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FWIC convention reports from Victoria Nearly five hundred WI members and day visitors from across Canada. more than one-third of them from On- tario, gathered at the University in Vicâ€" toria. 3.0, to participate in the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada (FWIC) Triennial Convention from July 11 to 15. The conference theme was "Today, A Legacy for Tomorrow," Thanks to the several Board Direc- tors from the Federated Women‘s Inâ€" stitutes of Ontario who attended the conference and provided the following reports and highlights: [Ii Thursday, July 11, 1991 The Twelfth Triennial Conference of the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada began with a colourful ceremony â€" the parade of flags carried by 4â€"H Club members from British Columbia. The flags provided a wonderful backdrop for the opening session at the University of Victoria. Mary Collins, Member ofParliament responsible for the Status of Women portfolio, commented that Women‘s Institute members are the fibre of the fabric that constitutes Canada. And, "the fibre has grown strong," she said. She expressed concern about the future of Canada and the Constitution. Women’s Institutes share an affinity of values and family life and should ensure that these values are enshrined in the Constitution. In her theme address, President Jen- nie McInnes spoke of Canada in this last decade of the century, faced with environmental problems and regions pulling one against another... . Com« munities have lost their identity. Still, the Women‘ s Institute values the family unit. We live in a peaceful country without the threat of war and with the second highest standard of living in the world. Our medical system is renowned. We have numerous colleges and univer- sities. We volunteer by the thousands. And families remain the backbone of the nation. No one part of Canada is more or less important than another. Rather. we are like a stir fry. Each entity retains its own colour. texture and. to some extent, flavour. But, we are wrapped up in ourselves when we must learn to reach out. Women are concerned about the en- vironment and their homes. Women must lead the change of focus. We, the Women‘s Institutes of Canada, have changed the focus of our aims. We have contributed to rural Canada Each one of us has been given a bag of tools. Will we make a stumbling block or a stepping stone? _ - as reported by Laurie Curtis D Friday, July 12,1991 The Friday morning sessions focused on agriculture with speakers and a question period. Sandi McNabb. a grain farmer from Manitoba, reported on "Women in Agriculture." She reported that one farmer now feeds 200 people, while three out of four farm women work off the farm to feed their own family. And yet, farm women play a very important role in family farms. But this year, for the first time. the Census has included farm women's involvement. Still, their input is masked by only one membership allowed per organiza- tion. And very few women are repre- sented on Boards yet. Only recently, Sandi was the first woman appointed to a committee on grains and oil seeds. There will be changes ahead - in bean and mind - to make better and more efficient farmers for the future, with a responsibility to save the soil. And women will continue to play a vital role in the survival of the family farm. - as reported by Barbara Pinkney Dr. Douglas Hedley, Director General of Agriâ€"food Policy for Agriculture Canada, also addressed the audience, on "GATT and Its Effects on Canadian Agriculture. " And, Don Knoerr, owner of a beef cow enterprise in Srnithers, BC, and Pastâ€"President of the Canadian Federation of A gn' culture, spoke on an "Agricultural Economy and Its Effect at the Prov' ' Community Level." mm] and The report of the FWIC resolutions was presented on Friday afternoon by Convener Trudy McDonnell, who is young. dynamic. a mother of six. and a school principal. Her report indicated action on eleven resolutions. She stated: "If there is one area that Clearly demonstrates the care and concem of Women’s Institute members across this land. for both “Home and Country,‘ M has to be found in resolutions." She also mentioned recun'ing con- cern about alcohol advertising on prime-time television, the length of time required to process UIC claims. and the amalgamation and closing of rural post offices. Members have also pressured for a national AIDS preven- tion and control strategy. GST has been a major topic, with many resolutions dealing with its impact on single parents. low-income families and the elderly. Resolutions carried at this conven» tion included one urging members to carry out a pornography complaint campaign at the local level. Others dealt with victims of Thalidomide, the use of Bovine Somatropin (BST) in Canadian dairy herds. and the initiation and support of educational program- ming in human relations and social skills. One resolution will be addressed to the Ministry of Justice. who will be asked to ensure that judges be made accountable for their judgements and statements. The FWIC will also go on record as depleting the distributifln 311d sale of the novelty item "Brat on Board." - as reported by Corinne Cram” El Saturday, July 13, 1991 Janet Bangs, Estelle Lefurgy, Julie Krymen and Jean Johnson, from British Columbia, Shirley Thomas, from Al- berta, and Camille Landry, from 'New Brunswick, spoke on "The Diversny of Women’ 5 Institute Membership." These six Women's Institute mem- bers spoke from the heart. They urged members of Women‘s Institutes to en- W 12 H & C July. August, September 199]