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WS A a Dl dines 5 ho Ens 36 0M as ii iv, NT war LT RI 12- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, November 4, 1997 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Councillor Ward 2 18yjeboy ebusjjeyo s,moliouwo) jew sje VOTE NOV. 10 985-0750 Authorized By CFO For Ken Carruthers ---- Speaker addresses annual meeting By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star The agricultural com- munity ought to be looking out for future farmers, a speaker said here last week. "It's up to them to carry the torch for farming over the next 20 years," Mary :O'Connor, vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) said at the annual meeting of the Durham Region Federation of Agriculture in Port Perry last Tuesday. Next to automobile manufacturing farming is the largest enterprise con- tributing to the provincial economy, she said. Mrs. O'Connor, who operates a beef feedlot and cash crop operation in Waterloo County with her husband, said the next few years are going to be cru- cial for Ontario farmers. She was speaking at the annual meeting, held at OMAFRA offices in Port Perry. There are many key issues facing farmers today, she said. 0 Proposed provincial I «Buy Two Eat-In Fish & Chip Dinners & Receive Third One i FREE (with coupon) 985-0025 |__ __"Coupon valid till Nov. 30/97 mm | TWO FOR ONE ¥ (with coupon) legislation aimed at giving stronger protection to nor- mal farming practices is now at the second reading stage, said Mrs. O'Connor. Formerly called the Farm Practice Protection Act, the new Farming and Food Production Protection Act balances the interests of rural resi- dents with farmers' con- tinued abilities to grow and deliver food. The act protects farmers from complaints relating to normal farming prac- tices such as noise, odor, dust, light, flies and smoke. Steps have been taken to ensure all municipalities take normal farming prac- tices into account when considering bylaws. The act also addresses environmental issues including the handling, storage and application of manure. a Another issue facing farmers is farm tax rebates. Beginning in the new year, the Farm Tax Rebate Program will cease and be replaced with the Farm Tax Reform, a sepa- rate property class for farm TAKE-OUT SPECIAL | FISH & CHIPS ! tariite Family Diner 1866 Scugog St., Port Perry 7. Halibut and PA Homemade Fries (Includes: 5 fish, 3 fries & 2 colesla ws) By Appointment Only Watch For Guest Appearances * House Parties * Fund Raisers * Corporate Functions (If you are gifted, we welcome your call) . 1888 Scugog Street (Inside Komputer Klinic) Port Perry, 985-3476 At the annual meeting of the Durham Re O'Connor, vice-president of the Ontario about the issues farmers face today. Wagenaar, Director of Durham East, Ho DeGeer, Director of Durham West. land and outbuildings. The new tax rate, set at 25 per cent of the residen- tial rate, will take effect Jan. 1, 1998. To be eligible for the new rate, farmers will require a valid farm business registration num- ber before Dec. 31, 1997. a Also concerning farm- ers are changes being made in the Workers' Compensation Board, said Mrs. O'Connor. One-third of farmers in Ontario pay premiums to the WCB. Like all busi- nesses, large or small, farmers have to pay pre- Purchase A Fish & Chip Family Pack and receive FREE 2 LITRE POP (with coupon) 985-0025 *Coupon valid till Nov. 30/97 i. miums to the WCB. A few changes in the bill will be particularly relevant to farm employers. Bill 99, The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, which received passage Oct. 9, becomes effective in January 1998. Currently, all employers within a rate group pay the same rate of assess- ment, regardless of their claim record. But under the new act, the farmer's rate of assessment will be adjusted upward or down- ward, based on his or her claim record. gion Federation of Agriculture, Mary Federation of Agriculture spoke to members In photo with Mrs. O'Connor are (L-R) John wie Herrema, President of the DRFA and Brian As a result, efforts at injury prevention, health and safety awareness and timely return to work pro- grams for injured workers should help to reduce the cost of workers' compensa- tion to employers by reduc- ing the frequency and cost of claims. On Monday, Nov. 24, the OFA is holding its annual convention at the International Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre in Toronto. Mrs. O'Connor encour- aged everyone in the room to attend. Port Perry Business Improvement Area 8 I. i HERE*S' OUR OCTOBER Lorrie Red, Port Perry entered contest at Port Perry IGA $ 50°° JACK'S SHORT STORY WINNER Mrs. Diane Runcieman, Seagrave - entered contest at Port Perry Star 100% oxi DECORATING WINNER Elaine Nickolson, Port Perry entered contest at Port Perry Star Many thanks to our contest winners, entrants and participating merchants. WE HOPE YOU HAD FUN! Congratulations from If you have any comments/suggestions for next year's contests, call 9854971 or write to: Port Perry BIA, Box 04, Port Perry, Ontario LL IA2. Ltention: Promotions/Advertising Committee. HOME [PORT PERRY]