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Pa ge 6 T hu rs da y, Ja nu ar y 28 , 2 01 6 - T he IF P - H al to n H ill s - w w w .th ei fp .c a Just silly Letters to the editor 905-873-0301 Publisher: Dana Robbins General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca, 905-234-1011) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca, 905-234-1012) Managing editor: Chris Vernon (cvernon@metroland.com, 905-234-1020) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca, 905-234-1019) Classifieds/Real Estate Kristie Pells (realestate@theifp.ca, 905-234-1016) Advertising Sales Jenny Hawkins (jhawkins@theifp.ca, 905-234-1014) Jennifer Spencer (jspencer@theifp.ca, 905-234-1013) Rachael Scutt (rscutt@theifp.ca, 905-234-1015) Kelli Kosonic (kkosonic@theifp.ca, 905-234-1018) Classified Call Centre 1-800-263-6480, Fax 1-866-299-1499 classifieds@metroland.com Accounting: 1-866-773-6575 Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca, 905-234-1021) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/photographer (emaher@theifp.ca, 905-234-1023) Kathryn Boyle: Staff writer/photographer (kboyle@theifp.ca, 905-234 -1022) Composing Shelli Harrison (sharrison@theifp.ca 905-234-1017) Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox by signing up for our twice weekly electronic newsletter. Go to www.theifp.ca and click on 'Newsletter sign-up' at the bottom of the homepage. The urge to grab a sled and head for a hill when winter weather allows is deeply embedded in the Canadian psyche. Yes, there are risks in toboggan- ing, but personal responsibility should prevail. So it's commendable that Halton Hills hasn't fol- lowed the bad example set by places like Hamil- ton and Orangeville in banning tobogganing on city property. It's a good idea, when possible, for parents to assess hill safety and try to make sure their kids don't sled near roads, parking lots, fences, trees or rocks. Helmets are a safety option. But for the most part, people should let kids be kids and let them learn about risk tolerance while having fun on the slopes. It's possible to make tobogganing safer. But go- ing overboard by an outright ban on the activity is just silly, not to mention, un-Canadian. OPINION The Independent & Free Press is published Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Independent & Free Press is a member of the Ontario Press Coun- cil, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For additional information or to file a complaint, contact info@ontpress.com or call 416-340-1981. The Independent & Free Press Knox Presbyterian Church wishes to acknowledge the wonderful support of everyone from the local area who came together for the 5th Annual Artist Ben- efit Concert on Jan. 9. Thank you to The New Tanner and The Independent & Free Press for the great coverage of this event; to Sobeys, No Frills and Giant Tiger for generously supplying the refreshments; to George McCowan MC, Bob Jeffries and Kevin Hazzard for technical support; and the near-capacity audience who celebrated the performers and artists who volun- teered their time and talents. We are grateful for everyone who do- nated to the Fund that gives an oppor- tunity for gifted, but perhaps struggling, artists to further their dreams. Applica- tions are available from the church of- fice, 44 Main St. N. 519-853-2360, knox- acton@gmail.com or from our website pccweb.ca/knoxacton. The winners of the young artist art competition are: Ages 6-8-- Hannah Knox Fund helps struggling artists French immersion is important Rhynold (first) and Siena Clappa (sec- ond); Ages 9-11-- Jessie Gedge (first) and Jacob Hilton (second); Ages 12-14-- Kieran Roberts (first) and Abby Sweezie (second); Poetry winner-- Sloane Boor- man. Our great community helping a local community project! Marjorie Britton Artist Concert Committee Knox Presbyterian Church, Acton To our very special hockey families pres- ent and past, we thank you. We are so touched by your kindness and generos- ity. The outpouring of love and support has filled our hearts. With much love and gratitude, God bless Sean, Angela, Riley and Cole Tannahill Family grateful for hockey family I'm a Grade 12 student at Georgetown District High School. In July I will gradu- ate with my French Immersion diploma and one of the things of which I am most proud is that I speak fluent French. Recently, however, I have seen many complaints about the French immer- sion program, speculations that the stu- dents in it are taught differently. Many people don't like the program and think we should get rid of it all together in or- der to standardize education. But Canada is a bilingual country and if we want everyone to be on the same level shouldn't we integrate more French into our curriculum instead of less? In order to graduate, the only class students must take throughout their four years of high school is English and we must pass only one literacy exam-- which is in English. French is an official language yet it seems that only English is mandatory for kids to learn. In order to truly be "equal" when we graduate, it's time to start treating French like the official lan- guage that it is. Emma Ayers Georgetown Michael Chong has leadership potential Word that Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong is mulling a run at the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada likely proved com- forting to those made anxious it could become a one-horse race featuring Kevin O'Leary. In a host of ways, Chong would present as the anti-O'Leary candidate. O'Leary, the finance sector mogul and pundit and TV venture capitalist-celebrity, offers ample sizzle as a leadership candidate but quite limited experience or investment in the Canadian dem- ocratic process. By contrast, Chong can boast of a considerable track record as a conscientious parliamentarian, a respectful activist for democratic reform and as a citizen richly invested in building appreciation for Canada's democratic traditions. To be sure, Chong's launch of a leadership bid is no sure thing. And, a great deal may change in the potential field of people officially seeking to replace Stephen Harper before the May 27, 2017 vote to permanently fill this vacancy. But if the former cabinet minister regards a run as viable and right for his family, he would present as a candidate worthy of serious consid- eration.