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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1989-12-06, Page 26Page 26 Times -Advocate, December 6, 1989 Jack's Jottings Jack Riddell MPP Huron From Queen's Park Legislation to update In keeping with today's increasingly -complex world, the Minister of Mines, the 1 ionourable Hugh O'Neil, introduced legislation that reflects current conditions and concerns and will put the province and its mines and minerals industry in a competitive position for the 21st century. "This legislation will create a favourable investment climate for the industry to respond and grow" said Mr. O'Neil. "It will encour- age the•on-going development of our mineral resources, attract new investment in the mining sector, as well as protect environmental in- terests." The Mines Act of 1906 served the province well over the last 73 years. But, mineral exploration and mining industries have changed significantly. The new Mining Act will take the province into the next decade and beyond. The Government conducted a thorough two-year review of min- ing legislation. It addressed the question of land tenure and the right to mine, including measures to avoid claim disputes. It also studied steps that would help the industry comply with government require- ments while ensuring that responsibility is taken for environmental- ly -sound mining operations. The review also dealt with related issues of concern to the mineral exploration and mining industries, such as •the inclusion of certain industrial minerals in the Mining Act, the use of regulations, and a proposal to retain the current provisions for domestic processing. The Ministry of Mines initiated wide-ranging consultation for the review with mineral exploration and mining organizations, environ- mental groups, municipalities, other special interest groups and the general public. Many of their suggestions are incorporated in the legislation. • Last December, the Government recommended revisions to Onta- rio's Mining Act that would maintain and enhance the development of the Province's mineral resource, while accommodation the con- cerns of other community sectors. Provisions that strengthen the legislation such as domestic pro- cessing of Ontario's mineral resources, remain unchanged. Environmental concerns have been firmly addressed. The Act has been expanded to cover the environmental effects of advanced ex- ploration, development and closure. Notice to the public will be re- quired of advanced exploration and mine development. Closure plans and related financial assurance will be required to ensure ade- quate rehabilitation takes place. OXFAM launches aid for Ethiopia OTTAWA - An emergency ap- peal to support the more than four million Ethiopians and Eritreans affected by the growing famine and war in the area has been launched today by OXFAM - Canada. "We must act now to stop the situation from becoming as serious as itwas in 1984 when a million died of starvation. • OXFAM - Canada is asking individual Cana- dians as well as our government to give generously �to support the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea," said Susan Watkins, OXFAM's Project Officer for the region. Watkins has been to the region many times and will leave again for a fust -hand look later this month. Funds raised by OXFAM - Canada will be used for internal purchase of food in the area. In ad- dition, food will be purchased out- side the region and the agency will continue to be a key partner in a coalition of ten other groups co- ordinating relief efforts. "We are committed to long-term development work around the world but long-term projects can- , not take place where there is war and starvation," Watkinssaid. "We are calling on the Canadian government to press the Ethiopian govemment to establish a cease fire with Tigray and Eritrea to al- low safe passage for relief workers and emergency food supplies. OXFAM -Canada will use adver- tisements, posters, special appeal letters and public events to raise money for Ethiopia. OXFAM is asking Canadians to send donations to 175 Carlton Street, Toronto, Ontario M5A 4M7 or call the toll-free number, 1-800-3874760. Beware holiday debt Many Ontario consumers may be dreaming of a white Christmas, only to end up in the red once again. Overspending has become more of a holiday tradition than baking cookies, says consumer -education specialist Carolyn Lentz. "The temptation to buy, buy, buy is overwhelming at this time of year," says Lentz who works for the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations (MCCR). "Instead of spending time finding thoughtful, meaningful gifts, we often spend fortunes proving we shop at the right stores or watch the right ads." Many spendthrift Santas pay the price for their extravagance in steep credit charges for months after Christmas. Although they may be able to carry the load, it would make more sense to set a Christmas budget now and stick to it, Lentz says. For those already deeply in .debt Main Street bazaar - The Exeter Christian Reformed Church were delighted with the location for their annual bazaar on Saturday. The Main Street storefront attracted hundreds to the baked goods, crafts, and coffee shop inside. Chris and Marian DeBoer (left) were kept busy helping shoppers all moming and afternoon. heading into the holidays, even mi- nor excesses could be disastrous. Anyone in this position should contact the nearest Credit Counsell- ing Bureau for help before Christ- mas, she advises. Bureau staff can try to arrange af- fordable payment plans with credi- tors and will help set up a practical budget. The service is free and offic- es are listed in the phone -book white pages. "Once you've got things in order, join the trend back to more enjoya- ble traditions like spending time to- gether making gifts, stringing pop- corn for the tree, or doing some volunteer work. People in all in- come groups are showing a lot more interest in these sorts of activ- ities. Finally, something that makes sense is getting trendy." Ironically, many ideas for gifts to be made at home can be found in expensive boutiques, Lentz points out. Some examples include small baskets of homemade preserves, mulled cider 'kits', a recipe for a particular dish, packaged with the spices needed to make it, and fra- grant pot-pourries to scent cup- boards or drawers. "These are special gifts that arc far cheaper to make than to buy and they mean so much more when you make them yourself," says the con- sumer expert. "Have you checked the prices of 'homemade' cookies in specialty shops lately? Package up some of your own specialties as gifts and everyone will be hoping you do the same thing next year too." In the same vein, 'Claus cou- pons' are continuing to gain popu- larity. These are hand -drawn or painted coupons offering a service of some kind to the recipient, Lentz explains. For example, children. might give coupons for washing the car, walking the dog, cleaning the win- dows or anything not part of their normal responsibilities. Friends can offer each other ba- bysitting, housecleaning; chauf- feuring, gardening and other servic- es. "With both parents working in many families, time is more pre- cious than ever and I guess that's why gifts like these are more ap- preciated every year -- they mean more," says Lentz. "Even an inex- pensive gift purchased from a store can be special if a lot of thought and time went into its.selection." For information about credit laws and many other consumer is- sues, contact the ministry's infor- mation centre at 555 Younge Street, Toronto, Ontario M7A 21-16 -- L416) 326-8555 or toll free at 1- 800-268-1142. Ontario residents with an 807 are code may call the 416 number collect. The TDD/ TTY line for the hearing/speech impaired is (416) 326-8566. Is this your dog? - This yellow -golden well-behaved female dog was found in front of the Huron Restaurant. The dog has no tags. The owner can contact Nancy at 235-1931 or 235-1964. 11' Centralia Farmers cordially invites you to our Cr i L54 13, U ' 'U .i' /rtil i w7 - Saturday, December 9, Sto12 Instore Specials c 10% savings In most departments except feeds, animal health and Christmas items already on sale. Cash & Carry or- 4,•0=-0 in. „meats 44, 4N I r' Arb dr"4` j 47*,/ arty .4=:= Safari Diamondsr`�,. /• $ make things happen. \�\�i IV/ .' , \Especially engagements. There is nothing more E' li f ,rsl engaging than a breathtaking diamond ring for a.-<�� Z jit ' Christmas from the award-winning Siffari col-�: i' ,, . Ai' , . lection. \•4;,1 \.'',� s= See our irresistible Siffari styles soon. And let it:T,. Daredevils - Jeff Averill takes a high leap off the bank of the Ausa- \, ble Riverin Exeter, making full use of Sunday's snow. Behind him�r is fellow snowboarder Willy Partridge. �`'� 4. Jewellers j - (Formerly Campbell Jewellers) 421 Maln St. S., Exeter 235-2720