Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-04-29, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29,1992. PC's denounce NDP's at annual meeting BY LISA BOONSTOPPEL-POT North London MPP Dianne Cun­ ningham had nothing good to say about the NDP government at the Annual Meeting of the Huron Pro­ gressive Conservative Association but that's the way PC supporters seemed to like it. Obviously, the crowd at the Clin­ ton Legion Friday night felt Ms. Cunningham was doing just that. The MPP was elected to the Ontario Legislature in a by-election in 1988 and she's now the critic for the Ministries of Colleges and Uni­ versities, Education and Skills After thoroughly denouncing the NDP's, Ms. Cunningham got a standing ovation from the crowd of about 120 people when she said "It's about time politicians stand up for the people who elect them." Development. She ran as a candidate for the leadership of the Ontario Progres­ sive Conservative Party at its May 1990 leadership vote. Party politics Steve Sparling, president of the Huron Progressive Conservative Association discusses party politics with London North MPP Dianne Cunningham who was guest speaker at the association's annual meeting held Friday in the Clinton Legion. Time to rekindle interest As a former leadership candidate, she questioned the NDP's leader­ ship qualities, specifically in rela­ tion to cabinet minister Shelly Martel who publicly admitted she lied about a Sudbury doctor's medi­ cal practices. "The whole Martel issue is one of the worst things that is ever going to happen," said Ms. Cunningham. "The government has fallen to its lowest level." She also criticized the NDP's Labour Law Reform paper because it "sends the message that business isn't welcome in Ontario." According to the PC's, there are three big problem areas with the paper: 1) union organizers will only need 50 per cent support to start a union instead of 53 per cent sup­ port, 2) businesses will be forbid­ den to use replacement workers during a work stoppage and 3) the right to unionize will extend to the agricultural community. "The LLR paper has confirmed business's worst fears because it tilts power to the unions," she said. "Not a week goes by that we find out another business is moving out of the country," she said. Lack of business means lack of jobs which will increase the demand for welfare, a cost the NDP has driven up dramatically, she said. "Welfare now makes up 21 per cent of the budget which is up from 13 per cent,"she revealed. "We now pay people millions of dollars to stay at home and not work." Ms. Cunningham added the best thing for people is not to go on wel­ fare, but to get a job and the only way to do that is to keep business in Ontario. After her opening remarks, she invited members of the audience to ask questions. z One person brought up the cur­ rent hot topic of gambling by ask­ ing Ms. Cunningham where the provincial PC's stand on the gam­ bling issue. "There's a strong difference of opinion in the cabinet," she responded, effectively dodging the question. All she would add is, "if we're going to make changes to anything, we take the stance that brought up by a town councillor who asked Ms. Cunningham what she thought of it. She told him he wouldn't be a "human being" if he lived up to the Premier's expectations. "I think we're legislated to death in this province." The last question she fielded was one from an elderly man who felt the "white man's world was eroding away. "The white man has less rights than a Pakistani who moves to Canada," the man said. "We're changing our whole country to suit a few minorities." He challenged Ms. Cunningham by saying "I don't see what you people in Toronto are doing for me." Ms. Cunningham responded qui­ etly by saying "you're not alone in your concerns but you're part of a quiet majority." A quiet majority that includes her because she told the man, "I agree with you. We still say the Lord's prayer in London and I'm proud of that." She told the man he had every right to be "disillusioned" but couldn't say what she could do to deal with the man's concerns. At the conclusion of the question period, Ms. Cunningham received a $5,000 cheque from the association treasurer Lawrence Bean to "help get the provincial debt under con­ trol." in PC's says president It's time the Progressive Conser­ vatives establish theihselves as the real alternative to the buffoonery in Queen's Park said Steve Sparling at the annual meeting of the Huron Progressive Conservative Associa­ tion Friday night. Mr. Sparling, president of the HPCA, addressed a crowd of approximately 120 people at the association meeting held in the Clinton Legion. After the guest speaker, North London MPP Dianne Cunningham concluded her remarks, Mr. Spar­ ing told the crowd "It's been a chal­ lenging year. "We're all to aware of the unprecedented incompetence of the NDP and of NDP proposals which reek of mismanagement." He said he commiserates daily with people who are fed up with politics. That's why meetings like the annual association meeting are crit­ ical, he said. "We must rekindle interest in this party." He ended his comments by say­ ing "politics is nothing on its own. Only people can breath life into politics." we should take a really good look at it before we do." She was also asked about the par­ ty's opinion on Sunday shopping. "Personally," she said, "I'm against it but Mike (Harrison) said there should be no laws on Sunday shopping so the market could take care of itself." She revealed the PC caucus is divided on the issue and that even though she is against it personally, she'd vote for it if that's what her constituents want. A hot topic locally, the Munici­ pal Conflict of Interest paper, was Rules for ball diamond use announced Blyth councillors were presented with a list of rules and regulations regarding the use of the ball dia­ monds for the 1992 season at their meeting on April 21. The list was drawn up by arena manager Dave Cook and his assis­ tant Pat Cronin. The rules are as follows: •All outstanding bills must be paid before the first game. •All teams must pay $200 deposit before the first game. •All teams must submit the team name and players list by June 1. •All practice games must be booked. •All cancellations must be phoned in. •The home team is responsible for turning off lights, putting bags out and away. A fine of $100 will be charged to anyone failing to turn off lights or put bags away. Anyone failing to cancel or book games will be fined $20. Adult rates are $27 with lights and $13 without for games and practices. For minor sports games with lights will be $25. Without lights or late practices with lights will be $13. One-day tournaments are $169 for both diamonds and $344 for three-day tournaments. Teams must supply everything. /BACKSAVERS*Water Softener! Salt Distributions FREE HOME DELIVERY Pellets with Resingard Cleansing Formula 7 99 per 80 lb. ■ " bag Premium Crystals £ 00 per 80 lb. bag Call 887-6069 Or 887-6579 i 524-5363 Distributors for: AIR PRODUCTS Lincoln, Miller-Memco, Hitachi, Makita. Black & Doctor, Toolex, Proto, Challenger, Jet, Victor, Harris HURONIAwn“X”iliL Box 245, 282 Suncoast Dr. E., Goderich, Ontario N7A 32Z 1-800-265-5500 Industrial & Medical Gases Welders & Parts Sales & Service Hand Tools, Torches PACKAGE DEAL! Victor Torches. Contract & Gas $425 Cl/Sro/MEfl-OIWEDCYLIHDERS $209.00 + gas STOP RENTING BUY AN ASSET 3 4 Year Payback Your neighbour is likely our depot. Over 50 agents and we are looking for more. 125TB EAST WAWAN0SS ANNIVERSARY CATCH THE SPRING FEVER, LOAD YOUR CAMERA AND GET '’SNAPPING”! Categories for East Wawanosh's Sesquicentennial Photo Contest: 1. Best photo taken by a person age 16 and under. 2. Best photo of scenery. 3. Best nature photo - eg. garden, animal, pet, wildflowers. 4. Best portrait of present or former resident(s) of East Wawanosh. 5. Best Photo of people at work or play. Rules: - Photos to be taken between April 1, 1991 and June 1, 1992. - All photos are to be taken in East Wawanosh except for category #4. - Open to all amateur photographers. - All entries are to be in 8 x 10 format. - Submit each picture in an envelope to East Wawanosh Township Office after April 30. Entry forms are available there. - Entry fee of $1.00 per photo. - Pictures may be colour or black and white. - Entrants limited to winning in one category.