HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1991-05-08, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991.
Opinion
Attitudes must change
Opinion polls from Quebec last week give the first shot of optimism
Canadians have had in over a year about the future of their country. If
they are a true reflection of the feelings of Quebecers, the polls arc
good news, but the country must still come back a long way if it is to
become united again.
Polls published last week showed support for sovercingty in
Quebec had dropped significantly, to less than half the population
from a strong majority a few months back. Prime Minister Mulroney,
spurred on by the news, came out swinging on the weekend, saying
Quebecers had no intentions of "tearing up their Canadian passports
and embarking on a voyage into the unknown." Opposition leader
Jean Chretien also made a strong appeal for national unity on the
weekend. The leaders signalled they're back in the battle within
Quebec to keep the country united.
It's good news, but the country is like a very sick patient who has
made progress but wouldn't need much of a setback to slip away for
good. The problem is that both parts of the country think the other
doesn’t want them anymore and it will take a lot of goodwill to heal
those wounds. The attitude has been "well, if they don't care anymore,
then maybe it's lime to leave." Quebecers felt that way when they saw
the rejection of Meech Lake as a rejection of Quebec. People outside
the country felt that way when Quebec outlawed store signs in English
after the Supreme Court had said they were a constitutional right of
people in Quebec. They felt that way again when Quebecers reacted
so strongly to the Meech Lake failure.
It will take a lot to heal those feelings of rejection on both sides.
We'll have to start sending messages to each other that we do care,
that we’re not willing to throw away a great country over something so
petty. The problem is that it will take a hundred acks of kindness and
understanding to make up for a single act of bigotry or hate. How
much damage to Canada, for instance, did the image of the burning of
the Quebec flag in Brockville do? How much damage was done when
Montreal football fans booed 0 Canada at a football game last
month.
The problem is there are so many people who are happy to see the
divisions and won't want to see the healing take place. Foremost, of
course, are Quebec separatists who may now be seeing their dream of
a sovereignty slipping through their fingers. Separatists were close to
their goal once before in the 1980 referendum, only to see the Quebec
population turn down sovereignty at the last moment. When they get
so close a second time and see things getting away again, they may
try to provoke reaction in the rest of Canada that will turn Quebecers
toward sovereignty again.
We can’t do much to change the actions of the separatists but we
provide them with as little ammunition as possible. We can refuse to
over-react to provocation from separatists and we can also try to rein
in those in our part of the country who were quite happy to see
Quebec separate. From the famous flag burning to the "English-only"
resolutions of various Ontaro municipalities, there were some
dramatic signals that came out of Ontario that made Quebecers feel
that even Ontarians, their most friendly neighbours, had given up on
them. Elements like the Confederation of Regions Party and other
French-bashing organizations have been silent lately because, like the
separatists, they could see their goal in sight. But if Quebec looks like
it may decide to stay, these bigots will raise their ugly heads again.
We can't afford to let them ruin what progress has been made. We
must stand up and drown out the shouts of the people who would
create hatred. Now that there is hope, we must make the most of it.
Who's complaining
So the price of cigarettes went up again last week. So you sent in
your income tax and had to pay more...again. So the price of gas went
up again and you wonder if you can really afford to drive your car. So
it's raining again and you wonder if you'll ever get your crops planted.
Can't things ever go right? you wonder.
Last week up to 500,000 people in Bangladesh may have died
when a storm washed their villages out to sea. They were already
among the world's poorest people. This week new storms have
prevented world aid from getting to the survivors. And you think
you've got it rough?
Spring opening
Looking Backward
ONE YEAR AGO
MAY 9, 1990
Jennifer Allan was northbound on
highway 4, when she swerved to miss
debris and the left front tire of the
1981 Mercury Cougar caught the
shoulder of the road. The car spun
around and rolled onto its roof.
Miss Allan sustained, minimal
injuries and her father, Bryan Allan
and sister, Sarah were unharmed.
The Blyth Women's Institute cele
brated its 80th Anniversary with a
guest list of 90 members, former
members, past presidents and special
guests.
THREE YEARS AGO
MAY 3, 1988
Blyth firemen worked to prevent
greater damage to the Blyth Inn
Hotel. Fire started during a roofing
project over the lounge area then got
into the wooden wall of the main
building. Firemen quickly extin
guished the fire.
Max Oldfield of Brussels, propri
etor of Oldfield’s Hardware, was hon
oured when the Ministry of Natural
Resources presented him with a cer
tificate of appreciation for 25 years of
"outstanding service as an issuer of
sport fishing and hunting licences to
the people of Ontario."
Valerie Gauley, a Blyth native
returned home to open her own shop,
Blu-mers which will be part of the
grand opening of The House Village
Shoppes. Blu-mers specializes in lin
gerie. Taking part in the official
opening of the new shopping facility
was Sherry Reavje's new shop Dress
ing Room Only which was part of
The House Village Shoppes develop
ment.
FIVE YEARS AGO
MAY 7, 1986
Marlene Albers was picked the
Queen of the New Canadian Club of
Huron and Perth in a ceremony held
at Mitchell last week in competition
with four other girls. She looked for
ward to competing in Guelph for a
trip to Holland.
Lori Appleby from R.R. 2, Byth
has been very successful at some
track and field meets recently.
She won a gold medal at the West
minister Invitational high school
meet, Medway relays, Forest City
Meet at the U. of W. and again al
F.E. Madills invitational track meet.
Following a lengthy closed-door
meeting, Brussels council approved a
Brussels Lions Club proposal for a
new wading pool in a vole of ques
tionable legality.
Mrs. Inez Macdonald of Blyth cel
ebrated her 101st birthday this week.
The
Citizen
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