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Hardeman disappointed in Wynne

QUEEN’S PARK – Today in the Ontario Legislature, Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford, said that he is disappointed Premier Wynne has chosen to launch a strategic lawsuit against opposition leader Tim Hudak to stop him raising concerns and questioning her role in illegally destroying documents in the Premier’s office.

“I’m disappointed that the Premier has chosen to launch a lawsuit instead of simply laying out all the facts and answering the questions,” said Hardeman in the Legislature. “Strategic lawsuits are simply meant to bully and intimidate someone into staying quiet.”

Yesterday it was announced that Premier Wynne has launched a $2 million lawsuit against Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak for questioning her role in the wiping of computer hard drives in the Premier’s office, allegedly to destroy documents related to the gas plant relocation.

“I think that it is unfortunate that the Premier has chosen to launch a lawsuit, which is so contrary to the very bill that her government introduced and we are debating today,” said Hardeman. “Ontario should not allow strategic lawsuits to be used in an effort to shut down debate.”

Hardeman made the remarks during debate on Bill 83, the Protection of Public Participation Act. The bill is based on the recommendations of the Attorney General’s “Anti-SLAPP Advisory Panel” report which states:

“Strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP) has been defined as a lawsuit initiated against one or more individuals or groups that speak out or take a position on an issue of public interest. SLAPPs use the court system to limit the effectiveness of the opposing party’s speech or conduct. SLAP intimidate opponents, deplete their resources, reduce their ability to participate in public affairs, and deter others from participating in discussion on matters of public interest.”

During the speech Hardeman commended Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak for his courage in continuing to raise questions and concerns under the threat of litigation.

“I don’t believe a member of the Legislature should be prevented from speaking out on an important public issue because of fear of a lawsuit from a government member,” said Hardeman during the speech. “Just as a community groups shouldn’t be intimidated by big companies.”

Source: Erniehardemanmpp


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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.