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the HERALD Pages Political Forum Wednesday January 1992 Ottawa Report Bilingualism could provide more balance and common sense Bilingualism The very word can enrage some people It may be a policy that Canada has had for more than 20 years but it s still making headlines Alberta premier Don Getty has come out against it just when were in the middle of a bitter debate about the future of Canada and Quebec Now the Reform Party is reconsidering its policy which has been to reject enforced bilingualism The other three national parties all support ft And how about people in HaJton Peel Where do we stand The Constituency survey which I sent to each house late last year asked that question and the results are in About half of the respondents want bilingualism eliminated and about half want it made fairer and less costly Only a relative handful like the status quo For many people an irritating symbol of everything wrong with Canada For others especially the pohti it seems beyond criticism But I believe there should be no sacred cows Nothing that people can talk about or find ways of improving And frankly I think the time has probably come to rethink this policy First let s make it clear what official bilingualism is It is not forcing people to speak two languages Instead it is the right of a person who speaks French or English to talk to the federal government in their own language As a fundamental policy in a country founded by French and English 125 years ago I can sup port that Eliminating it now would just ensure that Canada as we know it would end A federal government that just spoke English would be alien to over million French speaking Garth Turner dians And there are some examples from the past of why that is wrong Jean Robert is a Liberal MP from Ottawa He was raised by his grandparents and his grandfather happened to be an MP But when his grandfather spoke in Parliament represen ting his francophone consti tuents the record of the House of Commons said only Mr spoke in French That was wrong And it is now the correct thing that the federal government speaks both languages But this does not mean that the way we have it is fair There could be more balance and common sense For example Is it fair that bilingual federal civil servants are paid bonuses because they can speak two languages Maybe it s time to end tha t discrimination Does Ontario really need to be spending a few million bucks right now changing the road signs on the so they re in both languages How about using that money fcr the economy instead For the sake of the environ as well as reducing costs shouldn we ban the practice of pnnting government documents in both languages As needed print some in French and some in English Do all labels and packages have to be bilinguaP How about the health food store that wants to import from the States but can t because of language regulations How about the person who wants to sell brownies or preserves on a small scale Sure for health and safety reasons consumers should J about hazards or directions in both languages But lets get a grip here Let not get less com petitive and more costly just to satisfy some gang of language cops By the way nobody forced Kellogg to put French on Corn Flakes boxes The company did it decades before anybody knew what the word bilingualism meant because they figured they could sell more corn flakes That seems about the right at titude to language doesn tit Queens Park Report NDP continues to consult with citizens Consultation Process Well Underway By now you probably seen the ads requesting your input into the 1992 provincial government programs The various Ministries involved decided to co ordinate their efforts and budgets and provide a onestop approach to learning more about the thirteen economic and social initiabves for this year For the first time the government has set up special toll free telephone numbers to help you get involved Your ideas and suggestions helped our government make some changes earlier tion and your opinions this time will make our 1992 programs work better for you hat s why we ve been asking for your com on the following major government initiatives The Ontario Budget for 1992 An Ontario Investment Program An Industrial Strategy A New Skills Training System Fair Taxes Agn cultural Land Use Review Managing Ontario s Long Term Care for Seniors and Adults with Physical Disabilities Labor Relations Reform Child Care Reform Waste Reduction Initiatives Employment fcquity A Social Chare- for Canada Some of the ministries have almost wrapped up the consulta process while others are just beginning To get more details Noel Halton North New Democratic Parly about meetings you can attend to discuss topics as well as where to write with your comments If you like to talk to me about any of these programs or about other provincial issues I d like to let you know that 1 11 be holding office hours in Acton once a month at the ASSIC office I also usually available for ap pointments my Georgetown of fice on mornings and in my Milton office most Friday afternoons Please call my Milton office Tuesdays through Fridays at for more information call 1749 on weekdays between and p If you work in Toronto you can call You 11 be sent material outlining the issues you re interested in You II also be provided with information Say I saw iliritfepraitf Duignan opens Acton office Noel Duignan P for North is pleased to announce that he will be holding office hours in Acton one afternoon each month Mr Duignan will be available for appointments on January from 100pm to400pm at the office at 19 Willow Street North in Acton Beginning in February office hours at the Acton loca will be held on the fourth Friday of every month Appointments can be made by calling his Milton constituency office at Tuesdays through Mr Duignan has also arranged to meet with his constituents in on Wednesday January 29th at the Nassagaweya ty Centre Area residents who wish to discuss provincial matters with him are invited to call his Milton office to book an appointment for that afternoon OSBORNE DECOR Mode Vert Drapes FREE SHOP AT HOME SERVICE Licensed Stylist tor To the staff at A CHDBTINE hair Book with LAURA Receive off a Perm or 00 off SC Style Until Feb 15 PreSeason Savings Save 10 to 20 Off all Spring Merchandise FOR MEN OF ARTHUR SUITS SPORTCOATS BLAZERS DRESS SLACKS CORDUROY PANTS TOPCOATS FALL AND WINTER OUTERWEAR LEATHER JACKETS SWEATERS DRESS SPORT SHIRTS TIES SOCKS HATS DESIGNER CASUAL WEAR AND MORE Fall and FOR LADIES CAREERWEAR DAY TIME DRESSES PARTYWEAR COATS OUTERWEAR JACKETS SUITS SEPARATES SLACKS SKIRTS BLOUSES SWEATERS All famous designer labels and all new this season PLUS Save 1 0 off our superb selection of cruisewear Most Alterations While You Wait by Tailoring Staff of 7 in lI hi hi A OPEN MondaySaturday 96 Friday night til 9 FOR MEN MAIN STREET ARTHUR VISIT SUSSMANS GARAGE SALE FOR EVEN MORE GREAT DEALS