November 15, 2009
Contents:
- Do YOU Want HANS Be Here in 2010? Your Response Helps Us Decide.
- Bill C-6 News Alert
- Study: Canadian Agriculture, 2008 in Review
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Do YOU Want HANS Be Here in 2010? Your Response Helps Us Decide.
by Lorna J Hancock, Founding Member & Volunteer Executive Director, On behalf of the HANS Board of Directors November 2009
Dear Members and Friends;
It's been some time since I wrote to you with a sense of urgency. Seven years, actually, in 2002. And, by sharing seven years ago, you - our members and friends - were able to rise to the occasion, and save the day. This year is similar to that time.
It's been very challenging with the economic climate creating a significant reduction in our memberships and donations, and ultimately operating ability.
We're doing everything we can possibly do to not only trim expenses (reducing our office space, additional storage, & digitalizing our history), but also use this as an opportunity to move forward. So, we are re-structuring and brain-storming solutions. Even now, a planning committee is meeting regularly to help HANS be all that it can be.
We are asking for your help, and we are believing in you to be there for us.
HANS members and supporters have much to be proud of. HANS has played a key role in major changes on health and environmental issues in Canada. HANS members are exceptional people doing exceptional work, and what a great friend this organization has been to those interested in, or practicing, natural medicine.
At an individual level, we're asking you to be positive in your response - through renewing your membership if it has expired; becoming a monthly contributor; by talking to a friend about becoming a member; by making a donation if you can and also by providing us with your input.
The voice of this organization, Health Action magazine, is a valued publication. We often receive thanks for its "brave reporting." Support for this initiative has been increasing with advertising, but it needs to be so much more. If you know of practitioners or businesses who should participate, please encourage them to do so.
To join or renew your membership: http://www.hans.org/membership/
To donate: http://www.hans.org/donate
To support us monthly: http://www.hans.org/membership/monthly.php
The Executive Committee will review all responses by December 31, 2009.
At times like this, organizations must rely on the strength of their membership to pull them through. Is our membership strong enough? Please don't put this off. If we don't hear from you, that will mean something, too.
Has HANS has outlived its purpose? Does Canada need an independent consumer-driven voice for natural health? Does it need an independent organization to promote natural medicine and further the position of holistic practitioners? Do we need to be here to research issues and prepare briefs for government and regulatory bodies?
I have the passion to see HANS remain the strong organization that I know it can be. I believe the work of HANS has great value and I'd like to see it remain in operation. Do you feel the same?
Please take a quiet moment to think about how you might be able to help.
With a special hope in my heart, I await your response.
Warm regards,
Lorna
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Bill C-6 News Alert
by NHPPAEarly on Nov 5, Shawn Buckley received an official request to appear in front of the Senate's Social Affairs Committee as a witness Wednesday November 25 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Shawn, of course, accepted. He is going to Ottawa because of your efforts. It is important that the Senators are thanked for their readiness to uphold democratic process. Because of you they will be able to ask Shawn Buckley personally why Bill C-6 needs to be voted down.
KEEP THE PRESSURE ON:
This is great news but the challenge isn't over. Inherently unconstitutional, Bill C-6 goes against the very foundation of the Charter of Health Freedom, the rights and freedoms of Canadians.
Even though, natural health products are currently excluded, it only takes a simple regulation without a parliamentary vote and NHPs could be added to this law.
Until we change the root of the problem, bills like Bill C-6 may continue to affect us, which is why we need a permanent solution - the Charter of Health Freedom!
Your actions are effective so keep sending short, constructive, and considered emails and handwritten letters to all the Senators and especially those on the Social Committee on Social Affairs.
LIST OF SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS MEMBERS:
Catherine S. Callbeck (PEI) callbc@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-943-0686 F: 613-943-0693
Jane Cordy (NS) cordyj@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-995-8409 F: 613-995-8432
Lillian Eva Dyck (SK) dyckli@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-995-4318 F: 613-995-4331
Nicole Eaton (ON) eatonn@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-947-4047 F: 613-947-4044
Art Eggleton (ON) egglea@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-995-4230 F: 613-995-4237
Joyce Fairbairn (AB) fairbj@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-996-4382 F: 613-995-3223
Wilbert Joseph Keon (ON) keonw@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-943-1415 F: 613-943-1796
Yonah Martin (BC) martin@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-947-4078 F: 613-947-4082
Jim Munson (ON) munsoj@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-947-2504 F: 613-947-2506
Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie (NS) ogilvk@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-992-0331 F: 613-992-0334
Lucie Pépin (QC) pepinl@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-996-1726 F: 613-996-8392
Hugh Segal (ON) kfl@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-995-4059 F: 613-995-5259
SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS EMAIL ADDRESS:
SOC-AFF-SOC@sen.parl.gc.ca
POSTAGE-FREE MAILING ADDRESS:
Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A4
Keli Hogan, Committee Clerk hongank@sen.parl.gc.ca
T: 613-993-9021
CLICK below to check the status of Bill C-6.
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/LEGISINFO/index.asp...
CLICK below to see a list of witnesses speaking on Bill C-6.
http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/Committee_SenWitness.as...
CLICK HERE to read the first official Senate Committee meeting on Bill C-6 with witnesses.
http://www.parl.gc.ca/40/2/parlbus/commbus/senate/Co...
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Study: Canadian Agriculture, 2008 in Review
by Statistics CanadaThe year 2008 was a good year for Canada's grain and oilseed producers. However, livestock producers, particularly hog farmers, felt a cost-price squeeze due to rising feed costs and virtually flat market prices. Production and inventory of both hogs and cattle fell significantly.
Large production of grains and oilseeds and higher prices contributed to an increase in farm cash receipts in 2008. Total farm cash receipts in constant dollars, which consisted of receipts from sales of crops and livestock plus program payments, increased 10.9%. Virtually all of the increase (96.2%) was attributable to crops receipts.
Internationally, exports of Canadian agricultural and fish products in 2008 increased 18.7% from 2007, while imports rose 11.7%. As a result, the nation's trade surplus in agricultural and fish products increased from $8.9 billion to $12.3 billion. The agricultural trade surplus accounted for 26.3% of Canada's total trade surplus, its highest share in 10 years.
The article "Canadian agriculture in 2008: An overview of key events" is now available in the November 2009 online edition of VISTA on the Agri-food Industry and the Farm Community (21-004-X, free), from the Publications module of our website.
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Bishnu Saha (613-951-6051, bishnu.saha@statcan.gc.ca), Agriculture Division.
More at
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/091110/dq09...