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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1997-06-11, Page 22Pak, 22 Times -Advocate, June 11, 1997 CQMMLJ]\HTY Uniting the country Your Views Letters to the editor Government. should treat citizens equally People should not have to orga- nize, lobby, go to court to hold a government to its promise.... Dear Editor: Funding of Ontario's edueation..system is being hoty debated. The Ontario government clings to the Canadian Constitution -as the reason for separate school funding, . and claims that. it . is a protected right for Roman •Catholics_in Ontario, The politi- cians make• no mention of fairness to other faith groups, or equitable treatment of all Ontarians... . Ontario residents have not been informed by any government that they have a right 'to equal treat:. merit, established with Ontario's concurrence when Canada signed the United Nations' Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1976. The Covenant se - quires the Canadian government to revise constitu- tional provisions which do not comply with the Covenant -- a duty that is being ignored. Ontario's continued discriminatory funding of one faith is a clear violation of. the Covenant. Therefore, Friends of Public Education in Ontario, Inc. has filed a.claim against Canada with the United Na- tions Human Rights Committee in teneva on the basis that Ontario contravenes internationallaw. People should not have to organize, lobby, go to court or spend private dollars to hold a government to its promise to treat citizens equally. • Sincerely R.H. Patterson Persons or organizations who want more informa- tion or:who "wish to support this appeal to the.United Nations Human Rights Committee are invited to contact: • Friends of Public Education in Ontario, Inc. Box 613; Harrow, .ON NOR IGO. E-mail: .pub- liced@renc.igs.net. Web site: ` 1- http:// www.renc.igs.net/-publiced Kids were awes irie!! The teachers and parents of the children should be very proud... • Dear Editor: "Kids these days".is a phrase we hear so; often. usually with a"negative connotation. This past week 1 and several others from Stephen Centr<d Parent Advisory Council had the privilege Of working- at the Regional. Track and Field Meet at Exeter Public School. We served food to most of the 400 or so students taking part in the various events and we were so impressed with these kids that we felt coin- • pclled to. tell the world.' The vast majority - 90 per cent said both please and thank you, they lined up to he served and no. •• tine complained if we .were. out of the item request - :ed, they' just' chose another. Alt too often these kids - are slamtited as being rude and inconsiderate of oth- - ers and we just felt, that they needed same positive • advertising for their positive behavior. The teachers and parents" of these children should be very proud of how they managed thcittisclves Jast'/ Wednesday. They werc_awesome!!' t, -Congratulations to cvcryonewho competed! Sincerely, Sheonar Baker on lteh.}If of the Stephen Central Parent Council Ride Back in Time a great success The $450.00 raised will help us continL e...: Pear Editor: • One again, the Ride Back in Time was a'great success. Through your ` participation and generosity we were able to attract a wide range of people to enjoy a part Of our history..The $450.00 -raised will help us continue to preserve and promote our rich heritage, Thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, • • :Mike Anderson President.- Lucan Arca Heritage Hodgson approves 285 fish and wildlife projects TORONTO - Natural Resources Minister Chris Hodgson announced funding for 285 fisheries and wild- life projects which will protect and enhance these resources in commu- nities across Ontario. • ."This government promised to in- crease funding to $1 million for the Community Fisheries involvement Program and the Community Wild- life Involvement Program," Hod- gon said. "This is the first part or that money. 1 look forward to an- nouncing more such projects as the year progresses. The Community Fisheries in- volvement Program (CFIP) and the Community Wildlife Involvement Program "(CWIP) have been re- vamped and revitalized. The -role of volunteer groups has been expand- ed to include assessing, evaluating and monitoring fish and ,wildlife habitat to help detennine what work needs to be done to rehabili- tate it. When their projects arc com- pleted, the volunteers will report their findings to the minister. A wide variety •of groups.are tak- ing part in various projects. includ- ing the rehabilitation of streams and the creation of spawning beds for fish, building nesting structures for birds and "turning school yards into more natural environments. Apart from providing direct bene- fits to Ontario's -fish and wildlife, these projects also enrich the knowledge of the volunteers •who take part in them. . Funding for fish and wildlife pro- jects. now conies from the special account established last year by MNR to support fish and wildlife management activities using reve. nue collected from fish and wildlife licence fees, royalties and fines. The funding for these initial 285 projects is $584,000. Groups receiving funding in 1997 include: 'tourist outfitters, fish and game clubs. schools. First Nations: service - clubs, senior citizens groups, lake. groups, cottagers' as- sociations and community organi- zations." "Key to the continued success of, these projects is the. participation of volunteers who know the needs of their communities and can spend the money wisely." Hodgson said. "i want to thank all those volun- teers who are donating their time and energy. These fish and wildlife programs arc grass=roots efforts and they demonstrate the substan- - tial contributions that dedicated in- dividuals and groups arc prepared to make to help us 'manage Onta- rio's fish and wildlife." • Interested groups or individuals should contact their local MNR dis- trict office for further information on the program or projects in their ' area. A WELL PREPARED RESUME WILL HELP YOU GET THE JOB YOU ARE LOOKING FOR! WE CAN HELP YOU GET AN IMPRESSIVE AND PROFESSIONAL -LOOKING RESUME Call Deb Lord at 424 Main St. Exeter 235-1331 PERFORMANCE DEALERS 0 r 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • "The.other two traditional parties also sanction 'distinct society'.in • spite of the Accords." Dear Editor: • In the Parry Sound and Muskoka District of Onta- •rio Maj. Gen: Lewis McKenzie is a candidate for the P.C. Party of Canada, the leader of which is .. . .Jean Charest, another.Quebeeer. Being a military man overseas, Lewis McKenzie understands and de- sires unity for our country which is a noble thought but achieving unity in Canada is not that -simple! ' Jean Charest espouses the 'distinct society' label for Quebec. The people of Canada, through the • Meech and Charlottetown'Accords have rejected it' Does Mr. Charest not care what the majority of vol ers want by continually ignoring the• -.wishes? And can this man be trusted to obey any other wishes of Canadians? He maintains `distinct society' pis only a symbolic label and of not other consequence. Some of his compatriates have stated otherwise! The other top traditional parties also sanction 'distinct society' in spite of the Accords) Can they be tru =ted -to lead the country? Their way is not democratic! ' • Furthermore, Prime Minister Chietien's intergov- ernmental Minister, Stephane pion, would have us -believe 'distinct society' is merely symbolic, but • tells us "it is critical to our survival",Doyble talk? Jean Chretien continually.tells us that 'distinct "so ciety' doesn't imply any special powers for`one . _ province but in -a speech in the Hbuse'of Cbm'mons on November 29, 1995, while debating the issue said and I quote," I am certain if the government so - wishes we will be able to entrench that recognition of Quebec's distinct society within the Canadian Constitution:Once it is passed, this Resolution will " 'have an impact on how legislation is passed in the House of Commons" end of quote. Are we being conned? The following is a quote from a speech given by the late -Premier of Quebec, Robert Bourassa, to his . National Assembly on June 18, 1987, "with the rec- ognition of our 'distinct society' we have achieved a major gain and one thtit is notmerely.symbolic be - ,cause the Constitution of our country must now be interpreted in accordpnce with this recognition...the entire Constitution, inclt}ding the Charter will be in- terpreted and applied in the light of the section pro- claiming our distinctness as a society." End of • quote. Who is telling the truth? We better find out! We have to ask ourselves if -we want our British Parliamentary system -and Common Law completely obliterated. Voters must be respected and truly rep- resented in our government orour freedom will be completely eroded. If that happens, all other issues will seem minimal. Voters need to choose well who represents them when they go to the polls June 2. With all due respect Major McKenzie, you should, give serious thought as to the credibility of the Party -you have been nominated to serve. , - - ),I, Yours truly, Vona Mallory, Barrie, Ontario • Squi'rels ;welcomed here "...lighten tip folks, buy some' Squirrel food, build some ,nesting ' bo)eds -for. them... Dear Editor: , It'seerns ironic to nee. foraomc people in town to , /complain about squirrels and rabbits. We should be happythat the environment in Exeter is such that r they are still willingto live dere.: , '' ' We+are also lucky to have a natural environment -suet; as the Ausablc River and Morrison Dam corn- /doror for that matter the 18 -hole. golf course east of, town when one can see birds and %Lill flowers in • - , eluding such beauties as cardinals, orioles, dogtooth violets and even jack -in -the pulpit. - Sti,'lighten up folks, -busy some squirrel food, build softie nesting boxes for them to put in yourbackyard • • !t'ees. Plant an.extra row of carrots for the rabbits. Put a couple of bags of sand under a shrub or hedge for a kitty littcrbox - your -cat will thank you for it. Start a butterfly garden and enjoy - life'is short. ' " Also I can guarantee yop that nota single rabbit or squirrel picked any of the flowers in front of the town hall, took or broke any Christmas tree lights in the, park or for that matter stole my nag: ' • • Andy DeBoer, Exeter ,•,• , , Two ways to look ast. performance. . HOT . 9? Sunfire Coupe' 209* (36 months/51,600• down), 2.2 litre engine AM/FM stereo cassette rear spoiler ' PASSLoce theft deterrent system 5 -speed transmission standard 4 -wheel ABS dual air bags tinted glass power steering easy entry front passenger seat $,1,5, 599t (excludes freight $620) HOTTER. i 1 1 1 1- 1 1 1 1 r 1 1 1 1 1 '9? 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