to expar At its meeting last Wednesday, Dur.ham Regional Council approved the allocation of funds for the design of a $6 million addi- tion to the regional head- quarters in Whitby. Construction of the head- quarters addition intended to bring all the regional depart- ments under one roof, is planned for 1981 through 1983. Council last wednesday d region approved $134,000 for a pre- liminary design of the ex- pansion. Another $266,000 is set aside for detailed plans next year. Chief 'Administrative Officer Bob Richardson reported to council close to 176,000 square feet of space will be required for regional departments in the expanded building. The Province of Ontario presently rents more than half the building for courts building and assessment offices, but is expected to vacate the premises and erect its own building withiný four to five years. The region's social ser vices, works and plaùining departments are scattered in offices throughout Whitby and Oshawa, and council lasi Wednesday gave its approval for the finance department to move from the regiona. headquarters to downtown Oshawa. WHITBY FREE PRESS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9.1979, PAGE 3 Outdoor Mainstream Cana. council Bypassing The Issues By W. Roger Worth Canada's politicians are shortchanging the public, failing to even raise the major issues facing the country, let alone suggesting solutions. Day after dreary day, it seems, the media has been reduced to reporting the lat- est sniping effort by one or all of the four party leaders. Mostly, the would-be prime ministers are acting a great deal like schoolboys, engaging in a national shout- ing match over who is the smartest, strongest, or most decisive. After listening to the petty name calling and rhetoric,an outsider might be excused for assuming the campaign Roger Worth is Director, Public Affairs, Canadian Federation of Independent Business. has been reduced to such a level because the country has few basic problems. Sadly, this is not the case. Consider some of the-im- portant issues that are ap- parently too hot for the poli- ticians to handle, even though they have a dramatic effect on the quality of life enjoyed by the Canadian public: a None of the parties appear concerned about the country's rapidly rising cur- rent account deficit, per- haps the best indication that Canadians areliving well be- yond their means. While the intricacies of the system may be difficult for ordinary Canadians to fathom, the current account operates much like an ordi- nary bank account. Canada takes in money by selling goods and services interna- tionally. As a nation, Cana- dians send money abroad when they buy imported goods. In addition, the money spent on such items as for- t - meets The Durham Region Out- door Recreation Advisory Council will hold its inaugu- ral meeting today at the Central Lake Ontario Con- servation Authority office at 1650 Dundas Street East. Chairman of the new or- ganization is Steve Russell, a well-known outdoorsman and writer in the Durham Region. First Vice-President is Wayne King; Second Vice- President, Peter Perry; and Treasurer, Patrick Shannon. A recording secretary will be named today. Formed this winter, the advisory council's aim is to promote use and preserva- tion of recreational areas and to work with landowners to prevent abuse of access privileges. About 35 representatives of various groups, including hunters, anglers, recrea- tional vehicle owners and naturalists are expected at today's meeting. Groups representing regional outdoorsmen are invited to join. Two members are allowed from each group. At today's inaugural meeting, a CLOCA represen- tative will speak about regional recreational facili- ties, followed by a discussion of general business. Sklar strike eign travel as well as divi- dends paid to foreign inves- tors and interest on our inter- national debt is included. What's important to un- derstand is that the deficit reached $5.3 billion last year, a dramatic turnaround from an $86 million surplus in 1973. Something's clearly amiss in the Canadian economy, yet the politicians appear little interested inthe subject. • Even the disquieting number of major corporate takeovers and mergers in the last year hasn't been enough to bring the competition policy issue to the fore. Canada has the weakest competition legislation in the industria'ized world, yet none of the parties seem overly concerned that larger and larger conglomerates in some sectors will restrict competition, squeezing smal- ler businesses and eventually driving up consumer prices. a While the major parties have at least offered a few incentives for small business in their quest for votes, it seems clear the politicians still don't understand the importance of Canada's inde- pendent businesses in creat- ing badly needed jobs. With unemployment top- ping 974,000, it's perhaps necessary to again point out that small businesses,not the large conglomerates, are pro- viding most of Canada's new jobs. As a consequence, discus- sion of policies to overcome the difficulties facing this dynamic sector should be key issues in the campaign. They're not. Rather than participating in name calling and debates over how and when to hold a television debate, Cana- dians deserve to know how their politicians would tackle these and other serious na- tional Problems. Employees at Sklar Furni- ture Ltd. expect to be in a legal position to strike in less than a week. Negotiations have been continuing since a one-year contract expired Feb. 28, but no comment has been made on bargaining by either the company or the Uphujsterers International Union of North America. More than 600 employees would be affected if there is a strike. Design funds are allocated possible in week