Ontario Legislative Assembly

Ms. Lisa MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton): Inconsistent, aggressive and excessive -- that is how the rural people of Nepean-Carleton, eastern Ontario and throughout this entire province feel about the Smitherman scheme to control jams, jellies and pies sold at our local roadside food stands and farmers' markets.

They are worried about the new regulations and what they will spell for church suppers like those in North Gower, Greely and Richmond. They fear next on the attack list in our rural institutions will be church picnics, school bake sales and hockey team fundraisers.

They are justifiably concerned that this is another attempt by this Liberal government and its urban attitude to attack the rural way of life, rural customs and everything that is wholesome in our rural communities. They think the Smitherman scheme is really a solution looking for a problem.

While we all agree that there is a need for food safety, Councillor Glenn Brooks in my riding accurately states: "The devil is in the details. Basically, all prepared foods must be prepared within the food premises as approved by health inspectors." But he reminds us: "No problem, except there are many situations in which the quantity of food cannot be prepared on-site. Therein lies a serious problem ... many large church suppers will not be able to meet the fullness of the legislation."

I'd like to remind the minister that made-in-downtown-Toronto policies don't work in small-town and rural Ontario. Like Councillor Brooks says, "Conflict between rural culture and tradition and a myriad of regulations, old and new and yet to be, is creating an ever-increasing irritant. Eventually, the decision-makers' know-best attitude will stifle community initiative." He believes it is unacceptable.