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Wednesday, August 30, 2006 · Page 14 Representing rural concerns by Ron Bonnett, President Ontario Federation of Agriculture standing Government committee hearings into Bill 43, the Clean Water Act, have attracted a lot of participation and public interest. In her opening remarks, Environment Minister Laurel Broten mentioned that no one tool alone will protect our drinking water. She also mentioned that the government is considering eliminating the idea of a permit system and creating risk management tools. This would seem to indicate the message of the farm community is being heard. Over the last number of months, OFA and our partners in the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition identified a number of key concerns with the approach of the proposed legislation. We have met with minister, we have met with MOE staff and we have met with numerous elected representatives from both sides of the legislature. We presented sound, reasoned arguments for the need to amend the proposed bill. As groups made presen- tations to the Standing Committee on Social Justice the week of August 21st to 25th the need for changes to the proposed legislation surfaced again and again. It was gratifying to the farm community to see that many of the issues we identified were also identified as concerns by other groups. In OFA's presentation to the standing committee, we began by focussing on the lack of a clear purpose statement. We said Justice O'Connor was fairly clear when he reported on the Walkerton Inquiry, and "the farm community has been clear that the focus has to be on municipal drinking water sources. If you design things too broadly, you're likely not going to address the target you want to address." There was also a call from a number of groups for clearer definitions of terms used in the legislation. Without well defined terms, the standing committee was told there was a risk of inconsistent application of the legislation in all parts of the province. Terms like "exposure," "risk," "pathway" and even the term "precaution" can take on a number of different meanings and to be useful, the legislation must be really clear. OFA and its partners in the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition have been telling the provincial government that an adequate compensation package will be necessary to make the legislation workable. When questioned by committee member MPP John Wilkinson about whether the Ministry of the Environment or the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs should take the lead with funding programs, we said farmers weren't particular as long as adequate funding was provided to implement the requirements of the legislation. To be fair, we said, environmental initiatives should be funded by the environment ministry because agriculture has enough of its own funding issues with OMAFRA and programs of that ministry. Clean water is not an issue that should be mired in partisan politics. We would expect that committee members would examine our proposed amendments and make recommendations for change that support the objective of protecting municipal and communal water systems and an approach that protects farmers and rural communities. A number of county federations, and most commodity organizations made presentations at the five hearing locations. Residents of the province can make written submissions to the committee until Monday, August 28th. OFA's website, www.ofa.on.ca, has all those details. Applications for farming awards now being accepted QUEEN'S PARK ­ The McGuinty government is recognizing innovation in the province's agriculture sector by launching the Premier's Awards for AgriFood Innovation Excellence, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Aug. 25. "By fostering innovation that starts on the farm, the McGuinty government is helping Ontario's farmers prosper through new products and new markets," said Dombrowsky. "This program recognizes the innovation that farmers have always shown in running their businesses." The ministry is now accepting applications for the program. As many as 55 regional awards, valued at $5,000 each, will be presented. The recipients of the Premier's Award (up to $100,000) and the Minister's Award (up to $50,000) will be selected from the regional winners. "An investment in innovation is an investment in Ontario," said Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation Dalton McGuinty. "One idea can generate new products, new jobs and new opportunities. That's why we're recognizing and honouring the spirit of innovation that thrives on our farms, by creating the five-year $2.5-million Premier's Award for AgriFood Innovation Excellence." Farm-level innovation can assist the agri-food industry to meet the challenges facing the sector by, among other things, enhancing profitability in the marketplace, meeting evolving consumer demands and better managing the effects of farming on the environment. Jack Morris Four broad criteria will be used to identify the winning innovations: uniqueness and originality, stage of development, the impact or benefits of the innovation, and adoption and/or commercialization. Applications must be received by November 30, 2006, and will be reviewed by an independent panel from across Ontario's agri-food industry. Additional information and application forms are available at www.omafra. gov.on.ca. Auctions Inc. OFA offering energy alternatives Exceptionally clean, well cared for items including Roxton DR set, Tools, few antiques, China, Limited Edition Barbie's, other Dolls, Jewelry, etc. Saturday, September 9 at 10:00 AM At 289 Notre Dame, Belle River, for Mr. Edmund Mailloux and including items from a Windsor home and a local collector. Auctioneer: Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 or 1-800-462-3561 Details and photos at www.jackmorrisauctions.com Household Auction Sale LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. Friday, September 1 at 8:00 AM at the former M & M Auto Repair 940 Goyeau St., Windsor Under bailiff instructions, we will offer the complete chattels and inventory by way of a sealed bid either as a turn-key (lease info available) or in block. Bids will be accepted until 10 a.m. on Friday at which time all bids will be reviewed by landlord and sold subject to their approval, failing which the contents will be sold piece by piece and to include ­ Hoffman wheel balancer, Bear engine analyzer, trans. flush system, F.P.P.F. recycler system, air grease gun, air tire changer, engine hoist and stand, Corda welder, trans. and floor jacks, F.M.C. disc brake grinder, strut machine, tool chests, power and air tools, storage cabinets, various new auto parts, etc. NOTE: Business opportunity on a high traffic area. Further conditions and terms will be announced prior to sale and also on bid sheets. Preview 8 a.m. sale day or by appointment and items will be sold at 10:15 a.m. if sealed bids are not acceptable to landlord. GUELPH ­ As the Ontario Government shifts its dependence from coal to nuclear to meet the province's energy needs, farmers have solutions that are not only renewable but much less threatening to the environment, says Ron Bonnett, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Earlier this year, OFA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ontario Power Authority, Hydro One, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Energy to review and improve the ways agriculture fits into the province's energy scene. Agriculture is a major user of electrical energy ­ everywhere from dairy and poultry production to greenhouse operations, Bonnett said. "This makes a continuous, affordable supply of energy critical to the success of Ontario agriculture." Production of electrical energy from wind generators and bio-digesters are some of the options being developed. OFA is also launching a program to test and use grains and other bio-fuels to replace some of the coal at the Lambton and Nanticoke generators. The winner of the Essex County Plowmen's 50-50 Draw held August 19 was Sylvain Gagnier of Comber RICHARD LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. TECUMSEH 735-3070 Congratulations! $251.50