The, Ontario. governniènt le considerin recommendations to changethe provincial Trees Act so that aluxunicipalities would have the option to enact bylaws to protocftrees. fume. existing legisiation is 45 years old,99 said Natural Rsources Minister Bud Wildmnan.' 'The municipalities, have, told us they- need stronger legisiation - ,and we want to know lhow the, public feels about some of the. options available..", SThe current Trees Act aslows certain 'levels of municipal goverrament. to paso bylaws, but many are excluded. > There le inonéintention-,of controlling -a landownerls use of his or her property for producing Christmas- trees, fruit farmiî growing trees for landscaping or, managed woodots, but I .. that thern should b. wa;iigta prevent indiscriminate cutting," said Wildman. Thiernoosed changes are flot inten toprevent anyone from cutting trees on their own property for ..personal, use, according té good frsr practice or from imrvn forested Iand -by î ing or Whltby FiePres, Wednesday, October 14,.1992, Page 17 removing diseasd trees. Miipalities are allowed-,by ellisting .legisiation ,ta a tree-cuttingbylaws. Amendments ta' ,the Trees 'Act, would <pnernit local municipalities ta, continue ta, do thioï, -and would ,_ allow municipalities. the fleibility ta, frame their bylaw in a way that best sui ta situations in their local< conxmunity. The Tryo Bylaw Advisry, Comnittee,,with imembers dr-awn from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and'tii. province,, Suggested a number'cf changes ta, the act, including,on.e that .would -let,.municipalties operate-.a.,,,permit 3Ttem -ta, oversee certain --types 'of -tre- cëutting in their areas. Changes ta, the Trees Act could, prevent n ilsuse of 'wooded land by' allowing councils, in certaini circumBtances, ta require that permits be obtained before cutting trees or ta issue in certain circumetances, . ta require 'that perinits ha obtained before cuttin trees or ta issue stop-work ordëe. ýA ýuser-friendly appeal system would be made posible -at the local level. >Good forestry practices, would be encouraged by incorporating a definition ýof tuis- activity into the legisiation. Th. .Ministry, of Natural . Resources .wôuldassis municiplitieos by training staff sol they would understand what good forestry prctices entail. MNR stgff woudalso ha available ta, provide, expert technical assistancé. Private woodlands constitute about 15 per cent of Ontario'sý total forested land. Haif these lands are in southern Ontario, where there arne pressures ta, change the way Iand is used so, it cau ha developecL E Over the past two years,,federal, provincial, territorial and Aboriginal leaders have consulted with thousands of Canadians and concerned groups from coast to coast. These consultations-included Royal Commissions, participatory conferences, parllamnentary hearings, and hearings in the provinces and territo- ries hld by provincial and territorial legisiatures. Federai, provincial, territorial and Aboriginal A .. , leaders have agreed unanimousiy on August 28, 1992 in Charlottetown on a package of constitu-* und tional proposais that recognizes the equality of Eco omi Unon ail Canadians and represents ail of our interests. The agreement is now before Canadians. . The agreement proposes that the new Constitution wouid contain a statement of key economic and social objectives shareq by ail of the governments in the federation. The objectives include comprehensive, universal, portable, accessible and publicly adminlstered heaith care, adiequate social services and'benefits, high quality primary and secondary education and reasonabte access Ito post-secondary education, collective bar- gaining. rights and a commitmnent to, protecting the environment.* The economic pol icy objec- tives to be entrenched would be aimed at Avid * strengtheningthe Canadian economic union; the free movement of persons, goods, services, ' 'u un and capital; ensuring full employment and a * , reasonable standard'of living for ail Canadians; u lcto ensuring sustainable and.aquitable developmret. Exclusive provincial jurisidiction would be recognized in the areas of forestry,,mining, tourism, housing, recreation, municipal affairs, cultural matters wihnthe provice and labour market development and training. In addition, to ensure the two levels of government work in harmony, the government of. Canada commits to negotiating agreements with the provide in areas isic such as immigration, regional development and Soit telecommunications. Federal-provincial agree- ments on any subject could be protected by the Constitution from unilateral change. The new Canadian Constitution would recognize the distinct nature of Quebec, based on its French language, unique culture and civil iaw tradition. i fi'. In the reformed Parliament, the Senate would refiect the equaiity of the provinces while the House, of Commons would be based more on the priniciple of' representation by population. As weii, various, provinces would be assured a minimum amount, of seats in the House 0f Commons.ý' Pulim ntr The prop-osed Senate Would be made Reon up of six elected se 'nators from each province and one from each territory. Additional seats wouid provide representation for.Aboriginai peoples. The reformned Senate's powers s hould significa*âtiy increase the role of the eiected Senators in the poiicy process. The proposais recognize that Aboriginal peoples have an inherent. right* to self-government and that the Constitution should enable themn to develop self-government arrangements and to take their place in the Canadian federation..The.proposals recognize Aboriginal governments as one of-the three constitutionally recognized orders of governiment in Canada. (n addition, the proposais provide for a negotiation process between Aboriginal leaders and. provinc ial and federal gOvernments to putthis right into effect. Therecognition of the inherent right would flot create any new rights to land, nor dilute existing tre aty rights. Now that Canada's federal, provincial, Abeoiiu territorial and Aboriginal leaders have reached a consensus, it is the right of ail Canadians to Sl understand the new proposaIs. Cal the toll-free .oenm n number below to receive a n easy-to-read bookiet on the new constitutional agreement or a compiete text. lt's your right to know what the constitutionai proposais say, before voting on October 26. FOR. INFORMATION, CALL: mi Deaf or hearing impaired ý14SOO4657?35TTTD Lada -j c JQ .~. ~: i~Ck.. LL~iAahm THE NEW CONSTITUTIONAL AGREEMENT