Ethanol potential
OTTAWA (Staff) — The potential for grain-based ethanol fuel in Canada will receive a full airing by a parliamentary committee this winter.
The Commons environment committee will make a study of ethanol its first priority.
As well as a parade of fuel efficiency experts and environmental spokesmen, the committee is expected to be a showcase for farm groups arguing that government support of expanded ethanol use would create an important new market for farm products.
Call for ag reporter
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Canola council cuts field agronomy team
The Canola Council of Canada is cutting its agronomy team as part of a “refreshed strategic framework.”
In its pre-budget meeting with finance minister Paul Martin, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture asked him to press the CBC to put a full-time agriculture reporter in Ottawa.
Loss of the national agricultural radio reporter position in Ottawa two years ago and the CBC decision last year to end a contract fill-in position has been a sore spot for agricultural lobbyists, who complain that federal farm and food issues rarely receive coverage from Ottawa on the publicly-funded network.
The CFA asked that a CBC television agricultural reporter also be hired for Parliament Hill coverage.
Parliament Hill chair
The Liberals have elected an Ontario farm woman as chair of the national Parliament Hill caucus.
Jane Stewart, a rookie Ontario MP who comes from a prominent provincial political family, was elected caucus chair last week.
She is a consultant and also a partner in a family farm at St. George, Ont. Stewart claims membership in the Ontario Federation of Agriculture as one of her credentials.
Her father, Robert Nixon, is a former Ontario treasurer and provincial Liberal leader. Her grandfather, Harry Nixon, was a Liberal premier of the province.
Fax, call in your question
Canadians who have always wanted to ask a question to the government in daily House of Commons Question Period may now have a chance.
The Reform Party says it will take its Question Period cue from Canadians who fax or telephone a question to the party’s Ottawa offices. Those willing to pay the cost of a fax or telephone call can reach the party’s parliamentary offices at 613-947-8888 or 613-947-7777 (fax).
Take passports to U.S.
Canadian travellers to the United States, including children, are being warned by the federal government that they should carry passports with them for identification.
Adults travelling with minors should have documents to prove they have a right to be transporting minors across the international border.
A foreign affairs department spokesperson recently said border crossing officials are becoming more strict in making sure travellers are not illegal immigrants and that children are not being kidnapped or taken from their lawful guardians.
