The record, 16 août 1996, vendredi 16 août 1996

Mutual Funds How do yours compare to the best?Call Calvin T.Chan Financial Advisor (819) 822-4460 / 1 800-561-3718 MIDLAND WALWYN The Voice of the Eastern Townships since 1837 FRIDAY August 16, 1996 WEATHER, Page 2 65 cents Doctor questions decision to train in Heat exhaustion kills teen soldier at CFB Famham By Maurice Crossfield SHERBROOKE - A teenage officer-in-training at the Canadian Forces base in Farnham died Thursday morning following a severe case of heat exhaustion.Officer Cadet Kyle Robert Nemecek, 18, of Mississauga, Ontario had been in a coma since last week after collapsing during training exercises.Nemecek completed 11 kilometres of a 13-kilometre march last Thursday before suffering the heat stroke.He was taken to hospital in St-Jean and later transferred to the Saint Luc hospital in Montreal after falling into a coma.Dr.Bruno Ligier of Saint Luc’s hospital said that as a complication of the heat stroke, Nemecek’s liver failed and his kidneys shut down.“His state deteriorated further until he was in a condition that would have made a liver transplant futile,” ilHÉMMMEHSMi m Quebec is a net winner when it comes to the distribution offoreign development fund.So’s the University of Sherbrooke after Thursday's visit from international co-operation minister Pierre Pettigrew.Canada's foreign investment fund Quebec ahead in CIDA budget By Paul Cherry SHERBROOKE - Quebec receives a huge chunk of the federal foreign aid budget but international co-operation minister Pierre Pettigrew says Canadians should not take it as glad-handing.The minister was at the Université de Sherbrooke yesterday to announce that the school will receive $750,000 in CIDA funds for a natural resources project in conjunction with a Bolivian university.The province currently receives more than 40 per cent of the federal foreign investment budget.As minister Pettigrew is head of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) which decides which companies get funds for investment in developing countries.“Quebec certainly gets more than its fair share of CIDA funds,” Pettigrew told the Record Thursday.The minister also said CIDA spending in Quebec has nothing to do with trying to get potential federalist votes in any upcoming referendum but does have a lot to do with language.“The French language plays an important role in a company getting CIDA funds,” See CIDA: Page 2 Ligier said.Nemecek was nearing the completion of the first level of training to become an officer in the Canadian Forces.After four weeks of training at Canadian Forces base St.Jean, Nemecek and his fellow recruits were sent to Farnham for the physical training component of the course.“We have had injuries before, but this is the most serious we’ve ever had,” said Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School commanding officer Lt.Col.See SOLDIER: Page 2 ‘We’re not ashamed’ Sign law portrayal unfair, PQ bleats By Conway Daly MONTREAL (CP) — The Parti Québécois government, fearing bad reviews from foreign investors, has accused an English-rights activist of giving a distorted view of Quebec language laws.Cabinet minister Serge Ménard told English media talk shows Thursday that Quebec anglophones and francophones would both be hurt if Montreal businessman Howard Galganov takes his com- plaints to Wall Street next moi Galganov is only one of the headaches facing Premier Lucien Bouchard’s government.Francophone militants are also squeezing it to get tougher with sign-law enforcement.Ten months after the sovereignty referendum, Quebecers are again upset over language.And the issues is already spilling outside the province.In the Ottawa area, firms have been warned by francophones to post bilingual signs or risk a boycott.André Lalonde of the Federation of Francophone and Acadian Communities said Thursday that area businesses risk a boycott if they don’t try hard to provide information in French.He said that while no one expects every sign to be French or every shop employee to be bilingual, “if you don’t respect our language, then we will not do business in your place of business.” th as planned.Recently Quebec announced it was hiring 15 more language inspectors.The officials are viewed by anglophones as language police, a term that makes Menard wince.Menard, minister responsible for the Montreal area, said Galganov worries him because when the U.S.media look at Quebec’s language situation they “see it as much worse than it is.” "Every time there’s a linguistic battle going on in Quebec.it’s not the law as it is that gets publicity outside of Quebec, it’s exaggeration,” Menard said.“We’re not ashamed of the law .” In Quebec, English was banned from signs for 16 years until Law 86 was passed by the Liberal government in 1993.It says English may be used, but only indoors and if French is predominant.Galganov was little known until he organized a highly successful protest last spring at a suburban shopping mall.k1*' : INVESTMENT and SAVINGS Contact your Caisse adviser.Enquire today at the following Caisses Populaires: Caisse Populaire de Lennoxville 564-5128 Caisse Populaire Perpétuel Secours de Sherbrooke 564-1442 Caisse Populaire de Richmond 826-3745 Caisse Populaire de Stanstead 876-7551 Caisse Populaire de Waterville 837-3111 Caisse Populaire de Sutton (514) 538-3336 2—The RECORD—Friday, August 16, 1996 CIDA:- Continued from page one Pettigrew said.“Often times the ability to do business in French is requested from countries in western Africa or Vietnam.” Pettigrew also attributes the provinces long history of missionary work as another factor.Non-Government Organisations (NGO) and religious groups in Quebec have been involved in developing countries for decades which in turn have opened doors for Quebec-based companies.Pettigrew said past experience in developing countries plus the ability to get the job done are two of the biggest factors in getting funds.“In Quebec we have three of the top ten engineering firms in the world,” Pettigrew said.“Obviously they receive a higher share than others because they are recognized around the world.” Pettigrew took over the reigns at CIDA when he was named to the federal cabinet last January.He said his first decision as minister was to try to get other provinces more involved.“I’ve been all over the country talking with CIDA civil servants to help other compa- nies learn how to bid more for CIDA contracts,” he said.Hundreds of Quebec companies got their start in international markets with CIDA funds.The idea is to have the companies introduced into a developing country and let them grow to eventually survive on their own.“Afterwards they don’t need us anymore because they get their financing from multilateral institutions like the World Bank or from the private sector,” Pettigrew explained.He added that while CIDA’s aim is to invest money abroad it helps with employment in Canada.The minister cited an example involving the Bombardier company as how CIDA money works for employment in Canada.Bombardier CEO Laurent Beaudion was part of the CIDA program where CIDA gave a $400,000 contract to an MBA program in Rumania which dealt with civil aviation.Pettigrew said the relatively small investment eventually turned into an $800 million contract for Canadian aircraft.“Instead of buying from the French as the Rumanians have done for generations they decided to buy from Canada because they got to know Beaudion,” he said.Besides trying to get the rest of Canada more involved with CIDA funds Pettigrew is also trying to create increased co-operation between Canadian groups working in developing countries.Cutbacks to the foreign aid budget over the past few years are making NGO’s and private interests see each other in a new light.In the past non-profit organizations would be the harshest critics of foreign investment gone wild that could destroy ways of life in countries below the Sahara desert in Africa.Some companies that use CIDA funds now look to the NGO’s for advice on a countries culture before investing money.Pettigrew said upcoming changes to the process to qualify for CIDA funds will further the relationships.The current contract system discourages NGO’s and businesses from officially working together.“As of next September all the contracting systems of CIDA will be changed,” he said.“We’re going to allow contracts on the same level.NGO’s, public institutions You’re going to start to see like universities and the pri- many different groups com-vate sector to apply for CIDA ing to us as partners.” Pierre Pettigrew, minister of international co-operation.RECORDPERRY BEATON .: .i i tlM mm SSJSIpl WÊÊMÊÊM .Wmw1 SOLDIER:— Continued from page one Laurent Lehoux.Nemecek had been ill earlier in the week, but was considered fit to return to duty by Wednesday.Lehoux said the officer Inside Ann Landers .16 Births and deaths .11 Classified .12-13-14-15 Comics .17 Crossword .15-16 Editorial .6 Entertainment .9 Farm and Business .7 Living .8 Sports .18-19 The Townships .3-4-5 cadets become very close during their training, and come to treat each other like family- “Today all of the staff of the school and the cadets are sad because they lost a member of their family,” he said.W E AT H E R Today should be cloudy1 with clear periods.There is a high chance of showers and a risk of thundershowers The high will be near 24.Outlook for Saturday: Cloudy with clear periods and a 60 per cent probability of rain.The high will be near 22 and the overnight low near 15.An investigation into the incident was ordered Monday by the Canadian Forces.The death is the first of its kind in the officer training course since the late 1960’s.Lehoux said anyone involved in the circumstances surrounding Nemecek’s death will be questioned.In Thursday’s French-language daily Voix de l’Est, Dr.Daniel Gaudron of the Farnham CLSC condemned the military for its practises of pushing soldiers too hard.The community health centre has a contract with the military base to provide medical services for the base.Gaudron said that with the high humidity, the real temperature that day was in fact about 45 C.He said that was too hot to be training in full combat gear, complete with rifle and backpack.He told the newspaper soldiers lives were in danger.But Lehoux has maintained that all precautions were taken to avoid the incident.Those precautions included training early in the day to avoid the mid-day sun, and making sure plenty of water was available to the soldiers.He said the trainees had over two hours to complete the 13 kilometre march, and were carrying about 8 kilograms of gear, including water.“Last year we had five or six cases, and I trained more than 2000 people,” Lehoux said.“There are also reservists here so there is quite a big population in Farnham.This is the first casualty that I’ve had in my school in four years.” CLSC director-general Michel Asselin said each summer during the army manoeuvers, doctors at the health clinic have had to deal with cases of heat exhaustion, and have made recommendations to armed forces trainers.“What doctors consider unacceptable for ordinary civilians is not always the same for training officers,” Asselin said, adding a distinction has to be made between discomfort and risk.The results of the investigation are expected within 21 to 28 days.Recur» a division of Quebecor Communications Inc.2850 Delorme, Sherbrooke, Que.J1K 1A1 819-569-9511 819-569-9525 Fax: 819-569-3945 Member ABC, CARO.CONA, NMB, QCNA Randy Kinnear, Publisher.819-569-9511 Susan C.Mas tine, Community Rel.819-569-9511 Charles Bury, Exec, Editor.819-569-6345 Sharon McCully, Editor.819-569-6345 Dwane Wilkin, Chief Correspondent 819-569-6345 Alain Tétreault, Adv.Dir.819-569-9525 Richard Lessard, Prod.Mgr.819-569-9931 Departments Accounting.819-569-9511 Advertising.819-569-9525 Circulation.819-569-9528 Knowlton office.514-242-1188 Mail subscriptions SSL ESI TOTAL Canada: 1 year 104.00 7.28 7.23 $118.51 6 months 52.00 3.64 3.62 $59.26 3 months 26.00 1.82 1.81 $29.63 Out of Quebec residents do not include PST.Rates for other services available on request.Back copies of The Record ordered one week after publication are available at $1.00 per copy.Established February 9,1897, incorporating the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) and the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879).The Record is published daily Monday to Friday by The Record Division, Quebecor Communications Inc.Offices and plant located at 2850 Delorme Street, Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1K 1A1.Canadian Publications Mail Service Product Agreement No.0479675.___ Lr Need to get your message out?Call 569-9525 or 514-242-1188.G The RECORD—Friday, August 16, 1996—3 Townships Sherbrooke leader meets Tories in Winnipeg next week Charest seeks debate over health cost changes OTTAWA (CP) — Changes are coining to medicare, and people will likely have to foot the bill for more of the health services they receive, says Conservative Leader Jean Charest.“It’s an issue we can’t afford to ignore,” Charest said in an interview Thursday, a week before his party opens a key policy convention designed to raise its profile and boost its comeback chances.The federal government is slashing cash transfers to the provinces by 40 per cent over a 10-year period to end in 2003, he noted.At the same time, demands on medicare will increase because of an aging population.“Something is going to happen.Something is going to change.” One solution, Charest suggested, would be to de-list some services now covered by medi- care — in effect leaving people to dig into their own pockets or buy private health insurance to plug the gap.“No one is talking about a two-tier system,” he insisted.“-But I do think we’re going to have to have a discussion and debate about the basket of services which are offered—which are core services and which are not.” The Tory youth federation, which will account for about a fifth of the 1,200 delegates to the Winnipeg convention, wants to let the provinces experiment with private health care for those who can afford to pay.Tasha Kheiriddin, head of the youth wing, has suggested people wouldn’t mind spending up to $2,000 a year for private insurance.Charest wouldn’t go that far but did observe: “If you can give them assurances that they’re going to receive the kind of services they want they’re certainly, I think, ready to prepare and pay for some ofit, whether through the taxation system or other alternatives.” Medicare is just one topic on the agenda for the Aug.22-25 convention at which the Tories — devastated in the 1993 election — will try to recapture ground lost to the Liberals on the left and Reform on the right.On other contentious issues Charest indicated he: — Favors balancing the federal budget during the first term of a Conservative government.— Is cool to a drastic cut in personal and corporate income taxes.— Will insist on recognizing Quebec as a distinct society and dismissed the possibility of a split between Quebec and western Tories on the issue.BAPE pane! finishes, second day.of hearings in Magog M * tf§g§g*f By Maurice Crossfield MAGOG - People from all backgrounds were talking garbage, and what the government should do about it in Magog Thursday.It was the second day of public hearings in the region that are a part of a provincewide tour by Quebec’s environmental assessment panel, the Bureau d’audiences public sur l’environment (BAPE).The hearings are aimed at getting public reaction to the government’s plan for sustainable waste management.But environmentalists aren’t in agreement over what should be done to help deal with the garbage enter- ing landfills.Of the seven groups who presented briefs Thursday afternoon, one suggested the mandatory use of a special plastic membrane to seal garbage in landfills and prevent seepage.But another group argued the plastics don’t work.“The most important thing is to make it mandatory to put membranes in dump sites,” said Pierre Jutras of Memphremagog Conservation, Inc ., when asked what the most important step would be towards bringing garbage problems under control.“The only thing they can do is make Experts disagree on effectiveness of plastic membranes at landfills them get their ass in gear.” But the Memphremagog Coalition had a different story to tell.“We’ve done a lot of research in the US on this membrane, and so far it doesn’t work,” said local environmentalist Stewart Hopps in an interview after the presentation.He said that the membrane, while good for a variety of uses, hasn’t proven to be very effective to seal in waste for more than a few years.For Hopps, the most important thing is the selection of dump sites.He said tougher rules on where landfills can be set up could go a long ways towards avoiding environmental headaches in the long run.Those rules would include water table levels, distance from bodies of water, soil types and concerns over transportation.But the two groups were in agreement over the Magog Laidlaw site.They say it shouldn’t be where it is.“You don’t put a dump at the head of a lake that provides water for 300,000 people,” Hopps said.He said if toxins from the dump seeped into nearby Lake Lovering, their next stop would be Memphremagog, and people’s drinking water.“If we had a flood like they had in La Patrie last week, the whole area could have been contaminated,” said Jutras.But the day wasn’t just for environmentalists.Windsor’s Domtar plant and Laidlaw also presented briefs.Domtar called for measurable ways to monitor the reduction of waste, as well as cutting back on government red tape.The regional municipality of Asbestos and the city of Sherbrooke also presented briefs Thursday.They continued a theme begun at Wednesday’s meeting of putting more control over waste regulations into the hands of local governments.Orford MNA Robert Benoit, who is also Liberal environment critic agreed.“We have to set up a simple structure with as little red tape as possible,” he said.Benoit added that he’s seen a dramatic increase in environmental awareness over the last decade, and he said that will ultimately prove to be an important factor in how Quebec will deal with the garbage problem.The travelling commission will be wrapping up its tour in the Townships Friday with a side-trip to the Bestan Laidlaw dump site in Magog Township.Thursday evening, the panel heard from Laidlaw company officials speaking on behalf of the largest waste management group in Quebec.Environmentalists worry about an increase in garbage flow. Townships 4—The RECORD—Friday, August 16, 1996 U.S.team wins, but Canadians vow to get even Border guards from both sides work it out on the field By Richard Roy Record Correspondent STANSTEAD - They patrol the friendliest border in the world, and although they're from different countries, they work and play together.They're friends.That probably accounted for the large number of Vermont license plates in the parking lot of the Stanstead ball park Wednesday when the Derby Line Dogs visited the Rock Island Rebels for the third annual challenge between Canadian and American customs agents."It all started three years ago, when the American officers challenged us to a tournament," said Angela Filion of the Canadian customs service."Then we turned around and invited them in August of that year to another tour- nament, and we've been playing ever since." "This is the answer to last July's challenge of The O'Brien Off the Road Classic," U.S.customs agent Brian Levite said."Your guess is as good as anyones as to what that is." "Play ball!" someone yelled, trying to organize the game as Filion passed out refreshments."This is organization," she said."I had the most important job." Batter up and US agent Bob Dwyer, a self-professed rookie playing in his first year, came up to the plate and got a hit to left center field.The game intensified; the U.S.side was winning."It's hardly fair," yelled Filion."We're losing , but that's because we don't play dirty, but we're just warming Was it softball or soccer?¦ : *e; up.The warm-up came too late.The Derby Line dogs won by a score of 23-15."Oh well, there's still next July," said one of the Rebels."We'll be waiting for you," replied a Dog."We'll be waiting." Cross-border ball players enjoy a little post-game fraternizing.Safe! The U.S.won this time.summer Time to rest, relax, enjoy life.with a good newspaper, filled with news and views from the Eastern Townships.Whether it's rain or shine, BnrnSa necora there for you. The RECORD—Friday, August 16, 1996—5 Townships 4Asians are much better clients’ anyway French ban on asbestos not crippling, Pettigrew says SHPORCnnin?.¦*- J SHERBROOKE (PC) Whether or not France decides to reverse its total ban on asbestos products, Quebec’s asbestos industry can continue to do well, says Pierre Pettigrew, federal minister of international cooperation and la fran-cophopnie.Pettigrew was in Sherbrooke Thursday to announce a federal grant to the University of Sherbrooke, and spoke with the Record about the recent French ban on asbestos.The minister is no stranger to the asbestos industry.As a former international trade consultant, he says he knows it well.Pettigrew said he feels the Asbestos industry can find new clients elsewhere to compensate for the French pull-out.“The Asians are much better clients for abestos than the Europeans have been for a long time,” said Pettigrew.He added that he feels the French do not have enough influence to convince Asian countries to follow their ban.In the meantime he said he is sure the federal govern- ment will do its best to keep the ban from spreading throughout the European Economic Community.“I was saddened to hear about the French decision and I hope it won’t spread throughout the whole European market,” he said.“Obviously we have our diplomatic work to do there.” There is concern in the industry the EEC might follow the ban and switch to substitute Fibres like glass and ceramic which the French government now wants to use.On July 3 the French government decided to totally ban any asbestos products where no safer alternative could be found.The only remaining market for asbestos products in France would be for brake equipment on heavy machinery and fire-fighting equipment, which represents a miniscule percentage of the market.Last week Quebec mining minister Denise Carrier-Perrault responded forcefully to the six-week old ban.In addition to requesting an independent study comparing the relative risks of substitutes to asbestos, Quebec has asked the federal government for diplomatic help in the matter.While agreeing that the federal government should help out, Pettigrew said the industry might be better off focusing its attention elsewhere.“Speaking as an international business consultant, I think we can turn our marketing strategies on asbestos even more towards Asia, and still do well.” Time stands still for no woman Some chicks begin to look better with age, experience Finding hay seeds on the floor, freezing vegetables, making jams, cool nights, fair time, August blooms - are all tell-tale signs that summer’s progressing.In the space of one day my chronological age advanced by 365.I received several messages of best wishes referring to my ‘29th’ birthday.“I wish!” I would sometimes respond, but that’s not really true.I’d never want to lose the precious moments that have come my way, the challenges faced, the milestones reached since I was 29.I almost never feel my real age - 46.On rare occasions, Susan C.Mastine .-'d like last Tuesday evening, I feel 129.Aches and pains, lack of exercise and sleep, and power meetings - that will do it.Much more frequent are the days when I feel 16 or 39, or somewhere in between.The mirror, however, never lies.It gives living proof that ‘time stands still for no man’ - or woman either.After the body has gradually and discreetly gathered evidence that the passage of time leaves its traces, boom - the mirror provides periodic jolts.The years are just flying by, faster and faster all the time.With age, we’re supposed to get wiser.If that’s true, then why am I still making mistakes and learning new, seemingly obvious truths -which I may not always follow?The prime one that comes to mind - 9 keep cleans = 1 make clean.Try as I might, I usually only make it to two or three keeping clean efforts before something more urgent or important absorbs my attention and my time.Then I’m doomed to adding elbow grease to my cleaning products.Back to the subject at hand.“You’re only as young as you feel,” goes the old adage.What makes me feel young?Humming a ‘60s tune.Wearing my hair below my ears.Not worrying about my number of years - it won’t do any good anyway.It’ll just take time from watching all the excitement around me and enjoying the experiences life hands me - and those I consciously or less consciously choose for myself.PEEP, PEEP, PEEP More proof that I should never say, “Never.” As I write this, there are five newly-hatched chicks in our basement, and 20 more eggs in the incubator.My animal-loving son, Adam, who’s tried his hand at raising a pet pig, quail, pheasants and partridge is determined to stay in the bird business.This love of birds was not passed on by my genes, by any means.My dislike of being close to anything with feathers is a well-known bit of family trivia.It started from just about day one.Neither of my parents can trace the origin of my fear of our fine-feathered friends.For as long as they and I can remeber, the further away from a bird I was, the happier I would be.This was even the case for those still in fluff, despite the fact that my Dad regularly bought chicks a few days old during my childhood.My fun-loving, sports-minded oldest brother didn’t help the situation.He delighted in chasing me through the barn with a hen in each hand, the birds hanging by their feet, squawking and wings flapping.Not my idea of a good time.I’ve struggled to be more bird-tolerant over the years.I took my courage in my hands to enter the bird buildings at the fairs when my sons begged me to accompany them - it was a quick trip, but I survived.I love to watch the birds who visit our feeders - there’s glass between us.But I refused adamantly all requests for a budgie.“Bird moves in, Mom moves out,” was my motto.Well, when the incubator went into the basement - “It has to be there, Mom, so I can control the temperature and humidity, and keep the cats away, etc.etc.” - I realized I’d lost this one.Well, wonders will never cease.I found myself scurrying down cellar when the announcement of the first sign of a hatching was made.The peep, peeping has an intriguing, luring character about it.Once they’ve dried off, chicks are kind of cute.mW- .'• Centraide fkcrinl The Record encourages you to help the flood victims from the La Patrie - Cookshire - Ditton areas.Send your contribution to: Flood Victims, c/o Centraide/United Way Estrie 1^50 Belvédère S., Sherbrooke, QC J1H 4C7 or donate at your local Caisse Populaire • 013 WM-rtxi-t - CHLT630 «Basa m It lb / les caisses populaires Desjardins de 1‘Estrie LaTribune Income tax receipt available upon request Editorial 6 °- The RECORD - Friday, August 16, 1996 9m SCHOOL CRUMBLING SCHOOLS n Royal Bank owes clients an apology Open letter to John Cleghom, President, Royal Bank, Dear Mr.Cleghorn, I have been banking with the Royal Bank since the late 1960s.For the past few years, I have been a client at the branch in Rock Island in the Eastern Townships.I was shocked and angered to receive a letter recently from the regional manager, André Cardinal, informing me that the Rock Island branch was being shut down and my account and safety deposit box were being transferred to the CIBC in Beebe.I was never consulted on this transfer, and I find it particularly galling in the light of the fact that not long ago the Royal Bank’s vice-president David Moorcroft publicly accused the CIBC of unfair banking practices.The Royal Bank can scarcely claim that it is losing money — it is a matter of public record that it made more profits last year than any other bank in Canada.Isn’t it time to remember whose money the bank is investing and do something t help loyal bank customers?I believe that the Royal Banl owes an apology to all its Rod Island clients for the high-hand ed treatment to which it ha; subjected them.I also believi that the bank should keep opei this branch and continue t< serve a rural community tha has supported it for 84 years.I look forward to hearing fron you on this matter.Yours sincerely, LOUISE ABBOTT Tomifobia Contraception on the hoof Dear Editor, Re the deer situation, due to the greatly increased numbers of deer in New York State, I learned recently officials there are planning to use birth control darts.Sincerely, Elizabeth Archibald Knowlton Christ was a liberal, too Dear Editor, I read with interest (but with surprise) Rev.Ronald Holden’s endorsement (Record, Aug.14) of the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste’s stand on flogging rapists and executing pre-meditated murderers.Rev.Holden writes: “Some believe in the process oi rehabilitation, even for the most for the most perverse criminals.’ Quite so! And first and foremost among those, I believe, was Jesus Christ.Yours truly, Bernard Epps Lennoxville Nuns thank heaven for nabbing thief Are Quebec and Ontario too big ?For years, Canadians in the Atlantic provinces have been tussling with the idea of a Maritime Union — a uniting of at least the three maritime provinces — and perhaps even Newfoundland as well.With the prairie provinces’ small populations, some have suggested making them a single province.But no one had better hold his breath in anticipation.Human nature dictates that the premiers and legislatures of the provinces concerned cannot be expected to surrender their powers willingly and all the arguments in the world about greater efficiency will never budge them.And should they be budged?This country if too big and too thinly populated to be governed from administrations too remote from the people.That’s why we have provinces — and MRCs, municipalities, school boards and all the local organizations one can think of.Efficiency is not the only consideration.It is ironic, however, that while suggestions for provincial unions are being bandied around and the federal government groups provinces in “regions” for various purposes, all in the name of trying to bring a little more balance of power in a country where well over half the population is in two provinces, politicians talk as well of decentralization — the very opposite.Jean Charest and Preston Manning are perfect examples of this irony.Both advocate massive decentralization as the magic solution to Canada’s so-called unity problem.One would think that they would be advocating the creation of more sub-units to administer Canada, but neither of them is.They could start by pushing for making several provinces of the two that are both the largest geographically and the most populous.Both Charest and Manning need all the attention they can get before the next election if they want to prevent a Liberal landslide and such a policy would surely bring it, for if either thinks that asking premiers to draw straws over who will lead a Maritime province or a Prairie province creates sparks, imagine the reaction they would get from Messers Bouchard and Harris if breaking up their provinces were seriously suggested.But if decentralization is in fact their prescription, the partitioning of Quebec and Ontario would have to be part of their surgery if any serious consideration is to be given to addressing the terrible imbalance of power that all Canadians outside these two provinces feel.DONALD HEALY CALGARY (CP) — Sisters Ida Beaudin and Rita Kim were handing out muffins and clothing to the poor at the Father Latour Native Pastoral Centre on Wednesday when an apparently inebriated woman made off with Kim’s purse.By the time the nuns noticed it was too late to stop the woman, who had walked away with another person.The purse contained no money, but held keys to the centre and eyedrops Kim has used since a corneal transplant.I prayed to St.Anthony,” said Kim, who spent the next four hours walking downtown Calgary’s back alleys and soup kitchens to search for the woman.When she got back her feet were full of blisters.But then she looked out the kitchen window, and there was the thief across the street.Beaudin tried to stop the woman but she didn’t want to surrender the purse and walked away.Beaudin stayed with her while Kim ran back and called the police.I walked with them,” recalled Beaudin.“She got annoyed that I wouldn’t leave.” Eventually the woman was persuaded to turn over the eyedrops.Beaudin’s keys were recovered in some nearby bushes, but the purse wasn’t found.The nuns decided not to press charges.They’re convinced their prayers helped them find a peaceful solution.“It was a little miracle,” sighed Beaudin. The RECORD—Friday, August 16, 1996—7 Farm and Business Measures concerning individuals introduced in the last provincial budget Tax Talks The last provincial budget introduced measures which affect a large number of individuals.As of the 1996 taxation year, amounts used to calculate the credit for a person living alone, the credit for individuals who are 65 years of age or older (credit allowed for age), and the credit for retirement income will be reduced progressively, depeding on the taxpayer’s net income.For the 1997 taxation year, the reduction will be 15% for each dollar of the taxpayer’s net income in excess of $26,000.The reduction rate will be 7.5% rather than 15% in 1996 and the amounts used to calculate the tax credits will not be less than half of the amounts considered before the measure was introduced.The tax credits are calculated at the rate of 20%.This means that in 1996 taxpayers with net income of $33,000 or more will only be eligible for a $105 credit for a person living alone.In 1997, these individuals will no longer qualify for the credit at all.MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM AMOUNTS OF 1996 TAX CREDITS 1997 Net income at which credits reach their minimum amount Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum $ $ s $ S Credit for a person living alone 210 105 210 0 33.000 Credit allowed for age 440 220 440 0 40,667 Credit for retirement income 200 100 200 0 32,667 The tax credit for medical expenses will also be limited as of 1997.Currently, medical expenses paid by an individual or his or her spouse allow the person to claim a 20% tax credit calculated on the excess of the total expenses over the lesser of $1 fii4 or 3% of the person’s net income.As a result of the new measures, the fixed amount of $1,614 will be eliminated.Moreover, the total net income of the two individuals who are spouses at year-end, rather than the net income of one spouse, will have to be considered in calculating the credit.The budget also provides that deductions for union dues, professional dues or dues to a recognized j artistic association will be converted into non-retunu- ! able tax credits Consequently, instead ol ! being deductible.such j amounts will entitle the payer to a 20% tax credit.Pascale Mongrain, CA, Lawyer Tax Department Raymond, Chabot, Martin, Paré General Partnership RAYMOND, CHABOT, chartered MARTIN.PARÉ accountants IMPLANTS If yuu have uncomfortable or loose dentures.If you wish to replace one or more missing teeth without attachments to natural teeth.Placement of one or more implants could be the ideal solution.A revolutionary technique perfected over the last 25 years, dental implants have helped thousands of people regain stable, natural chewing function.Company ready to sell direct to home satellite dishes now By John McKay TORONTO (CP) — An Ontario company with U.S.connections wants to start providing Canadians with immediate direct-to-home satellite TV service, a product Canada’s already licensed ExpressVu Inc.hasn’t been able to deliver because of technical problems.AlphaStar Canada Inc.has applied to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for permission to begin delivering small-dish DTH programming.The Milton, Ont.-based company said Thursday it would use space it has reserved through a U.S.sister firm on an American satellite, AT and T’s Telstar 402R, until Canadian satellite space becomes available.“Without a serious Canadian service provider, the Canadian broadcast industry will continue to suffer irreparable harm,’ said Jim Wilkinson chief financ'al officer of AlphaStar Canada and its parent companv Tee-Cornm Electronics inc “We cannot wait any 'onger for a Canadian digital direct to-home satellite television service.” Wilkinson told a news conference that unless such a service is provided soon, the so-called grey market for imported satellite dishes will mushroom from its current estimate of 175,000 to more than 400,000 by the end of the year.Many Canadian consumers are already buying American-made dishes to receive the U.S.DirecTV service not licensed to operate in Canada.The controversy is the subject of a looming court battle between Canadian retailers and broadcasters like ExpressVu.Tee-Comm Electronics remains a minority shareholder in the ExpressVu consortium but has promised to Dr Scott Pashley Periodontist Member of the Quebec Order of Dentists and the Canadian Academy of Periodontists.1019, rue King Ouest Sherbrooke 563-1033 divest itself of those shares if it gets CRTC broadcast approval for its own service.AlphaStar also said it would reinvest a portion of its revenues into a fund which Canadian artists, writers and producers could access to pay for developing home-grown programming content.“The amount of contribution will be in excess of $25 million over a five-year period,” said Wilkinson.ExpressVu has had hardware problems and faces a lack of channel space in the wake of problems with the Anik E-l satellite.It hopes that problem will be solved with the planned launch of two new satellites in December and February.As part of its initial packages, the AlphaStar service would deliver up to a dozen Canadian channels and an equal number of U.S.signals already approved by the CRTC.These would include services already available on Canadian cable, such as CNN, The Nashville Network and the Arts and Entertainment Network.A variety of audio channels and the availability of pay-per-view movies would also be included, all in digital quality.*300 SAYS TROY-BILT HAS THE BEST TRACTOR MONEY CAN BUY $300 Off the Only Tractor with a 7-Year Warranty! 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Livin 8—The RECORD—Friday, August 16, 1996 How about a degree in white-water rafting?Higher education gaining a whole new meaning By Gloria Galloway The Canadian Press Call it a bachelor of canoeing and you may get whacked with a paddle.It’s an Honors Bachelor of Outdoor Education, thank you very much.And it’s generating a huge amount of incoming mail at the registrar’s office of Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont.Not that outdoor education is new.The course has been offered for about 18 years, says faculty head Tom Stevens.But while other universities are cutting programs to cope with declining numbers of students, there seems to be an abundan- ce of young people who want to spend their lives working in the great outdoors.“We’re one of three programs at Lakehead that has had no problem at all filling any kind of enrolment program we set,” said Stevens.“The registrar’s office tells me every second rejection they send out is for outdoor rec.” The program — which requires students spend some time in the bush — is just one of the innovative ways in which Canadian universities are catering to students’ demands for education that is both practical and meaningful.Those leaving high school are turning away from the more cerebral courses such as history and political science and opting instead for degrees that will get them jobs.‘Who wants to spend four years in university, only to end up on the dole?” asks 19-year-old John McKenzie of Toronto.His passing interest in religious studies was set aside when he was accepted into a commerce program.“It’s too expensive to spend all that time on something that’s going to get you nowhere.” A large number of those graduating from high school in 1996 apparently agree with him.dian Press last week said their business and education programs were generally healthy while the fields of study that had less practical applications were not.But some of the more innovative courses — those leading to careers that weren’t even considered by university entrants 20 years ago — are also causing line-ups at the registration counter.Want to be a wine-maker?In the not-so-olden days, you might have signed on as an apprentice at a local winery.But Brock University in St.Catharines, Ont., is offering a program in cool climate oenolo-gy and viticulture “that we expect to be extremely hot,” says Grant Dobson of the school’s public relations department.For engineers with a conscience, McMaster University in Hamilton has just graduated its first class in a five-year program called engineering in society.It’s designed to produce engineers that are environmentally and socially aware.“We think we’re in the forefront here,” says Robert Hud-stith of the university’s engineering faculty.And religious instruction continues to be a popular choice at the University of Winnipeg.But it’s the school’s psychiatric nursing program that can afford to turn away applicants.A selection of universities polled at random by The Cana- Temples offer meagre shelter for castouts Poverty the wage of widowhood in rural India By Ranjan Roy VRINDAVAN, India (AP) — Devotion is the driving force in this river town.The chants of the faithful blend with the chiming of bells from 5,000 temples.But the prayers rising from a small alley have an especially soulful tone.They are the devotions of widows — some still in their early 20s — cast away from their families and shunned by society after their husbands died.In India’s ritualistic, male-dominated Hindu society, widowhood is a little-noticed dimension of the discrimination that women face.Among superstitious families, a widow is often blamed by her in-laws for her husband’s death.Unless she controls property, she is treated shabbily and even ostracized.Vrindavan developed into a Hindu pilgrimage centre early this century and soon became a refuge for cast-out widows, who believe that by dying in such a holy town they can oreak the cycle of birth and rebirth.At the six shelters for widows in Vrindavan, more than 2,000 widows gather each morning to begin prayers that last until nightfall.Dressed uniformly in white cotton saris with their heads covered, they sit in a courtyard around an altar with an idol of Lord Krishna surrounded by burning incense sticks.Their heads bob up and down to the monotonous drone of “Hare Rama.Hare Krishna.” Each widow is given two rupees (about 10 cents Cdn) every evening and a cupful of uncooked rice and lentils, enough for one meal.“We have no limit here.Anybody who comes here and spends the day singing odes is entitled to the bounty,” says Bipin Sharma of the Bhagwan Bhajan Ashram Trust, which runs two homes for widows in Vrindavan.Before they begin their prayers, many women work, earning about 350 rupees ($13) a month cleaning temples.Half that goes to rent a room often shared by as many as three widows.“I am too ill to work, so my 12-year-old daughter earns by stitching and sewing,” says Jashoda Rani, 35.Rani fled to her brother’s house after her husband died four years ago, but came to Vrindavan when he, too, abandoned her.There are few options for widows.Hindus frown on remarriage for women, although there are no social barriers for men.Family members go to the extent of ensuring that widows turn vegetarian, believing that eating meat arouses sexual desire.Until modern times, widows were expected to jump on the funeral pyre of their husbands in a tradition known as “sati.” The practice was outlawed decades ago, but the last known case was as recent as 1987.Most women in Vrindavan have little to look forward to.It is the dead end of their lives, and for some it came early.“I was married off when I was five years old.My husband, whom I never saw, was 13 and he died one month after the wedding,” says Gita Devi, who at 77 is among the oldest members of the shelter she helps run.Happy 90th birthday A very happy 90th birthday to Enie Towers of the Luce’s Rest Home in Sawyerville, Que.on August 21.Friends and relatives are invited to come and have cake and ice cream with her on Sunday, August 18 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.Love and best wishes from the staff and residents.100th birthday celebration Helen M.Pye will celebrate her 100th birthday on August 25, 1996.On Friday, August 23, friends and relatives may extend best wishes at a wine and cheese party held in her honour at the Foyer St-Joseph, 611 Queen Blvd.North, Sherbrooke between 2 p.m.and 3 p.m.Best wishes only.Temporary Job Opportunity We are looking for a bilingual dental hygienist starting October 1st until June 1 st, 1997, Tuesdays & Wednesdays.Please send your C.V.to: c/o Dr.Jean-Pierre Martel 273 ch.Knowlton C.P.637 Knowlton JOE 1V0 243-6193 (lê/eaetière' '>/ ** -UXv -' y^