HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1976-11-17, Page 4Page 4 -Citizens News, November 17, 1976
No plant wld
dare talk bacouk
to niy wife.
"Oh dear, looks like Leopold and the philodendron got into another heated discussion
on bilingualism."
Narcan R!ghls
Mental retardation, physical handicap
and sexual orientation should not bar people
from employment, housing or services
according to a submission to the Ontario
Human Rights Commission.
The Department of Church in Society of
The United Church of Canada has sub-
mitted a brief proposing that revisions to
the Ontario Human Rights Code, now under
consideration, should be expanded to
include the three additional conditions men-
tioned.
"Most persons who are physically handi-
capped, mentally retarded or homosexual,
wish to live inconspicuously in their com-
munities—working and living where they
wish, and having access to the services
and facilities that they need and desire,"
says the Church submission. "Many have
these opportunities and that access and do
not experience discrimination. However,
from time to time persons have been denied
jobs, accommodation or services on the
basis of their physical or mental disability,
or their sexual orientation. It is to- prevent
recurrences of such situations that we
argue for their inclusion under the code.
We do not support preferential treatment
for these groups, only equal opportunity."
The Church group also suggests to the
Ontario Human Rights Commission that it
adopt a more positive approach in regard to
its code. "The Human Rights Code of
Ontario, like many other documents regard-
ing human rights, approaches the safe-
guarding task negatively: i.e., prohibiting
discrimination. Some other documents,
however, like the Canadian Bill of Rights,
the Saskatchewan Act to Protect Certain
Civil Rights and the new Quebec of Human
Rights and Freedoms approach the question
positively by enumerating the various rights
available to all citizens.
"This latter method...is a psychologically
and sociologically sounder approach be-
cause people respond more successfully
and willingly to the encouragement of
positive behaviour than to being threaten-
ed with punishment for improper behav-
iour."
While the Church department considers
healthy attitudes "as the primary deterrent
of discrimination," it recognizes that legis-
lation is also needed for contesting dis-
.crimination in the courts.
"The Church brief concludes with this
summary. statement "We believe in the
sanctity of human life. Any injustice or
discrimination that debases a person's life,
we view as sinful. The protection of human
rights is critical in the fight against such
injustice and discrimination."
The resolution approving the submission
to the Ontario Human Rights Commission
directed the Department of Church in Soci-
ety to send copies to federal and provincial
governments and other relevant bodies
"as they consider human rights issues and
legislation."
G!fts th.i Count
Remember the days when the corner
grocer scooped dried foods from a huge
sack onto a boat -shaped brass measuring
pan and set that on a scale? As he added a
bit more of flour, sugar, grains or raisins
we'd peer at our side of the scales and he'd
frown at his. Then, with a flourish, he'd set-
tle the problem of exactness by adding a
little extra "for good measure".
Perhaps it was bad economics, but it was
very good customer -relations. When we
received our fat brown paper bag, we
weren't thinking of the extra half -scoop
of sugar, but of the spirit of generosity and
scrupulous fairness at a time when times
were hard—and especially during the long
winter months.
During the winter season, the spirit of
generosity is well served by a blood dona-
tion. A visit to your Red Cross blood donor
clinic should have top priority. But who
needs blood? For many of us, the fact that
winter holidays can take the biggest toll on
our blood banks is not reason enough, and
few people realize they can share their
health with someone who happens to be
in need of blood.
The "perfect" gift should please the
recipient and gladden the giver. To please
the recipient, it should be thoughtful, time-
ly, and suitable. To gladden the giver, it
should be valuable even it it's not expen-
sive, and it should require little time and
energy to select. So share your health—it's
timely, inexpensive and oh so needed.
Undoubtedly, you'll be involved in many
things this season. Now is the time to give
that little extra "for good measure".
Share your health with someone by attend-
ing a local Red Cross winter clinic. It takes
little time or energy to give blood. It will
be invaluable to some recipient who wants to
enjoy not just the winter season but the
whole year.
Sharing is part of the generous spirit of
Canadians. Lt shows a concern for others at
a time when times are hard. Every adult
in good health can afford to share that
health. Contact your local Red Cross and
bring a friend. Better yet, bring the gang.
Winter must be here—the ice is in the arena. Jerry Rader,
the arena manager and his helpers, worked all weekend to
get the ice ready for use this week, and they succeeded.
It's time to get out the skates.
So, the province of Quebec has a new government and a
new pr-emier. The Parti Quebecois has certainly done their
homework as in nine short years they managed to go from
nothing to the government in power with a clear majority.
However, I personally do not feel there is any reason to,
panic and say Quebec will now certainly be forming their
own country. I find myself in the rather odd position of agree-
ing with both Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Davis.
The Parti Quebecois has received a mandate all right, a
Mandate to do what they promised to do during the cam-
paign. As I recall, that was to give the people of Quebec a
good and honest government. In the campaign, the Parti
Quebecois did not promise to make a nation out of Quebec in
the next year, two years or even 10 years. They did promise
there would be a referendum in Quebec in two years and the
people themselves would decide whether they wanted to be
a separate nation.
Personally I can't see that happening, because for the life
of me I can't see what they would gain. Also, the Parti
Quebecois does have a majority in government, but they only
received 41 per cent of the popular vote compared to just
over 34 per cent received by the liberals. I believe this is
another indication the people of Quebec, in a referendum,
would not overwhelmingly support the idea of a separate
Quebec.
It is quite possible in my mind that the Parti Quebecois
might do a lot of good for the people of that province, especi-
ally if they manage to keep it clean and honest.
There is only a small detail that bothers me. I have a cer-
tain amount of faith in the leaders of the Parti Quebecois,
but I also feel they may have a difficult time controlling some
of their more radical party members. As long as the party
itself does not split apart, as it has done in the past, then I
feel there is no cause for the rest of us to be alarmed.
Well, there will be no election in Zurich as every member
of council and every representative to the school boards is
in by acclamation, unless they back out.
It seems a shame to me there will not be an election as
quite often this helps to stir up interest within the com-
munity.
As it is, I feel the people nominated for the positions of
responsibility will do an excellent job and I feel no qualms
about saying I feel they are good choices.
However, I sincerely hope the absence of enough nomina-
tions to force an election is not due to apathy on the part of
the average ratepayer, but on the quality of the people who
were nominted.
**
Zuallcgh &(://4. G�lc�c�g
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