26 - Friday, October 23, 1992 — North Shore News

Office of the Ombudsman takes on greater presence

OVER THE next two years, the Office of the Om- budsman will receive in- creased jurisdiction to cover government corporations, boards and agencies; municipalities and regional districts; and schools, col- leges and universities; and self-regulating organizations, Attorney General Colin Gabelmann announced recently.

This announcement follows a commitment made in the Speech from the Throne to put people first, by ensuring that the public has recourse to complain about possible unfair, arbitrary action to an independent body.

“The role of the Ombudsman’s Office will be to. emphasize com- munication, consultation, and monitcring of complaints as well as identifying any systematic problems,’’ said Gabeimann, “and to encourage a fair and ef- fective complaint-handling process

within the new authorities.’’

Jurisdiction will be phased in over a two-year period to allow the Office of the Ombudsman and affected agencies to consult and prepare for the changes.

Through its expanded role, the Office of the Ombudsman will work to develop an awareness of the principles of administrative fairness, assist authorities to de- velop and maintain fair and effec- tive internal complaint mecha- nisms, and develop internal pro- tocols for dealing with complaints.

“This increased responsibility we are placing with the Office of the Ombudsman is a direct result of our recognition of the need for greater public input and recourse for individuals when they believe they have not been treated fairiy,"’ Gabelmann said.

ScHcols and school boards will be the first group to come under the Ombudsman’s expanded jurisdiction this fall. Colleges and universities, hospitals and Provin- cial corporations will follow in the spring.

an afternoon of

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beside Eaton's

Open Letter to Brian Mulroney

DEAR MR. PRIME MINISTER:

“ERERIES of Canada, political KOOKS and professional NAVSAYERS,” you call us who dare to vote NO.

! have lived and worked in Canada since | was born here over 60 years ago. In that time, | have served my country and have been a tulitime tax-paying citizen and never been a burden or problem to our great country, so | wonder why | am branded an enemy, kook and naysayer just because ! believe a RO vote is right for Canada.

After careful consideration and reading the Charlottetown consensus re: our constitution, ! am voting NO, because:

A) You and your supporters say this will put the constitutional issue to bed, once and for ail.

NO There are a minimum of 25 anc up to 50 areas in this document that require months and months, and possibly years of further negotiations;

B) Quebec should be forever given protection for its language and culture differences but HO province should be given special status in our constitution. The Charlottetown accord is a blatant rejection of that premise;

C)- There is NO triple “E’’ senate

Equa! —- agreed

ciectoa WD — sanators can be appointed and some provinces have already indicated that is how they will ‘‘elect” their senators.

Effective — NO -— Its powers are severely limited in most areas;

- D} One person equals one vote, is the basic principle of any democracy. The constitutional

accord says N@ to that principle by quaranteeing one province 25% of the seats in the House. of Commons regardless of its population, forever :

E) You and your supporters are unanimous in agreeing that the accord is a flawed document but it is a great compromise.

Since Mr. Prime Minister, it is flawed, shouidn’t we or future citizens have the ways and means to correct, amend or change this flawed document?

But NO, in its most important aspects:

1) The number of seats in the House of Commons of which one province is guerafiteed 25% forever;

2) The number of Supreme Court judges of which one province controls 331% of the ap- pointments;

3) Any amendments to the provisions of the constitution covering the Sonate.

The amending formula contained in the constitutional accord confirms, i in perpetuity, that these

provisions cannot be changed.

jam not concermed as much for myself or my contemporaries but what about our utro gone

tions who.have MQ recourse to change this document you admit is flawed?

F) The proposals re: aboriginal self government entrench undefined, unworkable and poten-

tially costly concepts into the Constitution. y | would be very remiss, Mr. Prime Minister, if | also did not review. your. deplorable conduct... in. presenting this constitutiona! consensus to Canadians.

* Our vote on October 26 should be based solely on a rational assessment of the points con-

tained in the constitutional accord and stiould not be influenced by how we as citizens feel about your ieadership of Canada.

Unfortunately, Mr. Prime Minister, you have made yourself an issue. im You, as first minister of this country, had a once in a lifetime opportunity to demonstrate yt your. , Jeadership and statesmanship and to convince Canadians that the constitutional accord was : good for uss as a nation. However, you chose to brand me and other loyal Canadians: as ENEMIES, KOOKS AND HAYSAVERS, because we dare to say BO to your way of think-

| ing and beliefs. : ’ Ortop of that, siz, you and those associates who support your eae have threatened: us:

with the most dire consequences for our country if we vote Nt

You claim this wiil lead to the breakup of Canada — again.

it is wrong, sir, to call us names, threaten us and indulge i in fearmongering because we choose to vote NO,

Because of your tactics, Mr. Prime Minisies, you have allowed a sizable portion of the ill will this country feels towards your stewardship to surface and become a factor in peopie's decision- making. That is sad.

Yours truly,

‘

Dalton McArthur

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