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16- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, February 24, 1998 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Anger, concern expressed at MPP's unity meeting By Rik Davie Port Perry Star The question of Canadian unity was brought to the people of Durham East last Wednesday night as part of the Ontario Speaks unity forums. The forums are being held all across the province by local MPPs in an effort to find out what Ontario voters are willing or unwilling to do to keep Quebec in Canada. Durham East MPP John O'Toole held the local meeting in Bowmanville. Those in the crowd of 38 -- a much larger turnout than seen at other such meetings held in the region -- were quick to tell moderator John Douglas where they stood. A feeling of resentment for what most of the crowd saw as the federal gov- ernment's appeasement of Quebec was voiced by several people. In fact, D) DURHAM REGION WEIGHT RESTRICTION REGULATIONS will be in force on roads under the jurisdiction of the Regional Municipality of Durham, effective March 2, 1998 to approximately May 1, 1998. Vehicle loads are restricted to FIVE TONNES per axle in accordance with Durham Region By-law Number 251-89 (as revised). Signs will be erected on all Regional Roads where these weight restrictions apply. VA. , Silgallis, P.Eng. Commissioner of Works Regional Municipality of Durham Financing as Low as KR 60 Months No Limit John O'Toole only Mr. O'Toole's inter- vention stopped the crowd from holding a straw vote early in the meeting to tell the Ontario govern- ment not to make any fur- ther concessions on con- stitutional matters. "Let us discuss all the points of contention before we call on a con- sensus," Mr. O'Toole urged the audience. "We all want a united Canada; let's not let a volatile sub- ject bring us to an emo- tional conclusion before we all have our say." The focus of the night was to be "The Calgary Framework", a list of JdThe little dealer that GREW because of folks like youl dd / WHITBY TOYOTA 668-4 seven main points on equality of the provinces laid down by all the pre- miers and territorial lead- ers at a meeting in Alberta last September. One of the main points set out by the provincial leaders was that no province should have rights over and above any other. Many in Wednesday's audience felt that Quebec has been allowed to go as far as they are willing to accept, and the words "treason" and "sedition" were used on several occa- sions during the heated discussion on where Canada would be in five years. Most speakers felt that in five years Quebec will be gone from confed- eration. But later in the evening two local busi- ness men sounded the voice of moderation and concern over people whose voices, they felt, were not being heard. Irwin Smith, long-time Scugog resident and owner of Ocala Wines, Sranc] Naw 1993 Taras, Corolla, Canny, Ravd, Stanna, Avalon2 1025 Dundas Street West, Whitby . While thieves managed to break said the country is like a family and could be run more like one. "When a member of the family feels unwanted you make them feel want- ed, but in the same way, when a member of the family acts unreasonably or causes grief to the rest, then some discipline is in order," he said. "But the family must remain a whole." Another local resident, who sat quietly through most of the discussion, was firm in his views at the end of the evening. Dave Frew, a well known area farmer and advocate of rural issues, said we shouldn't be too quick to push Quebec out of Canada, for the sake of its people. "I may be a redneck in my views, but my concern is for the people in Quebec -- my fellow Canadians -- who don't want any part of separation. How do we deal with them?" he said. "How do we insure their voice is heard and their rights are protected Once inside the 'oy should Quebec separate?" Scugog Township Councillor Dave Deitlien, didn't see much new come out of the meeting, during which he listened to com- ments of his fellow Scugog residents and others. "In my experience these types of meetings are a waste of time, just an exercise the govern- ment goes through," he said. "What will happen, will happen." Mr. O'Toole, though, said the meetings and questionnaires sent to Ontarians are an attempt by the province to gauge the population's opinion on constitutional matters He was unsure of the . cost involved, beyond the $1,000 allotted to each MPP to hold the area meetings. "But the cost is sec- ondary to us (the govern- ment) being able to hear first-hand from our con- stituents how they want their government to deal with the emotional issue of national unity," he said. rear lakeside door. They also ripped ew Lake cc offa shutter and broke a pane of value was taken. glass. =. gional Police report' ~~ that sometime between last fall and Feb. 22 thieves entered a Washago ~ Dama Bay Lane cottage by shattering a! tage is i at $15 day police. oy tore the place 0 up, od police, but stole nothing. e to the outside of the cot- Lease Rate from 3.8% 48 Month a [VIda Aol SleTST:1 [Tol {o])! Hwy 812 Lakendoe Rd