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\ PAGE 4THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JANUARY 1,2003 www.durhamregion.com Tim Whittaker Publisher Joanne Burghardt Editor-in-Chief Chris Bovie Managing Editor Judi Bobbitt Regional Editor Fred Eismont Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak Classified Advertising Manager Kirk Bailey Distribution Manager Lillian Hook Office Manager Barb Harrison Composing Manager Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 Œïj e Cmmbimt Statesman ■ ■ Jan. 1,2003 Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Phone 905-579-4400 Classifieds 905-576-9335 Distribution 905-579-440i General Fax 905-579-2236 Newsroom Fax 905-579-1806 E-Mail newsroom@durhamregion.com 865 Farewell St., Oshawa ON L1 H 7L5 Publications Mail Registration No. 07637 infodurhamregion.com EDITORIAL e-mail letters to ncwsroom@(lurhaiurcgiott.com 2003 should be the year Ottawa takes action on child N ow, entering its 14th year: the federal pledge to eradicate child poverty remains far from being fulfilled. The promise was made to the nation's poor children in November 1989 when Parliament Parliament unanimously vowed to end child poverty by the year 2000. That deadline came and went and the only progress the feds could point to was an embarrassing embarrassing increase in child poverty since the resolution had been passed more than a decade earlier. Over the last few years, small signs of progress have been made thanks to a better economy but the latest stats show just over 1 million children children live in poverty. While the first years of the 1990s featured a worldwide recession that didn't spare Canada and made social programs programs everywhere vulnerable, the same can't be said for the past half-dozen years. The nation nation and most provinces have enjoyed balanced budgets and healthy surpluses that in most cases have resulted in tax cuts. Some social programs have received received help but, for the most part, health care has taken on a larger slice of budgets at all levels every year. Despite promises from the prime minister to take on the issue, child poverty has not been seriously tackled to this point. There has been an effort made to take more of the working poor off the tax rolls but much more needs to be done. poverty While there are always plenty of hands out when it comes to government funding, the Liberals should make a firm and lasting commitment, in consultation with the provinces, to put a massive dent in child poverty. For that to happen, money must be spent on programs which help children in the most basic ways. Food, clothing clothing and shelter are the top priorities priorities of course and governments governments must review how much they are providing for these essentials. essentials. They must make sure their policies do not punish innocent innocent minors. The health care system must be maintained for it is, ultimately, the most vital and equitable social program Canada possesses. For children, children, the quality of public education education must be ensured and that requires money. Access to post-secondary learning is also essential. But, of greatest importance is that children of poverty feel they have a chance to be a part of the greater community. That requires day care programs which are affordable. It also means the creation of afterschool afterschool programs', of accessible athletic and cultural activities for those who normally could hot afford them; There's more : to bringing our nation's poor children to the table than the provision of the bare essentials. essentials. Such dedication now will pay great dividends for our society society in decades to come. But the feds have to get started. It's time to take action. OPINION LETTERS TO THE EDITOR c-mnil I (liters to ncwsroom@<lurli;mircgion.c<im ITER needs support from Prime Minister To the editor: I congratulate Jacquie Mclnnes on her continuingly accurate and in-depth reporting on ITER, including her article of Dec. 15, 2002 in which she pointed to the need for the government government of Canada to become a serious partner in this project or live with the consequences. As chairman of the Iter Community Community Council, I shall contribute four points to the discussion. First: ITER enjoys the support support of thousands of leading scientists scientists around the world, including including the likes of Dr. David Suzuki, here at home. These scientists believe that if fusion energy can be demonstrated by the proposed ITER R and D research research facility to be commer cially viable, then the world will have a new, important, clean, safe, sustainable and affordable affordable form of electricity. Since many of these scientists believe the planet only has about 150 years of current energy energy left, and that fusion holds more promise than wind or solar, ITER could be literally life-saving for our great-great- grandchildren. For sure, other alternative energy ideas, such as hydrogen and conservation, will also be critical - but so could fusion. Second: while the development development of alternative energy (above) is by far the most important important point, a kind of 'bonus' if ITER is located in Canada is $12 billion of commerce, over 90 per cent coming from foreign foreign investment. This translates to about 68,000 person years of well-paid work, for thousands of tradespersons as well as 250 senior scientist and 600 technologists. technologists. Third: the cost to Canada to achieve the above is about $30 million/year for the next 30 years. Given that Canada invests invests billions annually in scientific scientific and other research, $30 million is a small portion to land the largest scientific R and D project in the world. Fourth: ITER needs more from Ottawa than money. It needs active, personal energy from the prime minister. Canada Canada is in a tough race with Europe Europe and Japan to host ITER. While each competitor's bid is abundantly documented in great detail, and will be objectively judged on its merits, the ultimate ultimate decision will bè rnadè by the G-8 leaders. In other words, politics will play a role, as is inevitable inevitable of a project of this import. import. There is no doubt the formidable formidable heads of state of France, Spain and Japan will be fighting for their countries, which is fair. So must our prime minister fight for us, which he has not to date. Gary Polonsky Chairman Iter Community Council e-mail letters to ncwsroom@durhamrcgion.com Think carefully before getting a tattoo or two I have a secret. I am a 17- ycar-old honour roll student, student, who has a part-time job and is university-bound next year. I am not an outlaw, I do not commit crimes and I am not a biker chick. But, I do have six large tat- v toos on my lower back. It's simply my own way of expressing myself through body decoration. My motivation began on my 15th birthday, when 1 suggested suggested a tattoo for my present. 1 already had the vision of a mural on my back, but was persuaded to start small. I was very nervous nervous but as soon as 1 heard the needle humming I knew there was no turning back. The needle plunged into my skin and the first of my many tattoos began to appear. My collection includes several mushrooms with fairies, inspired by 'A Midsummer Midsummer Night's Dream.' At (lie centre of it all is a black Gonz.o symbol created by journalist journalist Hunter S. Thompson, my idol. The sound of the needle reflects reflects piercing the skin about 40 to 50 times per minute, as the wound absorbs colours. People say different things about how much it hurts bill the pain of needles constantly piercing your skin, can only be discovered by experiencing it yourself. I felt like I was going to faint, but a big bottle of Coke nearby helped keep my sugar level up. Tattooing began as tribal decoration and has been around for hundreds of years. Whatever your reason for your tattoo, it is important to remember remember it is a permanent mark on your body. It can be considered considered a very significant possession possession that can never be lost or taken away. The decision to get a tattoo should be made with logic and forethought, unless you can handle living the rest of your life with a tattoo you're not crazy about. The most common question 1 am asked is: What are you going to do with a back full of tattoos when you're old? I simply reply I'll deal with it then. 1 am enjoying them now, which is the most important thing. Tattooing is self-expression which allows individuals to carry a part of them on the outside outside forever. But here's a caution caution to anyone who may want a tattoo. Remember the sign seen at most tattoo parlours: No pain, No gain! Kami He Tzotzcs is a student til Sinclair Secondary School in Whitby and a co-op student at The Canadian StatcsnumAI'his Week. Kamille Tzotzes Co-op student OPINION c-mnil letters to newsroom@(lurliimiregi<m.c<im Premier wants to decide when to get personal P remier Ernie Eves wants to bar the public from looking looking into his personal life, except when it helps his image. The Progressive Conservative Conservative premier has warned the opposition Liberals not to make his marital status an issue in the election, expected within months. His caution came after the Liberals said they expect to feature pictures of leader Dalton Dalton McGuinly's attractive attractive wife, Terri, and their four children in their campaign literature, literature, Premier Eves is divorced and lives with Isabel Bassett, chairman of TVOntario, whom he calls his 'partner in life,' and he docs not keep it a secret. Mis Christmas card showed a picture of the couple and is signed 'Ernie and Isabel,' and be has said they have no plans to marry. Mr. McGuinly has emphasized emphasized heavily since the last election election in 1999 he wants to help "families" rather than citizens or residents. I le stressed he wanted to help families when Mike I lar- ris, Mr. Eves's predecessor, was premier and estranged from his wife. Some Tories and journalists have fell naturally Mr. McGuin- ly has been trying to draw a distinction distinction between his own family anil the broken marriages first of Mr. Harris and now Mr. lives. The Liberals would gain because because some voters will find it difficult to support a divorced politician living with someone to whom he is not married. It also gives the Liberals some reinforcement reinforcement if family values become become an issue. However, it still is unlikely to make a substantial difference in an election. Premier Eves has responded there is a possibility an opposition opposition party will raise bis marital status against him, but this would not appeal to most voters because they believe "a relationship two people have is a matter between between them." A party that raised bis marital status also would appear desperate and unable to come up with worthwhile worthwhile policies on which to light an election, and lose because of it, he said. Mr. Eves may feel giving an early warning will deflate any notions the Liberals have of raising raising his marital status, but he is over-sensitive in complaining Mr. McGuinly will display bis wife and kids in the election. Parly leaders have shown their families in election pamphlets pamphlets and along campaign trails for decades. Mr. Harris and Mr. McGuinly had their wives with them as if attached by krazy glue in 1999 and Mr. Harris split from his wife so soon after it raised suspicions he stayed with her through the campaign solely to appear a family man. New Democrat leader Howard Hampton and his wife, Shelley Martel, launched his campaign together on the legis lature front lawn and then parted company only because she also is an MPP and had to campaign in her own riding. New Democrat Bob Rae, Liberal David Peterson and Tory Frank Miller all had their wives with them as if attached by umbilical umbilical cords and William Davis, the first premier to drag his whole family extensively into a campaign, had his wife, five children and dog on his literature. literature. But Premier Eves has raised questions about where and when he talks about his personal life. The same day be gave one newspaper newspaper an interview warning the opposition parties not to pry into his personal life, lie gave two other papers interviews in which he discussed another aspect of his personal life at great length, Mr. Eves talked about his son, Justin, who had a learning disability and died in a car crash in 1995, how tough life is for such children, how his son took twice as long to do his homework homework as the average student, and how bis family eventually found a college that helps such students students and he obtained a degree. Premier Eves claimed his personal experience helps him understand belter the needs of children with learning disabilities disabilities and it could be argued his Ibeus on the issue helped further public understanding of it, But the premier also won sympathy, which translates into votes, and he has laid himself open to opponents accusing him of talking about his personal life only when it helps him politically. politically. Eric Dowd Queen's Park CLICK AND SAj^ Today's question: Are you concerned about our blood supply after three different types of blood products were removed from circulation due to concerns about West Nile virus? □ Yes □ No Cast your vote online at infodurhamregic|i.com Last week's question: How much did you spend this year on Christmas gifts? □ Less than usual 45.7% □ More than usual 30.0% □ About the same 24.3% Vbfes cast: 70 HAVE YOUR SAY Question Are you making any New Year's resolutions? Art Short "No. I don't. Not for the last five years, because I never kept them anyway." Coby Veenstra "No , because I never keep them anyway. I make them up as I need them. Why wait for New Year's?" Rita Miller "This year for sure. I've got to lose some weight." Mary Howe "I don't make them anymore. Years ago, yes, but not now." lljc Ciuinbinii t&tntcsmnn is one of the Metroland Printing, Publishing Publishing and Distributing group of newspapers. The Statesman is a member of the Bow- manville Clarington Board of Trade, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, Ontario Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc,, Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian- Circulations Audit Board and the Ontario Press Council. The publisher reserves the right to classify or refuse any advertisement. advertisement. Credit for advertisement advertisement limited to space price error occupies. Editorial and Advertising content of the Canadian Statesman is copyrighted. copyrighted. Unauthorized reproduction reproduction is prohibited. 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