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Annual Meeting Report January 14, 2003 FWIO President’s Message Federated Women‘s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) President Dianne Orr began her message by applauding the work of the Women's Institute. She commented that while the organization has been around long enough to experience incred- ible changes, the original vision of the WI to improve the standard of living for all mankind still exists. Orr also gave a great deal oi credit to the Board Directors as they dealt with the business of the organization. and to the Provincial Advi» sory Councillors and Coordinators as they worked to communicate information to the Branches. Orr proudly presented the details of what she has called The President‘s Penman- ship Challenge (refer to page 2). Education Coordinator's Report Although unable to attend the Annual Meeting, Education CoordinatorJoan King's written report noted that the words Rural Ontario Sharing Edu- cation are truly what the Women‘s Institute is all about The District Education Reports certainly testified to the fact that members took these words to heart. Branches across the province were busy educating their members and their local communities about many topics. Have a look at the District Education Fleports that came in your Branch mailing. High on the list this past year were the topics of Food Safety and Nutrition and the ROSE Health Program. Other Branches reported on the topic of personal salety with respect to traveling alone, home invasion and telephone fraud and the PHONEBUSTEHS program. Agriculture was watched closely again by the Education Commit- tee this past year. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture's (OFA) Wireless network is closer to becoming a reality. Bill 81. Ontario’s Nutrient Management Act, has been passed and farmers are waiting tor the development of appropriate regulations to make it workable on Ontario farms. FWIO made a submission to the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Future Opportunities In Farming and some of that content was included in the final report. In conclusion to her last three years as Provm- cial Education Coordinator, King said she looked 4 Home & Country, Spring 2003 ion/vard to vi5iting with the many new and con- tinuing friends she had made during her term. Interim lobbying Coordinator’ 5 Report Interim Lobbying Coordinator Anne Dyas re- ported that three responses to resolutions had been received since her update in the Winter 20022003 Home 6’: Country. Response re: Banning the Use of Bio Solids Carleton District resolved that since bio solids come from many different sources that the use at them for any purpose be banned until stand- ards were in place. The Honourable Helen Johns, Minister of Agriculture. replied: “Under the Nutrient Management Act, new standards will be developed for all land applied materials containing nutrients including bio solids and sep- lage." The standards are to be addressed in Stage 2 ol the consultations on the Nutrient Management Act, For each Stage. draft regula- tions will be posted at www.gov.on/OMAFFtA/ engllsh/agopsfindexhtml, or you may contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre toll tree at 1-877-424-1300, Response re: Genetic Screening and Privacy of Gene Information Perth South District requested genetic screening at a reasonable cost and Lincoln District re- quested privacy of gene information.The Hon. Anne McLennan. Ministerof Health, apologizes lor the delay in the response and said that the Genetic Privacy and Information Working Group. struck towards the end of 2001, “is panicularly sensitive to the issues of privacy as it relates to the collection. use. storage. disclosure and man» agement of personal genetic information," The report is expected later this year. The members a! the FW’ Provincial Board (seated. Ia. right) are Past Preslden Christina neaburn. President Dlunne Orr and President-Elect Elsie Stephenson. Standlng. left to right, are Board Directors Gloria Pakkala. June Feaver, Cecil/a Malnes, Carol Force, Glenna Ladell, Joy Trlmble. Narine Empey and Joan Folkard. Shawn from Is]! to fight are Christine Reaburn â€" International Convener, Cindy Lackhart â€" Membership Coardlnator. Peggy McLeod - Tweedsrnuir Coordinator, Ruth Kennedy - Lobbying Conrdlnatarand Arthena Hacker - FWIO Executive Officerta FWIC. Absent - Gillian Catto - ROSE Coordinator. ‘The Expen Working Group on Genetic Test- ing for Late Onset Diseases is entering the last stages at its examination of the benefits and risks of genetic testing. The overall goal is to identity and examine the issues that relate to legislation. research. ethical and social aspec economics and clinical practice within. Canadian context." “In accordance with the provisions of The Canadian Health Act genetic screening or test- ing is considered to be an insured health sewice when it is medically necessary and provided in a hospital or diagnostic clinic pr0viding hospital care.” The Ontario Minister of Health, Tony Clement, has announced that Ontario will continue to provide a test for genetic screening of breast cancer. Response re: Raising the Age of Consent to Sexual Activity Niagara District resolved to raise the age 0‘ consent to sexual activity to 16 years. The Hon» ourable Martin Cauchon, Minister ofJustice and Attorney General. writes: “Children are a priority for the Government of Canada. which is commit- ted to taking the necessary measures to safeguard our children against sexual exploita- tion. This is an issue that requires continuous monitoring and review. The document Child Victims and the Criminal Justice System (con- cluded in 2001) may be accessed at www.canadajuslicetgcca A few resolutions were found to have receiv no response at year's end, Letters were Mi? to Prime Minister Chretien with regard to ame I- cal examination for immigrants, bulk water