Huron Expositor, 2006-11-29, Page 4Pogo 4 November 29, 2006 • The Huron Expositor
Opinion
Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK 1WO
Was it so very long a o that Canadians, from
coast to, coast beg o , p
l.ea.+ded,, and cajoled
Quebeckers (and yes, t ie Queb is, too to"' pleas e,
for the love. of. all things good:and wholesome, stop
with the whining.
Indeed, many folks, especially those in neigh-
bouring Ontario, breathed sighs of relief back in
1995 when residents of la belle province agreed
that remaining in Canada was the way to go.
After all, as many optimistic Canadians
assumed, the oui to that question put an end to a
question that had been causing eye rolls since
1867.
Sadly, after Liberal leadership candidate Michael
Ignatieff mentioned the concept of officially recog-
nizing Quebec as a nation, Prime Minister Stephen.
Harper snatched up the idea so fast one might
think it was the best thing since poutine.
A cynic might suggest Harper is jumping on the
nation bandwagon for a simple reason. That is, his
party's popularity is floundering, especially in
Quebec, where the population does not take kindly
to Canada's presence in Afghanistan and, as a rule,
distances itself from strong-arm politicking of
which the Conservatives are becoming renowned.
But the more foreboding question is: Does this
move not create a dangerous precedent? One
wherein distinct groups from every nook and cran-
ny in this vast country will step forward to say, "If
it's good for Quebec, I want me some of that, too"?
It is no small secret that First Nations' peoples
have been seeking redress for government -inflicted
wrongs for some time. Will they, too, gain official
status?
What about the Acadians? The Asians who built
the, railways and then were mistreated? The Inuit?
The Newfoundlanders who, some say, were brought
kicking and screaming into confederation in 1949?
The possibilities are unlimited.
They also beg the question, why? The fact is
Canada has long prided itself on being multicultur-
al. In essence, a place that many nations call home,
with few choosing to hyphenate their nationality.
It would be a shame if a simple case of early cam-
paigning were to change all that.
Clinton News Record
No holiday bonus this year?
I say 'Bah, humbug'
While most people can
expect a gift or two under
the Christmas tree and
an opportunity to spend
some quality -time with
their family and friends
each holiday season,
there's one holiday tradi-
tion that seems to have
gotten lost amongst all
the glad tidings:
Recent surveys show fewer small businesses
are handing out holiday bonuses to their staff
each year.
Now since we all haven't gone ahead like
Clark Griswold and purchased an in -ground
pool banking on a bonus, it wouldn't be the
end of the world if we didn't receive one.
But, a little bit of extra cash, especially dur-
ing the holidays, can be a big help.
The holidays should be a time to be. grateful.
So, I suppose if you're not goingto be receiv-
ing a bonus this holiday season, at least you
can be thankful, you were probably notified
well in advance.
Not that it really makes the decision any
better.
Businesses nowadays, in their most Scrooge -
like of ways, are finding every which way to
avoid handing out bonuses.
For instance, businesses will give the gift of
13y Jeff
Heuchert
time off instead of a bonus.
Time off is nice and .can
be much needed at times.
But employees are already
given a certain amount of
time off around the holi-
days and throughout the
year.
Another way businesses
are avoiding handing out as
much, money is by only rewarding employees
with, what they call, performance-based
bonuses that have to be re -earned each year.
This way, instead of rewarding someone for
their hard work over an entire year, business-
es only have to pay a bonus to a select few
that exceed the benchmark they've set.
Some businesses have even changed their
fiscal year, so the end no longer coincides with
the holidays.
And lastly, there's the gift` card, which
unless it's worth the amount you would regu-
larly receive in to bonus, and it just happens to
be for your favourite store, is somewhat disap-
pointing.
So, if you happened to be one of the unlucky
employees this holiday season,: here's wishing
three ghosts visit your boss (or at the very
least, receive a big lump of coal under the
Christmas tree).
on ®aviC
For our civics class
we have to figure
out if we're liberals
or conservatives.
That's easy.
Do you
believe in free
health-care?
Do you think
the government
Of should provide
course >I o social
safety net
Do you want to
pay for all that
with high taxes?
by David Ldcey
Then, that
would make
you a
compassion&
conservative.
Your Community Newspaper Since 1860
E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com
Visit our home page at
www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com
OUESECOR MEDIA
Canada
SUN MEDIA
enur v
"We acknowledge the financial support of the
Government of Canada, through the Publications
Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 36.18 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T.
SENIORS; - 34.17 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T.
Foreign: 36.18 a year in advance, plus $181.48 postage, G.S.T. exempt
U.S.A.: 36.18 a year in advance, plus $92.56 postage, G.S.T. exempt
Published weekly by Sun Media at 11 Main St., Seaforth. Advertising is accepted
on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occu-
pied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature,
will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the
applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services
at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer
to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible
for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used
for reproduction purposes.
PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT 40064683
PAP REGISTRATION NO. 7605
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO
Circulation Department
P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, ON., NOK 1 WO
Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper niation
& the Ontario Community Newspapers Assoc
Tom Williscraft
Publisher
Bernie Pugh
Advertising / Office
Susan Hundertmark
• Editor
Dianne McGrath
Jeff Heuchert
Reporter
Marcie Riegling
Front office Composing
Editorial and Business Offices - 11 Main Street.,Seaforth
Telephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858
Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69,
Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1W0