatidnal Health and Safety Act, which was amended by a committee of the Legislature, broadening the scope of the legislation to include all workers in the non-agricultural sector, including public servants. In addition, having held meetings with management and labour groups, we have concluded that there are certain relatively safe work places, such as offices and retail shops, where health and safety committees would be required only in exceptional circumstances. For these work places, committees could be established at the discretion of the Minister, rather than on a mandatory basis. The Minister of Labour has raised strong objections to drastic alteration of the bill, and has suggested there should be separate legislation for groups such as policemen, firemen, em- ployees of general and psychiatric hospitals as well as farm workers. She has refused to consider the question of coverage for farm workers as a separate . issue from the general question of widening the scope of the bill. The NDP's position is that they want the amended bill re -introduced, so that it extends to everyone the right to refuse unsafe work. Citizens News, May 11, 1978 .;. .sn{t `: �/�•;7ai?ca'.{.? £� a��✓�Y,�L�,r Page 3 •�'<�:xC'.0g. ,alMp:; ?y r, liar ,� ,�: ,�cx�, Safety Act Smith raised the question in the Legislature this week about the practice by which supermarket chains demand a two percent discount on produce from produce growers and shippers, allegedly in order to promote Ontario produce. Responding at first to the question, the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Mr. William Newman said to his knowledge and as far as his Ministry is concerned, the chain stores were not charging producers for the promotion of Ontario produce on any of the produce they were buying, He said prices were negotiated from time to time between the producers and the chain stores, which he felt was fair in a free en- -terprise system, but he agreed to look into the situation. Later in the week in a statement to the House he reported that the matter had been looked into and it was found that the discount did exist but that it was not widespread. As far as he knew only two chains were involved in this discount and they have agreed to discontinue the practice. They were in the process of advising their suppliers that the discount has been eliminated. Peter Lindley, president of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association said in a statement that Loblaws have been deducting two percent from the cheques it issues to pay growers, shippers, and packer -shippers for Ontario produce. No explanation was given on the cheque for the deduction. Mr. Lindley said some produce suppliers have paid these discounts but some have not. He said if all chains went this route and charged two fresh fruit and vegetable purchases, it would add an extra $2 or $3 million to the produce portion of our consumers' food bill, each year in Ontario. Loblaws has been demanding the discount for about a year and Dominion started it recently. Mr, Lindley said although this practice is not illegal, it is unethical. He said they can see no legitimate cost to warrant these deductions. Robert Nixon, Liberal member for Brant -Oxford- Norfolk, asked that the Attorney General, Roy McMurtry look into the matter to see if any provincial laws have been broken or what action can be taken to see that the producers who have lost out on this two percent for at least a year, have some procedure whereby they can recoup this payment. Mr. McMurtry assured him that he would respond to the legal issues raised. In an attempt to control the rowdyism and drunkenness which has traditionally marred holiday weekends, a temporary alcohol ban has been im- posed in 10 Southern Ontario Provincial Parks: a partial ban has been im- posed in one other park. The ban will be lifted on June -i9,. but for the remainder of the season open containers of alcohol will be permitted only at campsites at all 128 provincial parks. Under these alcohol regulations to be applied on a trial basis this year, park officers have the power to remove violators and cancel their permits. Anyone caught breaking the rules will not be allowed to return to the park within 72 hours of the offence without the permission of the .park superintendent. Liberal Leader Stuart percent on all Ontario -grown The total ban applies to VERYSPECIAL PURCHASE OF SWIVEL ROCKERS BY SPECIAL PURCHASE (FIVE FABRICS TO CHOOSE FROM) Arrowhead, Balsam Lake, Bon Echo, Earl Rowe, Fitzroy, Killbear, Outlet Beach, Presqu'ile, Sibbald Point and Turkey Point. At Algonguin. Park, alcohol will be permitted only in the interior. Under a proposed system for streamlining provincial law, an accused traffic of- fender could offer an ex- planation in his defence by letter rather than court appearance. The Provincial Offences Act and Provincial Courts Amendment Act would give a person who receives a ticket, for example, four choices. He could pay the fine out of court, drop in at the Court at his convenience before the trial date to plead guilty before a justice ofthe peace, offering an explanation to reduce ' his sentence, plead not guilty by mail, or request a trial by checking a box on the ticket and returning it 111111111111®NMI MSKVIII III ®INRI-®III MIN) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 WIDE 1 RANGE 1 OF 1 ROTO 1 TILLERS 1 1 1 1 Iens... a familiar name in lawn and garden circles. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 COUNTRY CORNER STORES HAVE AN EXCELLENT SELECTION OF ALL THE' FINE BOLENS PRODUCTS BOLENS MULCHING MOWERS 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 O- MTa CARMEL Engineered to last with many•con venient features. Enough power to p,octicallyhandle:any fob.. 1 1 OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ATTACHMENTS This tiller is just one of many optional equipment at- tachments. UNTRY LiO�NER STORES 237-3456 Open 10-10, Mon. -Sat. Noon -6 Sunday On- flANUlGon Il� rnAxo AfNo i. 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