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Tourism a big issue at Rural Caucus By Fred Groves Huron County recently received recognition for its work towards a detailed report and informative brochure promoting tourism in the county. Tourism is big business all across Canada. Last week, the tourism industry was brought to the forefront of discussion at the Federal Liberal Rural Caucus held in Goderich. The caucus, hosted by co-chairman By Fred Groves Justice Minister Allan Rock is; going to get a little pressure from rural MPs over this country's new gun control laws. Members of the Federal Liberal Rural Caucus publicly declared their support of a list of 24 recommended changes to the current proposal which were presented to the minister by a special caucus made up of members representing both sides of the gun control issue. An accident on Hwy 87, just east of Gorrie last Saturday evening claimed the life of an 18-year-old Listowel youth. Officers from the Wingham OPP were called to the accident at 10:15 p.m. A report from the police states that a westbound, 1988 Ford Mus- tang driven by Mark Shaw, 17 of Wroxeter pulled out to pass a 1985 Mercury driven by Mathew Adams, 17 of Wingham. The Mustang col- lided with an eastbound mini van, which was driven by Warren Kaye, 40 of Harriston. Rui Mederios, a passenger. in the Shaw car was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other passengers, John Powell, 18 and John Darroch, 17, both of Listowel were taken to London Hospital. A fourth passen- ger, Trevor Powell, 18, was taken to Wingham Hospital, while Shaw was admitted to Palmerston Hospi- tal. Huron-Bruce MP Paul Steckle, gave several Ontario associations a chance to voice their concerns. "We feel tourism is an industry that has often been neglected," said Andy Griffit, president of the Muskoka Tourism Association. Canada, he explained, employs 1.2 million people through tourism but has recently slipped from sixth to 10th in popularity of countries visited. "Tourism is important because it creates jobs and produces revenue," Last Tuesday in Goderich at a caucus meeting, co-chairs David Iftody of Manitoba and Paul Steckle of Huron-Bruce pointed out the new legilsation. "There is certainly a need for clarification in terms of what the final jurisdiction will look like," said Mr. Iftody. Lambton-Middlesex MP Rose Marie Ur said the gun control issue is a very hot topic in her riding and if gun registration will save one life, than the legislation will be Mr. Kaye and his five passen- gers, Joan Richardson, 37, RR2, Harriston, Chad Kaye, 16 and Keri Kaye, 14, both of Harrison, Shan- non Wood, 14 of Palmerston and Jason Anger, 11 of RR2, Harriston, were all taken to Palmerston Hospi- tal. The driver and passengers in the Mercury were not injured. Both vehicles in the collision were demolished. The investigation is continuing. said Mr. Griffit. "We in Canada attract 12 million U.S. visitors. They spend $500 each visit." Mr. Griffit was promoting one of the most visited areas in the province as the Muskokas as he described, fresh air and cold water. But not all areas have such natural attractions and have to work hard to bring in tourists. "I don't know how areas can develop a strong vibrant program without some assistance," said Essex-Windsor MP Sue Whelan. doing its job. "There hasn't been an issue brought forth more to a member," said Ms Ur of the calls being received at her office about gun control. "I'm not knocking the legislature; it's a tough job for the minister." And what does the caucus plan on doing as far as gun control is concerned? "We don't all agree on how far we have to go," said Mr. Steckle, who has often voiced his opposition to Mr. Rock's proposals. While no decision has been made on how far to pursue this with the minister, a couple of caucus Last year, Japan spent $440 million on tourism, France dished out $100 million, and the United States just $23 million. And how about Canada? How much do the Liberals put into attracting visitors? "For the first time, our prime minister has spoken the word 'tourism'," said Mr. Griffit who was pleased to say the government will be fattening its usual $20 million budget up to $50 million. But while the tourism business is grateful for the financial shot in the members made their views on gun control public last week. "If we were to follow the intent of the Justice Minister, Miriam Bedard would've had to have a trigger lock on her gun between firing stations," said MP John O'Reilly of Victoria-Haliburton on Canada's Olympic biathlon gold medal winner. MP Julian Reed of Halton-Peel said the caucus is concerned with cracking down on gun smuggling, making sentencing manditory, and registration. "Where I come from, a rifle or a firearm is a tool that farmers want to keep using," said Mr. Reed. arm, it seems that money is not the only thing the tourism associations across the province are asking for. "We're not asking for your money. We're asking for your moral support. Tourism is something last in government at times, but it should be put back on the front burner," said Griffit. "We encourage you to take this back to headquarters to nourish ancl, love." Some figures about tourism he quoted included the fact that 14 per cent of dollars spent go towards accommodations and 30 per cent to food and beverage. "If we can encourage tourism in these tough times, we all win," said Mr. Griffit. London West MP Sue Barnes said tourism is becoming a bigger issue amongst members of the rural caucus. She pointed out difficulties arising at border crossings. "It's more of a policing voice than a welcoming voice," said Ms Barnes. Active Caucus The Federal Liberal Rural Conservative caucus wasn't as Caucus had 20 of its members active. sitting around the table in "It's a chance to sit with local Goderich last week. It gave several people and get a better under- groups from tourism to agriculture standing. We're not campaigning, a chance to come and make it's no election time," said David presentations. Iftody of. Manitoba. "Rural Paul Steckle, a co-chair of the Canadians are well represented by caucus, explained that the MPs are their members." interested in the public forum arid_ Last week, the caucus heard very concerned about rural issues about a pipeline which is running across Canada. through four southwestern Ontario "I think this government has counties, including Lambton and made itself more available for this Middlesex. There is a Landowners kind of thing. The rural caucus is a Association and last Tuesday, relatively new caucus," said Mr. following their presentation there Steckle. were several caucus members The caucus meets every Monday showing concern. and always has full agendas. Of "I've been told by people on the the 177 federal Liberal MPs, 90 of (parliament) hill that they've never those either come from a rural area seen a rural caucus as active," said of a combination of both rural and Iftody. urban. The caucus arrived in Goderich And why is the caucus reaching on Monday, had a tour of out and tackling such controver- Champion Road machinery, and sial issues like gun control? on Tuesday after a brief press "I think it's because we have a conference, got down to the large representation of rural business of listening to the public's members and we want to be concerns. "It's a privilege to be the heard," said Mr. Steckle. host of this gathering," said Mr. The Mulroney government had a Steckle. "This is a time for all of rural caucus, but according to us to express our views." some at last week's meeting, the Listowel youth killed in crash near Gorrie Caucus recommend gun law changes