HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1976-07-07, Page 8Page 8 -Citizens News, July 7, 1976
In the Throne Speech opening
this Session of the Legislature, it
was announced that "the overall
question of Highway Safety,
accident prevention and driver
education, will be referred to a
Select Committee of the Legis-
lature for preparation of Legis-
lative recommendations to the
Assembly". The Select Commit-
tee of which I was appointed as
one of the members, was estab-
lished and it will be travelling to
various parts of Ontario listening
to briefs presented by concerned
citizens pertaining to such mat-
ters as:
the regulation and control of
traffic through enforcement—str-
icter enforcement of the laws
that pertain to drinking driving
offences for all ages—driver
examination and licencing stand-
ards—driver improvement and
rehabilitation including the de-
merit point system and traffic
clinics—an assessment of poten-
tial benefits of photos on non
counterfeitable licences and met-
hods of implementation and
administration—an assessment of
benefits of a vehicle registration
and title system—an assessment
of benefits of Ontario's motor
vehicle inspection program—the
transportation of children to and
from school and the vehicles and
their drivers—the licencing of
driving schools—equipment sta-
ndards for two, trucks—operation
of multiple vehicle combination
(pup trailers)—the benefits of
the application of a penalty
against any person who leaves
keys in the ignition lock of an
unattended motor vehicle—the
most appropriate type of helmet
for moped riders—and such other
matters as may be referred to the
committee by the Minister of
Jottings by Jack n from Queens Park
Committees studies highway saftey
Transportation and Communica-
tions,
The Committee will also study
highway safety and accident'
prevention measures in the Unit-
ed States and possibly in Sweden
and Great Britian as these count-
ries have done quite extensive
research in many of the areas
referred to under the terms of
reference indicated for the Select
Committee. The Select Commit-
tee is to submit an interim report
to the Assembly not later than'
September 30, 1976, and a final
report not later than December
31, 1976.
In mid-June, Murray Gaunt
(L. Huron -Bruce) and Ed Good
(L. Waterloo North), with two
Members of the New Democratic
Party attended a Parliamentary
Symposium commemorating the
Centennial of the Quebec Nation-
al Assembly. This Symposium
was attended by parliamentarians
from all the Provinces of Canada,
the House of Commons in Ottawa
and representatives from Eng-
land, France and the United
States. Under discussion were
two major topics: (a) the Memb-
er of Parliament - legislator,
mediator or ombudsman; and
(b) Parliament - the institution
and the image it projects.
On these topics a number ot
different viewpoints were ex-
pressed, not only by foreign
parliamentarians, but also by
members representing the var-
ious provinces. It was generally
conceded that the role of the
Member as a legislator, while
most interesting, was not highly
visible to the constituent. The
point was also made by several
delegates that in many instances
hours of debate take place on
legislation about which the final
outcome is a foregone conclusion.
The Government in power
brings in legislation drafted by
civil servants, which tends to
reflect the views of the govern-
ment members, and it is the
responsiblility of opposition mem-
bers to improve, and where nec-
essary, oppose such legislation.
In this respect, it was felt that
opposition members meet with
varying degrees of success, not
only in parliaments around the
world, but also in the legislatures
here in Canada. One of the frus-
trations of such debate is that the
mood of the Minister piloting
the Bill through the legislature
or parliament is frequently a
more important factor than the
validity of the amendments in
achieving a change in the original
legislation.
At the Symposium, the dele-
gates from Ontario represented
the only jurisdiction where a
minority government exists. Ob-
viously, the role of the legislator
is very different and more chal-
lenging in these circumstances.
There was general agreement
among the delegates that a
member's work as a mediator
between government and con-
stituent, and also as an ombuds-
man, is of very great importance.
The inability of the public at
large to fight a way through
government bureaucracy appear-
ed almost universal. It was
felt that parliamentarians are
progressively being called upon
more often to assist those who
have problems with government
bureaucracy and red tape.
The image of parliaments and
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MANY SPECIAL ACTIVITIES HAVE
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Sponsored by the "it's Fun to Shop in Exeter" Committee
parliamentarians was the subject
of considerable discussion, Am-
erican delegates referred to
Watergate and other scandals
which have been much in the
news. Most delegates were in
agreement with the idea that
the image of parliaments needs
to be improved. While the
actions and attitude of the news
media does have a considerable
influence on this image, it was
generally felt that in the final
analysis the behaviour and con-
duct of parliamentarians create
the image projected to the public.
Some suggestions for improving
the image of parliament were
the inclusion ot television and
radio coverage of debates, return
to better parliamentary pro-
cedure and behaviour within the
legislature, and a need for
greater communication between
government and the people.
While the purpose of the sym-
posium was not necessarily to
come up with solutions to prob-
lems being experienced by parlia-
mentarians, our delegates believe
that the discussions held in
Quebec City will almost certainly
generate a greater awareness of
the responsibilities of elected
representatives.
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Estep were united in marriage June 19th,
1976 at Zurich Mennonite Church. The bride is the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Cleve Gingerich, Zurich. The groom is the son of
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Estep, Virginia. Maid of honor was Charlotte
Gingerich, sister of bride with bridesmaids, Sandi Gingerich,
London, Delores Gingerich, Zurich, and Thelma Showalter, Vir-
ginia. Best man was Steve Estep, brother of the groom, with
groomsmen, Richard Gingerich, Zurich, Bob Stutzman and Steve
Hooley, both of Indianapolis. The guests were ushered in by Clif-
ford Gingerich and Alfred Estep. Roxanne Martin, cousin of bride,
and Cynthia Schrock, niece -of the groom, were flower girls. The
couple will reside in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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