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~J16- Or.oaWel Tlhes, Wednýesday, EDeembýe20, 1995 Prom Hiil Are Canadians sa really bad off A suirvey appearing in Maclea2n's magazine notes Canadians are despondent about their future, behieve gov- ernments won't protect them in the future, and see their chul- dren's future doomed ta a life below the living standard their parents enjoy. The United Nations deemed Canada the best country in the world ta live. Yet we lament about how bad off we, as Canadians.are. Yes govemnments are trans- forming. It is an attempt ta identify inefficiencies, ta streamlnine the system, ta pro- vide basic service ta the country at an affordable price ta tax- payers. Ask yourself: Do you really need ta. see a doctor about your cold? Do Canadians really want ta use employment insurance as-an incarneé supplement.. Or wauld they prefer ta make their own living? Govemtment isn't abandon- ing people. Canadians aren't mean. After ail, collectively we've built a great nation and have shared it with the world. Canadians will not allow their gavernment ta turn their backs an people who need help. But Canadians are demand- ing efficiencies in govemment. They want value for tax dollars. ironically, while Canadian s criticize govemnment for being in debt- a debt we demanded - same Canadians are living well beyond their means. Consumer debt, as a ratio Of disposabie incarne, has risen ta 90 per cent from 52 per cent over the last 10 years. If some- one did the research 1 suspect we would fmnd this nising debt is owed by those under the age af 35. I brought this ta the atten- tion of the Governor of the Bank of Canada last week and he agreed the statistics are cause for concemn. We have ta ask ours elves if aur own expectatianis are the cause of the negativism about aur, society. Are. aur expecta- tions well beyond what is attainable? To be honest 1 have difficul- ty arguing with a constituent reductions in Employment Insurance benefits when that constituent has two cars and a' 30-foot boat sitting in the drive- way. Banks and other financial institutions have devcloped a stranglehold over the nation by rapidly expanding consumer credit to assist us in building Our own personal debt traps. This has to be examined. .In lis classic novel Oliver TWist, author Chai-les Dickens writes, "It was the best of' times,. it was the worst of tirnes." Surely, for sorne of us, it is only the worst of limes in our own minds. Being morose is not part of the human condition. Waking up to new challenges is., Canada is experiencmng new economic and fiscal challenges affecting us ail. This is a strain but our nation is stili the best in which to live. We have the resources, both human and natural, to pull us out of our problems. 'It is time to stop blaming each other for what has been, in many cases, false expectations of what it is this country owes us. We have to start working on solving our problems as we say good-bye to the 2th century and embrace the challenges of the 2lst. From John and Bai-t at your constituency office, Adele and Carol in Ottawa, our many vol- unteers, my wife Carol, my chil- dren and myself, may you and yours have a Merry Christmas. And may you share in ail the benefits this great country has created and share together as a nation. Hope Your' Holiday Is Tree -Mendous! NEW STORE HOURS 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. 7 DAYS AWEEK Q MO VIES - SNES - NINTENDO *GENESIS *POP *CHIPS *CIGARETTES 0 * FRESH POPCORN u O~AJAS VDE &GAMES 0 ~MAIN ST.0 983i-9117 THE CATERING CONNECTION SOCIAL CATERERS Our Speciahity Family Style Roast Beef Dinner Weddings- Anniversaries - Business Functions Hockey -Basebali - Bowling Banquets HOT - COLD - BUFFETS FRED, PATRICIA, RODNEY STORSBERGEN Box 416, Orono, Ont. LOB 1MO 983-9679 Because good customers are at such o premium these days, we're extra grateful for yourloyal support.V f--?.b COOPER FUELS LTD. Sleigh Beils Ring. Carollersfsing.Magie filîs the air!asfamilie4sand frieds xeange greetingg- of joy and good wilI. It's happening here and now in aur most wonderful town, and we'rc pleased ta be a part of it. Merry Christmas toalal! ezb1 c tlt rrea>C (eur anb bift e boppt Open December 24 Unti'l 6 p.m. -au