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Do you think the Canadian Football League should be renamed the North American Football League? Yes: 4 No: 8 government, with consultation from the medical profession, has produced a list of medical procedures that it wants chopped from OHIP coverage. The list includes such things as removal of acne pimples, removal of benign skin lesions, injections for impotency, heel spurs, cosmetic treatment for varicose veins, penile implants, repair of earlobes caused from pierced earâ€" rings, general anesthesia for uninsured dental procedures performed in hospiâ€" tals, removal of warts, testâ€"tube fertilization, circumcision and annual health exams. In its attempt to slash about $20â€"million in health care costs, the Ontario While a case can be made for including any of the above treatments under OHIP coverage, the fact is that massive health care costs will have to be trimmed. But before the Ministry of Health proceeds with axing these proceâ€" dures, the committee responsible will seek the public‘s input. And that‘s good. One area that should be retained is an annual medical checkâ€"up. If the minâ€" istry wants to cut costs down the road, certainly catching some problems early would do much to curb escalating health costs. It just makes good sense. But ours is a vast country and a recent poll indicates that despite being the object of ridicule from many other regions, 94 per cent of Ontarians think of themselves first as Canadians and then as Ontarians. Second are prairie province residents at 80 per cent, Atlantic Canadians at 72 per cent, B.C. at 60 per cent and Quebec at 38 per cent. The poll also found 49 per cent of Quebeckers think in provincial terms while only 3 per cent of Ontarians think of themselves as Ontarians first. This provincial identification is the lowest in the country. After Quebec, the highest provincial loyalty goes to Atlantic Canada at 18 per cent, B.C. at 13 per cent, the Prairies at 12 per cent. ore books, papers and articles have been written about the Canadian ‘identity‘ than just about any other subject in this country. There have been many steps along the way in determining just who we are. The forging of Confederation was a milestone as was the adoption of our own flag. And Expo 67 certainly did much to enhance our world image. It illustrates, again, the differences between the various regions of Canada, especially Quebec. Anyone who still believes Quebeckers are no different than the rest of us should lay that view to rest . The numbers are particularly interesting in that they show how critical Ontario is to the future of the country. Cliches abound in describing Ontario: phrases like ‘the engine of Canada‘ and regional identification such as ‘the golden horseshoe‘ have done much to give Ontarians a feeling of power in national affairs. And this latest poll reâ€"asserts this fact. It would have been more alarming had this poll seen an erosion of the ‘Canada First‘ viewpoint of Ontarians. Such a result would have been especialâ€" ly disturbing at a time when sniping at our national framework is going on from a number of sources, not the least of which is the Opposition benches in the House of Commons, led by a regional political force. If the nation is to emerge from the lingering recession, it must look to Ontario to lead the way and despite being hammered from a number of sides, it still looks like we‘ll be up for the task. Only time will tell if we can translate our love for Canada into action that will ultimately help save the nation from selfâ€"destruction. Let‘s hope we‘re up for the challenge. Geoff Hill Circulation Director Teri Casas Office Manager Tim Coles Production Manager Ian Oliver Publisher Robert Glasbey Advertising Director Norman Alexander Editor Medical cuts Results of the poll will be published in ,5585 the next Friday edition of the Oakville Beaver. RESULTS OF LAST WEEK‘S POLL 845â€"3824 Fax: 845â€"3085 Classified Advertising: 845â€"2809 Circulation: 845â€"9742 or 845â€"9743 The Oakville Beaver, published every Sundag Wednesday and Friday, at 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, is one of the Metroland Printing, Publ mhlnqc Distributing Ltd. group of suburban newspapers which includes: Ajaxâ€"Pickering News Advertiser, Barrie Advance, Brampton Guardian, Burlington Post, Collin Connection, Etobicoke Guardian, Georelown Ind lent/ Acton Free Press, Kingston This Week, Lindsay This Week, Markham Economist and Sun, Stouftville/Uxbridge Tribune, Milton Canadian Champion, Mississauga News, Newmarketâ€"Aurora Eraâ€"Banner, North York Mirror, Beaver, Orillia TodaÂ¥, Oshawa/Whitby This Week, Peterborough This Week, Richmond Hil hil/Vaughan Liberal, Scarborough Mirror. All material publ in the Oakville Beaver is protected by ht. Any reproduction in whole or in part of this material is strictly forbidden the consent of the publisher Do you think details of the Karla Teale trial should be made public in Canada? Cast your ballot by calling §45â€"5585, box 5008 to vote. Callers have until 12 noon Thursday to register their vote. You stated we have two founding groups â€" French and English with one religion... Christian. You neglect to point out how many of those French and/or English may have been atheists or nonâ€"theists, who, rather than get their heads knocked off by believers held their tongues. Also, I somehow feel there probably were pockets of the Hebrew faith, and others. It was also the Christian majority led by a minority of leaders who were scandalously indocâ€" trinated accusing the Jews of plotting to overâ€" You claim one thing cannot be changed â€" that the nation was, and still is, a Christian country. Such a declaration is not carved in stone. It is of no matter who carries the majority just so no subâ€" tle religious pressures are injected into any public school system. Majority does not make it right. Just ask the question. How many Canadians would prefer to get rid of Income Tax? Time for voices of majority to speak up Keep all kindsâ€"of religion out of schools Many immigrants of our acquaintance enter to become Canadians. Though aspects of their culture are retained, they do nothing to hinder ours. Those who demand special concessions would never allow them in the lands of their birth. Dear Sir: Your editorial â€" "Keeping the faith" â€" emits your sadness upon losing the Christian message in our public schools. Yet, there really is no logic retaining such or any other religion in public schools unless everyone can be properly repreâ€" sented. The problem is not the religion, but rather the ‘practice of religion‘ to any trapped group of perâ€" sons holding other beliefs. Dear Sir: I wish to commend you for the editorial, "Keeping the Faith," in the Nov. 28th issue of your paper. It was well written, maintained good sense, and carried truth that should be circulated throughout our nation. The Oakville Beaver welcomes your comments. All letters must be signed and include the writer‘s address and phone number. Letters should be typed, doubleâ€"spaced and addressed to: Let those who insist upon religious instruction seek it at their religious institutions. It‘s better this way. Dear Sir: Congratulations on a fine piece of editorial jourâ€" nalism â€" "Keeping the faith" â€" Sunday, Nov. 28th. Your points of view are well thought out and clearly articulated. While remaining cognizant of our pluâ€" ralistic society, we must also not lose sight of our Christian heritage â€" a cultural force which has proâ€" vided numerous positives for Canada. throw Christianity. This led to Nazism and the holocaust. Canadians must be ever vigilant no religious group dominates anyone in the Public School secâ€" tor. May we all embrace the true meaning and mesâ€" sage of Christmas at this time of year and throughâ€" out the balance of the year as well. Government policies must aim to be inclusionâ€" ary, not exclusionary â€" catering to the wishes of the majority while respecting the rights of the minority. Another facet of the problem is becoming increasingly evident. Some of our own number in government office apparently have a deep hatred for the Christian faith and will do anything to destroy it. A seeming concern for the feelings of minorities lends itself to such destruction. This concern is not allowed in many lands of other faiths. It is time that the voices of the majority are raised in Canada. Keep up the good work! Exclusionary policies no way to deal with minority realities Letters to the Editor, The Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, Ont. L6K 384 Arthur Pangborn Harold L. Bayham J. Wayne Jones