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PAGE 12, WIIITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16,1988 BnUIll âR5TUR Nov. 13AHIERY 7 Nov. IIANNWE RSARY SALE" Kaisers $ l.49Idoz.* Cheese Bread sl69Iloaf 1380 HOPKINS 666-1177 BUY EXTRA TO FREEZE AND EAT LATER Open 7 Days a Week -g ELECTI@N':: Rene Soutens: Free trade as Ian issue has. beenù exhausted I REDUCTION *REUSE *RECYCLING *RECOVERY LEAF COMPOSTING PROJECT To demonst rate that organic yard wastes can be recycled into a usef ut produot, the Region of Durham and the Town of Whitby request the householders in the designated parts of town to colleot their teaves in these clear biodegradable plastic bags 2f rake them to the curb or ditch. The accumulated leaves will be cottected and taken to the Regional Composting Site during the annual leaf collection program. The final compost material wilt be ready and avaitable f ree of charge to the residents of Whitby next year in fait. Compost is very useful when added to soit and in many cases this chemicat-free materiat can be effectivety substitute for commercial fertitizer. IMPORTANT Leaf Collection information Bagged teaves shoutd bepu out on Monday, November 21 LeavesEqrkmed ---LIÀLi to the curb or ditch will 1/ be picked up during November 2to 25 I For additionat information please contact: Etaine Cottis or Andrew Lapinski Waste Reduction Facilitator Waste Reduction Co-ordinator Reg ion of Durh'am Reg ion of Durham Tetephone: 668-7721 Tetephone: 668-7721 ByDebbie Luchuk Free trade as an election issue has been exhausted, according to Rene Soetens, Progressive Con- servative candidate for Ontario riding. "People have had enough of free trade. Those opposed are not going to hear an y more, those in- favor have decided where they stand and those who are undecided wiIl vote on the other issues," says Soetens, 39, of Ajax. He supports free trade wholeheartedly. "PTersonally, I support the concept, the need for it, and the deal itself. "There are a whole series of reasons why I support the deal. The opportunity for jobs, especially high tech ones; increased economic activity that will help to decrease the deficit; it's good for business; and it's good for consumers." In response to concerns that items left out of the deal are in danger, Soetens says, "The deal relates to trade in goods and services. There are things that have been excluded." Opposing parties in the federal election have made many dlaims regarding the possibility of losing social programs that many Canadians are used to having. "Social programs are not included in the agreement ,"f answers Soetens. "These pro- grarus are very expensive in Canada, and unless we generate extra revenue under free trade, we can't afford theru (the prograrus)."- As far as concerns expressed regarding the future of Canada's cultural industries, he says "Cultural industries are excluded from the agreement. The same rules that apply now (will applv "This is a good answ~er to it. There's always the argument that after the deal-cc-mes into effe&t)"- Soetens adds that the Liberals, if they were elected, would probably institute free trade measures that would not be as complete for as beneficial as the package nego- tiated by the Conservative gov- ernment. Soetens is quite pleased with the Conservatives' record on environmental protection. "The record is better than the previous 16 years of Liberal rule. 'There were no laws governing toxic chemicals before. We passed the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. We have signed an agreement ta deal with chemicals in the Great Lakes with the U.S. There are nine national parks now where there were 'none in the previaus 16 years." As well, Soetens cites a move by the federal governiment te set up facilities where PCBs can be destroyed, as the provinces have not made any action te do se. "One of our opponents is saying he signed the. acid ramn agree- ment," says Soetens, referring te Liberai candidate John Roberts, a former Minister of the Environment. "The negotiations were muade under the Joe Clark government. We started the process and they finished it. They signed it." However, Soetens says there was room for improvement in environmental issues. 'We have to (continue) to deal with acid rain and we have to, improve laws for packaging to reduce garbage and chemicals entering our dumps." Further on dumps, and landfil sites, Soetens says, I have been very active on the PACT (Pickering Ajax Citizens Together for the Environxnent) board. 'When Metro was looking for airport lands (Pickering) for a dump, we would not allow it. I will assist in the battie (te keep Metro garbage out of Durham Region)." Soetens is a sales represent- ative for LASCO where a PCIB spili recently -occurred. "The (Environmental) Protec- tion Act takes steps te clear up (situations) like this. Unfortun- ately, the Act is not retroactive and deals with newer chemicals. 'We've taken a direct role with PCBs. We're going te destroy al PCBs," he says of his partY's position. Child care is another issue that has seen a lot of discussion in this election, and Soetens is quick te praise his party's role in creating a child care prograru te increase the number of spaces. there's neyer enough spaces, but thais what we can afford. "It helps familles te, make a.- choice, allows for increased tax deductions for those who can't be subsidized. 'We have increased the child tax credit se that (a parent who chooses te stay at home) can better afford to» live on one income." Generally, Soetens says, lower income people will have first chance at the spaces available, but the federal government only provides the mnoney. 'The province and the regions, set the ternis. We provide the money.' Affordable housing is a two- part issue, according to Soetens. There is the rentai and the retail aspect teo the question, hie says. Buying a house falis in jurisdiction of the town and the province, Soetenis says. "I don't have a great problem with a tewn setting a standard, as long as the standards provide a mix of housing. "I don't think anything should be done directly to lower the:pri*ce of property, as this will affect the surrounding properties. "Thie way a house could be most affordable is if (people) get te keep most of their income." In the provision of affordable rentai, housing, Soetens says the government could play an active role, an encouraging role. "We can make sure that money is available te build projects. This riding cant slve ai, of Metro's problerus. There could be more prograins to get other private people to put up subsidized housing. Soetens says cutting the federal deficit is a priority, and free trade will help. At a Durham riding ail-candidates' meeting, many electers stated they were concerned about the Ioss of agricultural land te, commercial. SEE PAGE 30 INOVA OPTICIANS-~ STOCKING ST[JFFERS 20% OFF * Gift Certificates ( $10. $20. $30. ....$100) * Lens Cleaners ( for plastic or glass lenses) * Contact Lense Neutralizers and Disinfectants * Pookie Chains ( in material or chain) * Vamnet, Carrera or Rayban Sunglasses * And Other Eyewear Accessories TSTUFF SOMEONES STOCKING HELPING OTH1-ERS TO SEE AND BE SEEN INOVA OPTICANS 1801 Dundas St. E., K-Mart Plaza, Whitby CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF WHITBY You are invited to a reception in honour of Whitby's Otympic Athtetes who participated in the 1988 Summer Olympios in Seoul, Korea. DATE: Wednesday, November 30, 1988 TIME: 720 p.m. PLACE: Counicil Chambers Whtby Municipal Building 575 Rossland Road East Whtby, Ontario Corne out- and show your appreciation of this achievement. For more information caîl Parks and Recreation Department, 668-5803 ext. 229. 1