Press Releases

CHANDLER, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - July 4, 2009) - The Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Christian Paradis, along with the MNA for Gaspe and parliamentary assistant to the minister of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Georges Mamelonet, on behalf of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Mr. Laurent Lessard, are pleased to announce that the City of Chandler will receive $772,171 under the federal-provincial agreement on the transfer of a portion of federal gasoline tax revenues and the Government of Quebec's contribution. This is the first payment to Chandler, which will receive a total of $1,287,861 by the end of 2009 for important infrastructure projects.

The City of Chandler will use the funds for the rehabilitation of existing pumping stations, the preparation of an intervention plan and the renewal of drinking water and sewer pipes under Rodolphe-Lemieux and Ferlotte roads.

"Canada's economic growth is our Government's main focus," said Minister Paradis. "In Canada's Economic Action Plan, we announced funding of close to $12 billion over two years to boost infrastructure investments. This funding is additional to the money already flowing through the Gas Tax Fund, which is now a $2 billion annual commitment to Canada's municipalities. Through our infrastructure commitments, the Government of Canada supports a stronger economy, creates jobs and allows communities in Quebec and in Canada to be more prosperous."

"The funding announced today is a reflection of our commitment to improve the quality of life of citizens. This means that the City of Chandler will now be able to rely on stable funding, which will facilitate the planning of the work that needs to be done. These investments are part of the Plan quebecois des infrastructures that foresees an investment of $41.8 billion for the 2008-2013 period, of which $3.6 billion will be used to maintain and improve municipal infrastructure. Repairing and modernizing public infrastructure is a priority for the Government of Quebec," added MNA Mamelonet.

The goal of the Agreement on the transfer of federal Gas Tax revenues made between Canada and Quebec in 2005 is to provide funding for the renewal of municipal and local infrastructure, and specifically for municipal drinking water, wastewater, local roads and public transit infrastructure, within a context of sustainable development. From 2005 to 2010, Quebec will receive $1.151 billion from the Gas Tax Fund, in addition to the Government of Quebec's contribution of $475.7 million. The funds will be administered by the Societe de financement des infrastructures locales du Quebec (SOFIL).

Moreover, Canada's Economic Action Plan includes the acceleration and expansion of recent historic federal investments in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years.

Egalement offert en francais : www.infrastructure.gc.ca/

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        Office of Canada's Transport and Infrastructure Minister
        Chris Day
        Press Secretary
        613-991-0700

        Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions
        and Land Occupancy
        Sylvain Bourassa
        Press Secretary
        418-691-2050

        Infrastructure Canada
        613-948-1148

Source: Infrastructure Canada

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 4, 2009) - The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) appreciates the efforts of the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to lift the bans on pork and pork products originating from Quebec and Ontario to Russia.

"Opening up markets is critical for the Canadian hog industry recovery; these efforts support the Ministers' strategic efforts to see the bans fully lifted in Russia." stated Jurgen Preugschas, Chair of the Canadian Pork Council. "The pork industry is pleased with the Ministers' and their departments' hard work to encourage international governments to base their decisions on current and accurate information,"

"However, there is another critical aspect to industry recovery, and that is consumer perception." said Mr. Preugschas "With the unfortunate naming of the virus in the early days as "swine flu", the hog industry was caught in the cross-fire. Until consumers realize there is no link between the H1N1 virus and pork safety, we will struggle on our farms,"

The impact of the H1N1 virus on the industry caught the sector when it was already faced with low profitability as a result of other challenges. The industry is now working on a transition plan to help the Canadian sector through this very difficult time.

The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) is a member-driven, not for profit national producer association committed to Canadian competitiveness in the global market. It is the collective voice of Canada's hog producers - an effective advocate on a broad range of public policy issues that has a direct impact on Canadian pork production.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        Canadian Pork Council
        Gary Stordy
        Public Relations Manager
        (t) 613-236-9239 ext 277
        (c) 613-883-0650

Source: Canadian Pork Council

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 07/04/09 -- The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) appreciates the efforts of the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to lift the bans on pork and pork products originating from Quebec and Ontario to Russia.

"Opening up markets is critical for the Canadian hog industry recovery; these efforts support the Ministers' strategic efforts to see the bans fully lifted in Russia." stated Jurgen Preugschas, Chair of the Canadian Pork Council. "The pork industry is pleased with the Ministers' and their departments' hard work to encourage international governments to base their decisions on current and accurate information,"

"However, there is another critical aspect to industry recovery, and that is consumer perception." said Mr. Preugschas "With the unfortunate naming of the virus in the early days as "swine flu", the hog industry was caught in the cross-fire. Until consumers realize there is no link between the H1N1 virus and pork safety, we will struggle on our farms,"

The impact of the H1N1 virus on the industry caught the sector when it was already faced with low profitability as a result of other challenges. The industry is now working on a transition plan to help the Canadian sector through this very difficult time.

The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) is a member-driven, not for profit national producer association committed to Canadian competitiveness in the global market. It is the collective voice of Canada's hog producers - an effective advocate on a broad range of public policy issues that has a direct impact on Canadian pork production.

Contacts:
Canadian Pork Council
Gary Stordy
Public Relations Manager
(t) 613-236-9239 ext 277
(c) 613-883-0650

GREENFIELD, Mass., July 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Organic Trade Association (OTA) and its members are organic advocates. We believe in, support, and advocate for the integrity of the organic label and strict enforcement of federal organic standards because this is fundamental to living up to the contract with consumers who choose or who are considering choosing organic products.

At the June 17, annual meeting of the OTA membership, Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture announced "the new era of equivalence and enforcement of organic standards." She was met with a standing ovation from the packed house.

It is unfortunate the Washington Post article, "Purity of Federal 'Organic' Label Is Questioned", July 3, 2009, focused on old news and urban legends. The article also chose to reinforce rhetoric that is not only inaccurate but serves a narrow agenda whose motivations go unquestioned in the article.

OTA, on behalf of its members, would like to correct some inaccuracies and try to move the debate beyond narrow rhetoric and toward a more fact-based perspective.

From the article: "Relaxation of the federal standards, and an explosion of consumer demand, have helped push the organics market into a $23 billion-a-year business, the fastest growing segment of the food industry."

The federal organic standards have not been "relaxed." Rigorously enforced standards can and do go hand-in-hand with growth. The author and those pitching this story have generously borrowed the rhetorical technique of setting up a false choice. The industry and OTA pushed for national organic regulations that consumers could rely on. Organic agriculture and products remain the most strictly regulated, as well as the fastest growing, food system in the United States today.

From the article: "But the USDA program's shortcomings mean that consumers, who at times must pay twice as much for organic products, are not always getting what they expect: foods without pesticides and other chemicals, produced in a way that is gentle to the environment."

In fact, if this is what someone expects from food, his or her best bet is to purchase organic.

Organic agriculture protects the health of people and the environment by reducing the overall exposure to toxic chemicals from synthetic pesticides that can end up in the ground, air, water and food supply, and that are associated with health consequences from asthma to cancer.

Extensive pesticide residue testing by the U.S.D.A. has found that conventionally produced fruits and vegetables are, on average, three to more than four times more likely to contain residues than organic produce, eight to eleven times more likely to contain multiple pesticide residues, and contain residues at levels three to ten times higher than corresponding residues in organic samples.

From the article: "Several groups have filed complaints with the USDA saying they think the inclusion of fatty acids in organic products violates federal rules and laws 'This is illegal rulemaking -- a complete violation of the process that is supposed to protect the public,' said Gary Cox, a lawyer with the Cornucopia Institute."

The accusations are unfounded and reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the process by which organic regulations are made. Contrary to what is implied here, there is a very specific process that materials must go through before they are permitted for inclusion in organic products. In regards to fatty acids, the USDA regulators followed the recommendation of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

NOSB, a citizen advisory board, consists of four farmer/growers, two handlers/processors, one retailer, one scientist, three consumer/public interest advocates, three environmentalists, and one USDA-accredited certifying agent. These volunteers assist the Secretary of Agriculture with the overall implementation of the National Organic Program (NOP).

NOSB conducts an extensive review of materials that are petitioned for inclusion in organic, solicits public comment, and makes a recommendation to NOP as to whether a material should be allowed. The NOP implements NOSB's recommendation.

This process ensures that materials are NOT haphazardly permitted for use in organic production and reinforces the principles of transparency and integrity around which the organic system was built.

Because the position of the reporters' sources did not 'carry the day' in this public review by no means makes the process illegal, and to characterize it as such is a great disservice to the public.

From the article: "Consumer groups and organics advocates are hopeful that the Obama administration will bolster the program. In his proposed budget, the president has doubled resources devoted to organics and installed USDA leaders who support change."

The organic industry itself has long advocated for increased resources to support USDA's National Organic Program and for parity for organic farmers within US agricultural policy. OTA and its members are thankful to have this support and are pleased by the important gains and intentions of USDA.

OTA members on March 26 called on 34 Senate and House offices advocating for OTA-endorsed FY2010 appropriations requests.

What exactly did OTA and the organic industry ask for?

    --  $6 million for NOP to better fund enforcement of the NOP regulations and
        strengthen certifier accreditation and training.

    --  $5 million for USDA Extension farming research; geared towards increase
        transition of acreage in the U.S. to organic production for the
        betterment of the environment.

This is consistent with OTA's agenda since the NOP was fully implemented in 2002. OTA has always supported a strong NOP capable of clarifying, developing, and strictly enforcing the organic rule.

OTA and its members are pleased that the Obama administration, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan are supporters of organic agriculture and have expressed a commitment to ensuring the integrity of the USDA organic label.

Despite the misleading portrait painted in the article, organic agriculture and products offer lasting hope for better environmental and personal health.

Who we are:

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA's Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.

Two-thirds of OTA members are small businesses with under $1 million dollars in annual organic sales. Nearly half of OTA members report under $100,000 in annual organic sales. All trade members have one vote, regardless of size.

SOURCE Organic Trade Association

WASHINGTON, July 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Specialty Hospitals of America (SHA) announced today the official opening of a new 50 bed Critical Care Hospital at United Medical Center, located at 1310 Southern Ave, in SE Washington. The new hospital, named The Specialty Hospital of Washington at United Medical Center will ultimately provide care to residents of SE DC and the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as provide upward of 400 new jobs to the SE community.

"The new hospital will fill a long-standing and vital need in this neighborhood," says said Chad Eichelberger, Chief Operating Officer of Specialty Hospital of Washington. "We employ new, state-of-the-art equipment that is among the best the country, so doctors can feel comfortable discharging appropriate patients into this long term critical care hospital, freeing up beds in the short term critical care unit." He adds, "The new hospital is an essential component in the continuum of care, and allows patients with a wide range of needs to be treated in one location."

The vision of Specialty Hospitals of America, the owner of SHW, is to develop centers of healthcare excellence in order to build a healthy community. "We are proud to serve this community and it is our mission to help critically ill patients recover faster and more fully with the new hospital at UMC," said Eric Rieseberg, President of Specialty Hospitals of America (SHA). "There are over 200,000 residents in our service area who now have access to the highest level of medical care available in the District."

The Specialty Hospital of Washington is a full service hospital with 24 hour In-House Physician, Nursing and Respiratory Therapy coverage that serves adult patients who still require close monitoring and a high level of specialized care. Specific services and conditions for which admission to The SHW should be considered can be found on their website, www.specialtyhospitalofwashington.com.

Additionally, SHW offers four focused programs of medical of excellence, including Cardio-Pulmonary Care, Wound Care, Medically Complex Patient Management and Rehabilitation Services. The community can reach the Admission Department at the Specialty Hospital of Washington Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at (202) 574-5780.

About Specialty Hospitals of America and Specialty Hospital of Washington:

SHA operates and develops focused, high acuity long and short term acute care hospitals and nursing facilities. The company's vision is to provide focused centers of medical excellence (FCME's) in its managed and owned hospitals and nursing facilities. The Specialty Hospital of Washington specializes in long-term intensive care and is licensed as a specialty hospital and a skilled nursing facility, respectively. SHW was established in the District of Columbia in July, 1995 to provide a comprehensive, cost-effective alternative to long term stays in an intensive care or critical care units of a short-term general acute care hospital.

SOURCE Specialty Hospitals of America