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8 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, May 29, 1990 Lette I'S to the editor M.P. Ross Stevenson does not clarify his quotations To the Editor: Apparently Ross Stevenson, M.P. did not approve of a section of his own letter to your paper on April 10, 1990 which says: "I must confess to being puzzled at why this 'distinct society' clause makes so many people so troubl- ed. It does not give Quebec any new powers. It simply recognizes, as did the British North America Act which created Canada in 1867, that Quebec has a different language - and thus a different culture - than the rest of the country." Mr. Stevenson must have some conflict with the above statement because he also attempts to ex- plain why Quebec should now be given something new and dif- ferent by asking the rest of the country to sign the Accord. Perhaps the real meaning of "distinct society" was shown more precisely on May 17 when Premier Bourassa strongly ob- jected to the Charest committee report because a clause therein indicated that the "distinct socie- ty concept' might be limited by the Charter of Rights. Mr. Stevenson also implies from my letter to your paper on April 17, 1990 that Premier Vander Zalm's quotes had something to do with "distinct society and Quebec." I did not make that judgement of Vander ZgJm in my letter. If Mr. Steven- son wishes to make his own inter- pretation of Vander Zalm quotes so be it. Here's what Vander Zalm is quoted as saying: (Toronto Star, April 16, 1960) "A unilateral move by the Federal government would create havoc. If Prime Minister Brian Mulroney pro- Life's Like That by Julia Ashton | need a big favor. | know it seems that | al- ways call on you in times of need and never when things are going good, but this problem has me scared. Real scareq. Something bad is happening in this country | call home. There's speculation that Canada may not stretch from sea to shining sea for much longer. And all because | say Hello and someone else says Bon jour. I realize it's not as simple as that, but you get the drift, eh! I'll admit that I'm not very well versed on the Meech Lake accord. Perhaps | took a few too many naps during political science class. | don't know. It's just, well, the accord was so confus- ing to the regular Canadian citizen and the gov- ernment was doing a lousy job explaining it. So | tuned out. And now there is the possibility that Quebec may separate. | know people who could care less. "Let them go, if that's what they want. Who needs those frogs?" That's what they say. | know | would feel a great sense of loss if Quebec was to separate from the rest of Cana-' da. I visited Quebec for the first time on the Vic- toria Day weekend and was pleasantly sur- i at how we English folk were received. rom all the press, | thought the French might kick us right back over the provincial border. And most of the French people | talked to (in English, of course) didn't want to see Quebec separate over the language issue. But if Quebec separates from Canada, who would be next? The Maritimes most Seine. | don't think they would join the United States but instead they would form their own political enti- ty. It would be much easier to trade with théir southern neighbors. The domino. effect would follow for sure. Some fool in Ontario is already circulating a pe- tition in favor of this province separating, stating that Ontario could become the most economi- cally successful country in the world. Has this man been reading the papers? Perhaps the major stumbling block in this whole escapade is the lack of patriotism Cana- dians feel for their country. When was the last time Canadians stood up and belted out the national anthem at a sporting event or other special mass gathering? Some people don't even take off their hat. It's more than obvious that Canadians take a back seat to Americans when it comes to patri- otism. Any televised hockey game between an American team and a Canadian team will prove that point. Regardless where the game is played -- here or south of the 49th parallel -- the outcome is the same. Americans immediately stand up, re- move their headware and place their hand on their heart and look admirably at their flag dur- ing their national anthem. On the whole Canadians stand, very rarely partake in the singing of Oh Canada, but in: stead they gawk around at the rafters and con- tinue to sip on their draft. The deadline to ratify the deal is June 23 -- one week before the national birthday. If the Meech Lake accord should fail and Quebec decides to separate, Canadians may pe faced with a national birthday like never be- ore. Canadians wiil have an excuse not to sin the national anthem because our country will not be "from sea to shining sea." Canadians will have an excuse not to wave any of those miniature flags because the flag will have to be Yeyanpec. The country can't have a flag with two red borders which symbol- izes a nation spread "from sea to shining sea." No, instead they will have the perfect excuse to retreat to the cottage. Canada Day is just a well deserved extra day off from work, usually with pay. Please God, tell these skeptical Reople that united we stand and divided we fall. > For Better or For Worse® = by Lynn johnston poses to introduce it clause by clause then, I think, we will have chaos in this country because the whole of the West would be jum- ping to separate." This seems to mean that many or all of the clauses are flawed or unacceptable. To support the constitution Quebec seems to be demanding the following five conditions: 1. Recognition of Quebec as a distinct society 2. Increased control of immigration 3. Limit federal spending powers 4. The right to veto 5. Participation in appointing judges to the Supreme Court of" Canada. . Depending on the interpretatio and application of any or all of the above conditions Quebec could have an iron grip on the rest of the country. If the other provinces are given equivalent powers it could mean the end of Canada with a strong Central Government. I do not support the expensive use of advertising as was done to promote free trade and is likely to be done now to support Meech Lake and the G.S.T. If these pro- posals are right the government should carry them out. But if they are not just and fair the govern- ment should not try to buy public support with public money. To have Big Business pay for the advertising is not appropriate because it is unethical, self- serving and the consumer pays in the end. Although the Accord was sign- ed in 1987 it was put out for a three year study. This study has ap- parently revealed the many flaws and changes are being suggested. Why criticize provinces where a sober second look suggests these changes? Did Robert Bourassa not renege on the 1971 constitu- tional agreement after he-had signed it? A Member of Parliament does have to strike a delicate balance among three forces: - represen- ting the constituency, following the party line, and subservience to the Prime Minister. Represen- ting the constituency should have the highest priority. Too many members seem to priorize the other two choices. It is vital for Canada to have a strong Central Government. There has been too much time and money wasted to appease special interest groups and minorities. For example - Why did Mulroney and followers ac- quiesce to placate a minority of Canadians when English was banned in Quebec? "Meech Lake," as it stands, seems to fur- ther weaken and disorient our country. I support bilingualism and want Quebec in the family but enough is enough! Mulroney is very "liberal" in Quebec and very "Tory" with the rest of Canada. Canada has been one of the best countries of the world in which to live. We need leaders with vision, a sense of fair play and courage who refuse to give special favours to any group but they will do what is best for all to keep Canada un- divided and strong. S.J.W. Rickard, Port Perry, Ontario Street name changes To the Editor: '""What's in a name?' --- possibly another waste of our tax dollars! At least when a name of a road is being changed twice within a 12 month period it is. The Cartwright boundary road was changed to the Manvers/Scugog Township line (not the Scugog/Manvers boun- dary as stated by our town coun- cil). When I enquired about the reason for the change at the time, our council representative thought it was to make it easier for 'emergency' identification. Now 1t seems it mustn't have been easy «nough as the proposal is to change it once again, this time tg . 'Nesbitt Line.' If, as suggested, these changes throughout the township will save life and/or property by making identification easier for emergen- cy services, who am I to object. However of the three names for the east boundary of this township I would say the latest proposal is the most difficult to identify. (To - my knowledge there has never even been a 'Nesbitt' on this road). As for all the other propos- ed changes, I must say I find it very easy to find concession 8 when I am on concession 6. However don't think it will be as easy to find 'Brenda's Rd.' when I am on 'Beacock Rd.' How much is this costing us? We do not need any needless spen- ding of our tax dollars. Another thing we can live without is a third address for the same house --- rural route for the Post office, Lot and concession for police and other legal purposes, and now a name that has no relevance to the location of the road. Yours truly K. White R.R. 1 Nestleton a WEDDING INVITATIONS and Accessories PORT PERRY STAR 235 Queen Street Port Perry 985-7383 y MAKE A WHOLE WITH TOWNS AND | CAN HARDLY WAIT TO SET IT UP. 'M GOING TO a ---- * EMMERSON INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED 193 QUEEN ST., PORT PERRY, ONT. LIL 1B9 PHONE (416) 985-7306 ALL LINES OF GENERAL INSURANCE HOMEOWNERS - FARM - AUTO COMMERCIAL * LJ TR oe ms me a or Si Ba