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Page 4 The Claringlon/Courlicc Independent, Bowmanviltc, Saturday, March 14, 1998 Student Welcomed as Legislative Page Quilt Draw Raises $3000 for Big Brothers A draw for this quill displayed at Gould's Card and Gift shop in Bowmanvillc raised over $3,000 for the Big Brothers of Clarington. The quilt was made by the ladies' group at St. George's Anglican Church in Newcastle and won first prize in its class at the Orono Fair. Pictured above (seated) is the winner, Mary Geisberger, of Courticc, along with her son, Jacob. Also in the photo are Ray Simser (who made the quilt stand which was part of the the prize package) and Gloria Gordon, of the St. George's Anglican Church. It was her idea to produce the quilt and she also donated much of the time and materials. The draw took place February 28th, with the winner accepting her prize last week. I am very pleased to have been notified that I have another student from my riding of Durham East who has qualified as a legislative legislative page. John Guenther from Scugog Christian School in Port Perry has been selected to serve as a page for the next session starting in April 1998.1 extend congratulations congratulations to John and encourage encourage any grade 7 or 8 student student to apply for this very interesting learning experience. experience. If you want more information about this program, program, please call my constituency constituency office at (905) 697-1501 or 1-800-661- 2433. On a different level, I am pleased to have been selected to have the assistance assistance of a legislative intern. The Ontario Legislative Internship Programme is an advanced program, which offers graduate students the opportunity to work with members from both sides of the house. Lauri Leduc has an undergraduate degree in History and Political Science as well as an M.A. in Public History. Lauri worked with Lyn McLeod, the Liberal member member from Fort William and the Liberal education critic in the first half of the programme. programme. Lauri is working on research for me and will focus on the new Municipal Act. It is my intention to introduce Lauri to the municipal mayors and councillors in my riding. Lauri will gather gather input from municipal leaders from our community community on the changes they would like to see in the Municipal Act. Jean Charest Should Lead Quebec Liberals To go or not to go is the question on the mind of federal federal Progressive Conservative Party leader Jean Charest. Should lie run for the leadership leadership of die Quebec Liberal Party or stay in Ottawa in his present position? 1 think he should go to Quebec. Adversary Of course on any given day, he is, naturally, my adversary as we'cross swords over public policy. For example, example, 1 attacked him in the House recently for supporting the idea that Quebec, unilaterally, unilaterally, has the right to decide its status without reference to common law. Obviously, in a democracy, people have different different views! But last week 1 set my party allegiance aside and wrote Jean Charest urging him to contest the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party. 1 understand that in the public's eyes the whole thing may seem somewhat absurd. People wonder how a Conservative can take over the leadership of a Liberal parly. In essence the Liberal Party of Canada and the Quebec Liberal Party have only the same name in com mon. In fact it is not uncommon uncommon for members of the Quebec National Assembly to work for members of the Bloc Québécois in federal elections. elections. In short, there is little synthesis between the two parties. Mr, Charest has shown his dedication to the country by actively fighting for the "No" side in the last referendum. In some ways Mr. Charesl's going to Quebec is like going to a horse race. There is one horse we certainly certainly don't want to win which is the front runner. And of the remaining horses there is only one that has a chance of catching the front runner. The choice then seems clear. Mr. Charest should go to Quebec since he is in the best position to beat Bouchard. I don't believe this is an easy decision for Mr. Charest and I don't believe it's a job he wants. 1 believe that if he doesn't stand up to the challenge challenge he will have missed his opportunity to have a future impact on the nation. Then there arc all the down sides. What if you don't win and your sentence is purgatory purgatory in Quebec City. Like everything it is easy for others, others, including me to make these suggestions. After all we have no responsibility if the suggestions go wrong. It's clear that over the long haul Mr. Charest could make a major dent in my party. Let me say that if (all the ifs!) Mr. Charest is successful (note that over 10 per cent of Parti Québécois supporters would vote for anyone else to ensure that there are no more referendums) referendums) 1 still don't believe we have solved the problems of the separatists. What has been accomplished accomplished is that Canadians have a tremendous opportunity opportunity to build new bridges with fellow Canadians in Quebec. Opportunities, I might add, which separatists have destroyed over the last 20 years. Political Birth How strange it is that Brian Mulroney gave political political birth to both Lucien Bouchard and Jean Charest! I sat with Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion and watched on TV Quebec Liberal Party leader Daniel Johnson resign. Our discussion turned to other things, especially Chicoutimi, Quebec, since we have a school in this riding that has an exchange program with a school there. The last time Dion addressed a CEGEP (community (community college) in Chicoutimi no one came because their teachers teachers told them not to go. Ironically, this very same area is one of the federal seats Charest helped win for the Progressive Conservatives in the last federal election. This gives you an idea of what has to be done in that province to reduce the silly barriers that some small- minded people have erected. In any case, I think the fate of Mr. Charest lies in his going to Quebec City to fight the separatists in that province. 1 wish him well. HE DOESN'T WANT YOUR PITY, BUT A WHEELCHAIR RAMP OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE MIGHT BE NICE. When- you're 12 years old and your morn still carries you up the stairs, it's frustrating. Not just because it'll be impossible pretty soon, but also because die solution is as simple as a wheelchair ramp. But, at about $3,000, it's beyond most people's means. So where does a ldd turn? To Easter Seals. And we turn to you. So we want to get one thing straight. We're not the ones who need your money. Kids with physical disabilities disabilities do. All we do is route it to them. It goes directly to equipment and services like ramps, wheelchairs, independence and life skills. Stuff that really does have an effect, hi the long run it can help these kids live on their own. So, when you receive our Easter Seals package in the mail, please give. Or call 1-888-ESS-KIDS, 24 hours a clay, 7 days a week. It's so simple to help that it makes a wheelchair 638161 , , . . SB3I ramp look complicated in SOCiGtV comparison. Putting kids flrstl Help children with physical disabilities and their families in Clarington by supporting Easter Seals through donations to the Rotary Club of Bowmanvillc. Save postage costs! Leave your donation at the Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank or National Trust (Bowmanvillc branches). Watch for your Easter Seals envelope delivered with your Saturday, March 14th Independent. Report from Queen's Park by John O'Toole Last week, I attended a meeting at Grandview Children's Treatment Centre in Osliawa. Grandview serves families and children with special needs. The Ministry of Health announced $8.1 million dollars for Durham to provide long term earc services. Grandview has a budget of approximately $1.4 million dollars currently currently and the additional funding of $615,000.00 is being funnclcd through the new Durham Access to Care. The tendering process somehow excluded excluded Grandview, which provides provides only very specialized services to children. I am concerned that parents of children with special needs may somehow feel that additional services may not be as good as those presently offered by Grandview. I am however pleased that there is over 600,000.00 new dollars for children in Durham. I have asked the minister to examine the tenders to ensure that the money goes toward expanding and improving services for children in Durham. Generosity can save a life. Every day, we each have occasions where our actions can make a difference. difference. The story of the young 13 year old Scarborough boy, James MacDonald who is fighting fighting for his life brings out the best in people. On a larger front, the province of Ontario has finally done the right thing for the remaining Dionne Quints. Tomorrow, along with many other citizens, I will attend the Golden Griddle Children's Charity breakfast. breakfast. Rebecca Hardy, a 7 year old with cerebral palsy will be the special guest. Each one of us can make a difference, after all, life is about sharing will) others. Almost 100/000 families will benefit from the Ontario Child Tax Credit Last week, Finance Minister Ernie Eves confirmed confirmed the promised Ontario Child Tax Credit. Low income families arc eligible for up to $400.00 per child. Almost 100,000 families will.benefit when completing their 1997 income tax return. This is one of a number of programs programs aimed at helping children. The issue of the new Fair Assessment System has prompted a number of calls to my constituency office. I have interviewed both Durham Assessment Office officials as well as a local council on my Rogers Cable TV Show. These video conversations are available at your local library. I am confident that by the end of March, councils councils will have their final total assessment numbers and transfer costs. It is premature premature to say how councils councils will spread the burden amongst the seven properly properly tax classes. I am looking into the effect on the loss of farm tax assessment, which has a large impact in my riding. There are public meetings on the new Assessment System as I outlined last week. Call if you need more information. information. Jean Charest, the federal federal Conservative leader is being encouraged to take the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Parly. This must be a tough decision for Mr. Charest and his family. To some, his decision decision must sound like a conundrum. It is my view that we arc short on political political leaders with passion today. Leadership requires a vision, with the honesty, courage and compassion to deliver. In Canada today, we have so many conflicting conflicting visions that we are distracted distracted from seeking common common goals that would unite us. I am sure Mr. Charest hopes this challenge would just go away. No doubt, the future will be impacted by his decision no matter his choice. Until next week, please stay in touch. OVERSTOCKED INVENTORY L V 1 F* ■ 1 ■ ■■I L LEASING - CAVALIER ■ INTRIGUE - VENTURE Cavalier Venture LEASING AVAILABLE on CAVALIER OVER 200 MODELS TO CHOOSE FROM! ■\ LIMITED TIME OFFER ■ Sale ends March 31,1998. "The greatest compliment you can pay us is to refer others to our dealership." 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