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The Citizen, 1991-02-20, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1991. Short-sighted thinking An extra million Canadians figure they saved money in December by travelling across the border to the U.S. to do Christmas shopping. When all the costs are added up, however, one wonders if the savings the shoppers thought they made in the U.S. border cities may have cost them more in the long run. Statistics Canada figures released last week show 5.5 million Canadians crossed the border for one-day trips in December, up 24 per cent, or one million people from a year earlier. But there probably were 6,000 Ontarians who won’t be shopping across the border any more. Ontarians spent at least $600 million shopping in the U.S. last year. The Ontario government estimates that cost 6,000 jobs in Ontario. That’s 6,000 people to be on unemployment, maybe eventually on welfare, driving taxes even higher in Ontario. With money not spent on provincial sales taxes on that $600 million in goods bought in the U.S. we’ll either have to do without things we expect as part of our lifestyle like fine hospitals and schools or our taxes will have to increase in other areas. On the local scene, household taxes will have to increase if local retailers and factories go bankrupt because of the loss of the business across the border. But cross-border shoppers don’t bother their heads about such things. Many of them are secure in good jobs, many even on government payrolls, living off the very taxes they complain they have to shop outside the country to avoid. With visions of tremendous bargains in their minds on electronic gadgets, clothing and food products, they’re willing to pay extra in travel costs, not to mention extra travel time, and hang the consequences. Of course they still want the local retailer to be around when they need food and clothing and electronic gadgets but don’t have the time for a shopping spree in the U.S. Probably the local stores won’t be if the current trend continues. There is a cost to be paid by trying to have it both ways; have the cheaper taxes of the U.S. while having the things like OHIP and other goodies taxes buy in Ontario. People can get away with it for a while but eventually people may pay a high cost indeed for the few dollars each shopper saves. Is this our negotiator? Prime Minister Mulroney came out fighting for Canada last week, making two major speeches in which he promised to fight to keep Canada together. While it was good to at last hear somebody speak out for Canada, many Canadians must be nervously wondering if Brian Mulroney is the man they want in such a key position at this time in history. The Prime Minister, in his Toronto speech for instance, pledged to redesign Canada. “We have every intention of restructuring Canada,’’ he said. “We have absolutely no intention of dismantling Canada.” But what is Mr. Mulroney’s idea of restructuring? The majority of people outside Quebec weren’t happy with the weakening of a strong central government contained in the Meech Lake proposals. Times have passed the Meech Lake proposals by. The recent Allaire report of the Quebec provincial Liberals called for virtually all powers to be given to the Quebec government with only a few powers left to Ottawa. As he tries to form a package to lure Quebecers back to support of federalism, what might the PM be prepared to give away? The fact is that the vision of what Canada should be held by Mr. Mulroney, and the vision held by most ordinary Canadians seem to be two totally different things. Canadians are not opposed to changes if they can see the reason behind them. There was little fuss, for instance, when Quebec was recently granted more control over immigration to the province even though this is obviously a federal power. Canadians have also shown a willingness to listen to western proposals for an elected and equal senate in which all provinces would have equal representation. But in their rejection of Meech Lake, ordinary Canadians showed they weren’t content to see powers handed out to the provinces like candy just to keep provincial power brokers happy. Most Canadians would like to see some powers, in fact, go the other way. At a time when there is free trade with the U.S. and an agreement being negotiated with Mexico, people wonder why there are still so many interprovincial trade barriers. Many people would like to see a national education system, not the patchwork of provincial systems. There must be very good reasons for provinces to administer programs before the country should be cut up more by giving powers to the provinces. The problem for ordinary Canadians is Mr. Mulroney seems to think a decentralized country is to be desired. For Canadians wanting a strong Canada it’s questionable whether having the PM come out fighting is a victory for Canada or not. Slippin ’ and slidin’ Looking Backward ONE YEAR AGO FEBRUARY 21,1990 Firefighters battled to extinguish a car engulfed in flames a few miles east of Walton on County Road 25 but they were unable to salvage the car owned by Paul McCallum of RR 1, Walton. Blyth fire chief. Paul Josling said the fire started in the motor compartment and that the fire must have reached the gas for the car to be so badly burned. Frank Szusz and his wife Phyllis were honoured by the board of the Blyth and District Community Cen­ tre for his 12 years service to the board. Hebo Siertsema made the presentation. Included in Mr. Szusz’ service was a period as president of the board. The Public Speaking Contest for East Wawanosh Public School was held in the school auditorium. Everyone did well. The winners and their topics were: Grade 4, Mark Alexander, “My Dog Kailee”; Grade 5, Becky Van Camp, “My Cat Snickers”; Grade 6, Trevor Black, “Environment”; Grade 7, Julie Elston, “Canadian National Exhibition” and Grade 8, Anne Taylor, “Friends”. The winner of Grades 4-6 was Trevor Beck with Becky Van Camp the runner-up. Anne Taylor won for Grades 7-8 and Julie Elston was runner-up. THREE YEARS AGO FEBRUARY 17, 1988 Kate McLellan, owner of Kate’s Kitchen, located on main street Blyth, sold her restaurant to Bar­ bara Walsh. The name changed to Walsh’s Corner Cafe. Blyth residents received colour­ ed stickers to allow them to identify burnable from non-burnable gar­ bage. 250 students at Hullett Central Public School got together to kick off a week of Olympic-related activities by forming a “Parade of Nations” in the school yard, then releasing helium-filled balloons to signify the start of the games. Members of the Brussels Lions Club were angry over what they called the senseless vandalism which disrupted the runs for a number of participants in the annual Polar Daize Poker Rally. Direction Signs were turned around Continued on page 6 The Citizen. P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $20.S0/year [$19.16 plus $1.34 C.S.T.] [$40.00 Foreign]. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 Editor & Publisher, Keith Roulston Advertising Manager, Dave Williams Production Manager, Jill Roulston Second Class Mail Registration No. 6968