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4 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, September 14,1994 Of all policy areas immigration, unfortunately, is the one that often brings out the worst in people. Somehow our problems can be, blamed on immigrants especially if they are members of a visible minority- minority- Some Canadians - even political parties - will argue at one point that immigrants take jobs from Canadians, Canadians, and in the next breath, argue immigrants immigrants are lazy and live on welfare. To me these comments are incompatible. incompatible. So what is the problem with immigration? immigration? I think it's twofold. First, the Toronto Sun has sensationalized sensationalized immigration failures. This isn't to say failures haven't occurred - and failures ending in tragic tragic deaths are unacceptable and the immigrations department should be held accountable - nevertheless, I think the media has left Canadians with the impression everyone getting off the plane at Pearson is a gun tot- ing drug dealer. In reality, refugee status classification is the smallest entry class in Canada. In reality, refugee status classifi- cation is the smallest entry class in Canada. Yet this class gets all the negative media coverage. We should all ask ourselves this. Is someone who has been in Canada since the age of eight, then commits a crime at 20, a product of Canadian society or the society in which he was originally bom. We could debate this for days. Secondly, the immigration department department should take some responsibility for fueling Canadians' attitudes. The system is letting us down by not performing its functions. Most foreign countries demand you have a visitor's visa before you enter. Does Canada insure all visitors have this visa. Word is, it's easy to walk through Pearson airport and not get caught. And if someone is caught they are allowed allowed to continue on after an interview. interview. Why not put those who are caught back on a plane and charge the airline for allowing improperly documented persons on the plane in the first place? Also a visa is supposed to last six months. Does immigration insure people visitors have left after this time? No! There appears to be no attempt attempt to insure visitors have left. Then there is the legal system. Committing a crime while being here illegally is a sure way of getting to stay. The courts are very slow and a person has to be convicted of the offence offence he or she is charged with before before being shown the door. As I've said in earlier columns in some ways Canada's bureaucrats are out of control. In immigration they appear to be. The system is unresponsive unresponsive to the needs of the general public and elected officials. In a recent statement, immigration officials said they have a backlog of approximately 40,000 deportation warrants. They have informed the immigration immigration minister they are overworked and will process them when they have time. Maybe they are overworked, but that's a heck of an attitude. Durham will witness to a small degree the importation of migrant workers to assist in harvesting this year's crop. Why? Because native-born Canadians refuse to do this type of work. This speaks volumes about our social social welfare system. We can hardly blame immigrants for the fact that we've allowed Canadians who need work to refuse jobs. Let's keep our focus correct. The department and ultimately the minister minister are responsible for the shortcomings shortcomings in the implementation of immigration immigration policy. But I think everyone reading this knows of an immigrant next door, down the street or somewhere in the neighborhood. Are they law breakers? No. Are their offspring troublesome? I would guess not. Lets not blame all immigrants for the screw ups of a few. Please call or write me (no postage postage necessary) with your views on this subject. They are appreciated and brought to Ottawa. Farm Child Care Program Receives Grant of $48,600 The Durham West Farm Child Care Program, based in Port Perry, will be given a $48,600 grant by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, to permit this agency to continue its operations from September September 1 of this year, Durham East MPP Gordon Mills announced today on behalf of MCSS Minister Tony Sili- po. In making the announcement, Mr. Mills said that the one-time funding will enable the agency's child care resource centre services in the Town- Continued from Page 3 have arisen over the past few months or perhaps even before. As one woman who wants the best for the place I call home, I would like to sec the two groups find common ground, rather than continue this battle. battle. To me, that is violence being perpetrated perpetrated on women. This docs not have to happen, nor should it. It is time to take the challenge, to look at each other as human beings who tire concerned with battered women and children. End the war before more battles are fought, and the women you claim to be helping end up dead. It is time. ships of Scugog, Brock, and Claring- ton to continue operating from September September 1 until March 31, 1995. Future funding arrangements are expected expected to be discussed at a later date, he added. "The Durham West Farm Child Care program provides considerable support, information and resources to rural and farm families not only in Durham West, but throughout Durham," Durham," Mr. Mills said. "I'm delighted that Mr. Silipo's ministry could come through with the funding to allow this vital agency to continue its operations," said Durham West MPP Jim Wiseman. Durham West Farm Child Care operates resource centre services out of locations in Uxbridge, Canninglon and Newcastle. The Newcastle site is operated in partnership with the board of Newcastle Family Connection. Connection. All of the agency's resource centre centre operations provide services to farm and rural families, including drop-in centres, toy-lending libraries, workshops, resources on childrearing, childrearing, and information on child care services. "The Peterborough offices of Mr. Silipo's ministry will be working with the Durham West Farm Child Care program and inter-agency planning planning group, Durham Child Care Forum, Forum, to determine how to ensure that child care resource centre services can continue to be available in north and east Durham," Durham York MPP Larry O'Connor explained. Section Two Firefighters Raise Funds for Muscular Dystrophy Firefighters were out in force at the Bowmanville Mall on Saturday, September 3, to raise funds for the campaign against muscular dystrophy. The firefighters invited passing shoppers to drop donations donations into empty boots. And, thanks to the generosity of the public, the boots were not empty for long. An estimated $1,000 was raised in the project. Shown above with firefighters Owen Ferguson and Frank Azevedo are Tyler and Daniel Corvers. In recent weeks I spent time visiting visiting several of the local fairs to get the opportunity to speak to people to find out thè things they considered the government was doing wrong. It seems to me that most of the things people blame us for are outside of our jurisdiction. Take for example, immigration and refugees. During my discussions with people it came up time and time again. Things such as, "You cut back on hospital care, close beds, increase taxes yet the immigrants and refugees get everything they want, and for free at that." Then, "Why do you let these visible minorities flood the province and they all go on welfare, they won't work, get all the benefits which we pay for, and seniors can't get their proper drags." I have said it many times over, the immigration quotas are set by the federal government, so are the number number of refugees given permission to stay in Canada. The problem with it is that the largest proportion of them all choose to stay in Ontario. The problem with it all is that the largest proportion of them all choose to stay in Ontario, and they usually end up in Toronto. Once they end up in Ontario we, the provincial government government become responsible for them. That includes providing health care and social benefits that are not provided provided for or paid for by the federal government. We all pick up their tab. They all deserve to be treated in a humanitarian humanitarian manner, wc can't say to them your on your own, get on with it. What makes me cross is the blame attached to the MPPs, and only the government variety I might add, for a situation entirely created by the federal federal government. Some people I spoke to complained complained about the long grass along side of the highways. It seems that some want the fresh short look, but few were préparai to pay more in taxes for it. Several people feel just the opposite about the long grass. They like the natural beauty of the different grasses and the wild flowers. flowers. Nothing it seems is without controversy, controversy, least of all photo radar. I'm convinced that most reasonable people people understand that we, the taxpayers, can't continue with a traffic accident bill that already totals $9-billion every every year and was on the rise. If people slow down, resulting in fewer accidents accidents (in Australia accidents were reduced reduced by 47 per cent on the introduction introduction of photo radar) think of the savings in health care, policing, and insurance claims. Who knows, we could all be looking at less costly auto insurance very soon. Some people grumbled about the increase in fees for various outdoor sports and licences. The fact is that all levels of government are moving to user fees rather than general tax increases increases to cover things people do that are not shared in with by everyone. Everything has a cost, from camping, the upkeep of provincial parks, and the issue of licences, and the list goes on. Drivers licenses as an example are not paid out of the general revenue revenue funds so why should it be different different for other personal pursuits? After listening to your concerns at the fall fairs, I will continue to give Dear Editor: My husband and I were the lucky winners of the trip to Varadcro, Cuba offered by your business last fall. (Canadian Statesman, November 1993). Wc have just relumed from an amazing week of Varadero beach in Cuba. The flights, accommodation and food were just super and wc enjoyed enjoyed every moment of it. As the parents parents of 4 young children the opportu-. you the opportunity to voice your concerns at various Community Clinics Clinics to be conducted soon in Port Perry, Brooklin and Manvers Townships. Townships. These clinic times and dates will be sent to your home in the areas the clinics are being held in time for you to make arrangements to come in to see me. The Friday spent in the Bowmanville Community Office will be carried on with as usual, to serve folks in that area. During the summer months, I was called upon to speak on behalf of the Solicitor General at several functions, which is a common role for a Parliamentary Parliamentary Assistant. In addition to that I had the opportunity to speak to a couple of local groups and the Bowmanville Bowmanville Rotary Club. Speaking in another vein, I gave the sermon at Courtice United Church on three Sundays while the Minister was on his vacation. If your church would like me to come and speak to the congregation on a Sunday, Sunday, I would be pleased to do that. Politics and religion don't mix, that's what we always said in the army. My sermons are not political but they do challenge you. Call my office to make arrangements for me to visit with you. Until next week then - candor is a quality that belongs to the honest man. nity to be away ALONE, was time cherished. It has probably added years to our lives and marriage. Blessings Travel is to be commended commended for their excellent service,, and AlbaTours must be thanked for the quality of their travel package. Thanks for the chance of a lifetime. lifetime. Yours truly, Jane M. Chadwick Cord Stewart. Lucky Statesman Draw Winners Enjoy Amazing Cuban Vacation