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10 - Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, November 11, 1998 -~ PARLIAMVENi HI LL Alex Shepherd While 1 do not want to belabor bank mergers, last week the National Liberal Caucus Task Force made public their report on the bank's request to merge. Entitled A Balance of Interests it is the culmination of vlews 1 have shared with you. I and fifty-three other MPs signed the report. Obvlously in a group hils large you have a divergence of opinion but there was, general agreement because MPs reflected the public's views. On the big question of mergers the Task Force said the banks failed to prove their case. They said mergers are not necessary to make banks globally competitive. The Task Force also said banks didn't need to merge to create iarg- er capital bases so they could take more rlsk. The Task Force also found the banks didn't need concentration of resources to gain access to new technologies. In short the report advised Finance Minister Paul Martin to decline mnergers at this time. Canadians don't want to stand in the way of progress and they do want our banks to be worid-class financial institutions. But when you consider the high degree of turbulence in world financial markets, as weil as the potential of prob- lems from the miilenniurn bug, it is prudent to curtail a rush toward massive concen- tration. If -allowed the mergers would be one of the highest concentrations of financial services- in the Western World. The Australian and British governments came to a similar conclusion with their own banks. What's odd is the reaction from the financial services industry. For the amount of money these institutions have on Wednesday, November 30, 1998 the Clarington Board of Trade invites you to a breakfast at the Garnet B. Rickard Complex (Regional Road 57 and Highway 2). The event wlll start at 7:30 a.m. (sharp) and includes a spe- cial presentation by Stephen Harper, President of the National Citizens Coalition (NCC). The NCC is Canada's leading organization for the - defence of political and eco- nomlc freedoms. This Breakfast is also a to spend on public relations they don't seem to get their message across. Tht was evident when Mr. Moorehead, from the Royal Bank said, "Well the bankers in New York and San Francisco will be rejoicing." You can rest assured bankers in New York etc. aren't too sure where Toronto is, let alone pounce on the bank's business here. Banks just'aren't used to being told no. From taking over trust companies, to gob- bling up brokerage houses and buying insurance com- panties, banks have had their way with the Canadian econ- omy while hiding behind the Bank Act, Remember the banks say- ing we had to have NAFTA because they were going to dleàn up in the U.S. The real- ity is they couldn't compete down there and ran home seeking shelter. When appearlng before the government in Ottawa, the banks showed up with three- page submaissions outlining why they should be allowed to merge. But at the same time they force small business operators to give them stacks of financial data for a mere $5,000 boan. Then the banks say MPs just don't under- stand them. The banks criticize the Task Force calling our con- clusions silly and childish. They fail to understand the parliamentary system actual- ly works. The views of Canadians are belng expressed by MPs. Canadians don't see what benefits bank mergers have for them or for their country. Therefore to criticize the MPs is to critlclze Canadians. If the bank's public rela- tions strategies are any indi- cation you have to wonder if they can be world class. Perhaps we should have been saying no to them more often. networkingopportunity. Al those attending are encour- aged to bring aiong brochures promoting their business. This event is open to al Clarington business partners. T7ickets are $ 12.00 per person and must be purchased in advance from Jennifer Chaffey at the Tourism Office, Liberty Street (across from the Clarington Hotel). For information cal Jennifer Chaffey,(905) 623- 0733 or George Khouri (905) 697-2225. Snobelen announces $400,OOO for enforcemnent Natural Resources Miniister John Snobelen announced that the government will allo- cate $400,000 to enhance the ministry's enforcement efforts across the province. "Effective enforcement in all resource management areas is one of MNR's 'core businesses, and a priority for this government." Mr. Snobelen sald. "This funding will1 help maintain and improve our abllity to enforce games and fish laws." The,$400,000 will assist the ministry in the following areas: * enhancement of aircraft enforcement in northwestern Ontario ($50,000) e establishment of a canine enforcement unit in Sault Ste. Marie ($50,000) a acquisition of an enfore-' cernent vessel and naviga- tional equlpment for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River ($50,000) 1* acquisition of enforce- ment vehicles for Conservation Officers ($100,000), and * acquisition of enforce- ment equipment, such as ail- terrain vehicles ($ 150,000). When lmplemented, these initiatives will assist Conservation Officers in pro- viding an increased enforce- ment presence in areas fre- quented by resource users. Last May, the governiment announiced in the budget speech that an additional $ 10 million in funding will be pro- vided over the next three years for flsh and wildlife pro- tection and enhancement. The $400,000 for enforce- ment is part of $5 million dol- lars of the new funding th at' was allocated for the 1998-99 fiscal year. Body identified The body of a woman found on the shore of Lake Ontario, near Mill Street South in Newcastle on Thursday, October 29th, 1998 has now been identified as Lillian Warren, 61 years of age of Gienpark Avenue, Toronto. A man walking on the beach early that afternoon, found the body wash ed up on shore. A Bowmanville woman contacted police advising that the description of the body matched her sister. even though she had flot been reported miss- ing by her 40-year-old'son with whom she resided in Toronto. The woman's body was pos- itively identified on November 8th by three of her four sons, and the sister. An autopsy conducted on FOOD COLUMN by Angela Dey Another Christmas draws near, the spirit of love, inspired by the one whose birth we celebrate. Traditions are passed from one generatioi to the next, enrichlng our lives and strengthening Our families. Christmas, baking is one of many preparations to share thejioy of the season. FRUIT CAKE 1 lb. candied pineapple 1/2 IL.cherries 1/4 lb. citron peel 1/4 lb. orange peel 1/4 lb. lemon peel 1 1/2 bleached raisins 1/2 lb. currants 1/2 lb. pecans 1/2 lb. aimonds blanched 1/2 cup brandy Prepare ail fruit (dlean & chop) cut up nuts, soak ovemniglit in brandy. Next day, measure 2 tsp. fruit juice, 1 tbsp. almond flavourlng. In a separate bowl, cream 1/4 lb. butter, add 1 cup white sugar, 1 cup brown sugar. Mix well and add. to beaten eggs (6 eggs, plus 2 cups flour and 1/2 tsp. baking soda). Slft 1/2 cup of measured flour over fruit and add remalning flour gradually to the creamed mixture. Mix well, add prepared fruit and nuts. Use your hand to blend well. Pour into greased lined angel food cake pan and bake in slow oven 200 degrees for 1 1/2 hours then raise heat to 300 degrees and bake for another 1 1/2 hours. When cake has cooled store in a covered crock. Sprinkle with brandy or soak cheese cloth with brandy and wrap around cake. PECAN NUT SHORTBREAD 2 cups flour 1 cup pecan nuts, chopped 250 g/8 oz. butter, softened 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed Grind pecans with flour in food process or. Cream butter and brown sugar then add pecan flour. Chill dough for 2 - 3 hours., Roil out on lightly floured surface and cut into deslred shapes. Bake on cookie sheets linedwith baking paper, at 300 degrees F. for about 20 minutes. Alow to cool on wire racks. *Complete Car & Truck Repairs. eDiesel En gifles a Cummins, Detroit & Cat. *, Radio Dis patchedý Tow Trucks & eMobile Mechanical Service Truck. R.R. 1, Orono LOB iMO 4 Miles North (905) 983-9151 ofHwy45/11 N Northcutt Elliott E Funeral Home THOUGHTFULNESS, SERVICE & CONCERN A Faily Owned Business, Offering: Traditional Funeral Services Prearranged & Prepaid Services - Cremation Arrangements Alternatives to Traditional Funerals --Out of Town Shippirng CORY KUIPERS - PRESIDENT 53 Division Street Bowmanville, Ontario LI C 2Z8 " Pedicure " Manicures " Waxing " Nail Extensions " Ear Candling " Eyelash Tinting 623-5668 OFF STREET PARKING Brigitte Brown Gift Certjicates available NEW! Air Brushing, ESTHETIC STUDIO 171 Mill St., Orono, Ontario LOB 1iMO - (905) 983-8169 , ~. i4A Clarington Board of Trade breakfast with Harper FIVE REARTS