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2 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, September 5,1984 Section Two Party's Future at Stake Political experts will be spending the next few weeks and months analysing the results of Tuesday's federal election to determine what went wrong or right and how to handle similar situations in future. Should the opinion polls prove accurate and no miracles happen, it would appear likely that the Liberal E arty ana its candidates from top to ottom will be the ones that after a period of mourning and reflection will be doing most of the soul searching. The Tories could be too busy celebrating to bother with such pastimes for some time. Again if the polls have indicated what the voting pattern has been, it would follow that the Liberal disarray would leave that party in a state of deep depression and shock for some time to come. Most of the party stalwarts have been retired to high places in that splurge of patronage appointments that accompanied or followed Mr. Trudeau's retirement. They probably are so secure that they will not be interested in providing energy and leadership for the party's restoration as a viable political force. So, that task will have to be left to others, with little hope of success for at least the next four years. Unless, of course, the Tories fumble the ball again which is too much to expect. We could see a drastic decline in the Liberal party's future potential if they really take a terrible beating this time. It happened in Britain, leaving that country with a two- party system, the Conservatives and the Labor party. In this election, the Progressive-Conservatives have ained in popularity partially ecause they moved to the left, taking over the middle of the political road, normally occupied by the Liberals. Should they continue to occupy that portion of the political scene, there may well be no room left for the Liberals. Time will tell, but at the moment the future of the Liberal party does not look all that bright. Only the Beginning The federal election may be over, but the political process goes on. And so, we suggest that the outcome outcome of Tuesday's poll was not the end but the beginning. Naturally, we can feel sorry for the unsuccessful candidates. They'll probably take a well-deserved well-deserved rest to recover from the campaign. campaign. One can sympathize if they don't feel like getting back into the political arena for a few months. Politics is an occupation in which one's total energy and ego are on the line. Even the most hopeless campaign has to be fought with enthusiasm, enthusiasm, dedication, and spunk. It is always unfortunate that so many good people who possess these qualities go down to defeat on election election night. For those who won, Tuesday's polls were only the beginning. And for all the rest of us, the election should also be seen as a beginning. There's a disturbing trend these days towards a kind of sedentary democracy. In this system, a handful handful of party leaders, politicians, and political activists participate in the election for the benefit of those who watch their antics on the evening TV newscasts. That kind of thinking has to stop if we ever want to maintain our democratic traditions. A democracy democracy consists of more than watching party leaders or politicians or top- ranking civil servants and party officials. officials. A democracy consists of the total spectrum of political activities activities expressed by all citizens. The government is not a group of men and women who entertain, frustrate, and amuse us on TV newscasts, newspapers, and radio. The government is the collective choices of all citizens. The government government is us. No one can really say what changes the new leadership will bring. Even the most well-intended promises from the election trail may have to be discarded and modified modified in government. And that's one more reason why the continued participation of the public is not just a right but also a responsibility. The public speaks in generalities in a federal election. The polls indicate indicate the overall direction which the majority would like to follow. But to fine-tune government decisions decisions and to implement specific ideas -- that's the job of the politicians politicians and the electorate between elections. The purpose of federal elections is not to select a five-year dictatorship. dictatorship. Democracy requires that the public serve as critics, watch-dogs, and supporters of government policies throughout a government's term of office. Our responsibility in this regard begins the moment the last ballot has been counted. To paraphrase an old saying, today (Wednesday, September 5) is the first day in the rest of Canada's life. School's Fees Ruled as Deductible Fees paid to private religious schools will qualify as an income tax deduction if the school is a registered charity and open to all, a Federal Court judge has ruled. Mr. Justice F.C. Muldoon, of the trial division of the court, ruled that religious schools did not charge tuition fees, as other private schools, but used the same fund-raising methods as churches and synagogues across Canada. The fees should be regarded as gifts and can be deducted from taxable income as charitable donations, he stated. There is "a strong possibility" Revenue Canada will appeal the decision, a Revenue Canada official says. Department officials are reviewing the court judgment and will decide by the end of next week, Robert D'Avignon, director-general of Revenue Canada's appeals directorate, said yesterday in an interview. Judge Muldoon's ruling last week overturns a 9-year-old Revenue Canada administrative bulletin that allowed only a small portion of the fee as a tax deduction. The judgment could benefit parents of about 120,000 children across Canada enrolled in private religious schools. Several million dollars a year in taxes is at issue in the case, according to Toronto tax lawyer Richard Fitzsimmons, who argued the case in the Federal Court. About 180 appeals against Revenue Canada were awaiting the outcome of the case. Mr. Fitzsimmons, who represents parents with children in religious schools in Ontario and British Columbia, said yesterday in an interview. Lyle McBurney, father of four children and director of the Ontario Association of Alternative and Independent Schools, launched the case after fees totalling about $4,800 paid in 1976 and 1977 for three Christian schools were not allowed as a tax deduction. His children had attended schools operated by the Ottawa Christian School Association, the Community for Christian Learning of Ottawa 2H|e (Banabian Statesman 623-3303 (+CNA Durham County's Great Family Journal Established 130 years ago In 1854, Also Incorporating The Bowmanville News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second class mall registration number 1561 Produced every Wednesday by THE JAMES PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 62-66 King St. W., Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 V L * JOHN M. JAMES Editor -- Publisher GEO. P. MORRIS Business Mgr. BRIAN PURDY Advertising Mgr. RICHARD A. JAMES Assistant Publisher DONALD BISHOP Plant Mgr. All layouts and composition ol advertlsemenls produced by the employees ol The Canadian Statesman, The Newcastle Independent and The James Publishing Company Limited are protected by copyright and muat not be reproduced without written permission ol the publishers. $15,00 a year -- 6 months $8.00 ■ strictly In advance foreign -- $45.00 a year I Although (ivory pmcnulion will bo tnkon to iivuk) error The Cnrindum Lvile-.'iun accepts mlvcillslng in Itn columns on tlif 1 uiKlofsInntJinr} lh.it il will no! bo liablo for iiuy error in the .nlveili'.emenl puhli'.hi'tJ lirroundcr unions n prool ol r,licit ailverItM.'/nont h requested in wnling by tin; .Kiverliser and relumed lo The Canadlim Slater,man bur,mesa office duly signed by Him advertiser and wilh such error or correction!, plainly noted iri writing thereon, and In Ihal case il any error so noted is not corrected by The Canadian Statesman Ms liability shall not exceed such a portion ol the enllro cost ol such ndvortistmont a 1 advertisement. the spacu occupied by the Doled error hears lo Iho whole space occupied try such. \ Z SUGAR and SPICE Some Summer V A plenitude of presents and Well, I haven't had a game of golf politicians, topped off by a surfeit of yet, and the picture is to be taken visitors and Olympics, with a heat tomorrow, but it was a fine party, spell and lingering case of summer with everyone extremely witty and flu, have made this summer rush many warm wishes from long-time pastatagoldmedalpace. colleagues. It all began in June, when the As well as gifts, I've been invited presents started pouring in, as my to visit the cottages of half a dozen retirement was officially observed. I friends, and out for dinner numerous was taken to lunch by two of my times. It's good to have people who favorite students, then to a receptiop. don't forget you're alive, even when for myself and a colleague, Perrie' ; they're absorbed in their own affairs Rintoul, who, at 60, is so fit he could andholidays. make a 32-year-old Swede appear on I have a feeling Canadians have the verge of senility. been stunned by a plethora of Each of us received presents from politics in the last year or so. First, a the student council, individual gifts Tory leadership campaign, with the from former students, a silver dollar rather pathetic figure of a nine- from the town's mayor com- months Prime Minister, Joe Clark, memorating the Pope's visit, standing in the wings, bravely trying and a rather smarmy plaque signed to smile, pushed off centre stage by "Bill Davis," along with a lot of good the smooth-talking, smooth-running wishes from parents and friends, Boy from Bale Comeau, who will, and a handsome encomium from our one day, get the same knives in the principal. Very nice, and we bàck. departed, laden \yith gifts for a great Then we were inundated by U.S. steak dinner at P^rrie's place. politics, as the Democrats' front- The following Friday, last day of runner, Walter Mondale, was school, there was a big party- seriously challenged for a while by a luncheon with a hilarious teaching maverick senator and a black and office staff present (teachers preacher, and later the rather are even more hysterical than daring choice of a woman as students on the last day, and the bar running-mate. It just might pay off, had been doing a roaring business). which is all that counts in politics. Again the gifts and good wishes Once more into the ring, dear poured in. My loot included a golf friends, as the Liberals began the bag, a very handsome credit at the circus of choosing a new leader. The golf club, a pair of book-ends, and, Golden Boy won it, as expected, so most thoughtful, a commission for we now have a Prime Minister who an excellent young photographer to held no office in parliament, and has take a picture of my grandboys. shown a tendency to fumble the ball since he walked out of the Liberal couldn't care if the Rhinocerous citadel some years ago to get rich. Party won the election. They And, of course, the national couldn't do worse about inflation, disgust at the final gesture of unemployment, housing -- you Trudeau, who once again thumbed name it. his nose at us, but this time in the Enough. It turns the stomach, grand tradition, herding the pigs, How about visitors? Well, my son winners and losers alike, to that big escapes the city at least every fat trough of political patronage. second weekend and appears, Turner will rue the day he signed the sometimes with a friend. He letter agréeing to all those plummy professes a simple, abstemious diet, appointments. He didn't have to, and eats like an undernourished thougirhe says he did. As the party's wolf, while trying to force-feed me chosen leader, he could have said on things I don't like. He's "keeping "Stuff you, Pierre", and emerged an eye on Dad" so that Dad eats with clean hands, and a belief in his enough. integrity. This is just sour grapes, of Then came the boys, who would course. I'm pretty sore because he stay here while their mother was on didn't appoint me to the Senate. a trip to Israel, for two weeks. We're Then, before we could catch our well into our fourth week now, and breath, the Golden Boy, badly Kim has been here for two. advised, in my opinion, plunged us Oh, well. What the hell. They're into an election campaign. If there is supposed to be going home this one thing Canadians don't need in week, and I won't have to play summer, it's that. We have two football with a bum foot, or take months of the year in which we can them out to gourmet dinners of truly enjoy the summer, and there is cheeseburgers and chips, and I a great apathy among the won't see them again until electorate, despite the attempts of Christmas, if then, the media serfs to create a little I'll miss breaking up the odd fight, excitement. the sometimes fierce hugs and There is much more pleasure in kisses, the great intellectual going for a swim, much more conversations about the latest rock excitement in watching the group. Olympics, than in listening to the And my daughter has written already thrice-reiterated pablum of new composition for piano and the politicians. They all promise the strings, has a job, a new apartment, esame things, in different terms, however tiny and whatever the cost which erodes the interest of all but (you wouldn't believe it) and got a the party hacks and the dedicated chance, and found out it's not that fanatics of each party. Right now, I easy, to write this column. Around the Board with Bob Willsher Trustee, Ward III, Northumberland/Newcastle Board of Education I trust everyone had a good summer. It appears many students are happy to be back at school and eager to resume their studies. I know many parents are happy about this too! and the Immanuel Christian School Society of East Toronto. Revenue Canada had accepted only part of the fees as a tax deduction, although the three schools were registered as charitable organizations. The portion represented the amount of the school day- spent exclusively on religion, But Judge Muldoon ruled that religious teaching was not kept separate from the teaching of secular subjects, "Studies of the Bible and of the Christian religion are not merely core subjects of those schools because, transcending the teaching of particular subjects, Christian thought, perceptions, values and works permeate the entire educational formation (of) the young people who are enrolled in those schools," he said. All subjects taught at the school are "vehicles for the expression and inculcation of religious faith," he ruled. It promises to be an interesting and exciting year across the board's jurisdiction. OSIS begins for grade nine students. Changes in the elementary system will also be evident. The board has many critical items to address throughout the coming months. There have been staff changes in our area and undoubtedly new approaches to education. I trust any changes will be met with an open mind and constructive input from parents, students and teachers alike. At this time of the year there are the usual probléms associated with transportation and the gearing up of a new school year. Most difficulties can be readily handled at the school level. I would encourage parents to discuss any concerns with your student's teacher and/or the principal of the school. If for any reason you feel further assistance is required after such efforts have been made please do not hesitate to contact me at 987-4845. At the Board meeting on August 30, 1984 a survey from the Ontario Public School Trustees Association (OPSTA) was discussed by trustees. OPSTA is polling member boards to determine if the province should be requested to change legislation to permit school trustees to participate in the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS). Our board approved a resolution indicating we did NOT APPROVE of such a move. Participation in OMERS requires a contribution by the board or more directly, you the taxpayer. I do not support, never have supported and never will support pension plans for elected officials. It is my opinion that when one seeks public office they do so for the purpose of making a contribution to society. It should not be for the purpose of seeing what society can contribute to them. Most elected officials receive compensation for the time they spend in performing their duties and expenses incurred. That's fair and most taxpayers do not object to this. Somehow it seems to me the ultimate in arrogance to demand the taxpayer provide a pension too! Many people in Canada today have no pension plan other than what they provide themselves. Small businessmen and women set aside monies for their retirement years. Workers in factories without a pension plan do the same. Why should an elected official be any different? I hope other boards across the province respond in a 1 similar fashion to OPSTA's survey and put an end to this utter madness. On Sept. 18 I will be attending a meeting in Toronto with James Snow, Minister of Transportation and Communications, Sam Curcatz, MPP, Mayor Garnet Rickard and Dr. Gary Tushingham, our Director. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the possibility of an alternate route for the Pines Senior Public School and Clarke High School vehicular traffic. With the changes in the 115-35 highway there is the potential for serious problems at these schools in the event of an emergency on the highway. With so many students and staff in that area and no alternate route for them to leave the concern should be shared by all. The board's Emergency Measures Committee supports this concern and the board has endorsed a supporting resolution as well. I will comment further following the meeting. The board operated cafeterias had a loss of $9,738 for the last school year. While this is not satisfactory it is a substantial improvement over the loss of $41,867 in 1980/81. The board's goal is to provide nutritional meals at a break-even price. It is not an easy task with so many variables to cope with, Gord Savage, Assistant Business Administrator, and all the cafeteria staff deserve credit for this improvement and our encouragement to meet the goal set by the board. It is interesting to note that Clarke High School is the only one to operate at a profit during the last three years. They must have bigger appetites there. '/ 1 i