The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Interim lobbying Coordinator’s Report and Disposition of the Resolutions .By Anne Dyes The FWIO Provincial Board has apâ€" pointed me the Interim Lobbying Coordinator, so please send any new reso~ lutions directly to me for review by the Resolutions Committee. Comments or queries may be made by mail, telephone or fax and will receive prompt attention. Two resolutions were sustained at the FWIO Annual Meeting in January. Note that each of these resolutions begins: “Be it resolved that all members of FWIO Therefore, it is essential that you get busy writing letters as soon as possible to follow up the official letter sent by me on your behalf. From Renfrew South District WI I Be it resolved that~ all members of FWIO request the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to provide sufficient funding to support adequate and Consistent home care services prov- ince-wide for those in need. From Perth South District WI I Be it resolved that all members of FWIO urge the Federal Minister of Health to ensure that genetic screening. where indicated. remains available to the public at a reasonable cost. Response re: Situation in Zimbabwe It would appear that little action resulted from letters sent regarding the situation in Zimbabwe. At the time of writing this. elections in Zimbabwe have not yet taken place. But it seems doubtful that the elec» tion results will truly reflect the wishes of the people. If elected. President Mugabe has promised to remove all white farmers and give the land “back” to the blacks. Disposition at the Resolutions Lincoln District: Human Genome Information Privacy Prime Minister Jean Cretien acknowâ€" ledged receipt of our letter and has referred it to Allan Rock (to whom we had already sent the resolution). The response from Allan Rock: “Health Canada saw a need to review the current status of genetic testing [and] established an Expert Working Group on Genetic Testing for Late Onset Diseases in March 2000. The Working Group consisting of experts from outside government is exam- ining issues associated with the privacy of genetic testing information [and] will provide expert advice which will inform governmentpolicy." “In addition, it committee of seven Assistant Deputy Ministers from depart- ments involved in biotechnology has asked the Department of Justice to lead an initiav tive focused on genetic privacy." in which Health Canada is involved. A copy of our letter and resolution were sent to the Hon- ourable Anne McLellan. Justice Minister. Southwestern Area WI: Safety of Ground Water and the Implementation of Ontario Regulation 903 (Wells) Premier Harris states that abandoned wells are the responsibility of landowners and does not suggest any course of action to enforce Regulation 903. The Minister of Agriculture has introduced Bill 81, which when passed will “set and enforce. clear. consistent standards for farm nutrient man- agement." There was no mention in the letter or Bill 81 of industrial or highway contaminants. Two other resolutions from FWIO in the year 2000~200| received no response and have been readdressed, the resolution from the Cochrane District on rabies and the one from the Kenora District on medical examinations for immigrants. Your Help is Needed! A group named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is actively lobbying outside schools in Manitoba dis» tributing leaflets and picture cards to the schoolchildren against the consumption of milk. Some of the pictures are very graphic. Can you suggest a way to stop this group and others like it from lobbying out- side our schools to our impressionable youth? Please send ideas and/or resolu- tions soon. When the nicer weather arrives this group may start lobbying in Ontario. Ask your PAC how I described the “job” of Lobbying Coordinator at the Annual Meeting. Call mound ask what is involved, A Lobbying Coordinator is needed! Anne Dyes is the interim Lobbying Coordinator forthe Federated Women‘s Institute: of Ontario. She can be reached at RR 3, Cochrane ON POL 1C0, Phone/Fax. 705-272-6886 Northumberlund West District WI Northumberland West District WI presented a $1,000 cheque to the lo- cal hospital building lurid in Cobaurg. Rhonda Cunningham accepts the donation from District President Betty Milne. PRO Daralhy Harnden and Secretary-Treasurer Laura Bowman (front, left to right respec- tively). Lillian Prentice, Irene Archer, Betty Taylor and Marion Davey selling tickets on a quilt and pillow shame, with (back row, left to right respectively) represented proceeds to go towards hospital equipment. the Branches in the Dlstrlcl. Members are now Submitted by Dorothy Hamden. PHO. Northumberland West. Home 8. Country, Spring 2002 7