HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1980-10-16, Page 4Inti t1 4
Citizetls News October 16, 1980
DON'T TELL ME IT'S OCTOBER
dis
11nu11u1111u1nu111111111n1n1111u11nu1111u1n11n111nn11uu1u111u1uu1nun1111un1nu1n111u1u1n1nn11nnuu11n1u11un1nu111111IIIIIt11111111111111111111111111111H11111111C
iviewpoint_-__ .,
Z.C.N. _
nmmmuunmunnnnuunuuuunnnnnuunnnmlimmilmimmiiiiui immimmilimmmi nuuunnimmimmimmiinnnuuninmmil uunnumnmunt
An inadequate document
Trudeau has given the provinces two years to
unanimously agree on a formula before the Act's
reform process comes into effect. Obviously, he is
trying to move the provinces towards some sort of
consensus that has not been found in the last half
century. But in so doing, he is shifting away from
the historical notion of Canada as a federal state.
Our country is based on a national level - the
federal government - and a regional level - the
provinces. Our political system is based on the
parlian'tentary system of representative democracy
- MPs and MLAs - rather than direct democracy - as
practised in referendums.
Both of these concepts should be key elements
in a Canadian Constitution. However, both concepts
are dealt serious blows by the amending formula.
The Act states that amendments must be supported
by a majority of western and eastern provinces as
well as Quebec, Ontario and the federal govern-
ment. This is taken from the Victoria first
ministers' conference.
But the Act goes one step further and states
that if a consensus cannot be reached, the federal
government can put the amendment to the people
through a referendum. For the change to become
law, majorities are also needed in the west, east,
Ontario and Quebec.
If the referendum clause was deleted, and the
Victoria Charter used, the Act would come much
closer to reflecting the dual nature of our
parliamentary democracy. And, if the clauses were
expanded to deal with resource ownership and
several other key areas of federal -provincial
'debate, the Act would be even better.
But it would still need a preamble, a. few
paragraphs that sum up the essence of our country.
Without a preamble the Constitution Act will
never be more than a fine example of Canadian
compromise. And unless the problems with the
amending formula can be straightened out, it won't
even be a good example of that.
Perhaps though, it is his plan to introduce a docu-
ment that has many strengths and many
weaknesses. The Prime Minister has made con-
cessions in the Act and stayed away from many
areas of heated debate in recent constitutional con-
ferences. Perhaps he hopes the bill will be quickly
passed and then the provinces can fight over any
amendments.
A constitution is meant to be a special docu-
ment. It should be the cornerstone of a country's
political system and the keystone that unifies a
nation's regions. It should be eloquent and moving
and the very heart and soul of a country's con-
science. It should be based on the glories of our past
and our greatest aspirations for the future. It should
encompass universal princi3les and national
realities while acting as motivation for the in-
dividual and spirit for the country. A constitution
should be cherished and loved and fought for.
The Constitution Act tabled in parliament
earlier this week is very few of these things. The
best description is that it is incomplete. It has a
charter of rights, but it does not have a preamble; it
has enshrined equalization for all Canadians, but
makes no mention of what level of government con-
trols resources; it promises minority language
education rights, but fails to give that choice to im-
migrants.
In announcing the bill last week, Prime
Minister Pierre Trudeau said it was time to end the
paralysis of 53 years of constitutional wrangling. In
his haste to unilaterally repatriate the BNA Act, he
has come up with an inadequate document that is in-
furiating the provinces.
The Westchester Press
Published Each Wednesday by J.W. Eedy Publications Ltd.
Member:
Canadian W .. y Newspapers Association OtNsrio Weekly
News Editor - Tom Creech
Second Class Mail Registration Number 1385
Subscription Rates: $8.50 per year in advance in Canada $19.50 per year outside Canada Single copies 254
Newspapers Association
1111111111NNsw1/11111111111111111111111N111111Hg1NM10101*
PUi.oellaneous
Rumblings
By
TOM CREECH
Zurich isn't
alone
A chill wind blows, the grass grows no more, the
water hose freezes up, the leaves begin their descent
from heavens above and the Toronto Maple Leafs
predict that they will finish in the NHL's top five;
guess what time of year it is?
Municipal politicians can tell you what time of
year it is, especially in'those areas where the incum-
bent politicians face a challenge from either new-
comers to the political scene or former elected of-
ficials.
If the public meeting which the village of Zurich
held last week is any indication, the current elected
officials from this community are not exactly "shak-
ing in their boots" in terms losing their seats in a
village election.
Actually the lack of any turnout at the public
meeting is a pretty clear indication that there's
nothing too wrong in this community. If there were
major issues you can be darn sure that at least one
person would have voiced their objections at the
meeting.
Zurich isn't alone in having a poor turnout for its
public meeting as Lucknow had only two citizens turn
out for its meeting.
One Lucknow councillor remarked: people come
to the council during the year to have their problems
worked out, so they must feel it is not necessary to at-
tend a ratepayer's meeting.
In Zurich it's very easy.to get hold of a member
of council practically any hour of the day as four out of
the five councillors work in Zurich.
The announcement by Jim Bedard that he would
not be seeking re-election was accepted with regret by
council as Bedard was an excellent member of the
village governing body for the past two years.
Hopefully, a member of the community will seek a
position on the council. The upcoming term of office
could be very interesting, what with the plans for the
celebration of Zurich's 125th anniversary.
*
The possible acquistion of more land by the village
for industrial purposes is something akin to the old
question of which comes first; the chicken or the egg?
The presentation. by Zurich and area Chamber of
Commerce member Anson McKinley to Hay council
recently is a step in the right direction but one wonders
if the correct procedure would not have been to make
the initial approach to village council.
While it is true that the township is the municipali-
ty which does have the land available, the securing of
industry for an area has traditionally been the respon-
sibility of the nearest urban area. One suspects that
the Chamber made the initial overture to the township
due to the "difficulties" which the Chamber and the
village have experienced over the visibility and park-
ing problem at the corner of Highway 84 and Goshen
Street.
Nonetheless, the securing of additional industrial
land which would be under the control of the village is
a good idea. The idea of the village buying land in the
township for industrial purposes is an idea which was
down -played by George Penfold of the Huron County
planning department who was in attendanceat the Hay
council meeting on another matter but is an alter-
native to the expensive and time-consuming process
known as annexation. Unknown to township council
another municipality can purchase land from another
municipality and use it for any purpose which it sees
fit.
The Chamber of Commerce "got the ball rolling"
and it's now up to the village council to give some type
of response.
* * *
The face of Zurich continues to change with the
liquor store being the latest business to change its
front.
The revamping of the liquor store's north wall is
very attractive in the Swiss motif which has been
sweeping the village in recent years.
One hopes that manager Phil Overholt has been
receiving some compliments about the new look.
Have you come across a professional recently
who just wasn't himself; the doctor who told you that
you were perfectly healthy and that the knife which
Please turn to page 10
F'.1..1.3�►'.y�lM'.a^....YgIR+l�.wTMF• T -w•
-