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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-05-20, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 20,1992. E ditorial Doing a deal If Canadian airlines continue to lose money it won't be because of lack of use as politicians criss-cross the country talking about the differing demands of political deal-makers in the various regions but ordinary Canadians, who are paying the bills, may wonder if the effort is helping or hurting. As time runs short the signs of a deal being struck between the competing political barons across the country are not encouraging. While Prime Minister Brian Mulroney told an audience of 1500 in Montreal on the weekend that he sees a ground swell of support for a united Canada inside Canada, Premier Robert Bourassa still uses nationalist fervour to try to ring more and more power for his government all in the name of preserving the French language and culture in Quebec. Some of the powers he demands may be needed. Some are just the constant demand of provincial premiers for more power. Each premier has his own list of wants from the new deal and few have the excuse of a separatist party behind him. Alberta premier Don Getty, for instance, seems to be as stubborn in his demands as Premier Bourassa. While others had sought to smooth ruffled feathers, for instance, Premier Getty has made speeches about abandoning bilingualism. The Premier seems rigid in his demands for a reformed Senate that would give Prince Edward Island, with the same population as Huron and Perth counties) as much power as Ontario or Quebec. Without compromise on the issue there's little chance for success. As Canadians approach the 125th birthday of their country it's hard to be optimistic. Our leaders, instead of having a national vision, are bogged down in petty provincialism. There is one scenario that calls for more optimism...sort of. Perhaps the premiers are just staking out positions in preparing for the final negotiations. Perhaps, once they’ve said the things to impress their harshest critics back home, once they’ve got behind closed doors and the final bargaining begins. The trade-offs will be made to pull off a deal. But wait! Isn't that exactly what happened at Meech Lake? Weren't Canadians led to believe there was little chance for an agreement then the 11 men in suits sat down and cobbled together an agreement that, once Canadians had a chance to think about it, they weren't happy with? In a democracy one would hope political leaders would be open and honest in telling people what's going on. If the premiers are saying one thing, then preparing to do another, they're preparing to create just as much discontent, just as much cynicism, as Meech Lake created. Do they never learn?—KR Big is better? Another Canadian business legend bit the dust last week when the world's largest privately owned development company, Olympia and York Developments Ltd. filed for bankruptcy protection. Thus, the once invincible Reichmann family joined other Canadian business giants like Robert Campeau, Jack Gallagher and Nelson Skalbania who have built huge companies that fell apart for trying to get too big, too fast If, in the next few months, the Reichmanns can't bring about the kind of miracle of reorganization that will satisfy their creditors, they will lose their huge company. But others will lose too. Last week, for instance, the Bank of Canada rate dropped but the expected drop in prime interest rates with commercial banks didn't happen. Some experts speculated the banks' concerns over the O&Y situation led to them keeping the rate higher than necessary. Banks will also be tougher in their demands for security to small business because they got burned by the Reichmanns, to whom they lent billions on little more than a hand- shake. Neither the Canadian government or the business community, including bankers, has learned its lesson yet. Giants like O&Y may be glamourous but the real jobs are created by hundreds of thousands of little businesses spread across the country. From flower shops to cafes to farms, it is in the little, locally owned businesses that the growth of the last decade came and where we must turn to grow in the future. Local communities with a diversified economy of many small, locally owned businesses are much more secure than those with a few large employers controlled by conglomerates in Toronto or New York. Dynamism in an economy comes from growth from the bottom, not a few meglomaniacal businessmen on Bay St. Yet all our policies, whether government or the banks, continue to court the business of the giants and ignore the benefits of small employers. If Canada is to be healthy, that must change.—AT? Mother goose Looking Back Through the Years ONE YEAR AGO May 22,1991 Students past and present were in attendance at Grey Central Public School to mark the facility's silver anniversary and to open the new addition to the school. The team at McCutcheon Motors in Brussels received the General Motors Circle of Excellence Award for 1990, finishing second out of 35 dealers from the London zone. THREE YEARS AGO May 17,1989 The first annual Nursing Excel­ lence Award of University Hospital Department of Nursing Service, London was presented to Dianne Godkin R.N. B.Sc.N. in recognition of outstanding clinical practice by her peers. Dianne is the daughter of Lavem and Marion Godkin, RR 1, Walton. Beth Earl of RR 2, Listowel was honoured for her dedication to 4H leadership. Mrs. Earl was awarded a certificate for five years of ser­ vice with the Ethel 1 Club. Ed Fulton, Minister of Trans­ portation for Ontario announced in a letter to Blyth village councillors that reconstruction of Hwy. 4 between Blyth and Wingham would be delayed at least another year. FIVE YEARS AGO May 20,1987 The old farm silo at Vanastra, a local landmark for 50 years, was levelled for safety reasons. The silo was used as a viewing station by the communications school for the Air Force during World War Two. Eight-year-old Karla Stacey, daughter of Mrs. Thelma Dougher­ ty of RR 1, Londesboro won a spe­ cial award for stepdancing at the Kiwanis Festival in Stratford. She earned second place in novice old- tyme reel, and was also presented with a cash award of $100 in recog­ nition of her achievements as a first-year student. R. Harkness Victorian Millwork, a Morris township manufacturer of custom wood mouldings, was pre­ sented with the Brantford Home Builders' Association Award after being judged as having the best exhibit among 105 displays. CitizenTheNorthHuron P.O. Box 429,P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont.BRUSSELS, Ont.Publisher, Keith Roulston N0M1H0 NOG 1 HO Editor, Bonnie Gropp Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 Sales Representatives, FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 Jeannette McNeil and Merle Gunby The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $20.50/year ($19.16 plus $1.34 G.S.T.) for local; $31.03/year ($29.00 plus $2.03 G.S.T.) for local letter carrier in Goderich, Hanover, Listowel, etc. and out-of-area (40 miles from Brussels); $60.00/year for U.S.A, and Foreign. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copywright. Publications Mail Registration No. 6968 Serving Blyth, Brussels, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Lone OSDOrOUQn. WaltOli tnhi’_________