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OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, July 1, 2009 · 6 OPINION & LETTERS The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: NEIL OLIVER Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of Media Group Ltd. DAVID HARVEY General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief ROD JERRED Managing Editor DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director SANDY PARE Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution SARAH MCSWEENEY Circ. Manager O Canada Every morning for much of the year, the Canadian flag flutters atop its flagpole in school yards across the land -- over the heads of busy students scrambling to get to class, parents trying to get students to school and then make it to work on time and teachers aiming to inspire their students for yet another day. Probably very few of them notice that flag wafting in the breeze, sometimes being whipped by a wintery wind. All should take at least one glance at some point to be thankful for everything that red and white maple leaf symbolizes. Such a chance is today. As school now breaks for the summer, students, adults, young and old, those from all religions and cultures, will gather for parties, cake, fun and fireworks -- a salute to our country on Canada Day. It may be that it is in the hearts of the seniors -- veterans who fought for freedom and experienced often unfathomable circumstances -- or new or immigrant Canadians -- those who hail from other countries unlike Canada -- that the red and white maple leaf and what it stands for is best understood and appreciated. In many countries, education isn't a right for all. In other lands, residents who oppose restrictions, sometimes severe curtailment of personal rights and freedoms, dare not voice dissension, let alone protest an energy facility in the neighbourhood. Nor can they practice a religion of their choice or celebrate their own culture and traditions without the fear of prosecution. The grilling of political candidates publicly at all-candidates meetings and then holding them accountable for actions is unheard of in venues where fixed elections and military coups are the norm. There are places where those who are sick are left to die and those they leave behind are left to fend for themselves, while in Canada, universal health care for all is the envy of the globe. There may be some flaws in our public systems and tax rates don't sit well for some and the economy weighs heavy on others, but we are still very, very lucky people. While Canada Day is a time of celebration -- we should always remember to glance at that red and white flag and give more than a passing tribute to everything it stands for. Canada may indeed be chilly at times, but it and its people are very warm. When people have rights and are free to learn and work, voice opinions, seek assistance when required and spend free time pursing their own interests -- or their favourite hockey team -- then it truly is a cause to celebrate. As awesome as Canada Day fireworks and festivities are likely to be today, they will never compare to how awesome it is to live in Canada and be a Canadian. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Letter to the editor Vet should stay put Re: Vet doesn't want to leave Oakville hospital, Oakville Beaver, June 25 My advice to Paul Parkin is to stay in Oakville hospital until a bed in one of his three Oakville residences of choice becomes available. I speak from extremely similar experience. In the fall of 2007 my mother fell and fractured a hip bone. She was admitted to Markham-Stouffville hospital. Her doctor advised that mother should no longer live alone, even though she had visitors and family help. My oldest sister lived just down the street from mom and visited her every day. We had to sell the family home, a 60-year-old house built on land purchased under the Veteran's Land Act as my late father had joined the RCAF during WWII. My two older sisters investigated nursing homes in Markham. When three were chosen, mom's name was put on their lists. After a couple of months in hospital, mother's hip rehabilitation was near completion and MarkhamStouffville hospital wanted her out. My family faced the same problem as the Parkins. None of the three homes we had selected for mother in the Markham area had an opening. We were told there was an opening in a Newmarket residence for mom, a little over 40 kilometres west and north of Markham, and she could go on a waiting list for one of her three choices. No family members live in Newmarket. However, I have three sisters and a brother who do live in Markham. Furthermore, to my family it would be mean-spirited to settle mom into a home in Newmarket and then turn around and move her again. Moving is stressful for all ages, let alone a senior. Can you Letters to the editor The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Protesters should look in the mirror Re: Protest unites Oakville and Mississauga residents, Oakville Beaver, Friday, June 26 I read with interest the continuing protests regarding the potential gas-fired power plant in the Oakville/Mississauga area. I note the overwhelming concern for local air quality expressed by those in attendance at the recent protest, and those primarily in east Oakville with lawn signs expressing opposition to the proposed plant. Consistent with this concern, I am confident that all concerned are unplugging and removing their home air conditioner or air conditioners, are committing to sharply reducing personal electrical consumption, and for those with very large homes in east Oakville, downsizing considerably in an effort to reduce their personal energy use. The front page June 26 article states that the parking lot was "choked with cars" and a previous article (Residents rallying against power plant, Oakville Beaver, June 24) recalls a recent drive-thru petition obtained approximately 2,000 signatures ­ such actions are in support of cleaner air? Personal actions, consumption choices and patterns have consequences and shifting the unpleasant consequences of our actions is a convenient way to put the issue out of sight and avoid our responsibility to look squarely in the mirror and take accountability for our personal choices. The good folks to our west in the area of the Nanticoke coal-fired plant will be happy to accept the investment, permanent jobs and tax revenue that will come with such a plant. The prevailing winds are from the west after all. JOHN ROSS See Stand page 9