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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-01-28, Page 5GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1987—PAGE' 5 id1 Dear Editor: In light of the controversial debate that has surfaced in Huron County recently over the L.4jbrary Bill (Pr7) I think it would be ap- propriate at this time to point out how ,our democratic system works. In the Provincial Legislature, which is a parliamentary form of government, the Douse deals • with three kinds -Of bills: Government Bills, Private Member( Bills, and Private Bills. A government bill, also called a `public bill" is introduced into the House by a Cabinet Minister. It represents some aspect of Government policy, as determined by the Cabinet and is introduced only after it has been extensively examined by Cabinet, of Which I am a member. Only government bills may deal with the expenditure of public funds or the raising of revenues through tax- ation. The overwhelming majority .of all laws and statutes began as government bills. The next category ,is the Private Members' Bills, which can be introduced by an elected member of the Legislature, ex- cept Cabinet members. These bills deal with a wide range of matters of public policy, but may not involve the expenditure of public money. Such Private Members' Bills, rarely receive third reading; but many times Cabinet ministers take them Min considera- tion when drafting policy and introducing their own bills. The third category, Which embraces the .Huron County Library ( Pr7) bill, is the Private Bill (Pr): They are introduced by a Member of the Legislature for . special private interests, usually on behalf • of another individual group, institution, or municipality. They too cannot be introduced. by a. Cabinet minister and neither can a Cabinet Minister become involved with such bills as they go through the Committee stage. All bills are introduced into the House with what is' called "First Reading," which al c inte: ere overn __ e L t LETTERS gives them a title and a brief explanation. There is no debate or amendment during "first reading," and if the motion is passed, the bill is printed', assigned a number and ordered for second reading. After at least several days between first and second reading to allow the members'of all parties to study the bill, it comes back in- to the House where the principle of the bill is debated, with no time limit on members' speeches. In rare instances, the bill may proceed directly to third reading but usually after second reading, the bill 'is sent to a committee for clause -by -clause examina- tion and possible amendment. This committee, which may be a Standing or Select Committee of the Legislature or the Committee of the Whole House, gives it ,close and careful scrutiny. At this point, the public may come into a Select or Standing Committee and add their voice, either ex- pressing reservations or suggesting amend- ments. Here again, a Cabinet minister can- not be a member of any committee. After a bill has been examined in commit- tee, a report is presented to the House, and if amended, the bill must be reprinted before it may proceed to the Legislature for third reading, which is largely a formality,- with little debate involved,` since the principle of the bill has been, approved. Following third reading approval of the House, the bill is given the ceremonial Royal Assent by the Lieutenant Governor and'proclaimed. As a member of the Cabinet, •under parliamentary tradition, I can only in- troduce "Government Bills and not Private. Member Bills or Private Bills. In the case of the Pr7 bill, it was introduced by Middlesex MPP . Doug' Reycraft, who is the member closest to Huron County, as neither, Murray • Sometimes children right parents wrongs minister notes Rev. Robert Crocker St. George's Anglican Church • We parents become 'disturbed when anything comes between ourselves and our. children. Arid that means ANYTHING. Anything at 'all. And I expect that parents . have always been the same. They were certainly like that in the time of Christ, and it is worth noting that Jesus • was "subject" to his parents. That sounds a little ominous because it's mentioned im- mediately after Jesus had caused so much difficulty. to his family, when he was twelve years of age, on their annual trip to Jerusalem for the Passover. They certainly had every reason to be an- noyed with him, for they had wasted several days in travel and search for him. You would have been rather angry' too at his causing sd, much anxiety and grief. It may pain' you a little, if you are a Christian, to think that you might have been angry with Jesus. But, -in human terms, we have to ad- mit it. On the face of it, it looks as though our Lord wanted to be in the Temple, involved in learning about the things of God, when he should have been on his way home. The point of the story is probably the op- THE FUTURE OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO BE A PARS OF IT JOIN P THE HURON YOUNG PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVES Call Kathleen Donnelly 524-9546 MINISTER'S STUDY posite; he SHOULD have been in the Tem- ple, when they WANTED him to be with them and on the way home to Nazareth from Jerusalem. This is a clear instance of the child being right, and the parents mistaken. _" There is a message here for all of us who are members of the older, and probably "square", generation. We who have some position of authority in regard to children - and there are many of us, all parents, teachers, polic, professional people of all sorts - not only are we sometimes wrong - we'll usually admit we're not perfect - but the younger generation may be right. Even so, if 1 had been St. Joseph and MY child had done what Jesus did, I'd have been really angry with those fellows in the Tem- ple who had attracted my 12 -year-old youngster away from ME: As a matter of fact, I think I would have gone straight to the High' Priest .( or whoever was the person in charge) and given him a good piece of my mind. 7QUFFN'Sn SEAFORTH ONE NITE ONLY WED. FEB.4 ADVANCE TICKETS, $4.00 THIS THURS. FRI. SAT. MONKEY SEE Elston MPP for Huron -Bruce and a member of Cabinet, nor Perth's Hugh Edighoffer, the Speaker, can introduce Bills. As with any municipal' bill such as the Library Bill (Pr7) , which received the over- whelming support of Huron County Council, it is customary for the Legislature to deal with them in as expeditious a manner as possible, as Huron County council are &duly elected autonomous body and it is NOT the provincial government's prerogative •to tell them how to run their business. The bill was backed in committee by the Liberal caucus to follow the wishes of the municipality. At that time the general public also had ample chance to comment on it. Again, as a member of Cabinet I can- not speak on a Private,Bill, nor can I in any way block its progress through the Legislature. You can imagine the howls of protest that would ring throughout the pro- vince if any Cabinet Minister tried to in- terfere in the democratic process at the municipal level. I hope this explains how the Parliamen- tary process works in Ontario, and should any reader require a fuller explanation of the Legislative process, I would be glad to mail them the information if they contact my offices either in Goderich, Exeter, or Queen's Park. Compare: • More interest • No fees • On the spot tax receipts • More options- ' GIC plan, Special Savings plan, Short Term plan, Self Administered plan, STANDARD TRUST \IL.111I1[ r ( .111.1 .LL 1 )11)11,11 Ill'lhr,ll.lL _ l, �rp1lr,1111111 - 138 The Square, Goderilcri 524-7305 Yours sincerely, Jack Riddell, M.P.P. Huron -Middlesex Minister of Agriculture and Food FARM EQUIPMENT SHOW T ronto Wed., Feb. 4 ICE CAPADES Kitchener Childrens Matinee Sato., Feb. 14 Robin Hood Tours 524-4540 Goderich, Ontario DS DOMINION SECURIT1ES INC 344 Andrew Street, EXETER Invites you to attend a SEMINAR ON RRSP's AND SUCCESSFUL INVESTING ON Tuesday, February 3rd 7:30 P.M. 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