Reform voter
To the Editor:
It is not very often that I write a letter to Open Forum, in fact only my second, but I read them every week, so an answer to Mr. Weser’s letter is in order.
I am a member of the Reform Party and proud of it.
I am not part of the corporate rich, just an ordinary retired guy with enough to live on and also a concerned voter.
If some people would read the policies and common sense of the Reform Party, maybe even some left-wingers would vote Reform. Bob Rae’s NDP government of Ontario dug a very big hole for the taxpayers of that province, which they will have to claw out of for the next couple of years at least.
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Agriculture needs to prepare for government spending cuts
As government makes necessary cuts to spending, what can be reduced or restructured in the budgets for agriculture?
– Sam Schuler,
Medicine Hat, Alta.
Reform debate
To the Editor:
Had it not been for Preston Manning’s statement that only he and the other two right-wing leaders should discuss the unity crisis as the others have nothing to say on unity, I would probably not be writing this letter. I cannot tolerate such arrogance.
I can see very little difference in the policy of the right wing leaders. They are only having a squabble about who should be the trail boss.
If Mr. Manning would like to discuss unity, why does he not challenge Roy Romanow? Mr. Romanow has expertise in constitutional matters.
I think Manning’s statement is a blow to freedom of speech.
In 1993, nine NDP members were elected to the House of Commons along with two Conservatives. Because each one did not have 12 members elected, they were barred from fully representing their constituents in the House of Commons. So much for freedom of speech.
If we want the NDP to be represented in the House of Commons this time, we better make sure that at least 12 of them get elected.
Every CCF and NDP leader we have had has had a very good name in the unity cause and social cause both in Canada and the world.
– Joe Egge,
Lintlaw, Sask.
Think again
To the Editor:
If you think things will change for the better by voting Liberal, think again! Liberals have been in power 90 percent of the time since W.W. II.
Since W.W. II, Canada has provided a safe haven for war criminals. They are living out the rest of their lives protected (like all Canadian citizens) after participating in the worst genocide in world history.
I find it incongruous and appalling that Canadian firearm owners are now being treated like criminals.
Even though they have never committed a crime, they are now required by law to register their firearms and themselves.
This bill was passed because the Liberal government conveniently distorted statistics and generated hysteria for their own political gain.
During W.W. II, our fathers and grandfathers, as proud Canadians, were issued firearms and sent to Europe to fight for freedom and liberty from oppressive forces. Now these same men are being labelled as criminals for not complying with this costly bill.
How can these Canadians be called irresponsible because of the actions of a few who should be in mental institutions?
Now all firearm owners are considered potential criminals and murderers. Do the Liberals think their costly gun registration is going to solve this?
I’m voting for the party that proclaims this bill will be removed. Don’t expect the Liberals to do it – they promised to get rid of the GST, didn’t they?
– Ron McKinnon,
Red Deer, Alta.
Why Reform?
To the Editor:
Why Reform? The simple answer is to prove to ourselves that we can change the present system. We were able to stem the tide in Meech lake and the Charlottetown Accord.
If we do not elect a political party that proposes to give us a real voice in the future of our country, such as initiative, referendums and recall, we will continue to be misled, misguided and betrayed.
We have seen in the last three and a half years the most unconscionable betrayal of Canada, a Party elected to the House of Commons which proposes to break up Canada as the Official Opposition. The Prime Minister could have shifted a few seats of his huge majority to Reform, and made them the official opposition, but he did not. The two PCs and the NDPs could have put their support to Reform, but they did not.
We said in 1993 that the Prime Minister is in cahoots with the Bloc; he’s proven it time and again, as have the PCs and the NDP.
“A Fresh Start” is not only a slogan for the Reform Party in this campaign, it is also what we want and need as Canadians.
We can bring about change only if we demand change, if we work for change.
When the Reform Party becomes the Government of Canada (it can happen in this election), we will get the opportunity to help make that change for us and for Canada.
The RPC in its present state will not have all the solutions to the problems in Canada, but it will give us the opportunity to have a voice in making the improvements we need. You and I can begin the process of change in this election; let’s not miss it! Let’s vote Reform!
– Adam Hauch,
Westlock, Alta.
Guns and wheat
To the Editor:
… Historical evidence demonstrates that gun controls, like registration of civilian ownership of firearms, over time can be the prelude to confiscation and subsequent crimes against humanity.
How many of these leaders let their farmers have a choice in the marketing of their produce? The Goodale Wheat Board’s un-accountability, over-regulation and his government’s oppressive taxation and a lack of true crime control initiatives to name a few, keep our efforts focused on small battles, instead of the war on freedom. At election time when some Liberal says, “if Bill C-68 only saves one life,” try not to forget about the estimated 50 million men, women and children that died at the hands of civilian gun-control governments in the 20th Century.
They probably thought it couldn’t happen in their country either. The Liberals have said that in the best interest of the public, no compensation will be paid for confiscated firearms in Canada.
What will they want next, our farmland if they find a burrowing owl on it, or maybe our children if we occasionally use spanking for discipline?
The threat of another term of Liberal social engineering, like the one we have just had to endure, will make the Western Canadian Separatist movement very popular indeed.
Democracies, freedom, and the basic human right to life were next to non-existent, before the proliferation of small arms among private citizens.
There is a saying that may hold true for Canadian farmers: “If we turn in our guns for plowshares, eventually we will be plowing for someone else!”
– Lyle Denton,
Regina, Sask.
Criminal guns
To the Editor:
… Criminals aren’t particular whether or not their weapons are registered. There has always been a black market for restricted guns, an estimated 12,000 in 1994 alone. A criminal isn’t in the habit of advising the police, prior to committing a crime, the type of weapon he plans to use! Investigations are always held after the fact. …
Mr. ChrŽtien has shown his true colors by chastising some backbenchers for voting against the bill at first reading. It was also disclosed those same people would have little or no future in politics! The ultimate example of true dictatorship!
I personally cannot imagine Canadians voting these people back into power when we lost thousands of young men and women fighting against conditions which are becoming more prevalent in our country, as time goes on.
If this man Rock had the guts to give the judicial system a complete overhaul and put teeth in the law, he would make his existence on earth more worthwhile. But, no, he is going to give victims of crimes more consideration. A typical political move – put on another patch.
It seems to me that Mr. Rock has his priorities mixed up. In 1992 there were 63 gun-related deaths; only one third were murders. Compare this statistic to 3,456 deaths from car accidents – a large percentage of these deaths were liquor-related.
There are strict penalties against liquor offences, yet the carnage continues. This statistic does not include liquor-related, mental and physical abuse, loss of income, family and marriage breakups – the list goes on!
Anyone of age can purchase any amount of liquor, consume any amount almost anywhere, with disastrous consequences. Liquor-related devastation continues on unnoticed by Mr. Rock and his associates while the gun issue is such a monumental issue. In reality, the gun issue is minimal by comparison, decreasing as a problem but importantly, almost impossible to control.
– Gordon Mundle,
Binscarth, Man.
Rural doctors
To the Editor:
I would very much like to draw your attention to an error in your Western Producer of May 15th, in your article on “Saskatchewan hopes to entice doctors with grants,” etc. The error is in actual fact of some significance, and I think that it is important that your readers be made aware of this fact, as it it going to have a quite significant impact on many rural communities in the very near future.
The crux of the matter, contrary to the facts in your article, is that the $25,000 grants are only going to be given to communities where there are already more than two doctors practicing. This of course means that single-doctor practices in rural Saskatchewan have now been effectively given the coup de grace, as there is no way that one is ever going to be able to attract a physician to a single-man practice again when he can go down the road to a cheque of $25,000.
According to the statistics, there are about 80 single-physician practices in Saskatchewan, and if six out of every ten doctors intends leaving in the next five years, then it doesn’t take much thinking to work out which of the practices in Saskatchewan will be virtually unable to induce new physicians to their ranks.
I find it grossly unfair that the single-doctor practices are being discriminated against in this way, and it appears that the Medical Association have simply turned their backs on this problem, and are not interested in the plight of the single-physician practice.
I hope that the 80 rural single-doctor communities will take cognizance of this fact, and raise their voices in protest!
– Dr. Dave Smith,
Strasbourg, Sask.
Rail policy
To the Editor:
This past year the railways have sent many signals out as to what they want the transportation industry to look like. First, it was the hopper car issue. The railways through the industry group were to receive the hopper cars. This was supposed to increase the railway’s profitability. However, the farmers appear to have stopped this freebie for the railways. …
Many experts indicate that the railways’ poor performance this winter was a signal from the railways. Increase our profits or expect to see less service.
Next it was the railways lobbying to have the freight rate cap removed before the agreed-upon 1999 date. Even though the railways got major concessions in the National Transportation Act, they want more, higher freight rates. Does it sound like the old promise, freight rates into perpetuity?
The railways have also initiated their own media campaign on the benefits of deregulation.
What they are really saying, though, is that they wish to be de-regulated from maximum freight rates, abandon lines and charge as much as they wish without having to face any competition.
If the railways really wanted deregulation, they would also be advocating free running rights on any of the rail lines, but that would require competitive rates rather than their present plan of gouging.
Remember, both the railways made large profits this past quarter.
In reviewing the transportation issue, there are some other issues which need consideration:
1. The railways have made claims that they have achieved their rail car unloads and the problem lies with the CWB.
What they forgot to mention was that the car unloads were continually revised lower as it became apparent the railways could not deliver.
What they met were targets that were revised downward two or three times.
2. Even though little grain was moved this fall and winter, the railroads made good profits – are the railways trying to tell us something?
3. The only group to formally challenge the railroads’ actions have been the CWB.
This seems to be the group concerned about farmers’ issues.
It would be difficult for the grain industry to be too critical of one of their partners who makes millions from farmers.
And, where are the politicians who allowed the power to transfer from the shipper to the railways? The Ag Minister stated that the new legislation would lead to the creation of short line railways and deregulation would lead to increased efficiencies.
It appears the Minister was wrong. What has happened is the railways are abandoning lines, their monopoly situation has been strengthened and an increase in freight rates has recently been approved.
With all the discussion about diversification and farming, it’s interesting no one brings up the issue pertaining to grain transportation. It appears no one wants farmers in the transportation industry.
– Kyle Korneychuk,
Pelly, Sask.
Korean aid
To the Editor:
… Last year and the year before, North Korea suffered from extensive flooding which decimated food supplies, crops, dams and irrigation systems.
On April 8, 1997, … Canadian International Development Agency funding for the purchase of food aid for North Korea was approved.
This decision allows the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, which has 13 church partners, to use up to $3.6 million of its allocation from CIDA to purchase Canadian grain which will be shipped to North Korea in May.
The total value of the shipment will be $4.5 million, and it will provide an estimated 15,000 metric tonnes of Canadian wheat to North Korea.
The country is facing a food shortage of 2.3 million metric tonnes of which 1.8 million will be required in food aid.
I urge your readers to write to the Honorable Don Boudria, Minister of International Co-operation, House of Commons, Ottawa, Ont. K1A 0A6, to urge the Canadian government to give at least $30 million in aid to North Korea.
This would only be about $1 from each Canadian.
I believe that Mr. Boudria should encourage other wealthy countries to be generous in their aid to North Korea.
Contributions for aid to North Korea may be sent to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, 400 – 280 Smith Street, P.O. Box 767, Winnipeg, Man. R3C 2L4.
Farmers are urged to donate grain at Canadian Foodgrains Bank delivery points.
– Orval Chapman,
Richmond, B.C.
Fire wagon
To the Editor:
In August 1994, I acquired a historic c. 1900-1910 horse-drawn, four-wheel fire hose wagon as a result of a classified ad placed in The Western Producer. I am now wondering if any of your readers can assist in my research to both determine the wagon’s actual fire service history and locate original photographs to ensure a high level of authenticity in its restoration.
I have traced the wagon’s history only to 1953 or 1954, when it was sold at a Macdonald & Meyers’ Ford dealership auction in Moosomin, Sask. (The wagon was never part of the Moosomin fire brigade’s equipment.)
Upon retirement from its fire (or later commercial) service, I assume the wagon was owned by a Moosomin-area resident and traded to the dealership for a car. The wagon was built by the Boyce Carriage Company of Winnipeg… Its location of fire service was probably in eastern Saskatchewan or western/southwestern Manitoba….
I am committed to an accurate, high-calibre restoration of that hose wagon, not just a hose wagon – and that leaves little room for compromise from this important Western Canadian artifact’s original appearance.
Your readers’ timely assistance will be greatly appreciated in the achievement of this objective.
Readers are requested to telephone collect to my office (403-265-9227) or home (403-281-4584). Thank you for your consideration and assistance.
– Jim Lanigan,
Calgary, Alta.
