HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-04-03, Page 4r - ,**113.1996
• Jim Iregi*tt
Pon Smith
COW EdY.
dap'A: Her#Mr' k, ,>aceptos,
Ross Haigh, Brenda Bunce
P df2a: Alma BaHanlyne, Mary McMurray, Barb Robertson.
Brenda Hem. Joyce Weber, Laurel Miner
Trangportag Alitlyrin, Ai 104111.N
fr n4 pKce & ling; tall*Pinder, Sue Roilktgs
• Ruthann Nag*,Mita Mc neId Cas41e Dalrymple
4
into
The best country in the world?
anadian politicians, business
leaders and meadia have a popular ten-
dency to refer to our nation as the best
country in the world' since Canada was
ranked first out of 1.73 countries in the
1994 Untied Nations survey on human
development.
The survey continues to be touted in
newspapers, television,, Internet and ra-
dio on a daily basis, most frequently
during the Referendum of October
5. The popular Canada is the best
country in the world' slogan boosts pa-
triotism and national pride for every
citizen, and can be credited as one of
the major propaganda premises which
continues to discourage Quebec's sep-
aration from Canada. -
However, few politicians, business
leaders and media refer to the details of
the United Nations report which origi-
nally established the.•'best country in
the world' motto and examine the de-
' feces which the report exposed about
Canada. The report refers to Canada's
unemployment rate in 1992 as the high-
est among the top 15 industrialized
countries and youth unemployment as
the third highest. The gap between
highest incomes and lowest income
households is the fourth largest, and .
women's wages as a percentage of
men's • • . ) is lo
oher d.,,,•„t .;A 1
c nt) an• t e 1 nited States; ' .per
cent). The report refers to the rate of
suicide by Canadian teenagers as dou-
bling to 13.5 per 100,000 in 1991 from
the 1971 rate. New Zealand and Fin-
land are the only other two countries
with higher rates for teen suicides: Cana-
da is also distinguished for leading all of
the industrial countries, with the excep-
tion of Czechoslovakia, in sulfur and ni-
trogen emissions, the highest per capita
consumption of energy in the world, and
the highest generation of municipal.
waste. - - -
These and other statistics show that
Canada is far from a perfect place to
live. Being an economically inequitable,
socially degrading and environment pol-
luting society is nothing to be proud of.
More disturbing is the fact that social
and economic stress has worsened and
continues to deteriorate since the United
Nations survey was released. In a later
report, the United Nations criticizes in-
dustrialized countries including Canada
for ignoring rising levels of poverty, un-
employment, declining wages, and win-
dening regional disparities and warns
that these and other factors could result
in the same disruptive and 'violent conse-
quences which are experienced in Africa
and other developing countries.
Be recognizing the detailed facts sited
in the United Nations survey on human
development, Canadians need to decide
what kind of society they want to sustain
for future generations. Cuts in spending
to social programs are reaching a peak
I a r sten to tiistnantle the pace , t,
3,, , r ivetsal accesS to:heal h care .,
an. social support. The aftermath will •
not only lower Canada's lofty status
amongst the 173 countries -- Canada
could become one of the worst places to
live.
Fregus Elora News Express
- :ourViez4
Letters to the editor
Coverage appreciated
"As a result of our positive cover-
age this year, I truly believe that
bur club will grow in the future.”
Dear Editor:
I wis,h to relay to you our gratitude for the excel-
lent coverage of the Exeter Precision Skating Clubt
Our experience with Chris, as a sports reporter, has
been very positive. He exhibits flexibility, and an
openness that makes hints pleasure to work with.
Chris displays a good sense of humor, as well as be-
ing readily available at all times.
As a result of our positive coverage this year, I
truly believe that our club will grow in the future.
The time and effort by all involved with the club
was equally supported by the effort put forth by you
and your staff.
We thank you for your sincere support. '
Yours truly,
Beth McGee
Executive secretary -Team Manager
Outside 40 Miss (S$ Itra.) or a y stt r artist address'
$33.00 plea X0.00 (tqtal e3.00) + 4.31 O.$.T.
oats* Oapaete :lO +pfiN NOW Off
(krolwlea sas.40 postarsj
aubiwbod soot Wedrwyr N et 434 Maln ft.,
Wier. Oa£W. tado, NOM 300 bylig v P NcatMns U.
Telephoto 141.9-2354331 • Fax: 50700
GAT. 11111611210111311
ArAffs
ealth Matters
By Heather Mir
Feet - the pathway to wellness
!t, Alternative il}et'apies,are.re-o
ceiving greater acceptance by
the general public and the tra-
ditional medical community.
A local massage therapy
clinic is meeting the needs
generated by this acceptance
and has recently added re-
flexology as a complimentary
service. The clinic has also
added a paraffin wax unit that
can be integrated into either
therapy prior to massage as a
form of moist heat.
Laura Young, certified re-
flexologist, has joined Lori
Burt and Andrea Rader, reg-
istered massage therapists, at
the Exeter Massage Therapy
Clinic. Young studied reflex-
ology at the D'arcy Lane In-
stitute in London and shares
her time between. fhe Exeter
clinic and Biddulph Chiro-
practic.
Reflexology is a therapeutic
massage done by applying
pressure to reflexes in the
feet.' There are more than
800 'known reflexes relating
TORONTO - Premier Mike Harris did
not invent political violence in Ontario, as.
opponent claim, but he has not shown
much capacity for turning the heat down.
When the New Democratic Party was in
government from 1990 to 1995, the constit-
uency office of one minister, Marilyn Chur-
ley, was damaged by a •home-made bomb
and the office of another, Bob Mackenzie,
set on fire by an intruder who splashed gas-
oline over the floor..A third minister, Ruth
Grier, huddled in her locked car while it •
was rocked by middle-class homeowners
Chanting 'Nazi' because she was consider-
ing allowing a garbage dump nearby.
Police and security guards, among many,
other incidents while the NDP governed,
carried or pushed out dolens of gay rights
suppo ters'who sat in the foyer of the legis-
lature disappointed after a crucial vote went
against them and any violence there was
solely in the name of the law. •
Harris's opponents are fond ofpointing to
the more peaceftrl era of an earlier' pre +es-.
sive Conservative premier, William Davis,
who retired in 1985. But Davis had to be
escorted to his car by police several times,
particularly after he refused funds to separ-
ate high schools, and a man once got inside
his home and threatened him. His successor
for a few Gritonths,Frank Miller, had to
cancel a victory celebration because of a
bomb scare.
Violence has reached new levels, howev-
er, since Harris beetttne premier. The inci-
dents have included demonstrators against
his cuts in public services and jobs trying to
force their way into the legislature building
during his throne speech and being kept out
by police who hit some with batons. Stu-
dents later pushed in and broke windows in
the front doors. Harris was hit by an egg at
an outdoor speaking event and police used.
ppeepgppeer spray to keep demonstrators from
getting into a country club where he spoke.
The Tories hive now ordered a public in- •
quiry. into an incident in which police used
batons to help mm end.MPPs get into
.to every body part which•are
stimulated though massage.
Young says the treatments
create "a state of well-being"
and can ease headaches as
well as help restore imbalanc-
es causing Premenstrual Syn-
drome (PMS) or digestive ail-
ments. The therapy also
eases arthritic pain.
Reflexology deals with the
internal body though thera-
peutic touch while massage
works with structural prob-
lems. A "map" of the foot
acts as a guide for the reflex-
ologist to relieve stress and
encourage circulation in re-
flexes and target organs.
By "inching" around the
toes and applying firm pres-
sure, the reflexologist can tar-
get various areas in the body.
For example, the pituitary
gland corresponds to a pres-
sure point in the big toe and
the kidneys , are accessed
through pressure along the in-
step. •
. Reflexology, once referred
-to as sone thesapy, .dates flack;
to 2330 BC. The first records
of this therapy were found in
the tomb of an Egyptian `
phy-
sician. Passing the test of
time has proven the technique
is viable. Young describes
the maintenance therapy she
provides as a something that
should be considered.a neces-
sity rather than a luxury.
The Exeter Massage Thera-
py Clinic encourages walk-
ins and referrals and keeps
flexible hours for working
people. The therapists re-
cently held an open house to
meet the public and provide
information about the servic-
es they provide.
They are also considering
taking their therapies to local
businesses where they feel.
the treatments will enhance
the workplace.
Both Rader and Young are
offering introductory dis-
counted rates for one-hour
treatments during April.
Political violence .in Ontario
the legislature and the biggest concern is
that police used unnecessary force.
Harris has a mandate for cuts and there is
no way he could sugar coat them enough to
avoid annoying. The premier also has had
to put up with some fairly provocative criti-
cisms.
The Ontario Public Service Employees
Union called him "barbaric and cut-throat"
and the president of the Canadian Labor
Congress, Bob White, said the Harris gov-
ernment is "as close to fascism as I have
seen in my life."
The president of the Ontario Federation of
Labor, Gordon Wilson, called Harris an ar-
rogant snob leading a gang of hooligans
and threatened his members will "kick the
hell" out of any workers brought in to re-
place those who go on strike, which a Har-
ris law now.allows. One of Hattie's re-
sponses has been to taunt the unions. He
suggested the civil servants, some of whom
face seri oils gov-
emn1et±rttt (10t dg, were
children unable to resist grabbing "a can-
dy," the right to strike given them by the
NDP.
Harris scoffed that union members dem-
onstrating outside one reception probably
were being paid time -and -a -half for it, im-
plying unionists are so lazy that, if they put
in effort, they must be being paid overtime.
Among other examples, while demonstra-
tors paraded peacefully outside a Tory
meeting, Harris joked that he was thankful
they gave him the chance to meet a lot of
policemen and created business for fast-
food restaurants.
Davis avoided such needless insults and
Rae, who at times was under almost as
much attack as Harris, used to say he could
understand that people would have criti-
cisms and was sensitive and listening to
them. Most premiers also would be think-
ing that some day before an election they
would want to heal wounds and appeal to
former oppostokts, but Harris may feel he
has found a` constituency, union -bashing,
and wants to hold on to it.
a
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