WhtyFree Press, Wednesday, January 110, 1996 Page 9 MýP doesn't intend *toback a wayfrom controvers 'y By Mike Kowalski Alter ernergiga-n of the more visible members of the class of '93, Ontario riding MP Dan McTeague bas no intention of resting on bis laurels. The freshman Whitby representative plans to continue on the same patb be bas followed since bis electoral victory of three years ago, regardless of what obstacles may block the w'ay. Whether it be, the cable television industry, oil barons, drug manufacturers or even his own Liberal party, ail have feit Md'eague's wrath when perceived to be acting in a manner contrary to the berit interests of flot only bis own-constituents, but Canadians at large. While his outspokenness bas helped make hlm a favourite of the Ottawa press corps, MeTeague is weII aware that fame can be fiekle. Nýewspaper beadlines and television sound bites mean little if you can't deliver for the folks 4back borne. I think xny greatest sucoess was achieving a balance between the interests and wishes of my constituents and party objectives," said MèTeague in recalling events of the past year. 'rnflot afraid te take on issues even if it precludes personal advancernent." For instance, despite a warning fromn Prime, Minister Jean Chretien that further dissent would flot be tolerated, McTeague and three other Liberal MPs voted against the government's sentencingbill last spring. McTeague clairned tbat in requiringjudges te impose tougher* sentences on those convicted of hate crimes against specific groups, the billwould establish a "two-tier" systern of justice, by protecting some and not others. His view was sharedby several organizaiion'- .,such' as -the Canadian Bar Association and the Canadian Police Association, but Justice Minister Allan Rock would not be swayed. I knew I was right wben, long before the vote, a certain member of the Supreme Court approached me and thanked me for my stand," said MeTeague. Yet, Tnany Liberal MPs based their votes on party discipline rather than the substance of the bill, McTeague said. It surprised me that the feeling in caucus was that tbe government would be defeated ...ýut I'm not elected te be a trained seal." THE BYTE Specialists in TUE BYTE DOCTOR 668-F9143 C>ffering ail insolvency services including personal & corporate bankruptcies OSHAWA 122 Albert St. 721-7506 AJAX: 50 Commercial Ave. 619-1473 COBOURG: 72 King St. W. 372-4744 Saturday & evening appointments available. FREE initialconsultation. Aithough 18 Liberals supported his amendment te eliminate the liet of factors wbich a court could use te determine if a crime- was hate-motivated, only. tbree joined McTeague in voting against the' bill at final reading. "Fifty-two Liberals couldn't be' fbund. If you. can't stand the Md?'eague's willingness te tacide Canada'. corporate elite - forcing cable television operaters te back off on "negative option" marketing or introducing '. legishation requiring oul companies te provide sufficient notice o! price bikes - made bim an obvious choice te lead a similar charge against th is month's telephone rate increase. However, McTeague bas se far resisted the pressure te' take on another cause, even tbougb be bas bis own tbougbts on the matter. I rink the deal stinka," be said of Cabinet's recent decision te overturn a Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications (CRTC) ruling that.Bell Canada had to reduce long-distance charges in return for increasing local calling rates. It went beyond what tbe CRTC reommended, tbere's no tradeoff." Even more upsetting te McTeague than the financial hardsbip this will place on "families, seniors," was that MPs were net consulted. do fd tiil Documnent Shredding *Hîgh volume. equîpment will reduce your shredding cost *Secure locked containers at no extra cost *Bonded driver-. *100% of paper is recycléed *Certif icate of destruction *Volume discounts available year-end, clean-outs CAIL NOKf (905) 427-3605 (Derrick) ffÀj7ff7ffI ý- WASTE SYSTEMS JAMES'R. YANCH "E, much for democratic involvement and participatory democracy," be observed. McTeague bas written a letter or complaint te Industry Minister John Manley but is reluctant te publicly pursue the issue rnuch further at this point. "'Tm oertainly distressed by this. Now we bave te bit the Achilles heel of this without darnaging the government that made tbe decision. I don't think I will enamour myself witb -the powers-that-be, but tbat's what I'm elected te do." Turning bis attention'teo the year abead, McTeague expects that Canada'. massive debt and deficit will. again be tbe focus of Finance Minister Paul Martin's February budget. While he supports the minister's efforts at trying te put tbe country's financial house back in order, Md'.eague said even Martin "trealizes you can only go so far - the deeper you cut, the deeper your problems." Rather than simply cutting spending and suffering the consequenoes, McTeague bopes the governxnent will continue its policy o! evaulating. government programs and either reorganizing services te run more efficiently or having the private secter take over certain functions. After premising to abolish the hated * Goods and Services Tax (GST)' in the .1993 electioin campaign, McTeague said the government must follow tbrougb witb its commitrnent this year. Even if Martin cannot reach agreement with the provinces on harmonizing the GST. witb provincial sales taxes, MuTeague said the ininister bas no choice but te go it alone. "We bave te corne 1 up witb sometbing te replace the GST, but with measures te' protect those who c'jn't afford it." N.UTRITION CENTRE INC. 121 Brock Street North (jList N. okthci four corners) OPEN MONDAY TO SUNDAY.- *Nutritional Assessment *Aromatherapy *Massage *Acupuncture *Reflexoiogy 1... and more We carry a large range'of: *Vegetariaii Foods- Organic Products *Allerg en Free Products * Nalural Convenience Foods *Breads - Bulk Grains & Herbs *Vitamins & Supplerents H -omeopathcs - Bach Flower Reinedies *Books, Videos. Cassettes *Body Building Supplies *Birkenstock & Finn Comfort Shoes and much more s. .. '1~~ IHE CHOICE 0F R0FESS0NbL *Quiality Bonds *Quality Comparues *Quality Investment Management *Quality Resuits *Quality of Life CldwelSecu rities, Investment Maagement (A DIVISION OFÇCALDWELL SECURITIES LTD.) ember The Toronto Stock Exchange, The lnvestment .Deaiers Associationof, Canada and flIPI Cail or drop by for a visit Vincent L.» John Pearson Lanes 1031/2A Mary St. West, Whitby (905) 665-1911