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r Ôrono Weekly Times, Wednesday, March 3,2004 - 5 Viewpoint by Alex Shepherd, MP Durham House and an independent tri- Council supports 407 completion Crown corporations Canada has a glut of crown corporations. From the Small Business Development Bank, Via Rail, Canada Post, Central Mortgage and Housing to the Export Development Bank. The list could go on forever. The appointment process to the boards of directors of these corporations, over the years, has been used as a plum to reward loyal political cronies, or to remove baggage standing in the way of others more favoured. While some of us question the logic of crown corporations, corporations, i.e. why can't this be left to the private sector, the reality reality is their boards are dominated dominated by people not necessarily chosen for their ability but rather for purely political purposes. purposes. For large corporations, with significant resources at their disposal, the boards of directors and chief executive officers have huge responsibilities responsibilities which require knowledge knowledge and training. I have been flabbergasted over the years to discover that total mismatches occur between an appointee's ability and the requirements to do the job. The bottom line is that we desperately need to change the way we govern. This means new ideas that reflect the sensitivities sensitivities of the general public. Crown corporation appointments appointments should be vetted through the House of Commons committees. This would improve visibility and allow the opposition parties, together with the governing party, to ask questions of the competence of appointees. Of course coupled with this would be the power of rejection. rejection. There should also be commitment commitment to the crown corporation. corporation. In other words, it would be nice to see remuneration based on performance levels. Some are suggesting there is a need to go even further and wrestle the appointment process out of the Prime Minister's office. After all, we vote for a particular particular politician hoping he or she will be part of a government. government. I don't think we allowed our vote to extend to the point where we give governments the right to appoint their friends and companions to positions of authority. Some suggest this will impair the functioning of the political process. But how about an interim maneuver that would ensure the appointment appointment process would have to go before a committee of the bunal as well? The tribunal could be composed composed of people selected from outside sources, such as unions, the Law Society and Chambers of Commerce, who would focus on an appointee's ability to do the job. This is the element that is missing. And because that element element is missing Canadians VIEWPOINT continued page 9 Clarington Council endorsed endorsed a Regional resolution Monday, requesting the Province complete the proposed proposed Highway 407 to Highway 115/35. The Region of Durham resolution resolution passed by that council on February 11, requests the province 'proceed expeditiously6 expeditiously 6 with, among other 400 series highway improvements, improvements, the éxtension of Highway 407 to Highway 115/35.. While the Region of Durham had always been supportive supportive of completing the proposed proposed Highway 407 to the 115/35, Clarington council was not. Clarington council has taken the position that they would prefer Taunton Road be widened through Clarington east of the Courtice link, as an alternative to constructing Highway 407, in an effort to preserve Clarington's agricultural agricultural lands. Council has changed their position says Mayor Mutton now that they have heard from the Clarington Agricultural Advisory Committee who would like the Highway built to the 115/35 as soon as possible. possible. The preferred route for the proposed highway yet to be completed, east of Brock Road in Pickering, is undergoing undergoing an Environmental Assessment (EA) process. The EA will determine the best route for the new 400 series highway from Brock Road to the Highway 401 Courtice Link in the Holt Road area. For the final segment, segment, from the Courtice link the eastward to the 115/35, the study will be revisiting the need for the 407 freeway at all. According to Linda Gasser, 407 continued page 9 AT DARLINGTON NUCLEAR YOUR FAMILY DURING Join Darlington Nuclear for great family fun. There is something for every child! Children must be accompanied by an adult. MON., MAR. 15 9:30 A.M. - 2:30 P.M. Darlington Waterfront Trail FREE Dress warmly. Explore the trails looking for signs of spring. Nature activities with Friends of Second Marsh. Horse-drawn wagon rides. Yummy treats around the campfire. oP« âiowewiâL '■ with Chief Topleaf IhOlliE TUB OP, TUES., MAR. 16 9:30 A.M., 11:00A.M. & 1:30P.M. Darlington Information Centre FREE Gather 'round and learn about aboriginal life through stories and legends. Limited seating, first come first served. WED., MAR. 17 10:00A.M. & 1:00P.M. Darlington Information Centre FREE 10:00 A.M. Finding Nemo 1-.00P.M. Spy Kids 3: Game Over Limited seating, first come, first served. to PPG Darlinntnn HYMNS' party Maple Syrup fBSTlDAL outh Service Rri. U Darlington Waterfront Trail THURS., MAR. 18 9:30A.M. - 12:30P.M. Orono Arena FREE Put on your blades and helmets and hit the ice for three hours of fun, friends and great skating! FRI., MAR. 19 9:30A.M. - 2:30 P.M. Purple Woods Maple Syrup Festival FREE A fun day of crafts with Friends of Second Marsh, and baked beans around a camofire with Pickering Museum at the Purple Woods Maple Syrup Festival. Note $5^Tamily admission fee to Purple Woods. All OPG activities are FREE. , For more information on our March Break programs, as «oil as other Darlington Nuclear Information Centre events, please call 1-800-461-0034 or e-mail darlingtonnuclear@opg.com. putting our energy to good use www.opg.com ONTARIOFSînïB GENERATION