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Page 14, Whitbv Free Press, Wednesday, October 21, 1992 Trees were "casuaties of war To tho Editon Tell me, Mayor Edwards and-, Whitby town council, how could you show such blatant disregard for ail that is known about the integral role that trees play in our world's ecosystem? When you allowed ' Graywood developers to slaughter 100-year- old trees in order for a Loblaws and a king lot 4t be built, you sent 'b residents a mess that say te ecological health cf our town does not mnatter to you., As I look down Garden St at the~butchered trees lying aide by side, I am reniinded ,of scenes from war. These trees are the casualties of a war -- a war between concrete, steel and brick and fresh air, birds and animals. They once were aliye but now the lie like corpse. Gone are the B lue Jays and woodpeckers that once considéred them home.' Mayor Edwards, how could someone who rejected wood and cardboard signs during his election campaign as they were environmentally unsound hàve ailowed this to have happened? The wQrd hypocritical comes to mind when I consider your. actions. I hope, at the very least, that you require the. develqpera to incorporate the few remaining trees into their plans, and that you show some attentiveness to the concerns 'that - nearby residents will have oncA they are aware of ther insensitive plan for development that ,-bas been allowed -- 'a plan tl*t not. only has ignored nature but also the privacy and safety of nearby residents. Jennifer Allen Whitby THE NEW CONSaTI.i U I îi 'u GREEMENT I*J II 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, parliamentary hearings, and hearings in the provinces and territo- ries held by provincial and territorial legislatures. Federal, provincial, territorial and Aboriginal A Social leaders have agreed unanimously on August 28; 1992 in Charlottetown on a package of constitu- and , tional proposals that recognizes the equality of EconomicUmion>al Canadians and represents ail of our interests. The agreement is now before Canadians The agreement proposes that the new Constitution would contain a statement of key economic and social objectives shared by alldbf the governments in the federation. The objectives include comprehensive, universal, portable, accessible and publicly administered health care, adequate social services and benefits, high quality primary and secondary education and reasonable access to post-secondary education, collective bar- gaining rights and a commitMent to protecting the environment. The economic policy objec- tives to be entrenched would be aimed at strengthening the Canadian economic union; the free movement of persons, goods, services, i and capital; ensuring full employment and a»i *. reasonable standard of living for all Canadians; ensuring sustainable and equitable development. Exclusive provincial jurisdiction would be recognized in the areas of forestry, mining, tourism, housing, recreation, municipal affairs, cultural matters within the province, 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 provinces in areas Disuch as immigration, regional development and Sc ttelecommunications. 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 law tradition. In the reformed Parliament, the Senate would reflect the equality of the provinces while the House of Commons would be based more on the principle of representation bypopulation. As well, various provinces would be assured a minimum amount of seats in the House of Commons. Parhamentary'The proposed Senate would be made Reform up of six elected senators from each province and one from each territory. Additional seats would provide representation for Aboriginal peoples. The reformed Senate's.powers should significantly increase the role of the elected Senators-in the policy process. The proposais recognize that Aboriginal peoples have an inherent right to self-government and thatthe Constitution should enable them to develop self-government arrangements and to take their place in*the Canadian federation. The proposais recognize Aboriginal governments as ore of the three constitutionally recognized orders ofjovernment in Canada. \n addition, the proposais provide for a negotiation process between Aboriginal leaders and provincial and federal governments to put this right into effect.-The recognition of the inherent right would not create any new rights to land, nor dilute existing treaty rights. Now that Canada's federal, provincial, A borigina territorial and Aboriginal leaders have reached a consensus, it is the right of ail Canadians to undérstandthe new proposals. Call the toll-free Oovernment number below to receive an easy-to-read booklet on the new constitutionalagreement or a complete text. It's your right to know what the constitutionai proposais say, before voting on October 26. FOR INFORMATION CALL': 1-800-561-1188 Deaf or hearingimpaired: 1-800-465-735 T1/TD100 Canad .1. ......