The Brussels Post, 1977-02-16, Page 5Eleanor Johnstone
John Gnay
William- Davis,
Premier
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udent .essay • on
Gratis
Mr. Gnay
Science teacher works with prefects S
Se
Quebec separatism is certainly
a very hot issue today, as it
has been for the last 10 years. At
best it is challenged by an
emotional nationalism and at
worst by an indolent indifference.
Why do Canadians take' Quebec
membership in Confederation so
much for granted? Perhaps, it is
because Genefal Wolfe defeated
the inhabitants of Quebec in 1760
submitting all those of French
descent to English rtile. However,
the British, attempting to win the
French Canadians as allies, made
several concessions. , These
concessions allowed the French
Canadians to retain their -own
language, the Roman Catholic
Church to collect tithes and
French civil law to remain in
Quebec. If only the British had
exerted 'more authority then, we
probably wouldn't have the
Quebec problem now. But, how
fortunate Canada is taht French
Canadian culture was not stifled.
Over the last 15 years Quebec
has seen a great change. With the
end of the repressive government
of Maurice Duplessis, the
Quebecois suddenly found pride
and honour in their province.
They began to get better
educations and a wider range of
jobs were filled by French-
speaking Quebeckers rather than
English-speaking ones. More
money brought a higher standard
of living and this eventually led to
questioning of th'e role of the
Church in Quebec.. Up to th is
time the Church was an important
institution, hot only in matters of
religion, but also in the political
and educational set-up. As the
Quebecois' became ' more
pOlitically minded they restrained
the Church to spiritual needs.
Now, under the government of
Robert Bourassa, Quebec is again
undergoing many rapid changes.
Bill 22, which allows for
Quebeckers to work in French and
ensures the continuance of the
French language in Quebec, was
Met with much opposition.
However, the French-speaking
employee now finds that be no,
longer must hang up his language
with his coat at the office. In a
province, where 80% of the
population is of French origin, is
it not fair that their official
language be French? Many
Canadians opposed Bil122 out of
fear and ignorance. They feel that
if Quebec is mostly French-
speaking, it will be too slifferOnt
and there is a natural fear of the
unknown. Quebec is not trying to
take over Canada or even to
secede from Canada. It is just
trying to establish its own place in
Canada and is making up for lost
time during Canada's first
century;
This essay was written by
Cindy Thorton, who was valedic-
torian in the 1975-76 school
year.
This years marks Mr. Crnays
fourteenth year as a science
teacher in VVingham. It is. about
time we learned 'something about
the man who so many of us come
in contact with, but 'never really
get to know.
John Gnay was born in
Montreal, but moved to Ontario
as a young boy and grew up north
of London in Granton where he
attended a one-room school-
house. He attended high school in
A rya .and after that went to the
Ontario 'Agricultural College in
Guelph for four years. After
receiving his BSCA there, he
went on to summer school in
Toronto for two semesters
working • at various jobs
throughout the rest of the year.
Mr. Gnay taught for one year at
Essex and four years at' Mitchell
before coming to Wingham. Since
coming here, 'he has taught all the
science courses but grade 13
physics and chemistry.
Since Mr. Gnay came to
Wingham there have been many
changes, both • in physical
appearance of the school and the
system itself, but he feels that
"the train never got off the track
too far" here. Mr Gnay thinks of
himself as an "oldfuddy duddy'
and "small 'c' conservative,"
and is a firm believer in the
"three r's." He is not impressed
by permissiveness in the
classroom, but feels an
environment of freedom, within
guidelines, is very important if
there is to be a free flow of
communication between student
and teacher. As Mr. Gnay said,
"teachers are here to teach and
students are here to learn,". Each that he will be here for many
has certain rights so they must more years.
both be willing to eQmPromise.
Over the years Mr, Gnay has
been involved in wrestling and
football. There is no longer
wrestling at Madill since Mr.
Gnay does not approve of the
free-style methods which are now
used. This year there is no senior
football team. He attributes this
to the fact that the students are
not as committed to the school as
they are to their own towns as
well as the problem of transpor-
tation home after practices anch,
games. Mr. Gnay has also been
staff advisor for the prefects for
several y ears. With his help the
prefects are better able to help
the school run smoothly and make
it a better place to be.
Mr.. Gnay lives with his wife
and two children on a farm south
of Wingham. He iss'a great asset
to our school. He is not only a
good teacher, but has contributed
much in the way of sports as well
as with, the prefects in keeping
order at Madill. 4 is to be hoped
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Handicapped people
can be
productive and
self-supporting.
This is what Ontario
is doing to help.
•
ur
Your Ontario Government operates a program called
Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which is designed to assist
physically, mentally and emotionally handicapped people to
become employable and where possible self-supporting.
These services are available without charge.
They include
• medicaland vocational assessments
• vocational guidance and counselling
• work adjustment`
• job placement
• artificial limbs, wheelchairs and braces
.•ttraining in community colleges; universities,
• trade and business institutes, and industry
Last year, 11,800 handicapped persons received one
more of these services:
The program also helps employers, by pre-interVieWing job
applicants, providing information about their abilities, sharing.
Wage payments during initial ori-the•job training, and Offering
many other suppOrtive services:
Through the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social
Services, a staff of trained counsellors and supervisors helps
the handicapped person develop his or her work potential.
For more information, write for yOur copy of the free booklet
"Help for the Vocationally Handicapped", which describes the
Vocational Rehabilitation Services program in detail. Contact
your local Ministry of Community and Social Services office, or
write to:
Rehabilitation Branch
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Hepburn Block, 4th Floor
Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario M7A 1E9
Keith Norton,
Minister of
Community and
Social SerVices
Province of Ontario
el
tHE BRUSSELS POST, FEBRUARY 10, 1977 —5