~ By Advocacy Coordinator, Glenna Smith Two Provincial Resolutions have been passed and forwarded to the proper Government Departments and Boards. Both originated in the North and Northwest. We were pleased to help our WI sisters by supporting their concerns. Resolution 1: Locally produced and processed chickens. In Northwestern Ontariothere is no processing facility for poultry and no quota. This means no local poultry is available. The current smallâ€"flock population is insufï¬cient to support a regional freestanding poultry abattoir. The Provincial Government promotes “buy local, eat local,†but this can’t be done with the chicken industry as it is now. Resolved that FWIO request the Government of Ontario and the Chicken Farmers of Ontario to support and encourage the development of the Chicken Industry in the Northern Areas ofthis Province. Resolution 2: Issue, the lack ofveterinarians licensed to care for large animals in Rural Areas of Northern Ontario. Resolved that FWIO request the Government of Ontario to supply ï¬nancial support for men or women who enter the College of Veterinarian Training with an agreement to practise as Large Animal Veterinarians in the rural areas ofthe north for a certain number ofyears. A very good idea has come in from Leeds-Grenville District WI. We could all work on this project. Help stop the spread of germs; use Antiseptic Wipes. Gail writes, “According to researchers, shopping cart handles have more germs than public restrooms, making them one of the worst public places for germs. During a visit to a Wal-Mart in New York, I noticed an antiseptic wipe dispenser located at the entrance ofthe store. I was able to pull a wipe from the dispenser and wipe down the shopping cart handle as well as my hands before having to put my hands on the handles and therefore reducing the chances of both contracting and spreading germs.†Why couldn’t all stores that have shopping carts provide an Antiseptic Wipe Dispenser? Maybe wejust need to ask! Glenna can be reached at 519-824-0217 or advocacycoordinator@fwio.on.ca. ~ By international Ofï¬cer, Cindi Rabstein Well, as | write this, it is anything __ but spring; I have at least two feet of snow outside. But spring is just around the corner, so they tell me. In her Januaw 2013 newsletter, Margaret Yetman, our Area Canada President, says that $8,075 has been received for our Canada Area Project, "Climate Change and its effects on Womenâ€, so we need $1,925 more to reach our goal of $10,000. Canada Area can be proud to have once again reached out to women and their families in need ofï¬nancial support, so that they may be empowered to attain better economic standards. The ACWW board once again suggested that we do "Women Walk the World†on ACWW Day, April 29th, as it was such a huge success last year, raising 40,000 Pounds sterling. The Projects Committee continues to support rural women, families and communities through projects for water and sanitation, health education, nutrition, literacy, training home economics, agriculture, income generation, leadership, and scholarships in social and community welfare. In 2012, ACWW approved 24 projects with funding amounting over 125,000 pounds sterling. The Triennial Conference gets underway in Chennai, India from Sept 26 â€" Oct 2, 2013. The theme is "Empowering Women Worldwide â€" Encourage, Educate, Enrich". Are you going? During the ACWW board meeting in October, each member was given a doll, handmade from the same fabric to show that across the world, even though we are all different, we are ultimately all the same. Board members can name and dress their dolls as they wish. The dolls will meet up again in Chennai. Our Canada Area Doll is called Joy. The name is of old French and Latin origin, and symbolizes the joy received by women and their families worldwide through the generous support of ACWW. Margaret Yetman would be happy to take any postcards or Pennies for Friendship donations with her to Chennai. If you have access to a computer, visit the ACWW website: www.acww.org.uk. You will be glad you did. Canada Comforts sends greetings, and again thanks you for all of your contributions. Contact Cindi at 519â€"843â€"2222 or internationalofï¬cer@fwio.on.ca. ‘ ‘ EVE/40mm!“