Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-06-02, Page 3On the campaign trail Jim Edwards: a.n unassuming man. by Cameron Wood With their candidate firmly entrenched in third place, .Jim Ed- wards' people feel he is in the best position heading into next week's Conservative leadership convention. The Albertan MP dropped- into Wingham Last week to meet • with local delegates and try to win their favor. Mr. Edwards, with 14 per cent of the national support accor- ding to recent polls, feels the 40 per cent undecided delegates and Kim Campbell's fall from grace may translate into opportunity. Mr. Edwards is a very unas- suming man. He reveals none of the political arrogance of the two front sinners. He speaks to the people as people, and cautiously refrains from making too many leadership as- sumptions. Over breakfast at a local res- taurant the former broadcaster spoke of what plans he would like tib see develop if he was chosen by the Conservatives as the next party leader. Talking informally with the dozen local party delegates, he was careful not to get too enwrapped in the "When I'm elected" rhetoric, . In fact, Mr. Edwards describes himself as a late bloomer. His 'own campaign would never have developed without friend and men- . for Don Mazankowski's decision not to seek the Conservative leader- -ship. First elected in 1984, Mr. Edwards has not held a cabinet post outside of Party whip -- a position Prime Minister Brian Mulroney gave him in February' . But that is not tosay. he is not without his• campaign confidence. Jim Edwards Earlier in the campaign, he had unveiled his $10 billion cutting 17 - point -plan for deficit reduction. A government under Mr. Edwards, as he describes, would be' fiscally conservative, lacking in sacred cows. "We must implement real fun- •damental restructuring based mainly on expenditure cuts to a minimum of $I0 billion," he said in his April 26 Budget Statement. The scheme is traditionally Conservative and follows the direction of Tory Finance Ministers Michael Wilson and Mazankowski. Last Wednesday he reiterated that stance, adding his leadership goal would be to eliminate the. $450 billion deficit within "our lifetime." In this he supported dramatically increasing the sale of government assets; including land holdingk'such as five Canadian -owned mansions in the greater Boston, Mas- sachusetts area; and crown cor- porations like Canada Post. The 56 -year-old Tory also out- lined some of his political beliefs., *Restoring the death penalty if the Canadian people desire. *Restructuring the Young Offenders Act to lower age of being tried in adult court to 15 from 17. *Restructuring the justice system to give equal rights to the victims, and tighten parole provisions for dangerous and repeat offenders. In addition, providing more rehabilitation services for criminals. *An abortion law requiring a doc- tor's approval prior to service. (A devout Roman Catholic, Mr. Ed- wards endorsed Bill C-43. The bill was killed in the House in February 1991 and would have made abor- tion a criminal act, punishable by up to two years in prison unless a doctor determined an abortion was necessary to protect the mother's health.) *Eliminating provincial trade bar- riers. *National standards for education. *Elimination of duplicate service delivery between the federal and provincial governments, such as the system currently in place in Alber- ta, his native province. . *An external review of MPs' com- pensation package, renumeration and pensions alike. "I think I can offer a very distinct leadership." Different then that of "Yesterday's Man" Jean Chretien and the "voodoo politics" of Audrey McLaughlin, he noted coyly. Jean Charest: a colorful man by Cameron' Wood If the train„ still came to Win- gham, one_ could say the recent tour- . of . two Conservative ' leadership hopefuls was reminiscent of the old "Whistle Stop". campaign of yesteryear. As staunch as. =Jim Edwards is, Jean Charest is colorful. His Satur- day night stop in Wingham revealed • his ability to relate to people on alt levels; and his appealing passion for' the political game.,. Mr. Charest was in his environment amidst the small crowd . of invited guests , and delegates at the Golden Pheasant Road House.. He mingled ' briefly . with delegates and the Tory faithful before outlining his campaign goals. Throughout his talk, Charest daz- zled the locals with , his uncanny ability to remember their names, and used local events as analogies for his political ideology. Restructuring is how he sees the economic success of Canada. "We know there is a whole world restructuring going on out there. --Some-people--.think- ies -more- Than that, that we're entering into a era of such major restructuring that we may have a jobless recovery. "That's even more reason for us to get back to the fundamentals. What's important for us as a country? We know the world is changing, but what's important in our communities? What is impor- tant in making sure people get a chance to work: that we do the fundamentals right so they do get a chance to participate and make a contribution?" • Mr. Charest added if Canadians feel that is where their values lay, the govemment has a responsibility • to put forward correct income sup- port and education training programs. So how does Mr. Charest plan to refocus the Big Blue Machine? "(Canadians) expect the federal government to focus on a few key issues; and in areas where the provinces can get the jab done, let them do what they should be doing; and where the private sector can do a better job, let them do it. But as a national government, (we should) focus on a few key issues and get them right." Jean Charest Mr. Charest said he believes the government should freeze federal spending starting in 1994-95 at the current $120 billion. terms /if jurisdiction; they see these issues as things they are confronted. with daily and they want their Prime Minister to recognize that. "That's the way the federation should work. As a Prime Minister I would like to say that education and training are important... let's set common objectives. And rather than try to get into areas of provincial jurisdiction, turn around and use the levers we .control so they serve that common 'objective. That's the way this federation should work, and that's the way 'I want this federation to work." Mr. Charest, the candidate, is confident in his ideas and the country. He said despite the task.. that lay before the Conservatives, he remembers the three things his father once told him he needed to do to succeed: work, work, and work. "rcl_starr_by_saying arlHE • ital ___ year is enough for us to' go out 1 there and fulfill our mandate. And board news around that, not bring in any'new taxes or increased taxes, and any new program that we would put forward, finance that within the envelope of spending we have now." In further restructuring, Mr. Charest added he would reduce the number of Cabinet members to no more than 25, with a Ministry of not more than 15 departments. Mr. Charest . also takes a strong stand on education. He sees the value of getting the country working again in reducing the high school drop-out rate. Had any challenged himon the education reforms last year, Mr. Charest said they . would have debated whether or not schooling was a provincial mandate. "But something has happened in between. During the referendum, Canadians sent us a very clear message.. They don't think the challenges they are facing in their everyday lives are going to be changed by changing words in the Constitution. They don't see this in •from page 2 delegation of employees who are frustratedthat no payments have been made. Board chairman Doris Inglis said she realized it has been a "long, slow process" and/suggested that a letter be written ,on behalf of the board requesting the commission make a decision immediately so that pay equity does not continue to be an outstanding issue at the hospital. Ken Wood said it might be worthwhile for the board to support a letter. Dr. Brian Hanlon said it should be emphasized that the board does not object to pay equity, but is waiting for approval. Lee Grove suggested a letter from the employees might be used to back up the letter by the board. He said "it's as frustrating for us as it is for them (the employees), but we can't do much until Toronto says yes." •yr' Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, June 2, 1993 - Page 3 Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision! Let -us help you make the right one! GARRY WOODCOCK ' Quality Cars & Trucks We Can Sava You Money Drive A Uttle • Save A Lot LUCKNOW WI9NTGOMERYI 528-2813 Nil ,:1Iti,1 S u • "A' UNIQUE P cliiC•' ,` MAMA, A Gitnd fhvcHlc I pn.k w) yrun rbath(]M ,Nd IMAd v(lUn (Mils AURA, 1 wall I(tip HW Lnlo k lid uluvbl*s I.. d, *rod 1,0,K NAppt"tu ..al pt.t i o MINI COM* I10*"1(.{t. tag Wellington Rd.. London. Ont. 673.1787 TOWNSHIP OF KINLOSS IN THE MATTER OF The Municipal Ac.t, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter M.45, Section 300. AND IN THE MATTER OF a proposed by- law to sell part of the lane: Plan 184; Township of Kinloss, County of Bruce, NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that the Township of Kinloss has applied to the Ontario Court (General Division) for an order closing that part of the 33 foot lane. Plan 184, in the Township.of Kinloss, lying between Lots 15, 11; 14 and 12 and South of Elisabeth Street, Plan 184 and such order was granted' March 10. 1993. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE•that it i:s the intention Of the council of the Township of Kinloss to pass a by- law conveying the said lane to' the owner of the adjoin- ing Lots 11 and 15. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that anyone who wish- c,s to.object to the sale -of this land may make their •objections known••to the council of the Township of .Kinloss, in person, or'by his'or her solicitor or agent and such persons who apply.will be heard ata meeting which will be held for the purpose of hearing such objections fin the 21st day of June, 1.993 -at the hour'of ' 8:00 'o'clock in the evening,at the Township of -Kinloss Municipal Office. Dated this 21st:day cif May, 1993. r . .Mark Becker Clerk -Treasurer Township of Kinloss • Holyrood, Ontario NOG 2B0 (519) 395-3575' FEED MILL' INC Lucknow - 528-3000 Due to the fire that destroyed our Feed Mill our new... TEMPORARY LOCATION will be at... SNOBELEN ELEVATORS (Anderson Flax) Canning Street Lucknow Our -Phone Number Remains The Same 528-3000 We hope to continuebusiness as near normal as possible under the circumstances. We ask bur customers to bear with us during this difficult time. We will do our best to inconvenience you as little as possible. MARK STEVER CO-OWNER/MANAGER