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t The Clarington/Courticc Independent, Bowmanville, Saturday, September 26, 1998 Page 9 Bank Merger Debate Royal Canadian Legion Executive Branch 178 of the Royal Canadian Legion's new executive arc pictured above. In the front row, from left, are: Mary Mantle, Treasurer; Doreen Park, Second Vice President; Steve Oke, First Vice President; Lyn Puddistcr, President; John Greenfield, Past President; Nyhl Sheehan, Third Vice President and Cecile Bowers, Secretary. Members of the executive arc: Jim Connell, Bill Carey (Scrgcant-at-Arms); Sterling Mather, Randy Burns, Dale Tytler, Norm Baker, Stan Mages, Bill Sutton, Roger Lcetooze and Wendy Partner. Absent is Anne Cook-Abbolt. Clarifying Regulation on 12-Year-Olds Hunting The number one issue on calls to the constituency office this past week was about the new Ontario Regulation requiring 12 year olds to take the 25- hour Hunter Education Program. Most calls were in response to the Toronto Star article and the CFRB radio programs on the issue. Nearly all calls were admittedly concerned and were not aware of why and how the issue came about. The Federal Government regulates gun use. Federal Bill C-17 and now Bill C- 68 on gun registration is outlined as follows: Bill C- 68 Chapter 39 Section 8.3 "An individual who is twelve years old or older but less than eighteen years old is eligible to hold a license authorizing the individual to possess, in accordance with the conditions conditions attached to the license, a firearm for the purpose of target practice, hunting or instruction in the use of firearms or for the purpose of taking part ' in competition." Our provincial government ; doesn't allow | anyone under eighteen to own a gun • Our provincial program 'does not allow anyone ; under eighteen to own a . gun. Ontario's program is ; unique in its uncompro- : mising focus on safety. • Ontario is joining most ; other provinces, except British Columbia .where the age is 10. Ontario's regulation states: • the individual must first have signed parental approval • must successfully complete the Ontario Hunter Educational Program, followed by a written examination. This is a 25 hour instructional program on safely and firearms handling etc. • the individual after successfully completing the safety training must be supervised and in the company company of a fully qualified adult with whom they share a single firearm. The rational for this change is to restrict the use of firearms to those individuals individuals who have completed completed their training while at the same lime be in compliance compliance with the Federal regulations. I have a petition, which I am circulating to have the federal government table Bill C-68 to allow all citizens citizens to understand what Bill C-68 is doing and how it is not solving any of the problems to which it purports. purports. The second most frequent frequent call to the constituency constituency office was urging the provincial government to gel the children hack in school. I agree that this issue is seriously affecting our children and their families. families. Teachers have elected elected and paid full lime union executives to negotiate. We also have elected school hoard trustees and full time directors and legal staff to negotiate. The Education Act does not alone allow the government government to order the teachers back to work. In fact, when the teachers did have a contract last May during the Bill 160 debate, they ignored the law and went on an illegal strike. The Education Relations Commission is the body that will determine determine when the school year is at risk. It makes me wonder what the boards of education arc doing if they simply want the provincial government to act on their behalf. Please call on this issue. We record every call and your opinions do matter, matter, as I bring them up with the Minister and caucus. This past week, I attended the 132nd International Plowing Match. This year, it was held in Frontenac County at Sunbury north of Kingston. Along with our Premier and other MPPs, I participated in the plowing and it was a great opportunity opportunity to support the rural partners in my riding of Durham East. It was a great show and once again, the event highlights the •economic importance of agriculture in Ontario. The Durham Countryside Adventure was a great success this past weekend. Peggy and I visited almost half the attractions in Clarington and Port Perry. I met our Report from Queen's Park by John O'Toole urban neighbours of all ages marveling at Burt Reynolds' honey production production demonstration at Honey Barn Apiarys in Newcastle, the Simpson Woodlot on Taunton Road, a managed forest, which is an interesting demonstration demonstration of environmental sustainability sustainability and ecosytem. There were beautiful apple orchards, wine tasting, apple cider at Tyrone Mill, a dairy operation, as well as our beautiful countryside countryside roads and many other unique places to visit. As the member at Queen's Park, it makes me so proud to represent such a wonderful wonderful area of Ontario. Thank you to all the organizers organizers and volunteers, as well as the rural operations that invited people to see what a great place wc all are so fortunate in which to live. This weekend was the annual Terry Fox Fun for cancer and it was well supported supported this year by the number of runners out Sunday morning to run in the heavy fog and mist. This group of volunteers is always looking for donations donations and additional volunteers. volunteers. Call my office if you want to help out, 697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433. The Clarington Older Adult Centre held their grand opening this past Saturday. Annabelle Sissons and Don Welsh, co-chairs of the volunteer group have worked relentlessly relentlessly to make this dream a reality. As I am now 55, I guess I qualify to be a member. This session of the Ontario Legislature is scheduled to return on September 28. I am in my constituency office this week and I look forward to hearing from you. The 700-page Mac Kay Task Force Report, looking looking into Canada's financial services was presented to government last week. While many people think it deals exclusively with bank mergers in fact it is a wide-ranging commentary commentary with 124 recommendations recommendations dealing with all aspects of financial services services in Canada. Of course we Canadians can be excused for being confused over the report because the banks presented their merger request prior to completion of Mac Kay's work. Canada has one of the strongest banking systems in the world, meaning it is relatively free of losing depositors' money. And, while MacKay talks about the possibility of mergers, he in fact, does not believe merger is the only strategy that can enhance our banks' financial financial position in a globalized globalized economy. MacKay sees a need to find other institutions to rival banks. He wants Canadians to have more competition whether it be options such as foreign players or relaxing regulations regulations to allow co-operatives co-operatives to form their own banking institutions with new financial products. People think there is something predetermined about mergers while in fact the debate is just beginning. Bank CEO Comes To Durham That is why I have arranged for John Cleghorn, president and CEO of the Royal Bank of Canada, to address the people of Durham Riding at Durham College in the Lecture Theatre, Room C- 113, Tuesday, October 6 at 7 p.m. In my mind, it is Mr. Cleghorn who is the mastermind mastermind behind the whole merger story. Come out and let him and me know what your views are. 1999 Polaris Snowmobile and flTV OPEN HOUSE Saturday, Sept. 26 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. • New Sled Deals • Farmer/Hunters see 1999 ATV's • Used Sleds ready to go • Burger and Dog Barbecue • Bouncing Air Castle for the Kids SPOILED SPORTS 1898 Baseline Rd. 1 km. E. of Courtice Rd. at the 401 (905) 436-6487 TO MMLÆ» MARTIAL ARTS 282 King Street East Newcastle Classes for all ages Six days per week Trial month only $ 30. Call 987-3300 Parliamentary Report by Alex Shepherd Wouldn't it be interesting interesting to watch Mr. Cleghorn, who has an annual salary more than most people's net worth, explain why the Royal and Bank of Montreal should merge? I discussed the MacKay Report with Mr. MacKay and one area that eludes both of us is rooted in short-term lending. Given the nature of short-term lending in Canada, (by demand loans), my experience has shown this creates uncertainty uncertainty in our business community community and a lack of business business formation as a consequence. consequence. This is crucial when you stop and think that small and medium-sized businesses create 85 per cent of the jobs. But instead of worrying about these issues, financial financial institutions focus on short-term profitability and the volatility of foreign foreign markets, (where most banks have almost half of their assets), rather than long-term business growth. I see all of this as only leading to more turmoil in the Canadian economy. MacKay noted that Canadians are generally more hostile to banks than Americans. Maybe it's because banks hold an axe over your head with their 30-day call provisions on most of their lending. How much uncertainty should you have to live with anyway? God help you if the bank decides it can make more money lending to businesses in Latin America. MacKay admitted the lack of study on this aspect of lending and how it affects the Canadian economy. economy. Well I ask you, and shouldn't we ask Mr. Cleghorn, why isn't there more debate on the significance significance of merging our financial institutions when it isn't known what the hazards arc. In short the debate is far from over. Don't you and I have a lot more to say? Come out and join me on Tuesday, October 6. Session Scheduled For Breast Self-Exam A teaching session on breast self-examination will be held at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville on Saturday, September 26. These are one-on-one sessions sessions with a trained breast health professional. The hospital is at 47 Liberty St. South in Bowmanville. There is no charge. However, people interested interested in attending can call the Diagnostic Imaging Department of Lakeridge Health Bowmanville at (905) 623-3331 ext. 5400. The n ishctMtW s 'ish & Chips 2 FAMILY RESTAURANT Eat-in or Take-out We're not just Fish N Chips! Lemon Chalet BBQ Chicken Fish and Chips • Daily Specials Complete Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Menu We cater to all occasions with a price to suit any budget, for 15 to 50 people - call for details! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Sun. - Wed. 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. M'hurs. - Sat. 7 a.m. -10 p.m. FULLY LICENCED L.L.B.O. 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