Page 24, Whitby Fiee Prosu. Wednesday. Octobe 20, 1993 Ashburn residents hear from7- candidates By MkeKowalsd North Whitby reaidents got a close look Iast week at the people seeking election in Durham rid- mow they have flive days to decide who they like. Ail but one of the eight Dur- ham riding candidates participa- ted ini an election forum held at the Ashburn Community Centre on Wednesday. About 40 area residents were on hand te hear the candidates explain why he/she should repre- sent thom in Ottawa after next Monday's eloction. Voters hoard from incumbent Progressive Conservative MP Ross Stevenson and six of the seven people hoping te take away the seat Stevenson bas held .........dia. By MikoeKowalsl Audrey McLaughlin's predic- tion of a Liberal majority govern- ment will not hurt the NDP canipaign, says Durham riding New Democrat candidate Lucy Rybka-Becker. Although adxitting it was a "calculated risk » ybka-Becker believes her leader's recont stato- ment wiIl have littie impact. She also disputes any sugges- tion that McLaughlin's com- ments indicate the NDP bas thrown in the tewel" in the election canipaign. "I don't think that's it at ail,» said Rybka-Beckor following an ail-candidates' forum ini bun last Wednosday. "I tbink a lot of people were leaning te the Liborals but there's stilI a lot of undecided voters out there,» she said. "People are volatile, a lot want te talk about the issues. We've nover seen this tye of participa- tion in the political process.» McLaughlin teld reporters asat week that NDP polling indicates the Uiberals will win a majority of-seats in noxt Monday~s federal election. Although Rybka-Becker denied that McLaughlin's comments were simply a ploy aimed at keeping the votes of wavering New Democrats, she agreed people may have that impres- sion. "I think a lot of people were leaning te the Liberals because they sensed a right wing move- ment,» she said. "But if they sSe that it is a Liberal maority they could come back te us. Rybka-Bocker's Liberal opponent Alex Shopherd bad net heard MeLaughin's remaïks. «It's a nie comment, (but) we don't tek.e nything for grantod,» seid Shepherd. "W're stilI canvassing and going flat eut,» he seid. since the ridings inception in 1988. They included Liberal Aloi Shepherd Ian Smyth of the Reform Ã11t, New Democrat Lug, Rbka-Beker, Har rPope cf tb e National Party, Judy Hur- vid cf the Green Party and Durk Bruinsma of the Christian Honi- Y helLarmand of the Natural Law Party did net attend the meeting. Using a sligbtly different for- mat, moderater Steven Usher allowed the audience te ask in- dividual candidates two ques- tions after èach one's opening remarks. This added te the 'flow' cf the meeting and resulted in at least one undecided voter ceming away even more uncertain about wbo te support on Monday (see separate stery). Following the candidates' in- itial staternonts and questions, the meeting was thon opened up te questions directed at ail candi- dates. Tory Ml' Stevenson, quito naturally, defendod bis govern- ment's record over the past five yeara. However, ho adniitted that Canada's economy %isnet the wa wo want it te, be.» C8anada7s mounting debt threa- tens the "individual security and individual presperity» cf Cana- dians and must ho met dealt with now te avoid future pro- blema, Stevenson said. "It's taken us 25 years te get inte this mess and we've got bs than 25 te get eut cf it beoe the baby boomers turn 65,» ho war- ned. "Deficit financing is a job kil- 1er net a job creator,"»lho aaid. Atevenson noted that while Ashburn undecided By Mike Kowalski To say that Ken Brown is a concerned voter would be an understatement. The' Asbburn businessman fired more than a dozen ques- tiens at the Durbham riding can- didates wbo attended lest week's election forum et the community contre (see separete story). Brown's grilling of the candi- dates was so persistent that after each one spoke, boada would autematically turn in bis direc- tion. At one point, meeting modera- ter Stevon Usher good-naturedly asked Brown iflh any more questions. Following the meeting, Brown laughingly denied a suggestion that ho was a 'planVt t keep the proceedrngs meving. But despite ptting the candi- dates throuagh thueir paces, Brown was ne dloser te malcing a deci- sien about who te support in noxt Monday's election. "The coin is still in the air. I'm still doing research,» said Brown. «I caee bre with my vote somep arts of Canada, Britisn Columbia for examnple, are show- ing in of a recovery, southern Ontarie is still in the grips of a recession. "Unfortunately, soutbern Ontario is acting as an anchor on the economy instead of the engine we're usod te,» he said. Bt despite the problema, Canada bas won recognition from international observera for its efforts in fighting the deficit, Stevenson said. "Canada is second te Japan in controlling the deficit in this period (recent years) despite the economic times,» ho said. Stevenson said bis party's plan te control spending and axes will encourage business, espe- cially «amaîl entrepreneurs,» te croate jobs. ,"Future jobs must come from the private secter rather than government,» he said. Stevenson disputed one per- son's daimi that the Tories were suffering from a «lack of direc- tion» in that Prime Minister Kim Campbell changes bier position from one week te the noît. «I counter that quite strongly. If you read bier speeches rathb r than the newspapers or tele- vision you would see the message bas been quite consistent,» Ste- venson argued. Stevenson's commente did net it well witb bis Liberal oppenent Aloi Shepherd, a Port Perry accounitant. "rire watehed in the lest four, five years, a lot of my clients diaappear...eople lose bouses,» because oJfthe government's emphasis on the deficit, Sbep- herd said. As a result, «23 per cent of our society is on welfere or un- employment insurance,» hoe clai- med. Even tben, the government'a prograrn bas net been succesful, Shepherd said. "By the time we finish talking tonight, the deficit will increase by $6 million,» hoe said. According te Shepherd, the deficit will nover be reducecl witb '"23 p r cent» of Canadians un- empoyed. "The only way is tbrougb jobs and job creation,» ho said, tout- ing bis party's plan for a multi- blin dolar acheme involving the provinces and municipalities whicb would improve the coun- try's infrastructure systein. Shepherd noted that despite Tory criticism of the Liberal plan, "M.r. Stevenson bimsolf' supports sending money te im- prove the sbawa airot As for "aying tbebils,» Shep- bord sai the Liberals would "reallocate» spending, such as killing the governrnent's contre- versial helicopter purchase. For NDP candidate Lucy Rybka-Becker, the -election is about "pension choques and pay choques.» "It's about protecting jobs and whether Canada bas a medicare system five yeara from now,» abo aaid. Rybka-Becker attacked beth the Conservatives and Reformn Party on jobs and social pro- grams. Sho said 250,000 jobs have been lest annually since the Tories' free-trade deal came into effect in 1989 and warned about the future cf medicare under a Reform Party government. «Medicare, as (Reform leader) Preston Manning advocates will be based on the aize of your Uink balance - where the rich get c-4e and the rest of us get wha'îS left» sbe seid. The NDP is the only pà rty with a "detailed plan» toe eh- minate the GST (goods and ser- vices tai) and it would close tax loopholes which faveur the weal- thyRybka-Becker said. She claimed 63,000 cor- porations now avoid paý,ing in-. come tai, while "$70 billion in rivate trust funds are hidden by the rchest Canadians.» When Rybka-Becker said low- and middle-income Canadians are Subsidizing the wealthy, one man termed it a "pbantomn issue." The man said Ontarioe Trea- suter Floyd Laugbren, a New Democrat, could net find this "hidden wealth.» "Pne t running against (Pre- mier) Bob Rae,» Rybka-Becker responded. "Why should we spend $5 bil- lion for helicopters and thon gut our social programs?" she added. Reformi Party candidate Ian Smyth called for a new direction SEE PAGE 31 Fash ion show at Anderson On Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m., the Anderson Music Parents' Society will present a show and sale of ladies' fabiens and accessorios, freai the falI and winter collection by ClothesealI. Feshions will be modelled by students and parente involved in the music prograni at Anderson CVI. Qi-dors will be teken during the ovening with a abare cf the proceeda going te studenta wbo sold tickets for the event, te offset the coat of travelling te music festivals. Tickets are $2 and'ý are availabe from aIl music students or by calling the music department at 668-5809. Students hold sale On Saturday, Oct. 30, the Anderson Music Parents' Society will hold a giant.indoor garage sale and craft show. The show and sale will run from 9 a.m. te, 4 p.m. in the gym et Anderson CVI. Vendors will include music students and their parents, witb proceeds going tewards travel expenses for music festivals. Any extra table spece will be madle available te outaide vendors, at a cost of $10 per table. To reserve, caîl the music depertment at 668-5809. In addition te bargains, there will be facepainting for children and refreshments will be on sale. Ail are welcome. Armwrestling FR CMPAGE 21 loiig onougli, the strength deve- lopa where you need it, and it juat goos front there.» Experience and technique aise play a big part in winning. Gould says everything comes tegether when you get "the combination of proper tochbnique and developing the strength where you nced it te use the tehnqe.» Although this is bis firet nationa title, Gould finisbod second in 1991 and 1992 at the Canadien cbernpionsbips. The top two in eech clasa qualify for the world chempionshipa, but ho couldn't efford te go. "You don't win any money at armwrestling,» ho oxplains sa, travelling te the worlds, which were in Lnova Switzerland lat year, wes teo expensivo te even consider. "And noît year it's in Sweden, se I have te get some backing.» By the time travel, botel, uniform and meal exeses are paid for, Gould isloenking at sbelling out $2,500 of bis own monoy just te travol te, Edmon- ton for Mh worlds. He's looking for sponsors te bel p "this local guy reach bis goi. Anon interested cen contact Guld at 430-6951. IDýkI Lucie Rochette ST, CHARLES GARNIER Bonjour. The beaves are se, pretty this time of yoar, aren't they? Let's see, where do I begin? Well, a coýuple of weeks ago, a representative of the University of Ottawa came te speak te the studente in Grade 12 end OAC. That information session answered quito a few questions about the university. Our clasa pictures were delivored lest week. Studente were generally satisfied witb their pictures. Many people were seen exchanging pictures during the week. Congratulations te Serge Nadeau wbo won a bronze modal at a rodent tennis competition. Keepup the good werlc, Serge. Monday, Oct. 18 was an importent day at Saint-Chai-les- Gar-nier. Varieus election candidates carne te, speak te students who are of 1ea age te vote, students currently taking Grade 10 Canadien histoxy, or who are signed up for the OAC history clasa next seinester. Students were encouraged te ask quesions concerning the upcoming elections. lil have more information on the activity next tinio, I heard through the Garnier grapevine that there may be a anrce at the end of the montb te celebrate Halloween. Mu have more information on that later on. Woll, the semester is almoet balf over (alroady?) Mfid-terms are just around the corner, less than a month away. Don't forget te start studying. Gotta fly. A la prochaine. IPREPMIED