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’ Advocacy (oor ator’s Report By Ruth Kennedy In response to our resolution dealing with the recommendations of the inquestjury of Gillian and Flalph Hedley. the China of the Chiel Coroner reported that of the 57 recommenda- tions, 43 have been or will be implemented, 8 have alternates that will be implemented, 2 are under consideration and 2 were rejected. Three did not receive a reply from the appropriate ministry. Bill C-15A, July 13. 2002. increased the penalty for criminal harassment or stalking from five to ten years. A reply to the exoneration oi Steven Truscott from the Hon. Martin Cauchon indicated that the appeal was in the hands of the Hon. Fred Kaulman. who had been appointed to examine the case and "advise the Minister whether a remedy is appropriate in the circumstances of Mr. Truscott's case," From the Virgil WI, lincoln, Hamilton Area - That FWlO ask the Federal Government for the release oi information in the 1906 Census. This information is necessary for students doing research on a wide variety oi topics, as well as individuals investigating genealogy. - Thai FWIO request that the various levels of government work to stop the desecration of our cemeteries and to update the legislation to make it illegal to redevelop these areas. Pan ol the reasoning behind this resolution was the excavation and removal of human remains from part of the land owned by St. James Cath e- dral in Toronto. From the Russell District Wl, Eastern Area - That FWIO request that the Ministry of the Attorney General enact legislation to make the Justice system more efficient and more ac» countable so thatjustice is equally attainable by all individuals regardless of their financial position. Legal Aid lawyers are not paid as much as Crown Attorneys, and not all who need the services of legal aid can get it. from the North Central Area WI - That FWIO ask several ministries to work togetherto ban the use oi plastic grocery bags in stages: a limit of two new bags percustomer in 2005, and a complete ban in 2006, Several countries have already passed this law and others are in the process. A good fundraising project might be to make sturdy canvas or cloth bags to be used in place of the plastic ones. Any additional lobbying by the members on these topics is helplul. If you need more informa- tion on any of them. let me know. Keep those resolutions coming! Ruth Kennedy is the FWIO Advocacy Coordinator. She can be reached at 647 Thomas Dolan Parkway, RR 1, Dunrobin ON KOA 1T0, Phone' 513-83271044, Fax: 613-832-0661, Email: culzeanl@yahoo.com Winner of the . Woman of Excellence in Agriculture Award (gs/6c) R/\/:° Q haron Douglas was awarded the S“Woman of Excellence in Agricul- ture" Award at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair last November. The Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) sponsor the annual Award, which was pre- sented to Douglas at the President‘s Luncheon at the Royal Winter Fair, Sharon Douglas has always been in- lved with farming and is active on the “nin farm near Belmore. Ontario. where they raise pigs and beef cattle. For [5 years. Sharon has been promoting Ontario FWIO President-Elect Elsie Stephenson (lair) presented Sharon Douglas (right) with a framed 2003 poster lrom the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. pork to the urban public through educa- tional displays at the Royal Winter Fair. With the help other husband Ron, Sharon coordinates a display including live ani- mals - two sows and their litters. along with various breeds and sizes of swine. In recent years, their display incorporated a “Pig Mobile," a trailer where the animals can be seen behind glass. On aschool day at the Royal. ubout4,000 urban students pass by the display. Sharon works tirelessly disseminating informae tion to them and the general public about the pork industry. Issues surrounding the pork industry in relation to animal care. the environment. byproducts and agricultural concerns are addressed in the display. While Sharon and Ron are away promot- ing Ontario pork at the Royal and events across Ontario, theirchildren look after the farm. And theirgrandchildren now accom- pany them to help with their efforts to teach others about the importance of agri- culture. The pork display goes to the Canadian National Exhibition. the Interna- tional Plowing Match. the Belmore Maple Syrup Festival. and numerous other exhi- bitions and fall fairs, Sharon spends approximately 100 to l 15 days a year promoting agriculture, Each year she is asked to return to these events, indicative of the tremendous amount of respect she has earned for the educational displays she helped to coordinate. For more information about the “Woman of Excellence in Agriculture Award." conâ€" tact the Federated Women‘s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) Provincial Office at 5 [9- 8363078. Home 8. Country, Winter 2004 5