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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-09-03, Page 2Page 2 Tines -Advocate, September 3, I997 Regional wrap up Seaforth man. found alive • SEAFORTH - On August 28, the Ontario Provincial Police found Garry Young alive and well -wandering along the rail- way tracks .. in Tuckcrsmith Township. Young, 43, had been reported missing on;August 23 when he failed to show- up at a family gathering. - .According to the OPP. illSpite of his five days outside. he .►p- pearcd to he in good he.dih Gillick and McHale inducted at St. Marys ST. MARYS - The Canadian. Baseball Hall of. Fame and Mu - :scum reached a 'milestone with the induciion of Pat Gillick and` John McHale Sr. recently. The Journal -Argus reports about 100 people attended. the 90 -minute ceremony. The ceremony was punctuated with . tributes and speeches to and from , the American -horn • baseball: executives. • who both • had key roles in the huilding of Canada's :two major• Lague-' baseball franchises. The.- Hall of Fame and Mu- seum is scheduled to. open to the public on June 4. )998. About - $750,000 has been raised so far with. private individuals: many from the-St:.Marys area -raising. the majority :of the funds. The committee is now targeting ma- jor corporations -for sponsorship: The total development will cost $11 million: Radioactivity testing in Lake Huron. GODERICH '- The Goderich Signal -Star reports a study com- missioned by- Ontario Hydro is expected to find lower tritium. levels in Lake Huron and .Lake Ontario; the two Great Lakes that are home to nuclear power developments. . Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen capable of causing cancer. cell damage or birth de- fects depending on the level of e-xposure. It cannot beeliminat- ed by water treatment plants. According to the Signal -Starr tritium found in the water supply. comes from three sources. It can • occur naturally. be present from nuclear. testing in the 1960's while a third source is the Bruce Nuclear Power Development near Kincardine. Tritium is re- leased through the facility's reg: ular operation and -through acci- dents .that lead to heavy water releases. , In7thc-Signal=Star. John .La- - Marie . of Ontario Hydro said they are trying determine the background level of tritium in the lake. Wbjeelchair van stolen and burned PARKHILL - Nancy Glendin- ning's wheelchair accessible van is' a burned shell only four months after she and her hus- band ,purchased it. according to the Parkhill Gazette. . The lift -equipped vehicle be- longing to the multiple sclerosis patient was stolen from the fami- ly's driveway. •The van was spotted with two girls 'at a Lon- don gasoline bar shortly after n was stolen. Later the same day. the vehicle was abandoned and set ablaze a few miles from Parkhill. The Gazette reports the two girls shown in the gas bar video were known in Parkhill and have since been arrested. The Young Offenders' Act prevents publica- tion of their names. 1N TIIE NEWS Crowd of 10,000 at air show 0 Continued from front page . - Lawson said the aircraft went Out of their ..way to attend. adding .it _ .would take the Sea King "a couple days"- to.'ffy.hack to its Lase at - Shearwater. Nova Scotia.. - Corporate involvement and vol- ; untecrs allowed the air show :com- •rnitlee to bring such" a show to a small area such as Centralia. ''We were flattered . with our hosts;' --said Lawson of the organi- iations and companies who cov- ered the costs of the event: ' • "The volunteers were niari•clous: The air show was supported all. the - way :around." said Lawson.. Although taking -a break to enjoy, last week's very successful event. - Lawspn- is thinking ahead. to. the 1998 air show. - "If -the Snowbirds would like to . return. we'll Cooperate." concluded • Law son. Several councillors undecided • +' Continued from front page night meetings. He added he is ,leaving the door open and has found his-invol'cment _with local • politics -a real learning experience. Several vacancies make room for Some new blood on council. Kathy Kirk, an Exeter. volunteer fire- _ fighter for the past 10 years. has - said she may run hut "hasn't de- :cided yet." . 'Peter' Armstrong. may also run • _ but as of. Monday said "It hasn't quite, been resolved 'yet." adding. - -"There's always -that possibility." Unavailable= for comment was councillor Robert Drummond. Nomination papers yet to be filed fir Continued from front page '95 after he was forced .to step down due to'a job promotion. Councillor . Martin Chittenden said there's a "85 pet cent chance' 1'11 run. again." though he's not ready to run for reeve. 'He. added he has to tie up some personal loose ehds before he throws his name in for re-election. "I feel 1 haven't enough ex- perience to run for reeve." he said. since he has been on council for only -one and a halfyearsafter be- ing appointed to fill Brady's coun- cil spot. Chittenden said the biggest chal- lenges ahead of council is dealing with provincial • downloading and amalgamation. Councillor Reg Crawford said he might be ready to try for a third term. "1 haven't made up my mind yet," Crawford said. "it has noth- ing to do with the job. It's just the time involved." Deputy Reeve Harry Wraith was n6t available for comment. Council hopefuls have until Oct. IO to file their nomination papers to the village office where the . formsare available. With our children back to school please be careful on the road Watch for the blinking tests of school buses Project Phonebuster..special task force- to deal with the problems of telephone fraud Would someone from. a law fine that is acting as agent for a major sweepstakes call to say you've won a huge amount of money...and can claim it as soon as you pay the taxes and legal fees? Would the polio phone you looking for help to catch a thief,..with your moncy :' What about the inspectors at your hank? Are you sure .they need you to withdraw funds to help them bait a crooked employee? And those major.investors from Nigeria...will you. really make a fortune by letting them "deposit" funds in your hank account? If a telephone promoter promises to stake you wealthy or give you, a fabulous prize..or says they need your financial help to Catch as. -crimin- ', take a tip from Ontario's Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations. Check the siory.carefully before you act - the caller may be a scant artist hoping you'll lay. them a golden egg. There areso many telemarketing scam artists hatching plots to take money front consumcrsthat a special police task force called Project Phonchustcrs was created to'deal with the problem. Phonchustcrs. a joint project of the OPP. RCMP. the Ministry of • Consumer and Commercial Relations and several - other lawenforcement bodies, has now been in operation for three year*.. • .. Staff Sergeant Barry Elliott; a member of the `project team says: "These scam artists arc sophisticated. and can come up with just -about -any story you can imagine - and some you probably can't - to take money away from consumers. But there's•iiiic siii-c defence against their- phoney promotions. If you get a phone call from anyone who says - you'll get something - whether it's money, a free vacation, a prize or just the satisfaction of knowing you helped police catch -a -criminal . but you.have to pay some money upfront. hang up. Don't give out a credit card number. don't give out your address. and don't worry about beingrudc. Hang up." Further. Elliott asks -anyone who thinks they.may have been a .victim of a telephone scam to call Project Phonebusters, at their toll free number: 1-888-495-8501. - - Consumers who .have been victims of any type of scam are also asked.to call the ministry. which may take action in a variety -of cases, .including contract disputes involving loan brokers, collection agencies and fitness clubs. Contact the ministry's General inquiry Unit at 416.326-8555 in the Toronto area, oral their toll free number 1-800-268-1142 from other part of the province. "People who get taken are often embarrassed to•cotne forward, -_ which Makes -it a lot tougher to catch the criminals," says Elliott.: "Victims of scam artists are not just the unsophisticated. but. include - many professional and socialleaders. If a scam artist gets the best -of •- you. try to look upon it as a civic responsibility to come forward and • help someone else avoid -being taken," he says. . What -are the biggest phone scams of the moment? Elliott hopes that consumers will be vigilant and on the lookout for these scams: • A promotercaHs and says: "Congratulations. I'm calling from (will use name of a major. well-known law firm'', which is. the agent for a gigantic lottery and you're the winner. All you have to do to claim your prize is. to send a cheque or -authorize your credit card for a • payment to coyer the cost of legal fees and taxes. If you want a phone number to verify the call they'll give you one - • but It will be the telephone number of an accomplice, not the real first. There is no prize and the only cash involved is the money the promoter wants from the victim. • The phone rings again. This time you're offered a job at home. often telephone work or stuffing envelopes, that will earn thousands of dollars but only takes a few hours per day:.T'hc hitch is, you have to pay.for the "kit" to set yourself up in business. Often :he only thing that.will end up, stuffed is your money in the scam artist's pocket. - • You sec an ad in the newspaper, or on TV. offering a ' loan. or receive a card in the mail saying you'll get a / prize. if only you'll call i-90)-. Many legitimate businesses use 1.90( numbers. However, others also take advantage of the system. Any time you call a "900" number • • you' are paying for the call. The •.. minimum charge for a call may • he in the $35 range. The promoter. gets a portion of the money from each incoming call. So great is the concern about the number of phoney - employment offers made by scam artists using 1900 numbers that the CRTC has recently ruled that phone companies (belonging to the Stentor Group. including Bell Canada).willno longer act as billing and collection agents for companies using 1-900 numbers to advertise • for employment.' • A caller says you'll win $1,500 on the commoditiesmarket for. as . little as a $20 initial investment if you ."get-intathe coffee market NOW!" In reality, your money would simply be gone if it were turned over to them. Usually a phoney investment scam artist will try io convince -you to invest in several progressively larger. 'deals' before - coming back with the sad news all your money has been "toss." • These arc just a few of the many telephone scams used against - Ontario consumers. Modern telephone systemsthat allow call forwarding to other phones that may be a continent away make it difficult for police to catch up with the scam artists. • To add insult to injury, lists of the names and telephone.numbers of _people who've lost money are often sold from_ one crooked promoter to another,.for a fee of about $5 each. "These people are highly organized. so selling lists of 'Triple A' names - often consumers who are elderly or middle-aged, and have - stoney in the bank - can sometimes result in the same consumer being taken by several con artists," say Elliott. How do you pick the scam artists from legitimate telemarketers who sell quality goods and services at fair prices? According to Project Phonebusters, be waryof a situation that is similar to the -above examples, or that involves a company doing any of -the following: • promising -a valuable prizc in return for a minor purchase • uses high-pressure tactics to make a quick sale - asks for a credit card number to cover "expenses" for a prize • wants you to make a big investment over the phone; or • • •wishes you to buy something or support a charity and says they'll send somebody over right away to pick up your cheque. The best defense against fraud artists on the telephone is always to hang up on them. But if you think you've been the victim of a scam, call Project Phonebusters toll-free at 1-888-495-8501, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 weekdays. For general information on a variety of consumer issues. call the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations toll-free at 1-800-268- 1142. Special electronic equipment for use by the hearing and speech impaired is available at 416-326-8566. New standard report card gets high marks TORONTO - The new standard nities to communicate directly with report card released by Ministei theirchild's'teacher. John Snobelen was met with high praise by Ontario Public School Boards' Association representa- tives. "We are delighted that parents had the opportunity to provide in- put on the new report card," says' Lynn Peterson, president of the On- tario Public School Boards' Associ- ation. Parental input has contributed to a user friendly format. Parents will also continue to have clear opportu- "This type of ongoing communi- cation between parent .and teacher is critical for a child's success. This report card encourages that and we are'pleased." says Peterson. Parents will have an indication early in the school year if their child is falling behind. • "We hope that this early warning system will signal that remediation is necessary, and the proper assis- tance will be provided to ensure the child's success," said Peterson. Bell resigns as DHC director MITCHELL - .The Huron Perth District Health Council (HPDHC) members accepted with regret the resignation of HPDHC Executive Director. Fraser Bell, at their Thursday August 28 meeting. HPDHC members wished him and his' family (wife, Teresa and 2 year old son, Fraser Donald) well in their move to the Toronto arca. Bell will be joining a health manage- ment consulting firm in Toronto. Fraser Bell was engaged by the HPDHC in February, 1995, as the founding Executive Director for the health service planning organiza- tion. During this time, the HPDHC has worked successfully to encour- age collaboration among health ser- vices to meet the needs of the resi- dents of Huron and Perth. The HPDHC members welcomed four new members to the council at their meeting. Joining the 20 mem- ber volunteer health service plan- ning council are: • 1. Douglas Fines • Deborah Ritchie • Margaret M. Rowland • Dr. A. Van Walraven. The HPDHC consists of health service providers and "consumers". They conduct health service plan- ning on a voluntary basis and hold their positions by Order -in -Council from the Lieutenant Governor. Steckle witnesses Olson hearing Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle was one of several liberals to attend the B.C. hearing By Heather Mir T -A Reporter OTTAWA - Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle was one of three liberal MPs who travelled to British Columbia recently to witness the hearing of convicted serial murderer Clifford Olson. Olson, a child killer, was making a bid for early release after serving 15 years. This action was permitted under Section 745, referred to as the "faint hope clause" and although a growing number of liberals have made demands to do away with the law, the legislation was amended making it impossible for serial killers like Paul Bernardo to apply for early release. According to Steckle. Olson "beat the clock" by making his bid prior to the new legislation being passed. His application was denied. independent MP John Nunziata, who's private member's bill called for the clause to be eliminated, also attended the hearing. Steckle explained he and several colleagues travelled to B.C. to show support for the families of the victims who were forced to re -live their tragedies because of Olson's hearing. . "We are the responsible body of legislators," said Steckle adding,. "All of us arc human and we felt it was important to make our pres- ence felt." Steckle said he believes the amendments to Sec. 745 are an improve- ment but he originally voted to abolish the law. "1 would still prefer that a•25 -year sentence means they will serve 25 years," he said. "It's a mockery what we do today." Steckle also said he thinks serious crimes, especially violent ones, must carry a severe penalty. Although society may not be ready. Steckle stands by a belief that incarceration is not always the most ef- fective deterrent and corporal punishment, such as lashings, would be more effective. He added this alternative would not be advocating a system such as exists in Singapore society. "it has nothing to do with hurting people," he said. Realistically, Steckle knows Canadians are not ready for such a tough stance and said it won't likely occur in his lifetime. Are you looking forward to the children going back to SC . 01 • ,,,v.when 3 ' Ruthann Gardiner, Hamilton (summers In Grand Bend) "No, 1 hate it they laave me all day, but I'm looking for ward to a change of pace." • i �"' Bessie Smith, Thedford "They need something to do. They're restless." • - . ' t; .. Barb Rundle, Woodham "Sure, they've had their sum- mer holidays and they're bored and ready to go back." - • Tom Cook, Exeter "My girls are really wanting to go back. They've *fad enough v acation." �- �,, Kellen Halley, Exeter (grade 6, Exeter PS) "It's good, You get to see all. your - friends." . Steve Mason, Exeter "1 Mite it. ' ' ► Laurie Wright, Sarnia (a relieved grandfather) "HURRAY!" Ph!! Wright, Palmerston ."I'm glad they're going back. I'm not looking forward to homework. I thought I -was done grade 4. Crowd of 10,000 at air show 0 Continued from front page . - Lawson said the aircraft went Out of their ..way to attend. adding .it _ .would take the Sea King "a couple days"- to.'ffy.hack to its Lase at - Shearwater. Nova Scotia.. - Corporate involvement and vol- ; untecrs allowed the air show :com- •rnitlee to bring such" a show to a small area such as Centralia. ''We were flattered . with our hosts;' --said Lawson of the organi- iations and companies who cov- ered the costs of the event: ' • "The volunteers were niari•clous: The air show was supported all. the - way :around." said Lawson.. Although taking -a break to enjoy, last week's very successful event. - Lawspn- is thinking ahead. to. the 1998 air show. - "If -the Snowbirds would like to . return. we'll Cooperate." concluded • Law son. Several councillors undecided • +' Continued from front page night meetings. He added he is ,leaving the door open and has found his-invol'cment _with local • politics -a real learning experience. Several vacancies make room for Some new blood on council. Kathy Kirk, an Exeter. volunteer fire- _ fighter for the past 10 years. has - said she may run hut "hasn't de- :cided yet." . 'Peter' Armstrong. may also run • _ but as of. Monday said "It hasn't quite, been resolved 'yet." adding. - -"There's always -that possibility." Unavailable= for comment was councillor Robert Drummond. Nomination papers yet to be filed fir Continued from front page '95 after he was forced .to step down due to'a job promotion. Councillor . Martin Chittenden said there's a "85 pet cent chance' 1'11 run. again." though he's not ready to run for reeve. 'He. added he has to tie up some personal loose ehds before he throws his name in for re-election. "I feel 1 haven't enough ex- perience to run for reeve." he said. since he has been on council for only -one and a halfyearsafter be- ing appointed to fill Brady's coun- cil spot. Chittenden said the biggest chal- lenges ahead of council is dealing with provincial • downloading and amalgamation. Councillor Reg Crawford said he might be ready to try for a third term. "1 haven't made up my mind yet," Crawford said. "it has noth- ing to do with the job. It's just the time involved." Deputy Reeve Harry Wraith was n6t available for comment. Council hopefuls have until Oct. IO to file their nomination papers to the village office where the . formsare available. With our children back to school please be careful on the road Watch for the blinking tests of school buses Project Phonebuster..special task force- to deal with the problems of telephone fraud Would someone from. a law fine that is acting as agent for a major sweepstakes call to say you've won a huge amount of money...and can claim it as soon as you pay the taxes and legal fees? Would the polio phone you looking for help to catch a thief,..with your moncy :' What about the inspectors at your hank? Are you sure .they need you to withdraw funds to help them bait a crooked employee? And those major.investors from Nigeria...will you. really make a fortune by letting them "deposit" funds in your hank account? If a telephone promoter promises to stake you wealthy or give you, a fabulous prize..or says they need your financial help to Catch as. -crimin- ', take a tip from Ontario's Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations. Check the siory.carefully before you act - the caller may be a scant artist hoping you'll lay. them a golden egg. There areso many telemarketing scam artists hatching plots to take money front consumcrsthat a special police task force called Project Phonchustcrs was created to'deal with the problem. Phonchustcrs. a joint project of the OPP. RCMP. the Ministry of • Consumer and Commercial Relations and several - other lawenforcement bodies, has now been in operation for three year*.. • .. Staff Sergeant Barry Elliott; a member of the `project team says: "These scam artists arc sophisticated. and can come up with just -about -any story you can imagine - and some you probably can't - to take money away from consumers. But there's•iiiic siii-c defence against their- phoney promotions. If you get a phone call from anyone who says - you'll get something - whether it's money, a free vacation, a prize or just the satisfaction of knowing you helped police catch -a -criminal . but you.have to pay some money upfront. hang up. Don't give out a credit card number. don't give out your address. and don't worry about beingrudc. Hang up." Further. Elliott asks -anyone who thinks they.may have been a .victim of a telephone scam to call Project Phonebusters, at their toll free number: 1-888-495-8501. - - Consumers who .have been victims of any type of scam are also asked.to call the ministry. which may take action in a variety -of cases, .including contract disputes involving loan brokers, collection agencies and fitness clubs. Contact the ministry's General inquiry Unit at 416.326-8555 in the Toronto area, oral their toll free number 1-800-268-1142 from other part of the province. "People who get taken are often embarrassed to•cotne forward, -_ which Makes -it a lot tougher to catch the criminals," says Elliott.: "Victims of scam artists are not just the unsophisticated. but. include - many professional and socialleaders. If a scam artist gets the best -of •- you. try to look upon it as a civic responsibility to come forward and • help someone else avoid -being taken," he says. . What -are the biggest phone scams of the moment? Elliott hopes that consumers will be vigilant and on the lookout for these scams: • A promotercaHs and says: "Congratulations. I'm calling from (will use name of a major. well-known law firm'', which is. the agent for a gigantic lottery and you're the winner. All you have to do to claim your prize is. to send a cheque or -authorize your credit card for a • payment to coyer the cost of legal fees and taxes. If you want a phone number to verify the call they'll give you one - • but It will be the telephone number of an accomplice, not the real first. There is no prize and the only cash involved is the money the promoter wants from the victim. • The phone rings again. This time you're offered a job at home. often telephone work or stuffing envelopes, that will earn thousands of dollars but only takes a few hours per day:.T'hc hitch is, you have to pay.for the "kit" to set yourself up in business. Often :he only thing that.will end up, stuffed is your money in the scam artist's pocket. - • You sec an ad in the newspaper, or on TV. offering a ' loan. or receive a card in the mail saying you'll get a / prize. if only you'll call i-90)-. Many legitimate businesses use 1.90( numbers. However, others also take advantage of the system. Any time you call a "900" number • • you' are paying for the call. The •.. minimum charge for a call may • he in the $35 range. The promoter. gets a portion of the money from each incoming call. So great is the concern about the number of phoney - employment offers made by scam artists using 1900 numbers that the CRTC has recently ruled that phone companies (belonging to the Stentor Group. including Bell Canada).willno longer act as billing and collection agents for companies using 1-900 numbers to advertise • for employment.' • A caller says you'll win $1,500 on the commoditiesmarket for. as . little as a $20 initial investment if you ."get-intathe coffee market NOW!" In reality, your money would simply be gone if it were turned over to them. Usually a phoney investment scam artist will try io convince -you to invest in several progressively larger. 'deals' before - coming back with the sad news all your money has been "toss." • These arc just a few of the many telephone scams used against - Ontario consumers. Modern telephone systemsthat allow call forwarding to other phones that may be a continent away make it difficult for police to catch up with the scam artists. • To add insult to injury, lists of the names and telephone.numbers of _people who've lost money are often sold from_ one crooked promoter to another,.for a fee of about $5 each. "These people are highly organized. so selling lists of 'Triple A' names - often consumers who are elderly or middle-aged, and have - stoney in the bank - can sometimes result in the same consumer being taken by several con artists," say Elliott. How do you pick the scam artists from legitimate telemarketers who sell quality goods and services at fair prices? According to Project Phonebusters, be waryof a situation that is similar to the -above examples, or that involves a company doing any of -the following: • promising -a valuable prizc in return for a minor purchase • uses high-pressure tactics to make a quick sale - asks for a credit card number to cover "expenses" for a prize • wants you to make a big investment over the phone; or • • •wishes you to buy something or support a charity and says they'll send somebody over right away to pick up your cheque. The best defense against fraud artists on the telephone is always to hang up on them. But if you think you've been the victim of a scam, call Project Phonebusters toll-free at 1-888-495-8501, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 weekdays. For general information on a variety of consumer issues. call the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations toll-free at 1-800-268- 1142. Special electronic equipment for use by the hearing and speech impaired is available at 416-326-8566. New standard report card gets high marks TORONTO - The new standard nities to communicate directly with report card released by Ministei theirchild's'teacher. John Snobelen was met with high praise by Ontario Public School Boards' Association representa- tives. "We are delighted that parents had the opportunity to provide in- put on the new report card," says' Lynn Peterson, president of the On- tario Public School Boards' Associ- ation. Parental input has contributed to a user friendly format. Parents will also continue to have clear opportu- "This type of ongoing communi- cation between parent .and teacher is critical for a child's success. This report card encourages that and we are'pleased." says Peterson. Parents will have an indication early in the school year if their child is falling behind. • "We hope that this early warning system will signal that remediation is necessary, and the proper assis- tance will be provided to ensure the child's success," said Peterson. Bell resigns as DHC director MITCHELL - .The Huron Perth District Health Council (HPDHC) members accepted with regret the resignation of HPDHC Executive Director. Fraser Bell, at their Thursday August 28 meeting. HPDHC members wished him and his' family (wife, Teresa and 2 year old son, Fraser Donald) well in their move to the Toronto arca. Bell will be joining a health manage- ment consulting firm in Toronto. Fraser Bell was engaged by the HPDHC in February, 1995, as the founding Executive Director for the health service planning organiza- tion. During this time, the HPDHC has worked successfully to encour- age collaboration among health ser- vices to meet the needs of the resi- dents of Huron and Perth. The HPDHC members welcomed four new members to the council at their meeting. Joining the 20 mem- ber volunteer health service plan- ning council are: • 1. Douglas Fines • Deborah Ritchie • Margaret M. Rowland • Dr. A. Van Walraven. The HPDHC consists of health service providers and "consumers". They conduct health service plan- ning on a voluntary basis and hold their positions by Order -in -Council from the Lieutenant Governor. Steckle witnesses Olson hearing Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle was one of several liberals to attend the B.C. hearing By Heather Mir T -A Reporter OTTAWA - Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle was one of three liberal MPs who travelled to British Columbia recently to witness the hearing of convicted serial murderer Clifford Olson. Olson, a child killer, was making a bid for early release after serving 15 years. This action was permitted under Section 745, referred to as the "faint hope clause" and although a growing number of liberals have made demands to do away with the law, the legislation was amended making it impossible for serial killers like Paul Bernardo to apply for early release. According to Steckle. Olson "beat the clock" by making his bid prior to the new legislation being passed. His application was denied. independent MP John Nunziata, who's private member's bill called for the clause to be eliminated, also attended the hearing. Steckle explained he and several colleagues travelled to B.C. to show support for the families of the victims who were forced to re -live their tragedies because of Olson's hearing. . "We are the responsible body of legislators," said Steckle adding,. "All of us arc human and we felt it was important to make our pres- ence felt." Steckle said he believes the amendments to Sec. 745 are an improve- ment but he originally voted to abolish the law. "1 would still prefer that a•25 -year sentence means they will serve 25 years," he said. "It's a mockery what we do today." Steckle also said he thinks serious crimes, especially violent ones, must carry a severe penalty. Although society may not be ready. Steckle stands by a belief that incarceration is not always the most ef- fective deterrent and corporal punishment, such as lashings, would be more effective. He added this alternative would not be advocating a system such as exists in Singapore society. "it has nothing to do with hurting people," he said. Realistically, Steckle knows Canadians are not ready for such a tough stance and said it won't likely occur in his lifetime.