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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-08-10, Page 34 How much "Do we love Canada enough to accept that which is n ycessary to keep Quebec within Canada?" Dr. Ronald Watts, principal of Queen's Ljniversity and a member__ of the -Task Force on Canadian Unity, asked the question in an address to ,representatives of Goderich service clubs at a luncheon meeting in Hotel Bedford dining room on Tuesday. "I have come to the conclusion," he said, "that there is no other federation, probably anywhere in the world, composed of different cultural groups, where the majority has done so little to aid the minority as in Canada." "Mere recognition of the regional aspirations in Quebec or the West or the Atlantic region or other provi-races will not of itself be sufficient," Dr. Watts said. "We will not pull Canada together unless at one and the same time we recognize the legitimate aspirations of the original units, and, as you develop a wider sense of Canada, em- bracing all the original units.- The important point is that we have renewed focus, not only on province -building but nation -building." Dr.' Watt, a Rotarian, conveyed the greetings of the Kingston club. "The views I am going to express;" he said, "are my personal views, not necessarily the official views of the Task Force, which .is making good -.progress at the-- pre -sent time. It is hoped to complete by the end of the' year; three- separ-ate-• reports: one, sum- marizing the views presented to us; two, a glossary of political terms to clarify somewhat the confusion; and, three, a report with some recommendations as to what should be done. "I- want to show why it is important to be con- cerned with the unity question. There is a tendency for us to say, "So what? What dif- ference does it make?' I want to tell you why I, as a political scientist, who has "' studied the disin- tegration of certain federal systems, believe the issue should be of concern to all Canadians. THE ISSUES "Even before the PQ victory in Quebec, Canadians were con- cerned with the issues of national entity, national unity. The experience of other federations shows (I) ample evidence that a federation can totally disintegrate. Four of the largest' surviving con- stitutional countries, in the world today are the United States, 200 years old; . Switzerland, 130; Canada, 111; and Australia 78. There are few other constitutional organizations that have survived unbroken for as long. "But I point out that ,three -have had separatist movements and sec - cession movements. Unity was ' maintained ultimately by the strength of military force. West Australia passed a referendum with a majority in favor of separation but a petition to the United in�dorrb ...was refused. There are also examples in the newer federations. "The separation of a regiopal•.ai- t in history, occurred peacefully, even if it was the intention on both sides. In almost every case, the spirit of political controversy and con- frontation and emotional tension which preceded separation produces a situation in which some ridiculous minor " in- cident, with a few people taking matters into their own hands, erupts into violence or civil war. "If you examine United States, talk before the Civil War, you will find there was ne more trouble than here at the present time. LESSON TWO "The second lesson, then, the disen- tanglement of a federation is it, or likely to be, possible without violence which we would all deplore and which we should do everything we can to avoid. "The third lesson is that once separation does occur, the business of establishing a° new economy, as advocated, for instance, by Levesque, is in practical terms remote. With separation comes division of assets, setting up of boundaries, placation of parties -receiving consideration. In any case, there are problems with the ..common .market association, particularly applying to Canada, and which in Ontario we would do well to bear in mind. While the economic community has made great progress, generally speaking, that form is terrifically unstable. "The Western provinces have made it clear that there is no appeal for them in a common market which favors Ontario. A com- mon market is to Quebec unacceptable. The federal form of gover- nment is -.unacceptable to Quebec. DANGER SIGNALS "The fotirth lesson relates to certain danger signals. There are -three critical ohes present in most cases. (1) political divisions; (2) federal political parties tb em- braoeall the regional groups so that some are not alienated by lack Of • preparation; (3) lack of confidence in existing constitutional system and demands for 'a new constitution without agreement on what it should be. "During the last decade, all three of these developments have clearly emerged in Canada in regard to political divisions on regional lines, causing problems between federal and provincial governments; the alienation of some do you love Cana groups, not just Quebec but the West, from representation in the federal party; (3) general denigration of the British North America Act without consent to what is to take its place. "The Confederation adopted in 1867 has served us remarkably well for 111 years in remarkable conditions, but Canada is facing a challenge unprecedented in our history and which all of us must take seriously. "There are four car- dinal points to bear in mind: (1) no matter what the provocation we must keep our heads and remain cool. We must avoid at all costs action which might ' make rationalization im- possible as experience indicates that everything that, follows would require enormous goodwill; how much better to apply that goodwill before it is absolutely necessary in order to an ac- commodation federation without violence. "(2) We must avoid falling into the idea of two alternatives Quebec independence and retention of Con- federation. Things have gone so far neither will do. Adaption of our federal system may meet the aspirations of Quebec,.but other regions of Canada may require changes• responsibilities assigned federal and provincial governments and the structure and of the govern men organization t in Ottawa:' "The recent con- stitutional amendments .bill .,.is„a first step, ...as Mr. ... ....... Trudeau has pointed I would like to point out that once before in Canada, when there was a crisis of military preparations - 1840s and 1850s - a coalition and larger view produced the solution which turned out to be Confederation. in 1867. "What we need today is the same spirit to apply to ourown situation. In 1867 Canada made the initiative combination of a federal and parliamentary system for a first time in the world. We need to ap- proach the current crisis in the same spirit of accommodation. THE SOLUTION "The third point I ask you to bear in mind is that the solution will have to meet the cultural and economic aspirations of - the -people of Quebec if they are to feel that Canada is 't -heir .country_ as much as anybody else's. "The question then is; do we love Canada enough to accept that which will 'be necessary to keep Quebec within Canada? Too often we fail to realize the Quebec francophones represent one-quarter of Canada. They are a major portion of our country and if we love Canada we must do what is necessary to keep them. "On the question of language, only in - TOURISTS Are you interested in sailing??? SAILING PROGRAM will be held in Goderich during the last two weeks in August. Instructions by the hour, day or week. Contact: Goderich Recreation Office at 524-8373 or f aUl Persons at 534-7793. HURON SAILING SCHOOL 40 frequently has the whole issue been invested with \ proper emphasis arid understanding. There has been misunderstanding and confusion where there should' have been allowances for the position of French- Canadians. "Encouragement of French has been termed a threat to English - a? speaking Canadians. cost money but what price are we prepared to pay for Canadian unity? Alternately, that cost is small compared to the cost that would be felt if Canada broke up. language is in danger? "Supposed • "Another argui;rl'ent es r)quireitient of us all to that Frenchi-lanuage,,learn Frenchis a means services require un- of understanding. The necessary public ex- federal policy does not penditure. Of course they require that all people in Does anyone seriously believe that on a con- tinent of 240,000 people of which only five or six million are - French- speaking that the English West Wawanosh Council meets THE OOZE. RICH SIGNAL -STAR, THU'RSD A.Y, AUGUST 1.Q,1'8,78`.- P, W1 '. 3 tD a r Canada should be bilingual or learn French. What that policy does state is that French- Canadians should be able to communicate in their own, language in the civil service. "We must look at these things clearly and rationally and recognize the needs of the minority.” Will call for tenders on drain Several owners in the Anderson Drainage Works convened for the consideration of engineer E.H. Uderstadtts report on the repair and im- provement of the Anderson Drainage Works when West Wawanosh Township Council met for its regular session on August 1. Mr. Uderstadt was present at the meeting to review the report and answer questions at the elose of wilf,eh--a `notion was passe -4quncil to adopt - the, 'Kre'ngineer's report an Na first and second reading were given to the'•provisional 'by-law. It -was also decided to have Maitland Engineering Services Give grant to build sidewalk East Wawanosh Township Council passed a Motion to give a grant of $7 -50 -to the Township of Kinloss for the purpose of building a sidewalk in Whitechurch when it met in regular session on August 1. The council members of the Township of Kinloss were present at the-ineeting'to discuss the' building. of the sidewalk in the Hamlet of Whitechurch and to seek finaiicial'h 1p: East Wawanosh Council also passed a motion to transfer $365.55 from the East Wawanosh Renovation, Fund -Term Deposit to East Wawanosh Recreation, Parks and Community Centre Board to cover the capital cost of a new chimney for the arena. The council also passed a motion that the township give a further grant of $300 to the East Wawanosh Recreation, Parks and , Community Centre Board as there were not sufficient funds to cover costs. Council gave con- sideration to the Hunter Drainage Works Extension. Ratepayers J. Walsh and J. Hunter were present to discuss this as, was E. W. Shifflett, engineer with Gamsby and Mannerow Limited. Council passed a- motion to accept the drainage .'report as prepared and presented by E.W. Shifflett and agreed to pay the fee of $1,500 for the report. ' Lorne Humphrey was present at the council meeting to review ob- jections to the Humphrey Sub -Division. He ex- plained that the Township of Morris would be with- drawing their objection ,and East Wawanosh Council agreed to meet with John and Norene Gnay to discuss the possible withdrawing of theirobjections. By-law number 'nine, 1978, being a by-law to impose special annual drainage rates upon land in respect of which - money is bcrowed under the Tile Drainage Act, was given first, second and third readings and f inally-passed: .___-.... . Proceeds from Tile Drain Loans were for- warded : to lot 40, north half, concession 2 ($42,000); lot 40, con- cession 3 ($6,000) ; and lot 41, north half, concession 1 ($2,100). Tile Drain Inspectors fees; of $85 were' forwarded to John Gaunt. By-law number 10, 1978, being a by-law to enforce, regulate and perform fire inspections and fire safety as contained in the National Fire Code of Canada, and the Fire Marshal's Act of Ontario, was given first, second and third readings and finally passed by council. Building permits were approved and issued to Larry...Tay.lor, for a barn • extension subject to the approval of the Ministry of the Environment; Len Palmer for a- house ad- dition; Ivan Howatt for a trailer; Doug :Walker- for scales and overhead bins; G. Jaretzke for a machine shed; C. Laidlaw for two cement walls for ensilage storage and Ron Snell for a grain bin. Road accounts of $7,516.52 and general accounts of $15,579.38 were ordered passed and paid by council. THE KIDDIE CORNER • How often lately have you seen or hoard about the in- creasing price of clothing? • How often do you find that although your children heave outgrown their clothes, the clothes aro perfectly good? Do you store them away? Do you give them away?? NOW, you can bring those used clothes into THE KIDDIE CORNER and have them resold to other parents who are finding today's clothing prices unacceptable:;8v bringing the clothes In, you Will receive 70% of the resale price. This Is an esiceli.nt opportunity to receive some money for those out -grown clothes and buy some nearly rases clothes at a substantially lower price for your children. Cali or stop In Weekday mornings at: THE KIDDIE CORNER. .11110 Gibbons Street 104tettet - i34.i t3 prepare the necessary tender documents and call for tenders on this drain to be ready for consideration- at the next council meeting, Warner Andrews requested the services of an experienced grader operate` to do some ,special grading on the hill west of the Police Village of Auburn and the road superintendent agreed to perform the job. Building permits were granted by council to D. Jefferson for a shed; J. Hickey for a barn and granary; N. Stapleton for a barn; J. Moir for a house addition; and -C. Cooke and Son for a shed. - A tile drainage loan application for the east half of lot 26 concession 9 was accepted by council. _ Council also passed a motion to accept the tender of . Joe- Kerr Limited of Wingham at 50 cents per cubic yard for pit run gravel to emergency construction on concession 10 at lot 16 subject to the approval of the Ministry of Tran- sportation and. Com- munications. Leroy Rintoul was hired by council to mow roadsides at $4 per hour. The road accounts and general accounts, in- cluding $3,121.44 for the township's share of final construction for a dental suite in Lucknow, were ordered passed and paid by council. D[ * * * * * * * * * * ** CN9Y - Scottish World Festival: AUG . llth I For further information call 524-7186 or 524-7622 F* k'*************** ., MAITLAND RIVER SILVERSMITHING r.g. Stoddart SILVERSMITHING AND JE WELLER }' DESIGNER gold • silver 133 ST. 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