Carl Palmer was more optimistic eight weeks ago than he is today.
Leaning on his two canes at a Winnipeg conference of the Canadian Farmers with Disabilities Registry in early November, he explained his group’s big plans. It had just met
Nov. 2 with an Agriculture Canada official who suggested there might be money in the near future for the group if it presented a good plan.
Palmer of Truro, N.S., is president of the 1,000-member group that represents individuals injured by accident or illness, but who want to continue farming.
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Volunteers from the group often meet as role models for new accident victims and offer advice for rehabilitation.
But the optimism is in shorter supply now.
During a Dec. 19 conference call with the federal government, the national group and its nine provincial branches – there is no representation from British Columbia – were told any money the registry could get from the Canadian Rural Adaptation Council would have to be matched by the same amount from other sources.
Palmer said the registry, which is a registered charity, will be contacting various corporations. However, it has missed the Christmas donation period and the next best chance for corporate dollars is in the spring.
“The holdup on the whole thing might be due to the poor agricultural situation,” Palmer said.
But he said another problem appears to be Ottawa’s reluctance to commit funding in the uncertain potential of a U.S. war on Iraq.
“I’m still optimistic about federal funding.”
He said a national conference the group had intended to hold in March might be delayed to at least June. A possible site is Ottawa because of its central location.
Neil Enns, who chairs the Manitoba branch, said the national registry has more members in Eastern Canada, but Manitoba and Saskatchewan have the strongest organizations.
“In Manitoba, we have seen very little from the provincial government. We have private funding from grain companies, chemical companies and banks.”
Bob Elian of the Farmers with Disabilities program runs the oldest branch, which was started by the Saskatchewan Abilities Council in 1985. He said the Saskatchewan program exists mainly on sponsorships and donations from agricultural companies. There is no direct provincial government money.
“It would be wonderful if there was support” from the federal government, he said.
Farmers have told him the most important part of the program is its hospital visitation service to the newly disabled. Sharing ideas about mechanical assists to help the disabled continue to farm is also important, he added.
