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c Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, January 8, 2003 - 5 > by Peter Jaworski Protocol exemption for car makers Sport utility vehicles face a less severe spotlight than the Oil and Gas Industries under Kyoto. Exempted are the auto manufacturers from the Protocol, while the industries that pump out the fuel for cars and homes still have to abide by the letter or face hefty fines and sanctions. This would be humorously ironic, given the symbolic importance the SUV has played in the ratification of the Protocol--the image of the shopping-mall-bound bourgeois indifferent to the sufferings of a warming planet--were planet--were it not for the intrusion intrusion of an age-old Canadian dilemma. It is as simple as geography, geography, as complex as our regional regional rivalries. The oil and gas industry is primarily Alberta-based. The auto manufacturers are right here in Ontario. Oshawa, the city that 'moto- vates' Canada, gets a political green light. Red Deer does not. Canadians have always found good excuses for haranguing our provincial neighbours. For knocking on Ottawa's doors and requesting, requesting, no, expecting some sort of special treatment or exemption. exemption. All on grounds that, with the exception of language, have more to do with lateral location than genuine difference. difference. This is not dispute the genuine genuine differences that exist between the provinces. It is part and parcel of the rationale behind our federation. Provinces retain jurisdiction over some policy matters in order to allow people greater choice and some competition. It also allows each province to more closely approximate the democratic will of its citizens. This partly explains Alberta's distinct role in our federation as the bulwark bulwark of economic liberty. The value structures in place favour religious communities, relatively liberal gun laws, and some indifference to the alleged dangers of marijuana. Laws of Alberta reflect these preferences. Nevertheless, even with these provisions, greater federal federal powers and additional claims to regional jurisdictions jurisdictions place a strain on the ties that bind. Kyoto, a federal commitment, applies to Alberta even if the majority of Albertans are skeptical, hesitant, hesitant, or outright hostile to it. Another ripple tears at our fabric, the seams threaten to unravel at the slightest perturbation. perturbation. This is an exaggeration, thank goodness, but one that bears repeating. At some point, someone is going to have to take notice of the strain and not fiddle with the knots too much. Environmental Minister David Anderson, defends the exemption because of a special special deal (hopefully) in place between the government and the auto-manufacturers. Anderson expects the auto manufacturers to further reduce emissions by 25 per cent by 2010, and in return GM, Ford and so on fall out of the purview of Kyoto. Wink wink, nudge nudge. The automotive industry is accusing Anderson and the federal government of undue MORRIS FUNERAL CHAPEL LTD. SERVING DURHAM REGION SINCE 1841 ALL FUNERAL SERVICES PREARRANGED AND/OR PREPAID BURIAL - CREMATION - TRANSFERS "WHERE PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE IS IMPORTANT FUNERAL DIRECTORS PAUL R. MORRIS DOUG R. RUTHERFORD GARY M. CONWAY DEBRA 1). KELL,El 1ER 623-5480 4 DIVISION ST.. BOWMANVILLE - AT QUEEN ST. optimism. Imagine, accusing an environmentalist environmentalist of optimism. Here I thought the world was going to hell in a neatly overpackaged, overpackaged, silicone-based, disposable disposable hand basket full of genetically modified vegetables. vegetables. That, however, is a separate separate issue. As I see it, the truth of the matter more likely approaches questions of electability. The Liberals have little hope of ousting the Alliance from their stronghold out West. But they are susceptible to pressure from their large constituent base here in Ontario. Put those ingredients together in a pot and you have good reasons for the exemption. exemption. Tyrone News by Jacqueline Vaneyk Meeting season has begun! One of the first is the Soil and Crop meeting on Friday, Jan. 10 at Blackstock. Start time is 10:00 a.m. There are also was really some info are sessions for ery. The work appreciated. Our church collected "stuff and money for others. The stuff includes food, toiletries toiletries and other items for The Nutrient Management coming Ark, as well as mitts, scarves up, as well as some consulta- and hats for the Salvation tions. Look for dates as they Army. The money is enough are announced. Environmen- to buy (with Enniskillen) tal Plan workshops are avail- FIVE each of goats, hens, able in the next two months, roosters and pigs. The funds Annual meetings for com- will be spent by World Vision modities are upcoming as well, in parts of Africa. We also R. Jane Cunningham at the raised over $1700 for Mission OMAF office has all the infor- & Service by sponsoring Rev. mation., as does Karen Norm's weight loss! Yellowlees of Durham Annual reports are now Federation of Agriculture. due! Please get them in to the Christmas is over and a big church as soon as possible. It thank you goes to a lot of peo- takes a lot of work and time to pie who did things for the rest get them printed for the annual of us to enjoy. Some decorat- meetings, ed their homes, some wrote Next Sunday, Jan. 12, the and produced programs and service at Tyrone will be led services, some sang and acted by Jake Koene, as Rev. Sell in them, some organized din- will be away. Music will be by ners, some visited people, Sheryl Hunter, some decorated farm machin- Ontario's Environmental Farm Plan Program m WORKSHOPS IN WINTER OF 2003 The Environmental Farm Plan is a program developed by farmers and agricultural organizations to help farmers plan a proactive approach to environmental environmental protection. It raises awareness of environmental issues such as protection of your drinking water, soil management, and nutrient management. management. Come out to a workshop and find out how it can work for you. Upon completion of an approved Action Plan, you will be eligible to recieve a 51500 incentive for help in getting started on projects such as: • Improving manure storage and livestock yards • Safeguarding water wells and other water resources • Soil management • Stream, ditch and flood plain management • Improvements to petroleum and fertilizer storage The completion of an Action Plan will qualify you for additional funds from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (up to 66% of the cost of well improvements or decommissioning an abandoned well). Introductory workshops are scheduled as follows: Nestleton Community Centre, north side of Hwy 7A, approx. 10 km east of Port Perry • Thursday, January 16th, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. OMAF Basement Boardroom, 322 Kent Street West, Lindsay • Tuesday, January 28th from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. • Monday, March 3rd from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sunderland Co-op, Basement Boardroom • Tuesday, January 21st, from 10:00 a.m. • Friday, February 21 st, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Pontypool Community Centre, main street, beside the Post Office • Tuesday, March 11th, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Pre-registration is not required, but encouraged to ensure the availability availability of study materials. If you have already attended the first workshop, but not yet completed your binder, please give me a call. For more information, or to pre-register for a workshop, contact: • Dave Pridham at 705-324-2269, from 5:00 - 9:00 in the evenings.