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Federal 'Ag. Minister on the GATT ruling "To the Editor: I am writing about the outcome of the recent GATT trade negotiations affecting agriculture and especially the future of Canada's supply management 'marketing joined the US in ning against Judi the Cairns Group of Canada. Later, Norway, Israel and Switzerland fell silent. This past October, Japan abandoned Nations and the Director- General of the GATT. We h d our del +1 should sustain a domestic atmosphere in Canada within which our diy, poultry a and 88 'inBusbs the cause for Article 11 and Korea did the same jn December. Canada was left isolated-the Brussels and Geneva with the addition . of ministers, and seniors officials and elected Ain SU WS ly to determine how we want our farm marketing systems to systems. only nation that continued to the Parli t. I function for the future. If the First, I regret that the world = battle for a strengthened and personally went to: the provinces, the supply did not and would not accept the clarified Article 11. bargaining table on three 8 gencies, fa rig d d . It is regrettable that the world different occasions, as did trade and farm organizations are Canada for a strengthened and decided to i ly reject mini Roy MacLaran, Prime to work constructively clarified Article 11 in the GATT. the Canadian position. Minister Jean Chretien with the federal government We have long believed that a When the new Liberal personally put Canada's viewsto within the new tariffication new Article 11, i.e. an internationally sanctioned system of border controls on imported products was the most direct means by which to government took office on November 4 (barely six weeks before the December 15 GATT deadline) we rapidly immersed ourselves in the trade issue. In fe d our unique systems. The Canadi was put forward over seven long years of GATT negotiations. For most of the period, we had important allies on our side: the European Community (EC) Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Norway and Israel. But the United States was always unalterably opposed. About 18 months ago, the EC oe our el platform, we identified a conclusion of the GATT talks as critically important to Canada's overall economic position, but we also undertook to work aggressively for a strengthened and clarified Article 11, recognizing the importance of agriculture as a base industry. And that we did. We carried our message to all the other countries and groups the president of the United States. structures, we can expect to do well. Fortunately, we were not _ A previous. Liberal government flat-footed or 5 d" the unique and at the end. Recognizing the 1 supply direction the world was heading system we have known in this (comprehensive tariffication as a Sone fi the Jast 25 Years in replacement for border text of the trading we went to work exploring the mechanisms that could be available to Canada under a tariff regime to maintain a domestic environment within which our marketing systems could survive. It would have been imprudent and irresponsible of government The Durham Reglon YMCA had a gr at turn out for gymnastic classes and dance classes. in photo above are membars of the Junior Gym class after certificates and badges at a recent below are the members of the Junior J In Blackstock, also taken at a recent parents night. The Y reminds parents that programs are starting again for January and they can call 985-2824 for more Information. Buying or Selling Citizen Want Ads Get Results 36 Water Street, Port Perry not to all the possibl. options in the clear light of where the rest of the world was determined to go. So we did our + homework to be fully prepared for the final GATT outcome. In the end, we achieved a very strong tariff shelter for Canada's supply-managed sector. We also instituted limited access to the Canadian market for imported products--at or very near the minimum allowable under the new GATT rules. These provisions, to come into effect in 1995 through 2001, together with other factors such as the value of the Canadian dollar which favours exports over imports and the high quality of Canadians products, that prevailed in the world at that time. It is now our responsibility to adapt these systems to continue to thrive and prosper in new world circumstances. The new GATT may not be our preference, but with good will and self confidence we need not fear the future. While change is always unsettling, we must see the way ahead as an opportunity not a problem and make sure we take maximum advantage of that opportunity in the interests of Canadian agriculture. Ralph x Federal Minister of Agriculiars, Impressive! To the Editor: The generous Christmas Spirit of our local young people was evident in the wonderful array of toys,. gifts and food items delivered to the Food Bank to fill the Christmas boxes of Operation Scugog. In the past few weeks, we have read some negative comments about the youth in Scugog Township, but the spirit of giving this Christmas and the concern for others shown by students in all our local schools is truly impressive. Congratulations and thank you. Kathy Gundy, Operation Scugog. OK, more lights To the Editor: May we wish you all a very happyand prosperous new year in 19942? We also hope you had a very enjoyous Christmas--especially the GRINCH who swiped the two white floodlight bulbs from the front of our home the night of December 21. We realize many people are Scugog Snow Flake Festival . ak -- 4 > ZO 5 Saturday & Sunday, January 22nd & 23rd 10 EVENTS which each team will enter and compete for a prize for each event and the overall winner for the Scugog Snow Flake Trophy. 5 MEMBERS per TEAM. For more information please call Joanne 985-0046 or Judy 985-9804. Come out and join all the fun!l! 9) Tug-o-! experiencing difficulty making ends meet in these times of recession, so if the individual concerned is in such dire straights, we will be pleased to offer additional lights in readiness for next Christmas. All you had to do was ask. Sincerely, Eric and Lilian Timms, Victorian Village, Port Perry. 10) Beskotoal Hoop Shoot Clip this entry form and mail to : Box 822, Port Perry,Ontario L9L 1A7 Se Scugog Snow Flake Festival Decathalon Team Entry Form Name : Address : or drop it off at ; Peer Pressure, 112 Water Street, Port Perry Phone : Name : Address : Phone : Name : Address : ,, Phone : Name : Address : Phone : Name : Address : Phone :