20A - Southpoint Sun
Nicholls introduces motion to measure ground currents on farms REGIONAL —– Last week, Rick Nicholls, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, presented a Private Member’s Motion on developing a working group for accurately measuring stray current that is affecting livestock and people on Ontario farms. After over a year of working closely with various ministries and experts in the field, MPP Nicholls received unanimous Legislative approval, a very positive move for farming communities. “It is refreshing to finally see all the hard work that my team and I have done finally paying off,” said Rick Nicholls, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington. “Farmers and Ontarians all across the province who have stray current issues will be one step closer to fixing these problems for good.” “I applaud the work of my colleague, MPP Rick Nicholls, for his dedication to get this important issue addressed at Ontario’s legislature,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “I look forward to reviewing the working group feedback so we can find real solutions for the hardworking Ontarians and farmers facing issues with stray voltage.” “Farmers and their livestock have been suffering for decades because of the ground current problem in Ontario and this is now
the third Private Member’s Bill addressing this issue. With Rick Nicholls chairing a working group on how to measure and remediate ground current, and the Minister of Energy supporting this Bill, we may finally resolve this decade long problem and bring relief to our farmers and their animals,” said Dr. Magda Havas, PhD, Professor Emerita at Trent University and one of MPP Nicholls’ experts on the topic. This PMB Motion will allow for the creation of working groups, which will include a variety of experts in the field, to work together and develop best practices in order to protect people and livestock from stray currents. These working groups will also be working closely with local distribution companies to measure both 60 Hz and kHz frequencies around nearby transformers. MPP Nicholls has recommended through his motion that the purpose of this working group will be to learn how to monitor ground current based on the most recent scientific research. In addition, this working group will identify which equipment is best to use, how to best discover the source, remediate problems, and develop workshops for better educating people on conducting ground current monitoring.
OTTAWA — Dave Epp, MP for Chatham-Kent Leamington, recently spoke at the House of Commons with respect to Bill C-30, an act to implement certain provisions of the federal budget, tabled in Parliament on April 19. “In my riding of Chatham-Kent—Leamington, agriculture, agri-food and agri-food processing is a bedrock element of our local economy,” said Epp. “The Canadian agriculture and agrifood system is a key driver of our economy and generates $143 billion, accounts for 7.4% of our GDP, and provides for one in eight jobs, at least in 2018, and more than that this year. “ Epp says that the budget does not include some provisions for up $100 million for rebates from the carbon tax for on-farm natural gas and propane use. “Farmers in my riding and indeed farmers all across Canada can thank Conservatives for this initiative appearing in the budget. Nevertheless, it is good to see that
this issue is acknowledged, and that is a positive,” he said. Epp went on to say that there is one measure that has the potential to move the needle in the adoption of technology in the ag sector, it’s the expansion of high-speed broadband internet to rural and remote areas. “While the $1 billion amount announced for the universal broadband fund pales in comparison to other funding promises, it is the increased use of this technology that does have the potential to lower ag greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. Epp pointed out the situation on Pelee Island, where there is no reliable 911 service, and they have no broadband internet available to the public. Internet speed on the island is either dial-up or slow cellular hubs, both regularly interrupted by stormy weather. “Pelee Island is the very definition of remote, with only boat and air access in summer, in good weather, and only air access in
CARD OF THANKS
! u o y k n Tha With Sincere Thanks
Ronald (Ron) BeRgen We sincerely thank our Relatives and Friends for their words of comfort, food, cards, flowers and expressions of sympathy on the sudden death of our Husband and Brother. Special thanks to the Leamington Mennonite Home’s supportive housing group and Char Epp for your help at such a critical time. Thanks to the EMS team and Leamington Hospital - Your care did not go unnoticed.
Bergen & Schachowskoy Families
HAPPY 90 BIRTHDAY FLOYD JOHNSON
Love From Your Family
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Epp delivers speech at House of Commons
Edith Bergen and the
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winter, again, in good weather,” he added. Southwestern Ontario is serviced by Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT), where 10 per cent of Canada’s underserved broadband area resides. “Under the government’s previous connect to innovate, CTI program, SWIFT’s share of funding should have amounted to $58.5 million, yet the amount received was zero — not a penny,” he said. As he touched on inflation, Epp stated that anyone trying to buy a house or even a 2x4 already knows that asset inflation is here and will soon be followed by an inflated Consumer Price Index and with that, higher interest rates. “Who does this hurt? People who have assets with low debt like this scenario, but for those working for a paycheque, their wages seldom keep up to rising costs,” he added. For a complete transcript of Mr. Epp’s speech, visit his website at daveepp.ca.
CARD OF THANKS
! u o y k n Tha Theresa Bleau
The family of the late Theresa Bleau would like to extend their heartfelt thanks for all of the help, kind words, flowers and gifts received. A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at the Metropolitan campus as well as all the home care nurses and PSW’s that visited Theresa daily at home. To everyone at Erie Shores Hospice in Leamington, we cannot be more grateful for the excellent care and love received. You are very special people. The donations made to hospice on behalf of Theresa are so appreciated. It has given us so much strength knowing how much Theresa was loved by so many people.
The family of Theresa Bleau
Happy 50 Anniversary th
Hard to believe 50 YEARS since I married the love of my life. Happy Anniversary Honey!! Love forever, Tom.
IN MEMORIAM In Loving Memory of
Larry
TrembLay May 15, 1968 - July 3, 2008
Your presence we miss Your memory we treasure Loving you always Forgetting you never. You walk with us down quiet paths And speak in wind and rain For the magic power of memory Gives you back to us again. Love Forever, Mom & Family
