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Wmm mmmm Delivered i Free of Charge to 18,000 Homes in Clarington from The Publishers of Canadian à ta Usman i WmœÊ mm WMWmm isSllli mm ■ÜÈ ■■I 111 * liii i* MR Sees Bright Future In Pacific Rim Trading Durham businesses are overlooking overlooking millions of dollars in trade opportunities opportunities with Pacific rim countries, countries, says Alex Shepherd, MP for the federal riding of Durham. Shepherd made the comment after after meeting with Fan Yanjun, consul with the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China. "Mr. Yanjun expressed interest in Durham's agricultural, manufacturing manufacturing and training expertise," Shepherd Shepherd said. There is approximately $4.5 billion billion in bi-lateral trade between Canada Canada and China, said Yanjun, most of which is wheat sales. He said China would like to increase this amount by importing technological and agricultural agricultural goods from Durham Region. Region. "Over 50 per cent of the world's economic growth is expected to come from Asia," Shepherd said. "I believe this represents an opportunity opportunity for new markets that should not be overlooked." Shepherd met with Yanjun at a dinner hosted by Dennis Mills member member of Parliament for Broadview- Greenwood and secretary to the Minister of Industry. On November 20 and .21, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and U.S. President Bill Clinton hosted the first meeting of Asian leaders in Seattle, Washington. They discussed the future of North American Asia- Pacific relations and the many economic economic opportunities that exist there for North America's business community. community. Shepherd said a number of Asian guests at the dinner expressed an interest interest in Durham's pork, dairy cattle, cattle, manufactured goods such as truck trailers, assistance with hospital hospital construction and training assistance assistance in the areas of accounting and management. "While trade with the Orient often often takes patience and diligence, it can pay off in big dividends down the road," added Shepherd. "I can co-ordinate our efforts to ensure Durham is well-represented and takes full advantage of these trading opportunities in Asia," Shepherd Shepherd said. The MP said there is a trade convention convention taking place in Beijing, China China in May 1994 and there should be a significant delegation representing Durham. by Laura J. Richards Studies and more studies. Some that aren't up to snuff, and others that just don't make any sense. That seems to be what the Oak Ridjges Moraine Technical Working Committee has on its hands. This committee is charged with developing "a strategy to protect and enhance the ecological integrity of the moraine, while providing an opportunity to pursue appropriate socio-economic opportunities on the moraine," states a newsletter describing describing the committee. Committee member Debbie Crandall told about 40 local résidents résidents in Orono on Tuesday night, Jan. 11, it is time for the public to have a say in the matter. The committee has reached a stage where 15 studies have been completed, Crandall said. The 15 study areas include hydrogeology, hydrogeology, land use patterns and topics related to culture and heritage. heritage. Other studies have covered the effect of other government programs, programs, a biophysical data inventory, and water and sewage treatment systems. systems. The actual study area of the moraine moraine runs from Caledon East to a point just east of Kendal. The moraine, moraine, however, extends east of Clarington Clarington to a point north of Trenton. Much to the chagrin of the committee, committee, most of the information contained contained within the reports does not come from new studies, says Crandall. Crandall. "The majority of the information is. not new. There has only been a little bit of field work done." An example of an area where a study has been performed on old material is that in hydrogeology. There is also the field work on gathering information on wildlife and the natural habitat that was done in November. Crandall said, the committee is working towards having having another assessment done -- one that will show what is actually on the moraine. The technical working committee has also gone through its share of hoops to obtain the needed information information , Crandall noted. Nevertheless, there is still plenty of work to do. "We have a lot of serious work Turn to page three Celebrating Durham's 20th Anniversary Sunday, Jan. 9, was the day the kick-off festivities of Celebrate Durham '94 took place at East- dale Collegiate in Oshawa. Durham Region Economic Development Commissioner Pat Olive and Celebrate Durham Project Manager Pam Jackson show off one of the t-shirts the region is selling to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the formation of the region. -- Photo by Laura Richards Councillors Discuss Ban on Sale of Cigarettes in Pharmacies Maxi Drug Graham's IGA* Newcastle Square Boy* Donna's Hairworks* ('indicates partial distribution) For information about inserting flyers in The Independent, please contact our office at 623-3303 A Ward Three Councillor says she has a hard time telling store owners what they can or cannot sell in their businesses. She was referring to a provincial government bill which would prohibit prohibit pharmacies from selling cigarettes. cigarettes. "I have a problem telling retailers what they can. and can't sell," said Ann Dreslinski. A letter from the Committee of Independent Pharmacists was discussed discussed by Clarington municipal council on Monday night. The group represents over 1,400 independent independent community pharmacy owners owners in Ontario. The Committee of Independent Independent Pharmacists is asking municipalities to oppose the restrictions restrictions on tobacco sales in pharmacies proposed in the Tobacco Control Act (Bill 119). "If the prohibition of the sale of tobacco in pharmacies is not dropped, community pharmacy in this province, as we know it, will be jeopardized," states the letter cosigned cosigned by three pharmacy owners, two in Mississauga and one in Downsview. "We cannot understand how government government can justify removing tobacco tobacco from only one retail source. This is discrimination at its most extreme because the food supermarket or convenience store -- often the neighbor and competitor of the community community pharmacist and which often sells many of our traditional drug store products -- will be selling tobacco tobacco products while pharmacists are compelled to stop," states the letter. The letter adds that is it is due to the tobacco products that traffic is produced in drug stores and "no products can replace these sales and create a base for our economic viability. viability. "As our customers go to convenience convenience stores and supermarkets, they will purchase other products normally normally bought in pharmacies. Subse quently, the trickle-down effect will be empty space in malls and in commercial commercial buildings. As time goes on, the commercial tax base of your community will be adversely affected." affected." The letter also warns: "The tax base may be further eroded by tobacco tobacco customers turning to the black market for their purchases." Councillor Mary Novak pointed out to council information promoting promoting Heart Health within the same <;• agenda containing the letter. She agrees with the bill. Councillor Novak referred to information information supplied by the Ontario Ministry of Health which deals with ischemic heart disease (HDD). A 26- page report examines the causes of > M what has been called the 20th Cen- tury Epidemic. The council decided to file the letter which requests support the • legislation without the clause pro- <' hibiting the sale of tobacco products in drugstores. . . .« > ,. . iw t „,, ,1 j . ° ; 3 :< i ;ii i,. » 71 'i *1 ,-ii . .9 .1 I ' 1 1.'* I 1 I If