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Page 12 The Clarington/Courlice Independent, Bowmanville, Friday, June 18, 1999 The United Alternative Parliamentary Report by Alex Shepherd I was happy to be part of my son Mark's wedding last weekend. He married a beautiful girl, Michelle, and I wish them the best. Robert Lois Stevenson once described marriage as one long conversation checkered by disputes. I think Mark and Michelle's union will be one very long, happy and interesting conversation conversation with a minimum of disputes. But I can't say the same for Preston Manning's marriage marriage of the Canadian right, his United Alternative (UA) option. The UA will be some kind of strange marriage marriage checkered with nothing nothing but internal arguments, squabbles and disputes. The realization that no one outside of the Reform Party is interested in this union, or what it is about, must be painful for Manning. The political history history of Canada, if he had eared to look, would have shown him how ludicrous his plan is. It's been said that if there was a UA candidate in Durham in the '97 general election, I would have been unseated. If the NDP vote had come my way I would have had an absolute majority. majority. This illustrates that people people in Durham and Canadians generally, are not right wing. They arc reasonable reasonable people who want accountability from government, government, as well as legislation that performs a common good for society as a whole. People in Durham have shown me time-and-again their compassion, their understanding and how conciliatory conciliatory they can be to the plight of the less fortunate, to the problems arising in other provinces and other countries. I see very little of this in the Reform Party or the groups and individuals who show interest in Reform's marriage proposal. The Reform Party will never be a national party. For those who support them, I feel nothing but sympathy. As much as they think there is, there are no simple solutions solutions to complex problems. This simple Western Canadian protest movement, movement, made up of the remnants remnants of the old Social Credit Party, has not rationalized rationalized a national platform Canadians would want to embrace. Simply wanting to legislate legislate tax breaks, without confronting confronting a myriad of other economic and social problems, problems, isn't going to fly nationally. Furthermore, if our electoral electoral process is any measuring measuring stick, it is difficult to form a government without the support of Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Quebec alone has 75 scats in the House of Commons. And they would appear to be more left leaning leaning than the rest of us, favoring government intervention intervention to a far greater extent than the rest of Canada docs. This alone makes the Reform message much less appealing. Of course, it doesn't help when you run negative election election advertising saying Canada doesn't need any more leaders from Quebec. The Reform movement has grown just about as large as it can. Preston Manning realizes this. In spite of his attempt there is no road forward for Reform, just a slippery slope into oblivion. Preston Manning's father once wrote a book called, "Political Re-alignment: A Challenge to Thoughtful Canadians", in which he argued for a more traditional traditional two-party system. It seems ironic that in an attempt to follow his father's advice, Preston has fractionalized the system more than it has ever been. Even so Manning's vision of a United Alternative has caused many government members to question why it is that we cannot sell a message of moderation in government to our Western cousins. This is something we are going to have to deal with in the future. Darlington Provincial Park Calendar of Events Enjoy the film The Northern Lights at 9:00 p.m at the Amphitheatre at Darlington Provincial Park. Meet Andrew and discover the fact and folklore behind one of the night sky's most timeless marvels, the aurora borealis, commonly commonly called the northern lights. On Saturday, June 19, go on a Guided Walk (Birds and Wildflowers) at Darlington Provincial Park. Spring Wings and Wildflowers at 10:00 a.m. at the Log Cabin. Join Gord for flowers and feathers! With a flash of colour, flowers are flirting fashions for their flying friends, the insects! Birds are busy feeding their young! In the evening, enjoy the film, Watching Birds, at 9:00 p.m. at the Amphitheatre. Meet Gord and find out about our feathered friends! Enjoy a variety of different species as the camera takes a closer look. On Sunday, June 20, go on a guided walk at Darlington Provincial Park. It's the Wetland Wander at 10:00 a.m. at the Boathouse. Take a walk on the west side and discover the wonder of wetlands in McLaughlin Bay. You may find a frog or touch a tadpole! Meet Andrew at the Boathouse. Also on Saturday and Sunday, June 19 and 20 come to the Log Cabin Information and Display Centre at 10:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. and explore the park. Check out the pioneer pioneer artifacts and learn about Darlington Provincial Park. On June 19, 1:00 p.m the children's program, Walk On The Wet Side, and on June 20, 1:00 p.m. Fossil Foray. A Minor Adjustment Dr. Peter Herron of Herron Family Chiropractic works on Michael Hoskin during the clinic's Patient Appreciation Day last Thursday. A $25 donation included a complete chiropractic consultation and examination. All proceeds went to the Rotary Club of Bowmanville in support of special children in Clarington. ACCOUNTANCY HOBB BAKKER BERGIN HILL Chartered Accountants Peter A. Hobb, C.A. Wilmar J. Bakker, C.A. Ian F. Bergin, C.A Thomas F.G. Hill, C.A. 222 King St. E., Suite 103, Bowmanville 623-9461 STEPHEN J. SUTHERLAND Chartered Accountant 13 John Street West Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1W8 721-8600 LAING, McHARDY & ROHR CHARTERED ■ ACCOUNTANTS Michael D. Laing, c.a. Stephen J. McHardy, b.a., c.a. Jeffrey L. Rohr, B.Acc., C.A. 40 King St. West, Oshawa, Ont. L1H 7L1 (905)579-6245 AUTO INSURANCE /instate 9 HOME «AUTO -INSURANCE Darlene Ferguson 905-987-1611 AUTO REPAIRS Trans County General Auto Repairs Certified Vehicle Inspection Station • licensed Mechanics • Air Conditioner Repairs Call Ed or Dan for appointment (905) 983-5422 Durham Rd. 9, cost of Kendo! BRIDAL SERVICES When you Hum yom £m il Special.,. • Invitations - Announcements • Bridal Books • Napkins •Accessories 3 Books to choose from James Publishing Co. Ltd. 62 King St. W. Bowmanville Telephone (905) 623-3303 FAX SERVICE Sund or Receive Important Documonle Anywhora In the World .74 Hours s Day James Publishing Co. Ltd. 62 King St. W„ Bowmnnvlllo (905) 623-3303 or Fax: (905) 623-6161 CATERING/ HALL RENTALS Clarington Beech Centre Beech Avenue, Bowmanville Former Lions Centre All Occasions Phone 905-697-2856 BANQUET HALL RENTAL Weddings, parties, meetings and other occasions. Catering Services Available Bowmanville Country Club (9051 623-2670 «yscouiï CATERING Kathy & Kevin Anyan Phone: (905) 623-4277 Fax: (905) 623-2198 kingscourK8durhamrnall.com COMPUTER SERVICE New & used computer systems In home, one-on-one, computer training Windows/Dos/Networks Hardware Software setup & maintenante / Upgrades Internet / Website Design iaiiMMlllMllllfcWllliF Fax: (905) 987-1118 gdmarkadurham.net COUNSELLING Mediation Counselling Services FREE Consultation Live and Confidential Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Doug Roach, Family Counsellor 434-3737 or 24 hr. Pager (416) 664-3652 LEGAL SERVICES Neighbourhood Paralegal and Credit Services Free Consultation; Senior Discounts • Wills & Powers of Attorney ' Uncontostod Divorces 1 Small Claims & Debt Collection ' Budget & Credit Counselling 1 Searches & Process sowing ... Many other services available Court Agent / Mediator / Lecturer 623-0201 volsln3@lbm.not FINANCIAL SERVICES t REGAL CAPITAL PLANNERS LTD. Since 1968 108 King St, E., Bowmanville "Canada's Largest Independent Financial Planning Organization" - RRSP's - RRIF's - Mutual Funds -Trust Funds - Tax and Estate Planning Steve Scatterty, Financial Advisor 623-1936 Planning your tomorrow today! Serving Clarington area since 1985. Life & Disability Ins. Critical Illness Ins. RRIFs/LIFs/Annuities Mutual Funds*/RRSPs ■Segregated Funds 'Estate Planning Serv. John Willoughby 623-4038 I tfy The Mutual Group 1-888-296-WILL |,(] Llconsod wilh Mutual Life ol Canada/Mulual Invostco Inc. (wo companlos ol Tho Mutual Group. 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