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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1988-11-02, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988. Marketing boards safe, Cardiff promises Continued from page 1 marketing boards under GATT. "It is safe and it is secure,’’ he said bluntly. Mr. Dunlop said the Liberals are strong supporters of the supply manage me nt system and feel the food supply system in Canada is second to none. Negotiations need to take place to try to solve the problem of too many subsidies but Canada has the second cheapest food supply system in the world and marketing boards are an important part of that system, he said. Mr. Clark said he had worked under the milk board regulations as a farmer and supported the system but he had worries about the high cost of quota and the growing concentration of ownership of dairy farming. Mr. McQuail said he was very concerned about the future of supply management under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the willing­ ness of the Mulroney government to support the U.S. in GATT negotia­ tions. If the protection for marketing boards is taken out of GATT, he said, marketing boards will be in trouble. Another questioner wondered why Prime Minister Mulroney had made a commitment to using more fuel ethanol in gasoline some time ago but still hadn’t taken any action. Ethanol is an alcohol made from distilling of farm grains and other vegetable matter. Mr. Cardiff said his party suppor­ ted the use of ethanol and pointed out an ethanol plant is currently being built in the riding (at the Bruce Agri-park) that will use, he said, one million bushels of corn a year. But the questionner argued that the plant’s product will not be used in gasoline and isn’t very big. Mr. Cardiff said a million bushels of corn will provide an important new market for farmers. Mr. McQuail said the NDP is committed to lowering farm input costs and finding alternatives mar­ kets for farm produce and ethanol production would be important among these. Mr. Dunlop scored points when he was challenged on the Liberal record in environmental protection by Steve Trapp who called himself "an environmental nut”. Yes, Mr. Dun­ lop said, the Liberals didn’t do as much as they should have when they were in office but, he told the audience, all of them ignored the environment too much as well. How many people when the federal government legislated in catalytic converters, sabotaged the conver­ ters to get better mileage? How many people had widened the top of their gas tank so they could putin leaded gas in vehicles that should only have unleaded gas? Everybody, government and individual alike, must pay more attention to the environment, he said. Mr. McQuail touched on the same topic. After outlining the NDP position on the environment he said that protecting the environment means changing our own lifestyles and he told of his own switch to ecolobigal farming, abandoning the use of chemical fertilizers and sprays on his West Wawanosh farm. Area postmasters and assistance, wearing red sweatshirts that said "The Post Office is the heart of your community” tried to get a commit­ ment against the privatization of rural post offices. Dorothy Oster of Blyth asked why, when the govern­ ment was so proud of the number of jobs ii had created for women, it wanted to eliminate the jobs of 8,000 women who work in rural post offices across Canada. Mr. Cardiff said every time there had been a post office in danger in his riding he had supported it and he supported rural mail delivery. Still, he said, in 1984 the Dost office had a $675 million deficit and this year it would break even. There are cases where post offices are only a mile apart and all can’t be kept open, he said. Mr. McQuail said the NDP has pledged to end privatization of all rural post office. "If you’re in rural Canada you shouldn’t be a second class citizen,” he said. Mr. Dunlop said he knew about the changes in rural mail service because there is now a green box (group mail box) at the end of his road instead of a local delivery person. He has learned, he said, that rural contractors are being offered only four month to one-year con­ tracts instead of the normal five year contracts and a 90-day buyout clause is in the contracts. Mr. Clark said that while he supports rural mail service, times change and if there is a more efficient way it should be explored. Bill Warnick, president of the Post Masters and Assistants Association latergotbacktothesamesubject pointing out that in the 85-year history of his group that mans small post offices across the country, there has never been one day of work lost in a labour dispute. Yet the Canada Post business plan says that 5,200 post offices will beclosedandthe work franchised out. He asked that Mr. Cardiff give an assurance in writing that these post offices won’t be closed. Mr. Cardiff said the post office was a crown corporation and he couldn’t give that assurance. He said he believed in keeping rural routes but said he couldn’t see anything wrong with changing the post office if it could be run more efficiently. He said no post office in his riding would close. Mr. McQuail said post offices apparently wouldn’t be closed at least until after the election. He said he deplored the failure of candidates to stand up and tell what they really believed and to admit the difference between their own feelings and the position of the party. Mr. Dunlop said that despite the assurances no post offices would close, his already had. Small post offices, he said, are a social centre of the community and must be protect­ ed. Mr. Clark said he supported a private enterprise post office. Valerie Bolton, a former NDP candidate herself, questioned the PRINTING IS OUR BUSINESS Colour Printing Posters Letterheads Envelopes Business Cards WE CAN DQJT ALL! “THE BLYTH PRINT SHOP” We’re located Main St. Blyth Phone: 523-9211 candidates on their stand on nuclear submarines. Mr. McQuail said he personally, as well as the NDP were opposed to the spending of so much money on nuclear submarines. He went on to explain his party’s defence position saying our forces in Europe should be redeployed for Canada’s own defence in the north and he said society must get beyond the cold war mentality that sets up nations on different sides. Mr. Dunlop simply said he didn’t see the need for nuclear submarines while Mr. Clark said the Christian Heritage Party believes in a strong defence and that Canada should pull its own weight and supported the idea of the submarines. Mr. Cardiff challenged Ms. Bol­ ton’s claim that the submarines would cost $12 billion saying the price was really only $8 billion over 27 years, or three per cent of the defence budget or one-ha If of one percent of whatisspenton social programs. He said Canada’s de­ fence has been neglected too long and Canada has an obligation to its NATO and NORAD partners. Mr. Clark, in answer to a question, outlined his party’s position that one of the most important roles of women is being mothers. The state, he said, arguing against universal daycare, always makes a bad parent. Mr. Dunlop had the simplest answertothesamequestion. The role of women in society is the same as the role of men, he said. Mr. McQuail pointed out that the NDP not only preaches equality but has a constitutional requirement that half its executive must be made up of women. Mr. Cardiff pointed out that there are more women in Parliament, the cabinet and senate than ever before. The meeting ended with each man summing up for two minutes. Mr. Dunlop called the Free Trade Agreement the biggest single issue that has ever faced this country and asked people to really think about the issue before they voted. Mr. Clark admitted his party had a lot of work to do to get its policies well known before the election but said support for the party has been strong. Mr. Cardiff called on people to remember what he had done for them infouryears in government •Business Forms Brochures Flyers Carbonless Forms Labels and eight years in Parliament altogether. "I could never support anything that I thought is detrimen­ tal to Huron-Bruce and Canada,” he said. Everything passed in the last four years has been good for the riding and for the country he said. Mr. McQuail said this election will determine if Canada will become an economic colony of the United States or will continue to build an indepen­ dent, better society. Ultimately the Liberals and Conservatives are the NOTICE VILLAGE OF BLYTH ELECTORS The Council of the Village of Blyth and The Blyth Public UtilitiesCommissioninvite Village of Blyth Electors to meet with them fora MEET THE CANDIDATES EVENING on Monday, November?, 1988,8:00 p.m. at Blyth & District Community Centre. Village of Blyth Council Blyth Public Utilities. NOTICE VILLAGE OF BLYTH ELECTORS A person who has been appointed a voting proxy must apply to the Municipal Clerk to receive a certificate to vote by proxy. Polling Day - November 14, 1988 - the Municipal Office will be closed at 5:00 p.m. ADVANCE POLLING DAYS Saturday, November 5 Thursday, November 10 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Municipal Office - use side door - Dinsley Street POLLING DAY Monday, November 14 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Blyth Memorial Hall Helen R. Grubb Returning Officer. Letter to Blyth Electors /, Reeve of the Village ofBlyth wish to thank the residents of the Village for their support and co-operation over this last three year term. It has been challenging from time to time but also rewarding to see the Village become more beautiful, more active and in general going ahead. We, as Blyth are recognized in the County and in the Province as an up and coming Village. The ratepayers now have to choose the Council and P.U.C. members from those who have been nominated by yourselves to carry on this work. As acclaimed Reeve, I urge our residents to come to ‘ ‘Meet the Candidates "night, Monday, November?, 1988, at8:00 p. m. in Blyth and District Community Centre. This is your privilege and responsibility to support the municipality and consider those people nominated. All candidates will have an opportunity to present their platform to the Voters ofBlyth and to entertain questions from the floor. The existing Council will also be present to present their views and entertain questions from the floor. As Reeve, I intend to put forth the same dedication as in the past and as in the past, I look for the support and co-operation from our Village people. All of us - The Reeve, Council, P. U.C. Members, the Village Staff and the Ratepayers have an important part to take in keeping Blyth in good order. Please doyour part. Goodopinions and decisions must be based on facts and truth. Please come to " Meet the Candidate night, and not the street comer, to help reach your decision. Then I urge all Blyth Electors to vote on Election Day. November 14 at Blyth Memorial Hall. Albert A. Wasson, Ree\ e. same and only the NDP can represent the ordinary people of the country he said. GREG WILSON FORCOUNCIL NOVEMBERS ' A lifelong commitment to Brussels