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THE HERALD Wednesday February 1990 Page What really happens inside a Liberal caucus meeting Walt r Elliot MPP Hallon North Liberal I mentioned last week that I was preparing to go on a threeday caucus retreat When I returned it occurred to me that you might find it interesting to hear about what happens at caucus meetings Traditionally caucus meetings are confidential This confidentiality allows all members to speak their mind without fear of their party or their col leagues No one but your col leagues will know that you lost your temper with the premier or suggested to some honorable minister that his or her prize piece of new legislation was going to need more than just a little work if your constituents were to cope with it However within this tradition of confidentiality it is possible to describe what goes on at a caucus meeting or a caucus retreat in a general way Ordinaryly full caucus meetings occur from 10 a until noon on Tuesdays when the Legislature is in session and are designed to allow the members to discuss the day to day business of the Legislature Between and 10 a on the same day groups may make presentations to the caucus members or caucus committees may meet Caucus retreats allow time for ministers to make presentations about legislation being developed or for more general discussions about the future direction of party policy The retreats also provide all members with time to have discussions away from the pressure of scheduled to meet and phones to answer and staff with let to sign Caucus is he time when between ministers and backbenchers or the premier and parliamentary assistants become blurred Anyone can express their opinion of government and party policy Everyone is encouraged to make suggestions or voice com plaints about the matters at hand Criticism is often quite fierce and caucus discussions can and do lead directly to changes in government policy or legislation The Liberal Party s most recent caucus retreat was held at Geneva Park at what was formerly a church camp The buildings are designed to promote the meeting of small groups for informal discus sions as well as larger more formal gatherings The large sessions at which all attended concentrated on the future direction of government policy A great deal of the party s election platform from J9S5 and 1987 has been earned out or is presently before the House or Com mittee With this in mind the future priorities of the Liberal government are in the process of being developed The discussions ranged from the state of the economy to the of initiatives to preserve the environment Federal provincial relations the Lake accord taxes health and education were all examined with a view to determining the position Ontario should adopt It was in the more informal small group meeting that the most Fashions For The Young At Heart 115 MAIN ST SGEORGETOWN Across From Passive Reducing Exclusive Ladies Salon Paraffin Wax Manicure 8734907 Rear Entrance Georgetown If you currently have an RRSP or are thinking about opening one do you know what the limita tions and benefits are for income tax purposes Find out from the income tax specialists at H R Block Let us show you how the RRSP could benefit you in your tax situation Put us to work for you HR BLOCK CANADAS TAX TEAM NEW LOCATION IN GEORGETOWN KNOLCREST PLAZA 345GuelphSl Unit Behind Penny 8776733 ACTON LOCATION 8 Mill Street E Acton 8531771 far reaching discussions developed Arguments both for and against radical solutions to en problems were made from ridings experiencing very rapid growth compared notes on problems and solutions Cabinet members were button holed with the hope of influencing govern ment policy one way or another Most importantly ideas and in formation were shared more com pletely than is possiblt when are immersed in the office com or constituency work that usually makes up their days For those of you who are in terested in political gossip I will admit that the next election was discussed I don consider this a breach of confidentiality because every gathering of politicians tends to discuss either the next election or the last one The premier was given a great deal of advice on the timing of Ontario next election Unfortunately near every date from now until the fall of 1992 came up during the three days Now that the caucus retreat is over members will go back to their ridings to deal with individual con However the three days have left us with a renewed understanding of the importance of constant communication and plan ning for the future Chequeing in The Open Door program was presented with a MOO cheque Feb from Elizabeth Fashions The money was raised during the recent Fifth Annual Bridal Show Heather Burke Elizabeth store manager left presents the cheque to Vanessa BellSmith the executive tor of the young parents program Herald photo Seniors lowincome families can get free tax help PHOTO REPRINTS appearing in The Herald 8772201 Income tax returns will be done at no charge by volunteers from the local branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of On This service is only for seniors and low income families whose single income is no higher than 14 000 without dependents or with dependents Dates for the Georgetown Library are March 7 and 13 from m Dates for the Acton Library are March 6 and from Please make an appoint ment by calling 2681 or Register as space is limited Registration begins Feb 6 SAME DAY TAX RETURNS 101 Guelph St Georgetown 8772217 Whats Cooking at Steak Express Saturday is Sample Day GEORGETOWN OPEN 96 Fridays 99 SUSSMANS FINAL WINTER CLEARANCE SALE SAVE 70 off Entire Fall And Winter Merchandise from famous names as Simon Chang Jones New York Mr Jax Linda Rouie Mister Leonard Tan Jay Garey Petites and many many more SAVE 20 OFF ALL NEW SPRING COATS AND JACKETS