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PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1980, WHITBY FREE PRESS 7'v whitby ("T ished eeyensaý by MB.. ublishîin g and Photography Ine. Phone 668-611Il The Free Press Building Voice of the County Town Michael lan Burgess, Publisher - Managing Editor 131 Brock Street North, 'ie only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. P.O. Box 206. Whitby, O CommunIty Editor Mike Knelt Production Manager Mar bur%*$$ Print & Promotiona Manager Robin Lyon Classified Ad Advertlslng Manager •Karen ThompsOn1 Va".1'. g. nt. This is a tot different election Despite claims to the contrary, this federal election campaign is not a repeat of May 22 and the results will probably not be the same. How does this election differ? It differs in style and in the quality of leader- ship shown by the three main contenders. Joe Who Is now Joe Clark, Prime Minister of Canada; Pierre Trudeau, once Prime Minister is now a man of great conflict, wanting to both leave and remain in public life; and Edward Broadbent has matured from tough street fighter to political thinker and potential leader. This election is different in the scope of the personalities and ideas of the prople par- ticipating. In this Riding of Ontario, the change of at- titude is prevalent. For the first time in almost 12 years, Norm Cafik is not seeking election and the man who defeated him is making his mark on our communities. Locally, this federal election just might be tight. Scott Fennell has to defend the sup- posedly unpopular Tory record of the past mon- ths. Geoff Rison, having already gone through one campaign is ready for a hard fight and is on the offensive. The Liberals have a new face in Doug Dicker- son, who in the last municipal election in Pickering defeated a long time incumbent in his first campaign. Fennell has lost his advantage of attacking the government to Dickerson. Fennell must now defend the Tory record, however short, and claiming that the Liberals gave us this election may be wearing thin. The Liberals stili have to bear the enigma of Pierre Elliot Trudeau despite the newly created team Image and to a much lesser extent must defend their record as a government. Broadbent and the New Democrats, on the other hand, have nothing to lose and will go all out to bring their brand of democratic-socialism to Canada. The NDP is the party that will act as the spoiler in this election. Should another minority government exist on February 19, as many experts are predicting, there are several possibilities to be considered. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, should another minority government be formed of whatever party, this country will be divided politically by geography. Experts are predicting that the Progressive Conservatives will take the West and the majority of seats in the Maritimes. The Liberals maintaining their stronghold in Quebec will probably make inroads in Ontario and pick up a few scattered seats across the country Finally, the NDP may achieve its goal of holding the balance of power in the House of Commons. What have these, admittedly gloomy, predic- tions have to do with the election campaign? Simply, it is an alternative that must be con- sidered by all of us because the results of this election will probably affect Canadians as in- dividuals more than any other since Con- federation. And the primary reason for this is that Canadian elections are becoming questions of leadership and the issues stem from this. Clark's style of leadership as shown in the budget was effectively rejected by the op- position parties yet they have yet to demonstrate definate alternatives. Trudeau is not as visible as he once was and is not the dynamic young man whose visions of a just society literally swept him to power in 1968. Broadbent is an untried leader but is probably the most respected NDP or CCF leader ever and has an international reputation in the social- democratgic movement. This brings us back to the voter in Ontario riding. Last May 22, 83 per cent of the electorate cast their ballots, one of the biggest turnouts in the country. If those same -people get out and vote this time, this election may be better than is predicted. It is difficult to relate national issues to local problems but one thing is clear and that is the need for a government that will have the con- fidence of Canadians from all over the country. This problem has no solutions or at least none are offered here. There is an observation to be made, however. Locally we have a fine set of candidates as demonstrated by their answers to our questionaire that appear in today's paper and it is quite likely that any one of them would be a good hard working MP. But who to vote for? That is one question that will not be answered here. That choice is yours but bear in mind that this. is not a repetition of last May's election, the issues are different and the men we have to deal with, both locally and nationally, have changed, not necessarily in name or face but attitude and political ideas. Injustice has been done to widowers Dear Sir, I am writing on behalf of the people of Canada, between the ages of 60 and 65, who are single: widows, widowers, & others, and therefore, have not been eligible for an old age Spouse's Allowan- ce since 1975, because they were not married to an Old Age Pen- sioner, or have not married one since. i am sorry the Liberals have given a married person over 60, who has an Old Age Pensioner spouse, a Spouse's Allowance until the death of the Pensioner, and last year entended this to six months after the death of the Pensioner, but have given nothing to single widows, widowers, etc., over 60. This has been a great discriminatory in- justice of the Canadian Government, and a violation of the Human Rights legislation, by making marital status a criterion in a social program. i had hoped that when the Conser- vatives came into power, they would rec- tify this injustice and respect of persons, but was very disappointed, and amazed to hear that discrimination and injustice will be even greater, because they have passed Bill C-6 to continue old age Spouse's Allowance af- ter the spouse had died, even beyond the six month period, until the person is 65. This is adding insult to injury because the person whose spouse has died is single, and in the very same category as the other single un- married widowers, widows, and others, who receive nothing. God warns, "Have no -- respect of persons" to treat one person better than another. Sincerely Herta Mattern Winnipeg, Manitoba 77,-ý -71- -À