6 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, October 9, 2001 *COMMENT I~ Oh no, Premier Mike Ham*rissaid 'R' word For the first time since the economic slowdown began, we heard the tern "recession" from our government last week. M Premier Mike Harris let the infamous 'R' word slip during an inter- \ ((~ A 1 view with a Toronto radio station. Later that day, he issued a statemnent saying Ontario wasn't in a recession and that he regretted giving that c impression. Whether or not he intended to say the province had entered a dread-...... ed recession -defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growtht - his choice of words carry meaning. J Sometimes, the mere mention of an existing or impending recession is enough to cause people to curb their spending. And if a large section of the population curbs its spending, a further downtumn can resuit. This creates a catch-22, situation for the average consumer, who does- n't want to add to difficuit limes, but also doesn't want to be ili-pre- ~ ~ ~ I' pared should the downtumn directly impact their lives. Several financial leaders and reporters mnstantly jumped on the prie- j mier's words as a sure sign of hard tumes. But you can't judge the eco- j nomnic future on a single statemnent. O UR READERS WRITE Canadian teachers' federation presîdent offers thanks to teachers Dear Editor: Ask most adults to name the people who have had the greatest impact on their lives and many will say it's their teachers. Without qucstion. a dedicated. insovative and well-qualified teacher can make a tremendous difference in a child's educa- lion and a child's life. Teachers have a wide and deep under- standing of their subjeci matter and a reper- toire of piooven strategies for transferning that knowlcdgc to their students. They rer- ognize that parents want high academic standards. They understand that parents want their sons and daughters to grow up to be loving and tolerant in the evrr-changing Box 248, 191 Main Si. E., Milton, Ont. L9T 4N9 (905)878-2341 Editorial Fax: 905-878-4943 Advertising Fax: 905-876-2364 Classifted: 905-875-3300 Circulation: 905-878-5947 Ian OliverPublisher Neil Oliver Assoiane Piabhoher Wendy McNab Adm'ernîiig Manîager Karen Smith Einomr Steve Crozier Ciuaioo Maenager Teri Casas Office Maniagoer o T'ie Cotes Produso ioCi Mffmïi Society of the 2 1 st cent*ury. On alI fronts, Canada's teachers have dclivered. Consistently, they prepare students to be good and solid citizens of the future and to make their way in the increasingly pluralis- tic Society in which we live. They equip students with thse tools necessary to succerd in a world that seems to change by the month. Teachers are the comerirtones of our pub- lic education systeru, which in tum is the comnerstone of our dcmocracy. They play a vital rote in preparing our young people for the duties of citizenship and in their devel- oprrent as caring, honcest and industrious The Canadtin Chiampioii, published evîny Tuesday and Friday ai 191 MàiiiGi. E,, Miton, Ont., LgT 4N9 (Box 248). is one of Tsi Metrolani Printiiel Publishing & aisoribulng Lid. group of suburbun companies wic inciudes: AlaulPnckedn News Advertiser, Allision Heisid/Counlen. Bannie Aduance, Banrys Bay This Week. Boite Enienprise, Brampton Guarian, Burirngton Post, Bsiiingilfl Shopping Nias. Ciiy Pareni, Ciy o) Yonrk Guaîdian, ColingwoodiWasaga Connecion, East York Mîrron, Erin Advocaie/Couiiy Routes, ticose Guaidian. Plamborougt Post, siren,, Young, Georgetown indeiieniieni/Arion Free Press, Sallon Business Tines, HuronSa Business imes, Kingston This Weeli, Lindsay This Week. Mankham Eronomisi & Sun, Midtand/Peneianguishene Mirron. Mon Shopping News, Mississauga Business Times, Mississaugu Nias. Napanee Guide, Nassaweia News, Neomanktefiunora tua-Banner Nonthumbierland Nias, Booth York Mrrno. Oaisuille Beaver, Galinilie Shopping Niws. Glimens Hockey News, GOillia Today, Oshaa/Whiby/CIaringoPort Penny This ineek, Peterborough This Week. Pion Counis Guide. îRihmond HiiI/ThornhiiiaughaO Liberai. Gcarùorougfl Mmiro, Siouffvilie/Oubnidge Tribune, Adveriing is aroepted on the condition tsar. in the eueni oi a topo- graphicai emoi, t051 portionof thOe adondtisinO spaan ocrupied Oy thre erro- neous itenu rogeiher uîth a reasonabie aiiowanre for signature, wîii roi bn clarle or bton o thre balanceof othe adveflisenrent suili On paid iof ai the appli- cable rate The publiioher reserves the, nîghi tu caiegorize aduertisements or deciOe The M4ifise Casadhai Chameni sa Seopsiabie PisAmen *l human beings. Young Canadians are flot bom with knowledge and traits to be members of demnocratic society; they acquire them through the education Canada's teachers help deliver. This bas neyer been more truc than in recent weeks, as students everywhere bave stmuggled to comprehlend the meaning and repercussions of the September Il terrorist attacks that took thousands of lives in New York City and Washington. As always, teachers, in the wake of these horrifying events, bave ensured their clasa- roornis bave remained a safe haven for stu- dents who feel threatened by last month's terrorist acta. Those who recently have been victima of violence in their home- lands can find in thse classrolom the rehabil- itation and care they so desperately need. For children bewildered by these and other violent and mind-numbing events, thse public achool systemn and its teachers are vital tools for reconstruction. Our schools and our teachers provide guide- posta and sounding boards, which help children express their emotions and deal wîth the events they have witnessed. today, Canada's teachers do their part toi help ensure that incidents of hatred and violence that happcned yesterday will flot repeat themselves tomnorrow. If wc are to create a stable and demo- cratic socicty in the 2 1 st century. our pub- lic school system must be the focal point where people can meet and Icani to live together. Learning to live side by side in harmony is one of the biggest challenges of tbis cen- tury. Living together today will help build the Society of tomorrow. October 5 was World Teachers' Day. It's flot simply 24 hours of recognition of thse people who teach our children from tbe international to thse local levels. World Teachers' Day is a time for each of us to remember tbe teacbers wbo bave made a difference in our lives - tbe people who gave us thse tools that bave helped to build and shape our lives. Thanks to teachers, Canada bas one of the beat public education systemoi in the world. Ooug WIIIard, prosident Canadian Teachare' Fadration Have your say wîth a letter to the editor. Fax letters to 878- 4943, or drop them off at 191 Main StE. Pud .by Steve Nease +THE CAIVADIAN CHMPION