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Times Advocate, 1995-10-18, Page 101'ugr 111 Times -Advocate, October 18, 1995 N o Your Views Letters to the editor • The merits of work Ontario already has laws prohibit- ing discrimination in hiring practices. Dear Editor: in his most famous speech Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said that he had a dream that one day peo- ple would be "judged not by the color of their skin, but the content of their character." To my mind, that phrase sums up what employ- ment equity should be all about. Any person apply- ing for any job, anywhere, should be judged solely on his or her abilities and experience. Their color, race, gender or other such characteristics should not enter the equation. The sole criteria should be merit. While the previous government tried to pass the system off as "voluntary" and talked about "quotas and timetables", the bottom line is that under Em- ployment Equity, companies would have to hire minimum numbers of visible minorities, Native Ca- nadians, disabled people and women. When you are legally required to hire by race, color, sex or other physical characteristics, that is a quota. It is also a recipe for discrimination, tokenism, re- sentment, racial division and fundamental unfair- ness. Quite simply, it is wrong to discriminate on racist, sexist or other similar grounds while hiring people. A system which actually requires such discrimina- tion will end up forcing the hiring of less qualified people in order to meet the quotas. In short, reverse discrimination is just as unfair as any other kinds. , So, what is the answer to the problems of discrim- ination and lack of opportunity that members of these identified groups still face in the workplace'? Ontario already has laws prohibiting discrimina- tion in hiring practices. If these laws are not work- ing, they should be rewritten and toughened. But the toughest anti -discrimination in hiring practices and, indeed, the toughest quota systems will still not produce for example, more women en- gineers. This will only happen when more women study engineering. We must modify and use our education and train- ing system to ensure that all Ontarians, especially members of groups that are under -represented in certain fields, have the opportunity to reach their full potential. You cannot force more women to study engineer- ing, but you can encourage them, ensure harriers to study are removed, and ensure when they graduate they will have exactly the same chance at a given job as any other engineering graduate. In other words, we must allow and require em- ployers to judge each person as a person and to make hiring decisions based on people's merit... on the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Only then will we have a system that is fair to everyone. Helen Johns, M.P.P., Huron County You can make a difference National Block Parent week; October 23 to 29 TORONTO - Na- ' tional Block Par- ent Week will be celebrated all across Canada, in P RENT all the provinces and two territo- ries, officially from Monday, Oc- tober 23 to Sunday, October 29, 1995. although every week is Block Parent Week in all commu- nities where the Block Parent Pro- gram is an active part of the volun- teer Cruse Prevention Organization. During this Official Block Par- ent Week, volunteer Block Parents Police approved, "safe Strangers" - will be visiting schools, youth groups, senior citizens, talking about the Block Parent Program, setting up displays in malls, pass- ing out literature, running free fin- gerprinting programs, and general- ly educating the public about the Block Parent Program. The Block Parent Program is en- dorsed by His Excellency. the Governor General of Canada, His Honor the Lieutenant governor of Ontario and the Solicitor General of Ontario: and approved by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian and Ontario Chiefs of Police Association and has passed its 25th year of continu- ous volunteer services to your com- munity. Although begun in 1968 in Lon- don, Ontario, as the result of a trag- ic crime against a child, Block Par- ents now provide a safe haven for all citizens in time of need and work closely with your Police to help make your community a safer place for us all. There are Block Parent Programs stretching all across Canada, in big cities as well as small rural com- munities. The distinctive red and white sign displayed at the entrance to the city or community and those in the windows of homes within those designated cities and commu- nities ensure you of a safe place to Golden Agers award winners with plaques GRAND BEND - Eighty-three Grand Bend Golden Agers met Oc- tober 4 for their monthly luncheon and meeting. They had a preview of the enter- tainment planned for the Huron - view October 18 birthday party. Larry Cole conducted the Golden Agers Kazoo and Choral Ensemble. The summer shuffleboard group presented the winners with plaques. First place for mixed shuffling was won by Allen Turnbull. Ladies first place was won by Sien Smits and Men's first place was won by Ben- nie Webb. HELP YOUR BUSINESS TO GROW WITH CHARLIE MOUSER s 't 'Every business needs to grow ' and change to prosper. New ideas \ are sometimes hard to come by. Charlie Mouser has the pep, steam and the new ideas your business and every business needs to be better tomorrow!' Internationally known marketing consultant with more than 30 years • experience in people motivation, 43htpublic relations and advertising. He was voted the number one Motivator and Enthusiast for local businesses by the Association of Newspapers of the United States. A dynamic personality, his mystique will stimulate you and motivate your employees. His seminars are highly acclaimed and most informative. He has inspired nearly 400,000 persons who have attended his seminars. CHARLIE MOUSER CAN OPEN THE DOOR TO SUCCESSFUL MARKETING AND ADVERTISING PRACTICES. Charlie will help you get to know the consumer of the '90s. AN EVENING WITH CHARUE MOUSER neksa'10. per parson In sdvanes of at 1M door Ssaforth & District Community Centres WED. NOV 8 THURS. NOV. 9 at 7:00 p.m. or at 7:00 P.M. For more information please call your local newspaper or 519 527-0240. This advertisement is sponsored by your community newspaper. r go, and that an adult will be home to answer your knock on the door. Why not join this growing trend: Apply to become a Block Parent today! Inquire at your local Police Station or elementary school and fill out an application. Additional Block Parents are always wel- comed - and you will have a feel- ing of being a part of a Canada - Wide Organization, doing your , part to help make your neighbor- hood a safer place for all. Anyone over the age of 18 years may apply to become a block parent - the op-- portunity is there for you to make a difference. CWL meets in Grand Bend Roberta Walker GRAND BEND - The Catholic Women's League of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council met on October 2 at the parish hall, af- ter a special Mass. CWL president Gera Peters chaired the business. Members were asked to bring in rolls of pen- nies for the annual $ l00 donation to the Esk-Omi Missions of the North. A total of $67 has been col- lected so far. It was decided to send $ 100 to the Poor Clares, who have opened a new convent in Ontario, and $ 100 to the battered women's shelter in Goderich. Plans were made for the Thanksgiving Ecumenical, hosted by Grand Bend church on October 10. Father Beck volunteered to be the organist, as well as guest speak- er. The collection will be sent to a local food bank. Plans were also discussed for the Regional Deanery meeting, to be hosted by Grand Bend CWL on November 8. The day will begin with Mass at 9 a.m., registration at 9:30 a.m. Thea Stok- kermans will be in charge of orga- nizing the lunch in the parish hall for as many as 200 CWL members from our region. Josy Britton will be organizing the White Ribbons Against Pornog- raphy (W.R.A.P.) Campaign for the week of October 21 to 28. The CWL executive met to plan events for the next few months: a cookie exchange for the November meet- ing, a Christmas party in Decem- ber, with a birthday celebration for Father Beck, wine and cheese re- freshments, euchre, and husbands to be invited. There is no meeting in January, but there may be a Tai Chi demonstration for the February meeting. Correspondence included a letter from a family sponsored by the Save -A -Family Plan in India, who reported the father is ill, the grand- mother in poor health, two young children in school. and their house demolished by the latest monsoon. There was a discussion to investi- gate the possibility of sending extra aid or if they_ had obtained new housing yet. A number of invitations were re- ceived from local CWL's, begin- ning with a special celebration of the CWL's 75th anniversary in Canada, by the Precious Blood CWL of Exeter, in the Trivitt An- glican Church, on Thursday, Octo- ber 12 at 7 p.m. Two areas of immediate concern are letter writing campaigns to CWL members of parish councils in Quebec, acting on the CWL res- olution to promote national unity. A list of councils is available, and time is short. We are also encour- aged to write letters to the Educa- tion Minister on the need for equity in funding responding to the last Royal Commission Report. Gera Peters and Cathy Vrolyk at- tended the last Regional Deanery meeting for presidents. Two pic- tures of Our Lady of Good Council. Patroness of the CWL, have been sent to the two Catholic high schools, in Clinton and in Stratford. The Region paid tribute to Teresa Loebach, an outstanding member. who passed away recently. Teresa Larkin, Mount Carmel, was congratulated on her elect inn as new Family Life Convener for the London Diocesan CWL. Every- one was encouraged to attend a spe- cial event at St. Peter's, in St. Jo- seph, on October 11 at 8 p.m. with guest speaker Margot Ritchie, who will talk about her experiences at- tending the Women's Conference in Beijing, China. The annual dioc- esan convention will be held in Windsor next year. The annual CWL Fun Night will take place on Wednesday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Community .Centre. Each CWL is to provide en- tertainment or a $10 door prize. Lia Vandenberk agreed to orga- nize the lunch for the Order of Al- hambra Cash Draw Dance on No- vember 17 in Thedford. Father Beck apologized for being a bit be- hind in welcoming new parishion- ers. Father Beck is covering emer- gencies at Mount Carmel and Precious Blood, until their pastor recovers from an accident, which means weddings, funerals, special Masses and house calls. Parishion- ers were asked to help him out by forming a welcoming committee for the parish?. The next meeting is November 13, and everyone is to bring five dozen cookies (homemade) for a cookie exchange. Seip's val u -mart 4$0k • KIDS... . DECORATE YOUR OWN PUMPKIN CAKE Sat. Oct. 28 Call the Bakery or stop by and set your time 35-0 6 ARE YOU BURNING OIL 01 MONEY? EVEN COMPARED TO NATURAL GAS... Oil really is "THE MOST EFFECTIVE" heating alternative. COST Prices have stayed constant and will continue to to the year 2000 Mdatonal annual '90. administration fee s '180 yearly For new pipeline areas II SAFETY Ontario Fire Marshall rates oil os t fuel for your . Safe as oil BUT is invisible and iF one house's service is interrupt- ed others can be also r EFFICIENCY Modern furnaces up to 95% Typically installed Ms Modem fumoces up to 954 Typically installed Zt So when you're ready to convert your heating and save money remember oil is ... •Clean *Safe *Modem •Efficient WHEN THE HEAT IS ON ... OIL MAKES CENTS! Call your Fuel 011 Dealer today for all the answers Look under "Oil" in the Yellow Pages for your local dealer •