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The Citizen, 1997-05-14, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 14,1997 Letter to the editor Writer says listen to your conscience when voting THE EDITOR, One of the greatest privileges of living in a democracy is the freedom to vote. Canada is a democracy, or at least it used to be! It would appear that both we, the people, and our governments have forgotten that point. In a democracy, it is important that the voters set the agenda, and not the current ruling party or the media. It has been said that people get the government they deserve. Canadians have been docile long enough! While we have been complacent, our country has been raped and plundered! Our natural resources, wildlife, forests, and national parks are being exploited into extinction, and our environ­ ment and our bodies are being consistently poisoned by chemicals - all courtesy of our Liberal and Conservative governments in pursuit of power and the worship of the almighty dollar! People say it doesn't matter whom we elect because all politicians lie. Why should we be surprised? We don't demand integrity in, and accountability from, ourselves or our politicians! Once again we need to take a stand and send a message to Ottawa. It doesn't matter whether or not we like the candidates in this election. They are the only choices we have. So when we go to the polls we need to ask ourselves a few simple questions Which governments have been in power over the years to bring this once magnificent country to its current state? And can we afford more of the same? Do we really want a government that, because of its arrogance, almost lost us Quebec in the last referendum? Do we really want a government that has no compassion for its people or their issues, and one that is so callous that it would call an early election in full knowledge of the human tragedy unfolding in Manitoba? Canadians need to understand that by choosing not to vote they are still voting, voting to let others make the decisions, or lack of decisions, for them. Nor does one have to "understand" politics to vote. One simply needs to know the difference between right and wrong, good and bad. And, finally, remember that our Letter Teachers get involved Continued from page 4 and Sharing in Harriston via a donated Hutton Transport truck on May 15. The Association extends its thanks to Walmart, Zellers, Zehrs and the Huron County Board of Education for their support of this project. Teachers and classes in individual schools have chosen to get involved in various ways. For instance, Howick Central has decided to send part of the proceeds from its regular fundraisers out to vote is a personal vote. It doesn't matter how we always voted, or how our spouse, siblings, parents, children, friends, or co-workers vote. We can't allow ourselves to be swayed by what others think. Manitoba Flood Relief. And Brookside Public School staff members did a poll of Huron County plumbers to search for drain plugs that would prevent sewage backup into homes. Schools have also been encouraged to send letters of support, class letters, cards and posters to other schools in the affected area, and some classes have been linking to the up-to-date flood coverage on the internet. There is even an e-mail link that allows classes to send electronic Our vote is always confidential, and we must vote according to our own conscience. Shirley A. Pratt Box 116, Kindersley, Sask. SOL ISO messages of support to Manitoba flood victims and organizations. Many teachers are also choosing to make personal financial commit­ ments to the flood victims through the Manitoba Teachers' Society. The Huron Women Teachers' Association represents approxi­ mately 250 female public elemen­ tary teachers in Huron County and is part of the Federation of Women Teachers' Associations of Ontario. Wilhelmina Laurie, President, Huron WTA. Confirmation of registration If your name is on the voters list, you should have received your Confirmation of Registration coitnuunoM of KfGtsnATiott notice by now. If you received your notice, and the name and address on it are correct, keep the notice for reference. It tells you the name of your riding, when and where you can vote and how to reach your returning officer. If the name or address on the notice is not yours, or if you didn’t receive a notice, call Elections Canada immediately. To exercise your right to vote, you must be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old on election day. Your name must be on the list of electors to vote. So be sure to check if you’ve received your Confirmation of Registration notice. It’s a step in the right direction. For more information, call Elections Canada at 1-800-INFO-VOTE (1-800-463-6868) TTY/TDD: 1-800-361-8935 Internet: http://www.elections.ca Elections Elections Canada is the non-partisan agency responsible for the conduct of federal elections and referendums. If you know someone who has difficulty reading, please explain the contents of this advertisement.