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¥Fditorial ) Governing the governors The Throne Speech debate drones on the television as I'm writing this. Sitting behind Brian Mulroney looking rather weary, is Doug Lewis. As just about everybody across Canada is aware by now, Lewis ran very hard at the Speaker's job. There can be no ques- tion that Lewis wanted the job badly - very badly. And there can also be no question that he knew exactly what the job would entail. Perhaps two years down the road though, he'll be glad he never sat in that chair which the Speaker occupies. As John Fraser, the new speaker, knows restoring civility to the House is going to be no easy task. The past two years have seen the House of Commons go from a quasi-dignified political forum, to an almost barbarian-like nightmare. The new session of Parliament was suppos- ed to mark a dramatic turning point in the current Canadian political scene. The Mulroney government promised a change in style and in the way in which it communicates its message. A new Speaker was elected to preside over House activities. It's clear that John Turner is going to find himself looking at things differently. Either he will become a leader with the full back- ing of his party and a set of detailed policy stances, or we will have a new Liberal leader. Ed Broadbent, on the other hand, is riding a new wave of popularity and unprecedented success as party leader. In short, all indicators point to things be- ing new in the House of Commons. However, there is one central question which remains unanswered: Will the House have its dignity restored, or will we be subject to the same kind of childish name calling and playground mentality we have been subjected to for over 24 months now? If the members of the House continue to act like their children and grand- children, then Doug will likely be glad he didn't get the Speaker's job. It's clear that the retired speaker, John Bosley, did not have a picnic in his old job. Most days, he would have to resign himself to playing referee. He'd tell Sheila Copps to quit screeching one minute, and the next be forced to ask John Crosbie to retract the latest in his continuing series of East Coast insults. And even though the Tories, the Liberals and the New Democrats would seem to be starting this second session of Parliament on a new note, there is the burning question of whether that's going to change the overall tone of the House of Commons. Sheila Copps and John Nunziata will still be there to begin a crossfire of insults. Of course, John Crosbie will be sitting on the other side of the House just waiting to return the volley. One has to wonder if the promis- ed changes by all three parties will be enough to override the real dislike that some of the most outspoken House members have for each other. : I'm afraid it's time to be cynical again. I McLean opposes rights by Allan K. McLean MPP Simcoe East Sometime in the fall session of the Ontario Parliament, the members of the Legislative Assembly will debate and vote on the Liberal bil! titled Equality Rights Statute Law Amendment Act 1986, commonly known as Bill 7. 1 have had a large number of letters and telephone calls and personal contacts from citizens of Simcoe East regarding the con- tents of this bill, and will attempt to explain it as I know it, and point out the reasons for my opposition to the amendments. The Ottawa Centre NDP MPP Evelyn Gigantes, made an amendment to the original bill which would prohibit sexual discrimina- tion on the basis of "sexual orientaiton"'. She claims that the NDP members have held the same position for many years as convention delegates at their Party assemblies and as elected members of the provincial parlia- ment, and that there is nothing new in their present position in that regard. Presently in Ontario, homosexuals have the same rights as other citizens. They may, and do, exercise their right to assemble, to speak, to write or to go to any church they wish. They may own property, enforce contracts and go about the day to day business of any citizen of this province without limitation or restriction. They can work where they choose, and can not be fired for being homosexual. In this province, one may disagree with another's sexual preferences without denying them their rights. To include sexual orientation in the Human Rights Code of Ontario would, in my opinion, change the definition of the family as it is presently accepted by the vast majority. It would provide a functional definition which does not require heterosexuality as its foun- dation, and would provide homosexuality as a legitimate and alternate lifestyle, on the same basis as the traditional family. This amendment by Gigantes which is sup- ported by the NDP would mean that in addi- tion to the rights we all hold, that homosex- uals would receive special rights recognized in law that would effectively enshrine their lifestyle and behaviour. No other group is protected under the law based on behaviour. The Charter of Rights protects us all based on identity. Alcoholics. and compulsive gamblers do not qualify for special rights, nor should homosexuals. The Charter of Rights states that everyone has the right to NOT be discriminated against on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, sex, religion or age, etc. It refers to discrimination on the basis of sex, not sex- ual orientation. The first would be true discrimination, the latter is NOT discrimina- tion at all. Sexual orientation refers to an op- Carey Nieuwholf don't think that any series of big changes will be enough to change how Crosbie, Copps and Nunziata feel about each other. And when Crosbie, Copps and Nunziata start scream- ing, the rest of the House becomes far too fired up to resist getting caught up in the partisanship. For that reason, "titmouse, scumbag, nin- compoop," and other undignified fragments of the English language will likely continue to frequent the Parliamentary scene over the next few years. When such a mood underlies all Commons proceedings, it's hard for the Speaker to bring 'any credibility to House affairs. And so, like Bosley, the new Speaker will probably leave the job feeling as if he has spent two years at play school rather than at the nation's highest government body. Maybe Doug will be just as happy to wait until next time. Maybe next time, Canadians will elect gover- nors, not people who desparately need to be governed. v tional lifestyle. Sex refers to the inherent characteristic of being male or female. Refusing to pass laws that will give special rights to homosexuals is not discriminating. Do we want to see homosexual marriages legalized and homosexual couples adopting children? A generally held opinion by the Progressive Conservative legislators and the public alike is that homosexuals should have no more or less rights than any other person, and to enshrine special "rights" in law for them is improper and unnecessary. This is such an important matter that I would urge all the citizens of Simcoe East to express their opinion and views to the attorney-general and to the premier. Write to them at the Legislative Building, Queen's Park, Toronto, M7A 1A2, and tell them what you think of the amended bill 7, and whether it should become the law of our province. It will be well worth the 34 cent stamp to pro- vide your opinion. --Eetters No peace in a hungry world Dear Editor, Oct. 16 is World Food Day; an opportuni- ty for all to reflect on the importance of deal- ing with the issues of global hunger and food problems. The Ontario World Food Day Co- ordinating Committee is a coalition of volun- tary and private sector organizations, govern- ment agencies, businesses and individuals. World Food Day is commemorated in 147 countries and honours the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Quebec City in 1945. Nineteen eighty-six being the International Year of Peace, the Ontario World Food Day Co-ordinating Committee wishes to stress the importance of solving world food problems to achieving a more peaceful international community. The theme for this year's World Food Day is Food, Water, and Fisheries. Each year the world's fresh water supply is depleted due to increased usage and deser- _tification. This has raised the issue of how to create new supplies, including research in- to desalination of ocean water and more ef- ficient ways to store and transport fresh water. As well, the continued depletion of the earth's fisheries creates new problems for the large proportion of the population dependent on fishing for survival. It is imperative that these problems be addressed in the near future. There is no single simple solution to the world hunger problem. However, through in- creased awareness and efforts to address the situation, it is still possible for the world to feed itself. We have the technology; the capabilities are there. The developed world needs to take a more active role in the pro- blem; our international survival depends on it. World Food Day on Oct. 16 will bring these issues into focus; a solution to world hunger can be found. Sincerely yours, Marilyn J. Sanders Chairman, Ontario World Food Day Coordinating Committee UNICEF coins save lives Dear Editor, The annual UNICEF Halloween campaign is a wonderful opportunity for Canadian children to give something of value to children in a less developed part of the world. Collecting for UNICEF at Halloween is not only an experience in giving to others but it enables our children to learn that they can help children in developing countries live happier, healthier lives. Through the UNICEF Halloween collec- tion, the world's needy children receive health care, improved nutrition, clean water and a basic education. Each year over five million children under the age of five die from dehydration caused by diarrhoea. A simple mixture of sugar, salt and water known as oral rehydration salts prevents a child from losing essential body fluids which causes death. What a simple and effective solution, costing only 10 cents! The $600,000 which Ontario children raised last year for UNICEF meant that millions survived the dehydration which can cause death. All Canadian children should be aware of the generous gift they give to other children when they carry the orange-and-black UNICEF box this Halloween. Please en- courage the many UNICEF Trick-or-Treaters this Oct. 31 - their visit to your door and your generous donation will give millions of children a better tomorrow. Sincerely, Elizabeth Haig, Provincial Chairman Ontario UNICEF Committee Letters. -Penetanguishene Citizen-- ----Publisher: Andrew Markle Member Manager: Judy French Editor: Michele Gouett CNA Member Published by Bayweb Limited every Tuesday at 74 Main Street, Penetanguishene, Ontario 549-2012 Second Class Mail Registration Number 2327 Page 6, Tuesday, October 14, 1986 The Penetanguishene Citizen welcomes Letters to the Editor. They must be legible, signed (by hand), and carry the writer's address and telephone number for verification. Pen names are not allow- ed and anonymous letters will not be published. Letters published by this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this newspaper, its publisher or editor. -- mirentpensmenmagemnemensnneaeemees --