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Page 22, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, April 21. 1993 Whitby resident wins NDP nomnation for ndng By Mike Kowalski A 48-year-old political newco- mer will represent the New Democratic Party in Ontario rid- ing in the next federal election. Whitby resident Lynn Jacklin was chosen as the NDP candi- date at a contested nomination meeting held in Pickering Village (Ajax) last Thursday. Jacklin, a secondary school teacher, defeated Victor Perroni, also of Whitby, for the right to carry the party's banner in the election which must be held later this year. The 53 New Democrats who were registered to vote, preferred Jacklin over factory worker Per- roni 55, who was also making his first attempt at political ofice. Results of the voting were not announced. Jacklin's nomination means that all four major political par- ties now have candidates to con- test the riding which includes Whitby south of Taunton Road, plus the towns of Ajax and Pick- erng. Incumbent MP Rene Soetens was nominated earlier this year to represent the Progressive Con- servatives in the riding he bas held since 1988. Liberal Dan McTeague and Reform Party candidate Don Sul- livan were nominated by their respective parties last year. In ber opening remarks, Jack- lin told the small, but enthusias- tic group of New Democrats, that ber decision to seek the nomma- tion evolved gradually during a 20-year involvement with the NDP and other organizations. If elected, Jacklin promised to push for a program of full employment "at reasonable wages, for al1 Canadians. "Especially our young people, so they'll have a future to look forward to " she said. A famify studies teacher at G.L. Roberts High School in Osh- awa, Jacklin referred to Canada's youth several times during her speech. She reminded the audience that former NDP leader Ed Broadbent, prior to his leaving politics in 1989, expressed hope that child poverty in Canada would cease to exist by the turn of the century. But since then, more than 300,000 Canadian children have fallen into that category, Jacklin said. "Over one million of our chil- dren are living in poverty. Only the United States has a worse rate than Canada among indus- trialized countries of the world," she said. Jacklin said Canada must take steps to protect its greatest natural resource -- "our children" -- and that it can be accomplished without resorting to expensive social programs. "We don't need to create new wealth, but how we use it," she said. "One of my goals is the eli- mination of chil poverty by the year 2000." Jacklin also said an NDP government would scrap the pro- posed North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and the U.S. and guaran- tee "decent paying jobs," a safe environment and social justice for all Canadians. "Rejecting NAFTA means we keep our own sovereignty," she said. Perroni, an employee of Mac- Millan Bathurst in Whitby, has been active in the NDP since the party's inception in the early 1960s. He called for a national public works program in co-operation with the provinces as a way of putting Candians back to work.. Perroni also demanded a mini- mum tax on wealthy cor- porations and. an end to free trade and the Goods and Ser- vices Tax (GST). LYNN JACKLIN Following the meeting, Jacklin childpoverty issue," she told The reiterated her views on child Free ress. poverty. "I've seen its effects in the "I've committed myself to the school system and the best way 0/ mono - Tory president backs Jean Charest Brian Shedden, president of the Ontario Riding Progressive Conservative Association, has formally declared his support of PC leadership candidate Jean Charest. Citing Charest's "clearly defined" policy strategies on the economy, education and government restructuring, Shedden says he belie#es that "Charest can lead the way." Achnowledging that while his candidate may be in second place at this time, Shedden states that the real leadership race will not begin until the Conservative party delegates have been selected in meetings commencing later this month across the country. "Charest has articulated a vision of Canada which is not only responsive to the many stark realities that Canada faces today, but which also serves as a road map to renewed economic and political freedom in this country." The Ontario Riding Association will meet April 29 at the Ajax Community Centre to select its delegates.to the national leadership convention. For furter information, call 751-5292 or 831-6806. to combat it is jobs for the parents." Although her party is cur- rently running a poor third in public opinion polls, Jacklin refuses 'to be cowed as she pre- pares to hit the campaign trail. "It dosen't worry me...I don't feel the press has reported all of the positive things (espoused by NDP leader Audrey McLaugh- lin) " she said. "f think the Conservatives have made a real mess of things and we are the only party with an economic plan. I'm not dis- couraged by that." Nor is Jacklin concerned about the apparent unpopularity of Ontario's NDP government. If asked at the door, Jacklin said she will cite examples of "positive" measures undertaken by Premier Bob Rae's govern- ment. "In daycare they're created 20,000 new spaces in spite of the recession. Most of that is not reported,» she said. In addition to her NDP activi- ties, Jacklin is a member of the political action committee of the Ontario Secondary School Tea- chers Federation. She is also a member of Amnesty International Durham Nuclear Awareness, the Mari- gold Organic Food Co-Op and United Church Women.