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Ironically, it appears that the result of a special $5.8 million government grant to Can- farm Cooperative Services, may be the loss of up to 50 area jobs. The computerized records service for farmers was developed by federal and pro- vincial governments in 1971. All participat- ing provinces. except for British Columbia and Quebec. eventually released control of program licensing to Ottawa. This left Agri- culture Minister, Hon, Eugene Whelan with a service he has described as “ma tremendous advantage to the farming community of Can- ada." He held that opinion until he found that the cost of maintaining the service could not be defended against the growing requirements of his fellow cabinet members. The proposed $4 million museum and people place should boost prospects of a vibrant downtown and encourage others to un- dertake some imaginative schemes as wel!. - - - _ The director of the museum, Dr. Peter Swann, is enthusiastic about both the display of exhibits relative to the distillery in- dustry and the community aspect of the museum as a place to show films, hold concerts and receptions and provide a new eat- ing establishment. , We think this is a fine, complementary aspect to the project and welcome such a plan to make Seagram's a place where peo- ple can be actively involved. Small business persons in industry and agriculture are hurting in Waterloo Region, Special Government attention is directed to funding ailing multi-national companies. while bankruptcies amongst less news- worthy private operations grow daily. The advanced computer auditing programs developed at the Guelph headquarters may go to US. interests. The Federal funding was given to. close jobs! PAGE 6 __ WATERLOO CHRONIgLE, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2t. 1.! Further, Seagrarn's undertaking is mindful of the need to pre- serve and recognize some of our more historical buildings and in- stitutions. ' Granted, as company president Charles Bronfman admitted in an interview with reporters, the project is partly selL-serwing, being good public, rela_tions_for the distillery industry. . A _ Bit that small benefit to Seagram's doesh't in any ‘way detract from the greater benefit to the city of Waterloo and the many po- tential visitors to the museum. The project is, finally, a fitting tribute to the distillery's founder Joseph E. Seagram - one Waterloo resident who helped Seagram's and Canada make its mark on the world as the pro- ducer of one of the finest whiskies around. _. Announcement of plans for the Seagram Museum and Archives in downtown Waterloo brings a refreshing breath of creativity to the city core. __ - - _ - _ _ _ We look forward with anticipation to the completion of this in- novative project. Aiau 15 A welcome project In April of 1979, {Mrs organized a co- WALTER McLEAN published every Wednesday by Fairway Press. a division of Kitchener-Waterloo Record Ltd.. owner 225 Fairway Rd tr. Kitchener. Ont address mum to Waterloo out" anus: Scum Dumbo Ola te-te-M' Wm cum-name. a Wot-Inward “OM mor-i-o.". fir-whose... Pteyro"mts-to"ot'""'toos- WWII!) “Mimi-m lolw’nm Puuuhcr: Pull Winkle! Manager: Bill Kane: Editor: Phil Janene ww‘npuw: ON a you m l and. $16 A year In Unwed States and Fureqtn (outlines Ontario supplied only 1500 participants Less than 50 of the 1300 members of the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture are presently using the Canfarm service, By 1930. Canfarm had finally established a sales and service network to match its tech- nological capabilities. However. only 5.000 farmers were subscribing to Canfarm's ser- vices. lt was felt that they would need to find at least 12,000 members to make Canlarm a financially viable operation! According to members of the “IF. of A. Executive. Canfarm‘s newesit capabilities have not been given enough time to show their worth to the small and medium-sized Canlarm officials were told at an interna- tional conference at Purdue University last year, that the United States was ten years behind the Canfarm advances. Because of their more primitive software. the US of- ficials said they probably never could deve- lop a comparable system! operative ventureto save the service from the federal axe. Despite unpredictable be- hind-the-scenes financial negotiations and in- effective advertising. Canfarm staff man- aged to develop one of the most advanced farm management auditing systems any- where. established 1854 Liberals renege on farm support On December 19th. the Minister announced that the federal government would add $5.8 million in grants and loan guarantees to the $6.4 million it had put into Canlarm since 1979, Mr, Whelan made It quite clear, ho wever. that there would be no more federal support forthcoming. ke advised Cantirm to consider using the funds to wind up its operation. The lay-off no. In November. contrary to his election pro- mises Mr. Whelan announced that Canfarm might not receive any more funding. In De- cember. staff at the Guelph operation began to receive lay-off notices. At the end of De- cember, some received their Christmas pre- sent from the Minister: they were out of work. I am asked by the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture Executive why the federal go- vernment will spend huge sums to support Chrysler. Massey Ferguson and advertise its own constitutional package. yet pull the plug on such relatively small commitments to Canfarm? operation. Canfarm's "ration formulation program". to workout feed supplies. for beef. dairy and hog producers is an impor- tant additional service that is not well known, Much more serious however. is that the lay-oft notices are still in effect. Two-thirds of the Guelph staff will be out of their jobs between now and the end of May, Theeesolution must now go to the Canlarm board of directors. Their approval would pro- bably mean the creation of a new company. with the interim title of Canadian Farm Management Services, It would be 49 per- cent owned by Canfarm Co-pperative Ser- vices and SI percent by C.O.P.A. Montreal, As well, Canfarm is reportedly dumping its computer contract with Control Data. Late last week, at a meeting of its share- holders, Canfarm passed a resolution-in- principle to enter into joint negotiations with a group of Cooperatives based in Montreal. This group is owned 45 percent by nine Que- bec co-operatives and 55 percent by Lit. an operation controlled by a US. life insurance tices have not been withdrawn: The Canadian government is kissing its investment good- bye! And. furthermore, Mr. Whelan's of- ficials are holding the announced funds in Ot- tawa. Any decisions to spend them are to be held up for his approval. His enthusiasm for the program seems to have waned in the face of arguments from his colleagues in the Li- beral cabinet.