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2 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, October 6, 1992 SN By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star Senior students at Port Perry High School came out en masse to debate the future of Canada. Ross Stevenson, Durham MP, presented the key points of the Charlottetown Agreement with the students last week. He was accompanied by former PPHS teacher Paul Arculus. Both are members of the Durham Yes Committee. "This is a very important is- sue for the country," said princi- pal Ted Morrison in his intro- duction. "The result you may have to live with the rest of your life." Mr. Arculus continued that theme as well. "The future of our country in many ways depends on us," he told the capacity crowd. Mr. Arculus says the fact that an agreement was reached on August 28 over the ongoing con- stitutional debate "was a mira- cleinitself." "The fact that they reached this decision is important," he told the students. Mr. Arculus says the agree- ment deserves our attention and that give and take was needed to settle the constitu- tional debate. "We must give and take, the referendum vote is important," he said. Mr. Arculus says the debate is not political, but what is best for the country. He pointed to the fact that the recently formed Yes Committee consisted of a cross section of society, includ- ing different political parties, who see the importance of a uni- fied Canada. Mr. Stevenson then took the podium to outline the key points of the agreement. According to Mr. Stevenson the agreement can be broken into five key blocks; Unity and diversity, firm and responsive institutions, justice for the na- tive people, reducing duplica- tions and the amending formu- la. Mr. Stevenson says the new document outlines "who we are and what sets us apart fromoth- ers. He says it breaks down bar- riers between provinces and al- lows the free flow of goods be- tween provinces. The document also attempts to reduce duplications, which has been costing the country millions of dollars. It also alters the number of seats each province possesses in the House of Commons and re- defines the role of the Senate. But despite the changes, Mr. Stevenson says he is not entire- A ¢ ali 11am to 8pm Harvest Vegetable Soup Fresh Green Salad Roast Turkey with Stuffing / tam Scallop Potatoes Green Bean Amandine Turnip & Squash Pumpkin & Mincemeat Tarts Carrot Cake Coffee / Tea (more items not listed) i HAUGEN"s = CHICKEN BBQ is proud to offer a Thanksgiving Sunday Buffet Sunday October 11, from $1 2.95 per person - taxes included Hwy. 12 at 7A, Manchester The Children's Den || 197 Queen Street, Port Perry 985-9982 | September 28th to October 11th Sires 2 To 16 Hlyira Vali, Manhattan, Kathy Mon. to Sat. 9:30 - 5:30; Fri. 9:30 - 8:00; Sun. 1:00 - 5:00 IN ly satisfied with the new propo- sal. "My choice would be to elimi- nate the senate," he sald. In closing, Mr. Stevenson told the students this document rep- resents a turning pointin Cana- dian history, "This is the first time in 126 years that our leaders have reached some sort pf an agree- ment." Although most of the stu- dents attended the assembly to get a better understanding of the agreement, some already have a clear idea of how they will vote. Michelle Bull, 18, of Port Perry, who sported a "No" sign around her neck, knows exactly how she will vote on October 26. Miss Bull says she will vote no because she feels it gives too many concessions to the aborigi- 1 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" nal people of Canada, while in the past women struggled for thoir rights. "We're all Canadians, we don't need everything put on paper," she said. Janna Fletcher, 18, says she will also vote no. Miss Fletcher says the first priority of Canada "is tobe Canadians, "I think what the French and Indians need to understand is that Canadians need an identi- ty," she said, "Fverybody should be equal with no exceptions." Michael Powell, 18, of Green- bank, said he came to the as- sembly to learn more about the agreement before he makes a decision. But Mr. Powell says he was disappointed by the tone of the assembly. "I don't like the way they Senior students at Port Perry High School packed the gymna- sium on September 30 to learn about the Charlottetown Agree- ment. Although many have not yet made up their minds Mi- chelle Bull and Janna Fletcher know how they're going to vote. See story for details. OWNED D BY AUGAS AND OPERATE 191 Queen Street, Store Hours: Mon. . Sat. OF SCUGOG ISLAND FIR Hn hn., Students debate the future of the country came to our school and talked down to us," he said. "They should be informing us instead of telling us how to vote. 'Mr. Powell says he would've liked an information session which better laid out the key oints of the document and the implications of the vote. "It's as important to me as the rest of the Canadians," he said. Despite his uncertainty, Mr. Powell is concerned that too many groups are giving in and making too many compromises. Although Y, tevenson faced much opposition from the students and at times was be- rated for his comments, he was nonetheless pleased by the stu- dents' interest in the debate and their desire to learn more. "You're talking about the fu- ture," he said after the assem- bly. "For youth most of their life isin the future." _ But he says some of the opin- ions expressed were based on misinformation. He blamed a lack of information for this and said the problem would be reme- died shortly. Stressing the importance of the debate, Mr. Stevenson said jt was important to vote careful - y. "The country is too important to allow views of other parts of Canada or parties to have a ma- L jor impact in the long-term. "This is one time that people shouldn't vote with their blood pressure." FARM, BUSINESS & RETAIL COMPLETE COMPUTER SETUP & SUPPORT IBM COMPATIBLES Repairs « Modems « Fax's & Upgrades « Computerized Records « All Major Software Packages Supported WM. SANDIFORD (416) 985-9440 Port Perry, LOL 1B8 (416) 985-4977 8:30 to 5:30; Fri. 9:30 : 9:00 & Sun. 12 noon - 5:00