The Citizen, 1991-06-19, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19,1991.
Opinion
Listen to all voices
Reform Party Leader Preston Manning made a triumphal entry into
Ontario last week, drawing huge crowds everywhere he spoke.
Outside the auditoriums he was also usually confronted by protesters,
worried about the effect of party policies.
Many people worry about the kind of people who are being
attracted by the party, even though the party has tried to become more
acceptable and less a party of the lunatic right-wing fringe. The party
has tended to attract those who are anti-Frcnch in the name of
lowering government costs by abandoning bilingualism. There arc
those who hide their racist tendencies under the banner of being
worried about too much immigration. \
But the beauty of freedom of speech is that from the welter of
ideas offered, even ideas we may reject, there can be ideas we can
make use of.
Mr. Manning last week, for instance, spoke out against
multicultural funding in Canada. It's the kind of policy that worries
those who see the dangers of the fanaticism of some Reform
supporters but it's an idea that deserves more open debate. Mr.
Manning said he has nothing against multiculturalism, he just thinks it
should be the responsibility of individuals and private groups to keep
the diverse cultures alive, not the federal government.
Il would be a shame if Canada lost the rich heritage brought to it by
so many groups from around the world. We have the opportunity to
build the kind of tolerant, varied land that would be an example to
people all around the world. All governments should encourage
people to be proud of their roots without making them any less
Canadians.
But encouraging doesn't necessarily mean throwing money at the
issue. Multiculturalism became a federal policy to answer those who
argued against bilingualism by saying a large part of the population
was neither of English or French ancestry. Like topsy, that program
has grown as worthy cause was piled on worthy cause until we had a
mountain of money being spent to promote people keeping their old
heritage.
It's also possible the program has been sending out the wrong
signals to newcomers. While Canadians may not want the melting pot
culture of the U.S. (and many would love to have it here), they also
don't want to see little countries created within our country by groups
that hold too tightly to their old lands.
What we must find is a way of keeping the richness of the cultures
people bring with them to Canada and blend it with the cultures of
others to create an exciting new society. That can be created by people
of goodwill. It doesn't lake government millions.
One small step
As talks officially opened last week on a new free trade area to
include Canada, Mexico and the U.S., Canadians got the first
indisputable good news from the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed
between Canada and the U.S. three years ago.
A trade tribunal last week threw out the complaints of U.S. Pork
Producers that Canadian pork farmers were being unfairly subsidized.
It's a fight that's been going on since well before the FT A was signed
as the U.S. producers managed to get import duties on Canadian pork
under U.S. legislation. Officials of the Ontario Pork Producers
Marketing Board had supported the FTA because they hoped it would
stop the harassment of their product by American trade officials,
pushed by American producers. The harassment didn't magically stop
with the signing of the FTA. It took until a couple of months ago for
Canada to win a ruling under free trade against the American action.
But the U.S. producers didn't let it die at that. They mounted a last-
ditch challenge to the ruling but last week they lost that too.
This landmark ruling is particularly important right in our own
backyard. One of the busiest hog assembly yards in Ontario is in Bly th
and Huron is one of the leaders in pork production. Pork producers
have been hit hard by the American tactics, culling off a ready market
for their product. Hopefully Ontario pork producers will be able to
gain by this ruling and pump more money into our local economy.
Summer's blooming
Looking Backward
ONE YEAR AGO
JUNE 20, 1990
Finance Minister Michael Wilson
visited in Wingham to discuss the
effect the proposed Goods and Ser
vices Tax will have on farmers.
Hullett township's new budget
increased taxes by 8.9 percent while
West Wawanosh taxes are raised 9.77
percent.
Wingham OPP investigated a
break-in at Humphrey's General Store
in Walton.
Constable Ken Balzer said that the
thieves gained entry through the
basement window, taking about
Si,200 in cash and some cigarettes.
Blylh taxes increased by 8.66 per
cent with the new budget.
Diane Prescott of Brussels was one
of a group of mechanical engineering
students from Conestoga College, to
win a technician-technology award.
Ms. Prescott's group submitted a
report on plastics testing.
The new addition to Blylh Memo
rial Hall was officially opened.
Piano students of Gail Lear, Lon-
dcsboro gave a musical world tour al
a Saturday afternoon concert.
Londesboro Lions installed their
new executive. President is Robert
Shaddick.
Robert Cunningham of Ethel
retired after 19 years as the Trans
portation Manager of the Huron
County Board of Education.
Local talent by Colleen Curran
opened the Blylh Festival season.
THREE YEARS AGO
JUNE 15, 1988
At the executive meeting of the
Brussels Bulls Jr. "D" hockey club, it
was decided that if new leaders could
not be found the club may fold.
A parly al the Turnberry-Culross
gravel pit, brought 22 liquor seizures,
and four criminal code alcohol-relat
ed driving charges.
With both water pumps working
properly again in Brussels since a
broken down pump had been
repaired, officials arc breathing easi
er. Blylh, however, imposed waler
restrictions due to the dangerously
low level of the reservoir.
The Huron County Board of Edu
cation unanimously approved a
motion to increase its size by two
trustees, returning its membership to
16.
Art Bos of RR3, Blylh, look home
2 4-H grand championships from the
Clinton Spring Far.
FIVE YEARS AGO
JUNE 18,1986
Approximately 200 people were on
hand to watch a special parade, pul
on to celebrate the grand opening of
the Brussels, Morris and Grey swim
ming pool.
A Brussels woman has won a
Royal Bank sponsored scholarship
from the Radio and Television News
Directors Association.
Lynda Thomas received the $50
award al the RTNDA convention
held at Kitchener's Valhalla Inn.
The
Citizen
P.O. Box 429,
BLYTH, Ont.
N0M 1H0
Phone 523-4792
FAX 523-9- 10
P.O Box 152,
BRUSSELS. Ont.
NOG 1H0
Phone 887-9114
FAX 887-9021
The Citizen Is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing
Company Inc.
Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $20.50/year ($19.16 plus $1.34 G.S.T.)
for local; $19.16 ♦ $1.66 for each month after March 3V92 ♦ G.S.T. for local letter carrier
in Goderich, Hanover, Listowel, etc. and out-of-area (40 miles from Brussels);
S60.00/year for U.S.A, and 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 £ Copywright.
Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel,
Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships.
Editor & Publisher, Keith Roulston
Advertising Manager, Dave Williams Second Class Mail Registration No. 6968