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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-04-19, Page 44 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday, April 19, 2006 CCNA Editorial' Opinion TIMES ADVOCATE PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We aclmowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. Jim Beckett — Publisher Deb Lord — Production Manager Scott Nixon — Editor tirt Published by MetrolandiPrinting, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Metroland Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIAL Ontarians take a hit As s if ballooning gasoline prices weren't enough, Ontarians received another nice iece of financial news last week when the province announced new hydro rates. Effective May 1, the new rates could see some Ontarians paying an additional $200 a year for electricity — no small figure, especially when homeowners are also experiencing higher nat- ural gas and oil prices, in addition to higher water bills. If the new hydro increases don't cause Ontarians to try to use less energy, nothing will. It wasn't all bad news — the province also announced a $100 million program to help low- income families cope with the new increased rates. But it looks like the ride on the gravy train has ended. After years of artificially low hydro rates, Ontarians are getting hit where it hurts most — in the wallet. "We think that all of us, our generation, should pay for the actual cost of electricity that we're buying," Premier Dalton McGuinty said last week. "We think it's wrong to pass that cost down to our children or our grandchildren as (previous) governments did. It's not necessarily an easy thing to do, but I'm confident and com- fortable with the notion Ontarians will support us on this." It remains to be seen whether or not Ontarians will support McGuinty on the new rates. Most people probably aren't overjoyed with them, especially those who still haven't forgiven McGuinty for adding health premiums on Ontarians' paycheques a couple of years ago. Progressive Conservative Party Energy Critic John Yakabuski said last week hydro costs have increased 55 per cent since McGuinty came to power, despite his promise to cap rates. He also noted McGuinty's broken promise to close the province's coal plants by 2007. Higher costs are rarely a good thing, but it's possible increased hydro rates could be good for our environment. If Ontarians are serious about wanting lower hydro bills, the only way to achieve that is to use less energy, which is good for the environment. This could also lead to more investment and innovations in so-called green energy. Are we up to the task? WILL THE FEDERAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT MEAN MORE OPENNESS W GOVERNMENT ? 4. It's an adventure not a job. It's been a long time coming and it may not last long but the Canadian military is hip again. Reporters are trudging along with soldiers in the fields and moun- tains of Afghanistan trying to figure out the difference between an armoured personnel carrier and a tank, talking about "going outside the wire," and describing how they (the reporters) "took the hill." It's been a long march back from obscurity for the military since the days of Pierre, whose idea of service to the country was riding around Montreal wearing a German crash helmet while the not quite so well off kids were on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. While the military is enjoying its new leader- ship under tough talking Newfoundland gen- eral Rick Hillier, it may not enjoy its populari- ty as much as it might think. For with Canadians rediscovering the mili- tary creed of service to queen and country, some are looking at the military for bigger and better things and to be all things to all people. While bringing democracy to the world, or at least a small part of it, they figure it can also solve all the social problems of our own country. The social engineers are aiming even higher now by bringing back the old idea that if Canadian youth don't have the proper patriotism and ideas of service to the country, it can be forced on them through the draft. The theory goes that having a draft will cure the nation's ills, whether it is slimming down the chubbier youth of the country with some extended runs up a mountain, handing those without a job a rifle or some all around character building that parents are unable or unwilling to do. For those who actually had dates in high school and so weren't paying attention in history class, Canada has been through two conscription crises in its history, if three quarters of the provinces for the draft and one against can be called a crisis. And the odds aren't much better today that the youth of Quebec will be eager to serve under the banner of the Royal Canadian Dragoons. But politics aside, there are any number of reasons why a draft is bad idea. Even in Canada's all -volunteer outfit, there were those who are surprised that being in the military involves a lot of short, one sided, chest -poking conversations summed in the often repeated phrase, "we're here to defend democracy, not to practice it," or the other favourite, "I'm transmitting and you're receiving." Those on the non-verbal end of these con- versations come away muttering and surprised about being told what to do and it isn't the "job" they thought they were getting. Adding 100,000 members to the Canadian forces through the draft for a short term hitch will ensure only that the volunteers who want to be there would hear an earful of complaints for the next two years. A better solution? Teach the history of our military proudly and let those who genuinely want to serve make their own decisions. PAT B BACK 40 VIEW OLEN About the Times -Advocate Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 156. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales (519) 235-1331 24-hour automated attendant (519) 235-1336 Fax number for all departments (519) 235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $40+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $72+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $140 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. 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The Times -Advocate Team Publisher Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Kim Hern ext. 102 COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext. 103/114 Heather Bilcke ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Christina Scott ext. 108 Marg Pertschy ext. 111 Heather Clarke