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The Clarington/Courticc Independent, Bowmanvillc, Saturday, September 19, 1998 Page 5 Government Caucus Meets It was great weather for the Durham Central Agricultural Fair this past weekend, and once again, I was fortunate to be on the winning milking contest team. I want to convey my thanks to Mayor Diane Hamrc and members of Clarington Council as well as staff for their support of Bob Allen and his volunteer fair board. This was a great event and I am sure the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harry Dan ford, MPP, was impressed on his tour of our rural area. If all levels of government work together with our community volunteers, volunteers, we can achieve so much. Jennifer Cooke of the Marketing and Tourism Office did a great job in arranging a wonderful day. On Friday, September 11,1 was pleased to attend the launch of the Road Watch Scugog safety program. program. Chairman Janet Vcndrig along with former councillor Marilyn Pearce and community volunteers worked with Caledon Regional Councillor Marilyn Morrison to make this happen. Road Watch is a community community based program to combat and report iinsafc/aggressive driving with the support of the local police and the OPP. Citizens can report aggressive aggressive driving and the offender offender will receive a warning. There is clear evidence that communities with this program program have seen a reduction in incidents. Mayor Moffatt, along with councillors councillors Ken Gadsden and Ken Carruthers, are fully committed to support this community safety initiative. initiative. Whitby already has this program and I am anxious anxious to work with other community partners to see the Road Watch program in every community. This past weekend, the Report from Queen's Park by John O'Toole Honourable Hilary M. Weston, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario was in Durham to recognize a number of individuals and volunteer organizations. The Ark Youth Shelter and Support Services, as well as Hospice Durham, were the two main organizations she visited. As your member of Provincial Parliament, it is my duty and my pleasure to recognize the very important important role that volunteers play in the life of our communities. communities. The role of the office of the Lieutenant Governor is not a political position. Her Honour Hilary Weston has three themes that she works tirelessly tirelessly to support: volunteers, volunteers, youth and women's issues. A number of my constituents were either recognized or are quietly involved as volunteers to assist in making the lives of others a little bit better. At events like these, I must admit that I am humbled by the generosity of ordinary people. On Sunday, September 13, the Ontario Regiment held their 132nd Promenade at Parkwood. Lieutenant-Colonel C.S. Coles, CD, commanding officer welcomed the new Honourary Lieutenant- Colonel R.J. (Bob) Attersley to the Regiment. Colonel W.F. Hayball and other dignitaries brought greetings as well. The members of the Ontario Regiment deserve to be recognized recognized for their involvement involvement in emergencies like the Winnipeg flood and last winter's ice storms. This occasion was a chance for me to meet members of the Regiment from my riding. Last week, Ontario and indeed Canada lost a very remarkable person. Jim Bishop, "Mr. Lacrosse" was killed in a car accident on September 7. At the funeral held at St. Theresa's Church in Courtice, there were hundreds of people from all over Ontario who came to give their last respects to their coach, their mentor, their teacher and their friend. Mr. Bishop lived in Clarington where he owned and operated Lacrosse International on Lake Road in Bowmanvillc. Jim took the Oshawa Green Gaels to seven Minto Cup victories and contributed to the sport locally, nationally and internationally. Like so many volunteer coaches, he touched many lives over a number of generations. I have been in contact with a number of school boards and trustees, as well as teachers, parents and students students over the past week. Secondary school leaching schedules appear to still be the main stumbling block in negotiations. I was hopeful that negotiations last Friday would allow the students to return to class but it appears that any additional teaching time is not acceptable. There were a number of interesting articles in the news this past weekend that are worth your examination. examination. This week, our caucus will be meeting for two days. All of the comments we get at the constituency office will be summarized and presented to the Minister of Education and the Premier. If you wish to express your views, you can call 697-1501 or 1-900-661- 2433 or fax your comments tome at (905) 697-1506. As I have explained in previous columns, we have extended the school year and added 25 minutes to the teaching day. When you examine the other provinces in Canada, Ontario is not introducing anything more than what most other provinces already offer their secondary secondary students. Most people people just want schools to get back in operation for the sake of our children. Parliamentary Report by Alex Shepherd Separatist Fortunes Declining Everyone is claiming victory in the recent Sherbrooke by-election which saw the Bloc Québécois win the seat by 300 votes. The federal Liberals came in second, increasing their vote to 43.5 per cent from 8.7. The former federal Tory leader, and now leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, clearly was the loser. It must have been disheartening disheartening for him to see his 14 years of,hard work, and support of the people in his former riding vanish into thin air. Worse, it must be disheartening disheartening to know he is now obliged to face the same people when he seeks election in the upcoming provincial election. So, what do the results of the election say about the health of separatism? Well not very much. It appears sovereignty didn't factor into the vote in a significant significant way. Indeed, some of the federal federal civil servants voted as WIRES AND TREES MEAN TROUBLE. Cutting down or pruning trees near overhead wires is dangerous. If you are touching a tree or branch that falls into wires, you could be seriously injured or killed. Be extremely careful. Before pruning or felling trees that are near hydro wires, call your local hydro for advice or assistance. Q Ontario Hydro a block, for the Bloc, in order to smack the federal government over the pay equity issue which is now facing judicial review. Without the fractional- ization of the vote between other federalist parties such as the Progressive Conservatives, NDP, and Reform, the Bloc would not have been able to win. In other, words it is questionable questionable even in this rural area whether or not separatism separatism is a viable alternative. alternative. I think it is just a passing passing fling, a slight infatuation, infatuation, if you will, that is pretty well over. I also found this to be true in Shawinigan last summer. I think that as the economy economy improves, as people get jobs, and consumer confidence confidence grows, a much less radical voting pattern unfolds. Having said this, in both Shawinigan and Sherbrooke, the local economies have higher than average unemployment, unemployment, and support for separatism separatism is waning which is reassuring. Bouchard keeps talking about a commitment to another referendum if he wins the next provincial election. I think the vote in Sherbrooke supports people's people's attitudes that they do not want another referendum. referendum. Bouchard keeps bringing bringing it up because he is held captive by a radical sover- cignist group in the PQ. The threat of a referendum is not good politics in the province of Quebec. This should all bode well for Mr. Charcst if he can make it clear there will be no referendums under his premiership. A focus on improved economic performance performance and fiscal austerity is a message Canadians and Quebecers want to hear. Of course the Bloc and their separatist cousins, the Parti Québécois, herald the by-clection results as evidence evidence there is still some life in their movement. Well historically by-elections arc lost by the party in power. A win by 300-votcs is not a strong enough win that would tell you much about the victor. The negativism against the federalists that Bouchard said would appear because of the Supreme Court of Canada's decision that Quebec could not secede unilaterally failed to materialize. The results of the election election last Monday night are clear. In a simple two-way fight between the federalists federalists and separatists, like a future referendum, the federalists federalists can beat the separatists. separatists. Rotary Hosts Barbecue at Watson Farms The Rotary Club of Bowmanvillc hosted a barbecue at Ted Watson Farms on Hwy 2 Saturday, September 12, to raise funds for community improvement projects. projects. Above, Rotarian Paul Morris tends the grill while other members service up fresh hot corn, salad and refreshments. Subsidy Helps Unemployed in Durham One of the largest obstacles obstacles facing people in their search for meaningful, fulltime fulltime employment is a lack of experience. As the saying goes, "no experience - no job, no job - ho experience." At the same time, one of the largest human resource needs for business is a more experienced experienced workforce. The federal government has a program that can address both of these needs. The Targeted Wage Subsidy (TWS) program targets targets established businesses and organizations in Durham Region. It is a wage reimbursement reimbursement program whose goal is to find permanent, full-time employment for eligible eligible participants. TWS provides provides up to 60% wage reimbursement reimbursement for businesses on wages, up to a maximum of $7.00 per hour for 12 to 26 weeks. The terms of the employment are that the work must be full-time (30 hours per week) and related to the client's career goals. Human Resources Development Canada is introducing introducing new information sessions sessions for people who are currently currently in receipt of Employment Insurance Benefits or who have been in receipt of Benefits within the past three years, or up to five years if they have filed for Maternity or Parental Benefits. The information sessions will take place every Monday from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m., starting Monday, September 14 at 78 Richmond St. W. in Oshawa. The sessions aim to inform the group how qualified participants participants can take advantage of the benefits of the HRDC Targeted Wage Subsidy pro gram. If you are an eligible client or potential employer and would like more information information on Targeted Wage Subsidy, call (905)725-2001. PëâtocK ROSSLAND UJ o o 5 □ Z o CO U) ADELAIDE cc HWY. 401 328 Ritson Rd. 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