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ugog Citizen -- Tuesday, September 21, 1993 --23. Whalen shows he can still spin a good yarn Eugene Whalen lived up to his reputation. During his long tenure as an MP and minister of agriculture, he was known as a champion and defender of farmers. Speaking in front of a mostly farm audience in Blackstock last Wednesday evening left no doubt that he hasn't changed since retiring from politics nearly a decade ago. "In Canada and the rest of the world, the most important thing is food. We can't be anything without it," he told nearly 200 people at the Blackstock and District Lions Club 12th Annual Farmers Night. "If everybody else in this society was a productive as the farmers, we never would have had inflation in this country," he said, his voice rising to make the point. Sporting his trademark green stetson, Whalen delivered a long, rambling, anecdotal speech in which he touched on host of topics, many related to agriculture. But what his address may have lacked in substance, it made up in passion and commitment to the country's farmers and food producers. Whalen came to the defense of farm subsidies when he said Port Perry Minor Softball Association ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Latcham Centre 7 PM - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th, 1993 General meeting and Election of Officers. farmers often get rapped unfairly for them. He noted that a lot of people in society (civil servants, teachers, police and firefighters, even MPs) collect 100 per cent of the salaries from tax dollars. Yet, farmers, who may get just a portion of their living through a subsidy get knocked even though they too are providing a service essential to society. "Why are politicians of today afraid to defend the food producers who are constantly under attack," he asked. Whalen left no doubt he remains a staunch supporter of supply management marketing boards for farm goods, especially perishables like poultry and dairy products. "Before supply management in this country, there was utter chaos in the marketplace. There is no way you can compare (marketing) of eggs, milk or butter to cars, truckg or fridges. They can't be turned out like cars and trucks that LIMITED TI White Vinyl Siding Aluminum Soffit - Plain or sit on a lot waiting for a buyer to come along," he said, his voice rising for emphasis. Whalen said Canada has the toughest standards in the world when it comes to food inspections and that's just the way he likes it. "I would prefer to pay a few more dollars to be sure that food is properly 'inspected and prepared," he said. "I never over-ruled my inspectors (when he was ag minister) The (processing) plants never got in trouble because we were tough," he afided. ' While he kept his speech largely non-partisan, he couldn't resist a shot at Canada's negotiators at the GATT talks in Geneva, Switzerland. "Fhey have been there seven years in the most expensive city in the world." 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PRICES INCLUDE DELIVERY Whalen, who represented the riding of Windsor-Essex for the Liberals for 22 years, was at his best relating an anecdote involving the late John Diefenbaker. He had been on a TV news show and had used the word "bastards" on air. On Monday morning he got a call from Diefenbaker and thought he was going to get a blistering for his colourful "He (Diefenbaker) said 'Mr. * Minister, you were superb,' then he hung up the phone." Whalen is best known for his days Canada's minister of agriculture during the Trudeau years. But he spent 35 years in public life, first as a school trustee, a local councillor, reeve and country warden. As for the green stetson that he wears everywhere, it was a gift in 1974 from farmers in Swan River Manitoba when he opened a farm exhibition. 'I'm trying to be as inconspicuous as possible," he quipped. "When I first wore that green hat, a lot of people thought I was some kind of kook, yet I'm still recognized everywhere, on the Toronto subway on the street corners in Port Perry or Uxbridge," he said with a big smile. Zany GORESKI SUVMER RESORT LTD. SCUGOG ISLAND, PORT PERRY (416) 985-9763 Your Winter Storage Specialists Covered Winter Storage RATES '93-'94 BOAT LENGTH Upto 15°11" ... $225.00 16" to 17°11" ... $285.00 18" to 19°11" ... $320.00 20" to 21°11"... $385.00 22'1024°11" ... $435.00 25'to 28°11". CLEARANCE SALE up to 25% OFF All Marine Access Fishing Tackle Clothing, RV Accessories & More! The Community Spirit inPortPerry BACARDI Amber Rum plans to support the Scugog Fire Department's Water Rescue Equipment Fund. "for every bottle* of BACARDI Amber Rum purchased between September 15,1993 and November 8, 1993. BACARDI Amber Rum is proud to be a part of your community. 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