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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-10-21, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21,1992. ! A bottom line issue Canadians seem to be taking a "what's in it for me?" approach to the referendum on the proposed constitutional changes in the Charlottetown accord so perhaps it is time to look at the bottom line of the whole question. The ultimate bottom line in deciding whether to vote "yes" or "no" to the accord is whether or not a better deal can be gained if this proposal is turned down. Take a look at the opposition and ask whether we're more likely to get a better deal if the vote is "no". Many in Quebec feel the deal doesn't give their provincial government enough new powers to build the distinct society they want. They plan to vote no. Yet many in the West in particular, but also in Ontario, feel Quebec got too much. Proponents of a Triple E Senate feel the new Senate won't have enough power. British Columbians see the guarantee of 25 per cent House of Commons seats for Quebec as selling their province short, even though Quebec now has more than 25 per cent of the population, because they feel that down the line, BC's population will continue to grow. Yet what Senate reforms we now have wouldn't come about if Quebec hadn't received those guarantees? The Triple E Senate treats all provinces exactly the same, no matter what the population. That would leave Ontario and Quebec under represented for their large populations. Ontario may be willing to go along but Quebec, which sees its language and culture under constant siege by the huge English population of North America, isn't going to agree to a Triple E Senate that weakens its clout in Parliament. To please those in the West who are unhappy with the deal, Quebec must give up more. To please those in Quebec, the West must give up more. How can any new deal hope to win more? The ultimate bottom line is how the deal, or the failure of the Canadian public to accept the deal, will effect each of us in the pocket book. Canadians were rightly upset when Prime Minister Brian Mulroney made frightening predictions of what the failure to pass the accord would mean. Yet the reaction of the international money markets proved Mr. Mulroney's point The Canadian dollar plummeted and the Bank of Canada was forced to raise interest rates by two per cent in one day, costing each of us more money if we have to borrow. The market may have already reacted to the worst-case scenario painted by Mr. Mulroney but if the vote next week is no, it's hard to picture things getting any better. Already in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, Canadians need positive signs to rebuild confidence, not add even more uncertainty to our economy. The growth of support for the "no" side in recent weeks seems more a reaction against our political leaders than against what is in the deal. Canadians seem set to lay some hurt on Brian Mulroney and Bob Rae and Robert Bourassa in a kind of "we'll show them!" attitude. In the long run, however, it will be ordinary Canadians who are hurt the most if the uncertainty of the situation hurts the economy further. It will be ordinary Canadians, not Brian Mulroney, who gain the most if this constitutional mess can finally be cleaned up. —KR Them, not us Will the NDP government of Premier Bob Rae learn anything from its current dispute with the union for members of the Metro Toronto Police force7 There is currently a showdown between the police union and the provincial government. The province has planned legislation which will require, among other things, that police fill in a report every time they draw their gun. The police union has been protesting the changes by refusing to give out tickets for minor infractions and refusing to wear proper uniforms. The police union wants a meeting with Premier Rae. He refuses to meet the group while they continue their strike. Solicitor General Allan Pilkey, a former union leader himself, has hinted that if police go on full strike, he will consider bringing in replacement forces. How different the government's reaction is when it is management than when it drafted its controversial labour law reforms. The labour reforms, which make it easier to form a union in the first place and then would forbid private employers from hiring replacement workers in the case of a strike seem based on the premise that the worker is always right and the employer is always wrong. The new rules would stack the odds in favour of workers in any confrontation with management. What the government wants from Metro police doesn't seem too much to ask. The current job action from the police is illegal. Just as employers can be wrong, however, so can employees. If police officers can be wrong in their fight with government can't any other union? From the ground up Photo by Merle Gunby 'Ml* Jr Mill KWa $ rmw*' > V J J f .iW.ilMr* ■ m i M|y & / . i B J* 1 Looking Back Through the Years ONE YEAR AGO October 23,1991 Donna White, Clerk-treasurer of Brussels was appointed chairman of the North Huron Community Development Steering Committee at the group's inaugural meeting. Grade 2 students Jeremy Leish- man and Cole Vincent from East Wawanosh Public School, and Robert John Popp and Robin Mason from Blyth Public School were the winners of the poster con­ test promoting Ontario Public Library Week. Gail Robertson, the Grade 1/2 teacher at Grey Central School, was inducted into the Federation of women Teachers Association of Ontario at a banquet in Brussels. THREE YEARS AGO October 18,1989 The sweater of Mike Vincent, five-year veteran of the Brussels Bulls who was killed the previous summer in a car accident, was retired in a ceremony before the opening game of the Bulls season. Marlene Albers of RR 2, Blue­ vale was crowned the 1989 Huron County Dairy Princess. The Brussels Bulls remained unbeaten at the Bulls' home opener by defeating the Walkerton Black­ hawks 9-3. The Brussels Bullettes were the champions of the "B" Division in the Listowel and area Intermediate Ladies Softball League. FIVE YEARS AGO October 21,1987 Three Brussels women formed the nucleus of a new Block Parents group in Brussels. The executives of the new group were Donna White, Beth Crawford, and Brenda Wheeler. Planes as far away as Ohio dropped in at the air-strip on the Don Martin farm near Ethel for a fly-in luncheon. The Flying Farm­ ers, a 300 member organization, came to honour their 1987-88 Queen, Yvonne Martin. 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 a! 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. 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