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Times Advocate, 1995-11-08, Page 5Page 4 Tines -Advocate, November 8,1995 Publisher & Editor Jim Beckett Business Managers Ron smith Production Managers Deb Lord Barb Conant, Chad Eedy Nwws: Heather Mir, Chris Skalkos, Ross Haugh, Benda Burke akin Alma Ballantyne, Mary McMurray, Barb Robertson Brenda Hem, Joyce Weber, Laurel Miner Transportation: AI Flynn, AI Hodgert Front Office Accounting Elaine Pinder, Sue Rollings, Ruthann Negrijn, Mita McDonald, Cassie Dalrymple The Exeter Times -Advocate Is a member of a family of community newspapers providing news, advertising and information leadership • • 'pinion F. 1)1"1'O111A1, Time to work on future together Mrtday night's referendum (October 30) was such a slim victory that no one in Canada should see it as anything else but a clear signal that change must take place. And the onus is on English Canada. The outpouring of love and support that hit Quebec was like a big juicy ap- ple hitting you on the head and asking to be eaten. But few people in Quebec saw that last minute support for Quebec as anything but fear that the country would disappear. And that, say the sep- aratists, is not their problem - it is Can- ada's problem. Many here felt that the extended hands from across Canada were empty promises from people who were very afraid of change. Let's hope that's not the case. Let's hope that the outpouring of love felt here last week was finally recogni- tion and understanding of how Quebec feels. Let's hope too that it was finally recognition that Quebec is the heart and soul of Canada - that Canada will be nothing but a shell without Quebec. The question now to all Canadians who asked Quebecers to stay, who asked Quebecers to vote no, is - how badly do you want Quebec? So now that Canada has been given a reprieve - a chance to bring about the change that a majority of Quebecers say they want - it is time for all Canadians to take an active part in working towards that change. It will not be easy. Bringing about the changes that will bring Quebec wholeheartedly back into the Canadian family will be greatest challenge to ever face this country. Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who is very unpopular in Quebec, but quite popular in the rest of Canada, has his work cut out for him. Ordinary people have a role to play. They must tell their politicians that they do want Quebec - on Quebec's terms. The referendum result shows very clearly that if Canada is to survive, Que- bec must be given its just place in the country. If not, Quebecers may be back at the polls sooner than anyone wants - and the next time round, the answer won't be no. Karen Macdonald Quebec Chronicle -Telegraph Letters to the editor Now is the time to work out differences with Quebec "We have the opportunity to prove that this is not the best decision..." Dear Editor: In response to the letter published from Jody Mos- urinjohn regarding the outcome of the Quebec Refe- rendum, 1 would agree that the issue will not disap- pear as a result of the `no' vote, and I share her anger towards Lucien Bouchard and Jacques Pari- zeau. However, it has never been more important than it is now to put aside historical grievances, real and imagined, and to make a sincere and energetic effort to find ways to work together. Preoccupation with tired arguments has been indulged far too often on all sides, and I think in this way all the momentum for positive change is drained away in hopeless wrangling. Frankly, if that is all we can manage to do then perhaps we don't deserve this fair land stretching from sea to sea. The people of Quebec who support a Canadian vi- sion are in the majority, however slim. To suggest that their friends, relatives and co-workers who vot- ed `yes' constitute a "fanatical fifty percent" pre- pared to arm themselves with the assistance of the Quebec government is very irresponsible. It would seem that hard core separatists, far Tess in number than half the population of the province of Quebec, are prepared to turn their backs on Canada. We have the opportunity to prove that this is not the best de- cision; there arc more reasons to stay and work out our problems together, than to leave, which would diminish us all. If we fail to recognize what is valu- able in each other and reach out to build on that, then the sovereignists won't need to arm themselves to break up the country by force because we'll have given up on Canada all by ourselves. Sincerely, Janet Mason RR I, Centralia TORONTO -- Former Ontario premier Bob Rae has broken a taboo by accusing Quebec Prvier Jacques Parizeau of being drunk in charge of a referendum campaign. If the Que- bec premier had not resigned, it might even have helped force him out the door. The New Democrat opposition leader said on a TV panel that Parizeau appeared to be under the influence of alcohol when he blamed the separatists' defeat on "money and the ethnic vote" with the nasty implication that non- francophones do not have the same place and rights in Quebec. Rae said it was "the most disgraceful speech I have ever heard from any premier of any prov- ince, and perhaps alcohol would be an explana- tion." Rae said later his view that Parizeau had been drinking excessively was "a gut reaction to what I saw and based on the usual things. l couldn't smell his breath over the television, but he seemed flustered and his remarks were in extremely bad taste." Rae said he also noticed, as did other viewers, Parizeau pacing up and down behind a curtain with a glass in his hand, and added that his per- ception that the premier had over -imbibed was shared by his co -panelists. An allegation by one politician that another drinks too much is extremely rare, although ob- viously a proportion of politicians like the rest of the population drinks excessively. Politicians probably are under more pressures to drink than the average citizen, because they are under tension, spend. a lot of time away from home, commonly need to meet people in social surroundings and get plenty of offers of free drinks. Politicians clearly are aware that some of their number drink excessively, but shy from raising it publicly because they fear libel or be- ing thought vindictive or feel they should stick to Issues and kap quiet unless they can prove that a politician's drinking is hampering him in his job. They also recognize that there, but for the Publications Mali Registration Number 0306 SUBSCRIPTION RATE& CAIII Within 40 Miss (66 km.) addressed to ter letter owlet addressee $33.00 plus $2.31 Y.S.T. Outside 40 ndlss (65 km.) or any letter canter address $33.00 plus $30.00 (total 63.00) ♦ 4.31 Y.S.T. Outside Canada $86.00 plus $6.631 SIT (includes $88.40 poste) Published Each Wedrwsday Mousing at 424 blain 1t., Exeter, Oatatio, NOM 116 by J.W. Eedy Pubbcansns Ltd. Telephone 1.518.235-1331 • Fax: 5394350766 S.I.T. alt10521011311 VJ�LFA�`� wrimaimi-I-Nr2-846„ \novillk Wawa tratiStitinti SHOPPING WITH DAVID '1"SUB000HI "ftti. /144,/.9 s 's news? Brenda Burke Cop cards in a world of sports celebrities? Following the efforts of police departments in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Sault Ste. Marie, London police are promoting the KOP (Know Our Police) program which involves the distribution of 120,000 cop cards in an effort to inform the city's youth about various branches of the police force. "Today's youth are so distracted by so much nonsense,'! London Police Chief Julian Fantino said in a recent London Free Press article. "This is an attempt to carry a positive lifestyle message." Fantino is willing to include his photo among the cards, which, given out for the first ( time by London police on Thursday, include safety tips and 'lifestyle messages' such as how to avoid drugs and fights. Amid complaints of serial killer cards and a public obsession with sensational trials, on the surface it may feel uplifting to hear about something that has the possibility of influencing children in a positive way. Individual officers are not actually identified on the cards but if the program proves to be successful, future cards may include their names along with brief biographical sketches. Interesting... But will it work? The program likely targets eight to 14 -year-olds since that age group qualifies for a Tim Horton's draw aimed to promote the cards. Day care and primary grade children may just scoop up the cards and begin a hot, new trend. This age group tends to be receptive to role models such as police officers, fire fighters and doctors. But older kids may not have reason enough to collect KOP cards. The popularity of baseball cards is largely attributed to the popularity of its star heroes. Will a 14 -year-old actually think it's cool to carry around photos of local cops in his back pocket? Drink grace of God, go I. News media for most of the same reasons avoid reporting politicians' drink- ing excesses. After Brian Mulroney became prime minister, several books mentioned he had been an exces- sive drinker before he became PM and because of it got in nasty arguments and even shoving matches. Media reported this briefly as an event of the past, but certainly no politician made any allegation against him and the affair was al- lowed to die. When John Turner was Liberal opposition leader, after he had been prime minister, he was asked by a TV interviewer whether rumors he had a drinking problem were true. Turner replied: "I like a good party and I have enjoyed myself over the years, but I have never allowed any pleasure or distraction to interfere with doing the job," so the allegation got on the record and other media reported it and it added to Turner's already deteriorating image. In Ontario, when NDP MPP Morton Shulman shouted, "the minister is drunk" one day as fi- Such a thought may be embarrassing to adolescents, simply because police officers represent authority figures they may not want to idolize at that particularly sensitive, independent stage of their lives. when enough adults are telling them what to do. A baseball card displaying Mickey Mantle's photo is collected because of the sports celebrity he was, not so fans can flip the card over to get advice on batting. Even if KOP cards eventually identify the officers they depict, due to the informative nature of the program, it's unlikely any famous officers will be highlighted for the sake of entertainment. KOP cards may not do much to help bridge the widening gap between youth and police. Perhaps Tim Horton's should spend money on a more active youth program rather than continue what may be just a new public relations plan. nancial and commercial affairs minister Leslie Rowntree was lashing into the NDP just before the legislature adjourned for lunch, it ended the minister's career. The hansard record suggests Rowntree spoke as lucidly as the average MPP, but he was known as a heavy drinker, as usual this had never been said publicly, the politician's allega- tion gave the media an opportunity and they felt an obligation to report and within months Rowntree had gone. Parizeau for some time had been said private- ly by some in Quebec politics and media to drink excessively. but the media had barely re- ported it and when a Quebec reporter asked if he had been drinking on referendum night, he dismissed the question as insulting. But an allegation by a politician of Rae's stat- ure might have hung on and added to criticism in Parizeau's party that he lacks personal appeal and has a rust streak. Pariieau may be lucky he decided to make it last call.