Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones was on the offensive in the provincial legislature last week, challenging Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, to stand up for Ontario farmers insofar as the Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) program is concerned.

The OTS, which came into effect Sept. 1, was initiated by the provincial government with the aim of diverting 90 per cent of scrap on-road tires and collecting and recycling 50 per cent of all scrap offroad tires within five years.

Andrew Horseman, the OTS executive director, disagrees with Ms. Jones' contention that to replace a tractor tire larger than 39 inches will cost a farmer $250.20 in tire stewardship fees (TSF).

By comparison, the TSF on a car tire costs $5.84.

"These are discriminatory new fees being passed on to the agricultural community by the McGuinty Liberals," said Ms. Jones. "It was expected when this program was developed by the Liberals that the fee would be passed on to the consumer. By levying these fees on farmers, the Liberal government is hurting our agricultural community."

Mr. Horseman said the $250.20 TSF applies only to the giant off-the-road tires, such as those used in the mining sector. The TSF on agricultural tires, he said, is $15.29.

In an earlier interview, Mr. Horseman said tire distributors who fall under the "steward" category will be required pay the OTS a disposal fee for each tire.

Distributors are considered stewards if they are either a brand owner or a direct importer of foreignmade tires.

According to a press release issued by Ms. Jones, Ms. Dombrowsky initially refused to answer her question in the legislature, instead referring it to the Minister of the Environment. "On the second round of questioning, (she) said point blank that farmers would not be exempted from the tire stewardship fee."

Ms. Jones' office was alerted to the issue by a farmer who said he had to pay an additional $250 for a tire and was told the TSF was the responsible for the increase.

Mr. Horseman said farmers "are likely not stewards, through they MADD to launch Red Ribbon campaign

This Sunday, November 1st, marks the start of MADD Dufferin County's Project Red Ribbon campaign, designed to combat impaired driving during the winter holidays.

Working with area businesses, MADD Dufferin is asking residents of the county to tie a MADD Canada ribbon to their antenna, side mirror, or other visible location on their vehicle and/or key chain. The MADD Canada ribbon is a symbol of a person's commitment to drive safe and sober during the holiday season and throughout the year. The ribbon also serves as a reminder to other motorists to drive sober.

MADD Canada ribbons are available at various businesses in Dufferin County. could be in some special situations."

He said the decision to pass the fee along is up to the steward. "We have no control over that, we impose the obligation on the steward to report and remit to OTS to fund the program, and then they make their own business decisions on how to manage that internally. Some will pass all of it along, some will pass part, and some will internalize the TSF."

Mr. Horseman also mentioned that, under the program, farmers will be able to rid themselves of their old tires at no charge, and added that the OTS is working with Farmers who have accumulations of tires (perhaps used in the past to weigh down tarps or as barriers) to take these away free of charge as well.

"So, the program really is eliminating a cost that they used to have to bear."

Ms. Jones disagreed.

"Ontario farmers have a right to be concerned," she said in the press release. "They have no choice but to pay this fee and the Minister responsible for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs refuses to stand up and defend them. The Minister has proven yet again that she is not listening to the needs of farmers."