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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-11-19, Page 5On the Street by Jim Beckett Martin high , on Steckle Any hints that Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle's stand on the gun control legislation brought in by the Liberals would keep him out of the inner circle in Ottawa were erased forever last Tuesday. It was the Paul and Paul show at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Goderich as Steckle hosted a dinner area Liberals will long remember. Liberals, and even a few Conservatives forked out .$100 each to have the opportunity to hear Paul Martin's views on the direction Canada should head over 'the next few years. Martin, who has handled the tough job of Minister of Finance well enough to be the front runner for the top job in the country when Jean Chretien retires, fired up the audience with a speech about what Canadians should do with the "fiscal dividend" that will be coming when the budget is balanced. Martin is deservedly basking in the success of bringing Canada back from a sea of red ink to being in the black. He emphatically pointed out Steckle made an important contribution as the government formed the strate of fighting a financial nightmare. In fact, Martin went out of his way to heap praise on Steckle. He described him as someone who' is not afraid to speak out, especially for "first term" member of parliament. Initially Steckle had his knuckles rapped and was dropped from a couple of committees after he stood up against the new gun control -legislation. However, the - punishment was short-lived as he was given some new opportunities to serve. Martin singled 'out Steckle as being responsible for bringing in legislation that would continue the battle against the damage caused by lampreys in Canadian lake's. "He also convinced the finance department to make an important change in the taxation system th4Swould benefit many Canadians," Martin said. "I didn't understand it, but Paul did," Martin stated. Sure, this was a partisan o dinner. And yes, most of the applause was coming from solid Liberal supporters. But it was obvious to everyone that Paul Martin could very well be the most popular politician in Canada. Balancing Canada's books is a tough job. It started when Martin took over the hot portfolio. He immediately made fighting the deficit his number one priority. Now, Canada is showing a . surplus...the first in 25 years. This could be temporary but the deficit will be eliminated in 1999 putting Canada in the best financial shape since 1969. The themc,of Martin's speech centred around what he described as the next "great Canadian debate." Which direction should the government take when it finally has some extra cash? Seeking the right balance will be something that will have to be carefully studied. "Rising tides do not lift all boats" Mattin told a cheering crowd, hinting he may be in favor of directing funds toward social spending rather than using it to cut into the massive accumulated debt. "The health care and pension systems must be protected as well as creating new jobs for youth." He said the Liberal government has a new attitude, that they really don't have any money. They arc only given money from working Canadians who demand value. Martin did say there are no "quick fixes" anymore. He did hold out hope for students by saying help will be available for anyone who needs to pay for their education. "This must be a rational priority," he stated With steak on the menu and Martin at his peak, Steckle and his supporters are definitely showing confidence in Canada's future. Times -Advocate, November 19, 1997 Page 5 Grand Opening Farm Mutual Flnanclal Services. They cut the red ribbon at the Grand opening of Farm Mutual Financial Services on Main Street on Nov. 14 which saw the opening of a per- sonal financial planning business for Exeter. Ribbon -cutters from left are Farm Mutual Financial Services General Man- ager Leo Renzella, Huron County MPP Helen Johns, Exeter Mayor Ben Hoogenboom and Director -president of Farm Mu- tual Financial Services Don Mickercher. Christmas Seal Campaign HURON -PERTH - November marks the beginning of The Lung Association's 1997 Christmas Seal Campaign. Christmas Seals have been used around the world since the early 1900's in raise both awareness and funds to fight lung disease. They were first used in the battle against tuberculosis. Today they help fight asthma, emphysema. chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. With one in five Canadians, suffering some type of respiratory problem, donations to The Lung Association's Christmas. Seal Campaign are as important today as ever. The Lung Association is funded entirely by voluntary donations and the annual Christmas Seal Campaign is its major source of • funds. Monies raised support vital medical research as well as many health education programs in the community, such as the Lungs Are For Life school program, the Breathe Easy program and Asthma Information Evenings. The Huron -Perth community office has set an ambitious goal of $78,000. for the 1997 campaign to help continue their work to help those suffering from respiratory disease. When your package of Christmas Seals arrives in the mail, use - them on our cards and packages... and -remember that a donation to The Lung Association will help one in five Canadians breathe more easily. Ontario's Social Assistance caseloads decline since June 1995 ONTARIO - The Minister of iCommunity and Social Services, Janet Ecker, announced that almost 244,000 people have stopped depending on welfare since this government was elected in June 1995. Over 10,000 people left the welfare system in October alone. "We have seen an unprecedented decline over 18 per cent in the numberUof people relying on welfare in this province," said Minister Ecker. "Our welfare reforms and Ontario's improving economy are helping more people to escape the welfare trap and get back to work." Thegovernment's welfare reforms include anti -fraud measures, tighter eligibility criteria and Ontario Works, the province's mandatory workfare program. Over 75,000 people have participated so far in one or more of the mandatory activities .under Ontario Works in 52 communities across the province. "People on welfare have told us that Ontario Works is making a difference in their lives," said Minister Ecker. "They are working to benefit their communities and to gain the experience they need to return to the workforce." In October, 249,000 cases, representing 454.000 people, received General Welfare Assistance (GWA). A total of 302,441 cases, or 647,851 people, received Family Benefits(FBA). "The proposed Ontario Works Act is currently before the Legislature," said Minister Ecker. "This legislation would further reform the welfare system and would build upon our progress in helping to break their dependency on welfare." Enjoy Your Tax Refund for Christmas Contact our office. You may be eligible for an early 1997 tax refund PRE -CHRISTMAS Same daY Service CASH BACK 11111111111111111111111111.1 Dpeh Dee, 1st Monday to Frida! a.m. - 5 p.m. 490 Main . Exeter Call Now: 235.115 1-800-524-0231 DNA Bank for safer .communities PERTH -MIDDLESEX - Fo- rensic DNA analysis has become an increasingly important weapon against.crime. In Canada, this tech- nique has already led to the convic- tion of more than one hundred vi- olent offenders. It has also made our legal system more efficient and fair by clearing many people and freeing others who were wrong- fully convicted. In September, Solicitor General Andy Scott tabled .a hill in the House of Commons to create a na- tional DNA Data Bank that would put Canada at the forefront of DNA analysis for use in criminal in- vestigations. The DNA Data Bank will be a powerful investigative tool for po- lice. In effect, the DNA Identifica- tion Act will allow the courts to re- quire persons convicted of violent crimes to produce samples of bodi- ly substances for forensic DNA analysis. This genetic information could be cross-referenced with in- formation from scenes of unsolved crimes. Cross-referencing would ensure that those guilty of serious crimes, such as sex offenders, can be apprehended more quickly, and would help solve serious crimes. The DNA Data Bank will reduce legal costs in the long run and shorten the length of investigations and trials due to the availability of better evidence. This hank will be • established and. maintained by the RCMP, which already operates six forensic laboratories across Can- ada The Data Bank will cost $3 million a year to operate. The Nanking of DNA data can pose legal and ethical problems and raise concerns about protecting privacy. The Liberal government has taken every precaution to elim- inate these. problems. In this re- spect, the hill reflects the observa- tions and concerns raised by Canadians during extensive coun- try -wide consultations held last year. The hill includes strict rules gov- erning the collection, use and hold- ing of DNA and genetic profile samples. For example, access to data will be limited to those re- sppnsible for the operation of the data bank. The hill establishes criminal penalties for any misuse or abuse of the samples and DNA pro- files. To minimize risks, the So- licitor General will also ask the House of Commons to refer the bill directly to the justice committee prior to Second Reading for detailed study and to hear the opinions of Canadians. The legislation constitutes the sec- ond phase of the Liberal govern - 2 POWER OF SALE REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS ON FRIDAY, NOV. 28, 1997. AUCTION NO. 1 - AT 11:00 A.M. "THE COVE FAMILY RESTAURANT AND TAVERN" HWY. 21, BAYFIELD, ONT. (75 kms. northwest of London) NO. 1 FEATURES: 6,858 sq. ft., bldg., w/separate restaurant and tavern facilities, formerly L.L.B.O. licensed for 305 (incl. patio), 1 acre of land on busy hwy., in popular summer resort area, 1 km. from Lake Huron. AUCTION NO. 2 - AT 2:00 P.M. "15,900 SQ. FT. INCOME PRODUCING RETAIL COMMERCIAL BLDG." 63 MAIN ST. S., EXETER ONT. (45 kms. north of London) NO. 2 FEATURES; 15,428 sq. ft. multi-user bldg., w /2 storefronts, 0.8 acre of land in business core, 5,200 sq. ft. rented w/2 retail outlets @ 2,400 per month. INSPECTION DATES: Friday, Nov. 21 and Thursday Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. FOR PICTORIAL BROCHURE AND FULL TERMS AND DETAILS CONTACT: TRANS -CANADA `LIQUIDATIONS LTD. • (An affiliate of 'REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS LIMITED) e-mail: tcl@interlog. com 48 Alness St. North York, Ontario Canada Phone: 416-736-1367 h' • Fax 416-736-4159 ment's DNA strategy. Under July 1995 amendments to the Criminal Code, police have been able to obtain Warrants for DNA samples from suspects. This legislation has proven both useful and effective. Business Directory AUCTIONEERS ROUSSEAU AUCTION SERVICES Hensall Ont. Al! types of auctions. Complete service. Will purchase partial or complete estates. 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