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the Liberals took power in 1993, that 11,000 jobs have been created. "75% of these are long terrn jobs," said Shephierd. Mr. Shepherd points out that these jobs were created mostly in the small business and service industries. These arecas will be the backbone towards eco- nomic recovery. When asked what he him- self has been involved with and doing on Parliament Hill on our behaif, Mr. Shepherd informed about a private members bill that will be before the House shortly after they retumn on September 16. Mr. Shepherd's bill the Program Costs Declaration Act, will, if made into law by the govemrment, require that each department çost out the impact each piece of legisia- tion they plan to impose and have it certified by the Auditor General. Thus, a truc figure of just how mucit each plece When asked what his gov- ernment hias really done since it carne into power, Mr. Shepherd pointed out a few important changes. Firstly, he mientioned changes to the Unemployment Insurance legislation. The federal Liberals have reduced bene- fits in the plan, "The systern was to encourage you to work, not use it as income support," said Shepherd. High intensity users were the hardest hit. For people who regularly use the systemn, such as seasonal workers (fishermen, farm hands, etc.) they wîll find their cheques significantly lower. "The Maritimes provinces are not too happy with titis piece of legislation," said Shepherd. However, along with these changes was a change in the amount of' time reoiuired bef ore you could claimn U.I. benefits. P1reviousiy, it was based on a week system; now you wili be -i)l to colleet alter having worked a number of hours. This xiii be a benefit to people who work in labour intensive jobs for short peri- ods of time, but may hinder, those working less than the standard 40 hour week. Stili, this proposed change should help keep the U.I. system under control and keep costs down by identitfring frequent users. Going hand and hand with U.I., at least from an employ- ers point of view, is the Canada Pension Plan. The future of the C.P.P. has been the topic of debate for some tirne now. As it stands now, the C.P.P. needs fixing. -We have to deal with it today. If we wait to 2015, the cheques will run out," said Shepherd. He also pointed out that this was a problem that should almost have been deait with 10 years ago before it reached crisis levels. Mr. Shepherd polnted to increased premi- ums as one way of helping keep C.P.P. alive. He hoped however that titis would go hand in hand with a decrease in U.I. premniums so as not to affect your paychecks any further. Mr. Shepherd, a Chartered Accountant before stepping into the world of politics, is obviously very knowledgeable and interested in the finances of our country. He pointed to a number of areas where the government was working hard to become more fiscally responsible: He explained that the government is rernov- ing itself from areas where the private sector can handle things. This includes priva- tizing a number of crown cor- porations. Private enterprise can help cover areas where the government used to play a part. Mr. Shepherd likened the govemment to a "referee" nd s-aid they should not be taking an active role in the "*game." 0f course, certain areas must stay under gov- ernmnent control. such as meat inspectors and the like, to act as safeguards on the g5eneral public. But by spend- ing less Urne and governrnent money in these areas, it is hoped that the government can cut down on its spend- ing. Ail of these factors, Mr. Shepherd pointed out, have led to a reduction in Canadian interest rates by 3 to 4% in the Liberals man- date. "Our interest rates are lower than even the U.S.,"' said Shepherd. 'The govemn- ment continues to work to reduce the deficit. I think it will be fairly soont to see a bal- anced bud(get." Mr. Shepherd was- also asked about thec Youngi Offenders Act. It seems that we are bornbarded daily b)y the Toronto media about the increase in violent youth crime. In increasing numbers corne the cries of average Canadians for changes to corne to our justice systemi and the YOA in particular. question, Mr. Shepherd -replied the Liberals have al ready enacted ch-anges to the YOA in accordance to the "Red Book". the party plat- form they were elected on. Under the Liberals, thè YOA has been changed to have offenders of 1f6 and older who commît capital crimes auto- matically tried in adult court. Also, the maximum sentence for capital crimes has been increased from 5 to 10 years. In the works are plans to reduce the age brackets from 12 to 18 year olds to 10Oto 16 year olds. This two year reduction will help police prosecute youth crimes more effectively. The Liberals will be enter- ingtheir fourth year of their mandate this October. A thank you to Mr. Shepherd for taking the Urne to try and enlighten our readers to what is going on up in Ottawa, Classified Advertising Works! But Why Take Our Word For It. Place One Today. Trent University FaI-Winter Session Part-lime Studies B3rochure Available Now! Take a COUrse or pursue a degree, Cou rses offered miornings, afternoons and evenings. Registration deadline: *August 15 For information or a brochure cail: (705) 748-1229 WVe InVite YOu tLo visit our Web site hItftp1www.ntrentu.ca/xùnirjbc * -- ~* --e-I * e* e: e rLdmay L ndy 115 or.Ih GANARASKA LEATHERCRAFT x Rd. 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