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Program to aid low-income farmers Following up on commitments made in Budget 2006, our government has announced an innovative new program to help lower-income farm families. The Canadian Farm Families Options Program (Options) will provide short-term income support while helping farm families explore options to raise their income for the future. Options is open to farm families or individual farmers who have a total income of less than $25,000 or less than $15,000 respectively, in all provinces and territories. Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2006. Payments will be made to farmers this fall. Options is a pilot program, with a federal commitment of $550 million over two years. This program also offers additional business and technical assistance for which the federal government is covering the cost. Application forms and full program details are now available on the program Web site www.agr.gc.ca/options or by calling toll free 1866-367-8506. This program announcement is another step in the process of helping the agricultural community, not only here in Wellington-Halton Hills but all across this country. I would like to remind everyone to support our agricultural community. Remember to, Michael Chong when possible, shop Canadian, shop Ontario and shop locally. When we put local food on our tables, everyone benefits. Not only do we get the freshest, best-tasting food to be eaten with pride, our local farms and food producers flourish. I would also like to remind everyone to support our local fall fairs. Over the coming weeks there will be fall fairs organized by the agricultural societies all over the region. They are educational and fun. I hope to see you there. If you require additional information about the Options Program or if you need any other assistance the constituency offices will be pleased to assist you. Please contact me at 1-866-878-5556 or chongm@parl.gc.ca --Michael Chong is the MP for Wellington-Halton Hills Wal-Mart lends a hand...twice The Easter Seals Society is $1,292 richer after a donation from the Georgetown Wal-Mart staff, which was matched at the corporate level. The funds were raised by the Paper Eggs campaign, in which eggs were sold in the store for $2 and posted on the walls. On hand for the presentation were (from left) Wal-Mart Georgetown store assistant manager Yolanda Lemus, store manager John Divirgilio, Wal-Mart Georgetown charity manager Agnes Jackman and Easter Seals Society district manager Jennie Christian. (Below) Wal-Mart employee Shawn Irwin (left) and his wife Melissa, recently were given a cheque for $1,818 from his fellow employees and matched by Wal-Mart at the corporate level, to help the Irwins after their infant son was recently killed in an auto accident. On hand for the presentation were (front, from left) Shawn and Melissa Irwin, Wal-Mart store manager John Divirgilio and Sarah Byers, customer service manager of charity and fundraising. (Rear, from left) Wal-Mart employee Scott Lord and store planner Shaun Detrich. Photos by Ted Brown School bus orientation day set for Saturday The Halton School Bus Safety Committee is hosting its annual School Bus Orientation Day on Saturday, Aug. 26, starting at 9 a.m. In Georgetown it will be held at Georgetown District High School, hosted by Laidlaw Transit Ltd, 905-877-2251. In Acton it will be held at Acton High School, hosted by Tyler Transport Ltd, 519853-1550. To register students for a preferred time slot, parents should call the host bus company at the desired location. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the free sessions, which will feature school bus company safety officers and bus drivers discussing overall school bus safety.