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4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, September 7,1994 Section Two Opinions and Comments ^ by Cord Mills, M.P.P., Durham East MRP Questions Pettiness of C.A.W. Letters to the Editor Reader Praises Latest Ganaraska Adventure and Also Looks for Answers To Puzzling Questions Last Thursday, I was asked by Er- employees twice had they been em- nie Harvey of the Rotary Club, Bow- ployed in the public sector, who manville, to speak to their members wouldn't have agreed to take a few on the subject of the future of orga- days off without pay and to put their nized labour. I must tell you that at collective agreement on hold provid- first I thought why this subject? Couldn't they have picked something better? And then, as I thought about it, I decided that perhaps it would be the right subject for we are surely living living in a changing society. As I gave thought to what I would say I couldn't help but think how the C.A.W. has turned their back on the NDP. It made me think there's a strange sickness sweeping the ranks of some unions in Ontario. It seems as if the Social Contract is the cause seen to be enough to trash the NDP. You would think it to be the worst strategy ever devised. I mean, take a few days off but you get to keep your job, and you get paid all the time. As I wrote my speech out in draft form I couldn't help but think of all those employed at Confederation Life Assurance Assurance Company, some with many years of service. The mortgages they held, the future of their children and their education, holidays together, Christmas and perhaps even Florida in future plans. Dreams all dashed. These people were not asked if they wanted to share the pain so their fellow employees could keep their ed they held on to their job. Last week, I read that the C.A.W. were not even going to offer any assistance assistance to three New Democrat MPPs of their own membership, Pat Hayes, Randy Hope and Larry O'Conner, in the up-coming provincial provincial election because all three voted in favour of the Social Contract. I ask you, just how petty can anyone be? If the C.A.W. truly believe that the other main-line political parties, under Mike Harris or Lyn McLeod are going to do more for labour than the NDP, then for sure they must have stood out in the sun too long. Mike Harris is on the record to dismantle Bill 40 should he form the government in 1995, and the Liberals have suggested they will gut the legislation legislation too. This anti-scab legislation is something organized labour has been fighting to get for years! The NDP Government has also taken a number of health and safety initiatives, initiatives, not to mention a wage protection protection fund for workers whose companies companies have closed and left them high and dry. And what about pay-equity? The N.D.P. was founded as a partnership partnership between organized labour and the old rural based C.C.F. Now, it seems, that the C.A.W. is rapidly discarding all its links with the NDP, and they don't seem to have any further further use for us. I know the collective Dear Sir: This past weekend my husband and I experienced the "Great Ganaraska Ganaraska Countryside Adventure". For the second year in a row we had a wonderful time. In fact, this took on organizing and running this weekend. It simply takes over your life for a certain period of time and that's a lot to ask from volunteers who are not being paid for their efforts. efforts. We really appreciated what agreement is the sacred cow in all of teresting places we visited and how this. Perhaps we have barbecued it a warm and welcoming every single year we persuaded a friend of ours to they did. come from Montreal especially to go I think a bi thank you is also due on the tour with us. She also had a tQ aU those * !e who opened up simply fabulous time. She couldn t ^ homes and properties to the stop singing the praises of all the in- hordes of visitors . We are grateful bit, but honestly was there any alternative? alternative? At the end of this week I will be heading off to England for a few days. It's a trip I'd rather not be taking, taking, but some of our relatives are getting getting along in years and are not very well along with it. I am blessed with first-class support staff members both here in Bowmanville and in Toronto. During my absence you can count on that you allowed us a glimpse of , , ,, what life is like in the Ganaraska. It person she met had been. j s definitely an area to be preserved She has already asked us if she rather than developed, can return for next year s tour and bring some more of our friends from Montreal with her. I think that Kristin McCrea, all the other SAGA members (and their families!), families!), and the very many volunteers By the way, after the tour our friend from Montreal asked us if Ganaraska was an Indian word and if so, from what tribe? As well, she wanted to know if it meant some- all of your needs being looked after U1C ™ " wlv, n r* y „ .f T That ronment Fair, I realize only too well mst as well as if I were present. That > j , just as well as it 1 were present feeling makes my going away that much easier. If your answer to a letter letter is slower than usual I can assure you I will get to it upon my return. I use my computer solely to write with and perhaps I'm not using it to anywhere near its full potential. Lately, Lately, I have seen advertised games of the beat-'em-up and shoot-'em up type in which players are encouraged to visit mayhem on their opponents using guns, missiles, fists, feet and anything else capable of being who were on duty that weekend are thing other than just being a place to be highly commended for the ex- name. I had no idea and it was too cel lent job that they did. As one of late to ask anyone. Can anybody en- the co-ordinators for this year's Envi- lighten me? ronment Fair, I realize only too well Sincerely, the magnitude of the task that they Evylin Stroud. Group Faces Difficult Challenges in Attempt To Rid Clarington of Racial Hate Messages jobs. They were told their jobs were Bill 79 brought employment equity to * sed intQ service- Y ou can now eliminated, history, gone for good. I women, the disabled, aboriginals, vis- P ftlk in t he setting of your don't think you would have had to ask any of those Confederation Life ible minorities to give chance at good jobs. all a fair by Alex Shepherd, M.R y Gov't. Keeps Election Promises your prey in tne setting ot your choice, armed with your favourite weapons (using bare hands if this is your fancy). Aim a gun, and direction, direction, trajectory and recoil will all be faithfully calculated. I'm told that even the screams of the victim will be synthesized in 20-channel stereo, giving a prognosis - life or death. Strangely enough when you have accomplished your mission, you can take off your helmet or whatever, and listen with the same computer to a Chopin prelude. As I plod along writ- Re: Trashing Racial Trash Congratulations to Rick James, Chris Mendes and Terry Kelly as they work towards greater harmony within our community. This latest spate of racial slurs could be but the tip of the iceberg. Their challenge is a formidable one indeed. As readers, we should challenge ourselves to be alert to the almost un flyers or refusing to recognize turbans, turbans, we are dealing with racial prejudice prejudice - or cultural intolerance which amounts to the same thing. Either way, we do a disservice to our community, community, its citizens, and ultimately ourselves. The sadness is that a significant number of people will remain silent rather than take a stand. Are there some out there who agree? Will they noticeable signs of racial intolerance take a stand and go on record? - the unthinking words and expressions expressions we (or our friends), sometimes use. Expressions such as "these peo- This government realizes the importance importance of living up to the commitments commitments it made during last year's election election campaign. That is why we have been swift to eliminate and streamline government boards and agencies that are no longer longer relevant, are expensive to run and duplicate other departments or provincial provincial ministries. In the past, as issues arose affecting affecting people, hundreds of boards and commissions were set up to deal with problems. There was a need for them but it boggles my imagination as to why they lingered on long after the problem was dealt with. This government is looking at 350 of these organizations to gauge their relevance. And if there is none they will disappear. Our goal is to make government work better. Not to make it intrusive or expensive and meaningless. So far, 21 agencies and commissions commissions have been eliminated and the 275 positions that went along with them. This has saved taxpayers millions of dollars and there will be more eliminated in the future. Here is a sample of what has been eliminated so far: • The Minister of Heritage has wound up four panels and reduced the boards of directors of 13 other agencies - including the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the Canada Council, the pointing citizenship judges citizens will be asked to preside (voluntarily) over the proceedings. • The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has eliminated the Canadian Saltfish Corporation, the Canada- Norway Sealing Commission and five other advisory bodies. This means 32 fewer appointed positions saving taxpayers over $1 million. • The Minister of Industry has cut the National Advisory Panel on Advanced Advanced Industrial Material. Total savings savings from the changes, including the elimination of 93 positions (50, of these appointed) will be $750,000 per year. The Ministers of Finance, National National Defence, National Revenue and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency have made reductions in boards and councils of 46 appointed positions. Agencies to be disbanded are Emergency Preparedness Canada and the National Defence Consultative Consultative Committee. There will be many more cuts made to government agencies and commissions over the next few months. Public Service Renewal Minister Marcel Masse will report on the results of these cuts by the end of this year. I will keep you all informed. Even when the review is complete, complete, this government will continue to focus on leaner more efficient government government for you the taxpaying public. You've told me how you feel, I believe this government is listening ing this column, my brain asks just pie".."or "our ways"... often are tak what is the world coming to? en for granted, but are frequently sub- Until next week - It is madness to tie ways of masking intolerance, live in want to die wealthy. Whether we speak of disturbing Will you write a short letter? Each voice helps. While the hate campaign gets front page coverage, dissenters must accept the small print of Letters to the Editor. Won't you lend your support? John G. Manuel Bowmanville, Ontario. Ribbon Cutting Murks Opening of Bowmanville Valley Co-op CBC, the National Film Board and the National Gallery of Canada - for and acting on what you have said, savings of more than $500,000 a I believe cuts to government is year, cutting 96 appointed positions. necessary and people who truly need • The Minister of Citizenship and help and assistance will not be for- Immigration will eliminate the posi- gotten or neglected. I will sec to it ■ 'S:- The official opening ceremony for the Bowmanville Valley Co-op on Jackman Rd. took place on Saturday, Saturday, August 27th. Members from the founding executive and present Co-op executives look on as Durham East MPP Gord Mills; Clarington Mayor Diane Ham re; and Ward One Regional Councillor Larry Hannah; dut the ribbon. The Bowmanville Valley Co-op is a non-profit 68-unit apartment and lion ôf Citizenship Court Judge (50 that cuts arc not made blindly. Future townhouse co-operative offering affordable housing. It features a playground, community centre and altogether), saving $3.5 million over cuts will be sensible and practical to mrlrimT fnrilitipe years. Instead of ap- make government work better. pdr " lfc idunucs. the next four