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Zurich Citizens News, 1976-11-03, Page 12Page 12 -Citizens News, November 3, 1976 Jack Riddell The Ontario Legislature reconvened for the fall session on Tuesday, October 26, with a number of Ministers making lengthy statements explaining bills to be introduced later in the day. Some of the more significant announcements dealt with family law, farm income stabilization, a delay in moving to market value assessment as a basis for property taxation, and an agreement entered into between Reed Paper and the Provincial Government concerning forestry rights over a vast area of Nor- thwestern Ontario. The Farm Stabilization Bill which was introduced by the Government on the opening day incorporated many of the. amendments made by the Opposition Members to the Bill which was defeated in the spring session. The Minister of Agriculture responded to Opposition demands to bring in legislation to provide a volun- tary, contributory plan covering all commodities. The new legislation is hinged to the Federal Stabilization Plan, which guarantees farmers up to 90 percent of the average of the last five years' prices on certain named commodities. Other commodities under the Federal Plan can be designated for a price guarantee of up to 90 per- cent in any one year pending the decision of the Federal Govern- ment after taking into con- sideration the existing market price and the effect that the price would have on producers and future production. Under the proposed legislation the Province will add another five percent on to the Federal Plan guaranteeing 95 percent on named commodities under the Federal Plan which must be supported to a level of at least 90 percent. But for any commodity that is not covered to the 90 percent level by Ottawa, the Ontario Plan will simply add another five percent of the last five years' average market price of that commodity to the prevailing market price. For all commodities the Ontario Plan supports the difference between 90 percent of the five year average price and 95 percent of the 5 year average price. This is satisfactory for com- modities named under the Federal Stabilization Plan but it is extremely punishing for commodities not covered by the Federal Plan. As critic of the Agriculture Ministry for the Liberal Party, I feel that in the absence of a Federal Plan the Provincial Plan should provide full protection. Another weakness in the bill is the method of indexing for ad- justing payments to keep up with the inflation. The cost used for indexing in accordance with the bill are cash cost and in my opinion the indexing system should cover all production costs. This could include a return for the farmer's labour and in- vestment. There is also the danger in this bill that the support level on named commodities under the Federal Plan is too rigid. The Bill states that the support level must be 95 percent of the five year average price adjusted for changes in some input costs, In some commodities where over production is feared, producers may not want a support level that is that high. All in all we in the Liberal Party are pleased that the program is to be voluntary and that farmers are to contribute. Farmbi 11 introduced in legislature Apart from the support level for unnamed or undesignated commodities under the Federal Plan we are pleased that all commodities are to be covered and that there is provision for consulation with farm organizations and an opportunity for the Federal Government to share the cost. As I indicated previously I would like to see some amend- ments to the bill and if approved then I feel we have taken a major step forward in bringing some kind of stability to the agriculture industry in Ontario and the assurance to the consumer of an adequate supply of high quality food at reasonable prices. When introducing the Family Law Reform Act, 1976, the Attorney General, the Honourable Roy McMurtry said that the existing common and statute law has failed to keep pace with the challenges of modern family life. He said that the new Bill sweeps away the ramshackle structures of the law governing matrimonial property and support obiligations in a marriage breakdown situation. I in the security of the family home and abolishes the ancient right of dower. The bill comprises five parts, each dealing with distinct though related subject areas. Part One deals with the division of family assets between the spouses where the marriage breakdown occurs. The basic rule in that is that family assets will be divided equally between the spouses. Family assets which comprise property owned by either or both spouses, the things that a family use together as a family, would be shared equally by the spouses on a marriage break -down regardless who had bought the property and irrespective of which spouse held legal title. Part two concerns the obligations of spouses to support each other and their children, whether born within or outside of marriage, and of children to support their parents in ac- cordance with the needs and capacity of each party. This part also creates a limited obligation of one common law spouse to support the other. Where two persons lived together as if married, one person frequently becomes dependent on the other, especially if there is a child of the union, If one of these two people is no longer self-sufficient, it is reasonable to look to the other to assist in restoring him or her to financial independence. Mr. McMurtry said it was more desirable to place a support obligation on common law spouses than have a large number of persons, who are living common law, looking to public welfare for support. A common law spouse can claim support only after at least two years cohabitation. Part three of the Family Reform Act, 1976, provides rules for insuring that the matrimonial home is not dealt with by one spouse so as to deprive the other or the children of a home. This part provides security for the members of the family by requiring that both spouses join in any sale or mortgage of the matrimonial home. The family's right to shelter is protected against the unilateral act of either husband or wife. Provision is also made for either spouse to obtain an order to exclusive possession of the home and its contents, where financial support alone would be inadequate. Part Four of the' Bill permits spouses to enter into com- prehensive marriage contracts covering their respective rights to property, support, custody and education of children and any other matters arising during their marriage or on an eventual marriage breakdown. A marriage contract could prevail over any of the provisions of the Act except where it limited a spouse's rights in the matrimonial home or reduced a spouse to dependence on welfare or included provisions contrary to the best interests of the children of the marriage. The last part of the Bill, Mr. McMurtry said, contains many amendments to statute and abrogations of the common law consequential upon the previous four parts. Part V abolishes the last vestiges of the inferior status in law of the married woman and completes the work begun.in the Family Law Reform Act, 1975. The Family Law Reform Act of 1975 is incorporated as part of this Act. Mr. McMurtry advised that his Ministry has prepared a pam- phlet and an information booklet explaining the bill and these documents will be distributed freely as widely as possible across the Province. NOTICE OF NOMINATION Nomination for Reeve and Council Members for representation on the VILLAGE OF ZURICH COUNCIL will be received by the undersigned COMMENCING ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11 and until 5 p.m. E.S.T. on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15th Four council members and one reeve to be elected to the Village of Zurich Council for the years 1977 and 1978. Elizabeth A. Oke Clerk, Village of Zurich Zurich, Ontario NOMIN TON OF TOWNSHIP OF HAY Notice is hereby given to municipal electors of the Township of Hay, that nominations will be received by the undersigned, for the following positions on the Hay Township Council. Reeve Deputy -Reeve Council (3 to be elected) Term --- 1977 & 1978 The nomination period will commence on November 10th, 1976 and will conclude on Novem- ber 15th, 1976 at 5:00 p.m. NOTE: The required nomination form must be used and may be obtained at the Hay Township Office. Wayne C. Horner Clerk -Treasurer Township of Hay Nominations of Public School Supporters will be received by the undersigned for representation on the Huron County Board of Education. Nominees may be from any of the following municipalities: Township of Hay Village of Hensall Village of Zurich (One representative to be elected to the Huron County Board of Education.) The nomination period will commence on November 10th, 1976 and will conclude on Novem- ber 15th, 1976 at 5:00 p.m. NOTE: The required nomination form must be used and may be obtained at the Hay Township Office. Wayne C. Horner Clerk -Treasurer Township of Hay NOTICE OF NOMINATION Nominations of Separate School Supporters will be received by the undersigned for representa-, tion on the combined Roman Catholic Separate School Zone Board. Nominees may be from any of the following municipalities: Township of Hay Village of Bayfield Term 1977-1978 (One representative to be elected to the combin- ed Roman Catholic Separate School Zone Board.) The nomination period will commence on November 10th, 1976, and will conclude on November 15th, 1976 at 5:00 p.m. NOTE: The required nomination forrn must be used and may be obtained at the Hay Township Office. Wayne C. Horner Clerk -Treasurer Township of Hay