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PAGE 6 â€" WATERLOO CHRONICLE It was a historic moment in the House of Commons last week. I stood to cast my vote along with the majority of Members of Parliament as Canada enacted the first stage of the long and arduous process of constitutional renewal. Despite our national agonizing over this most complex, yet fundamental issue, Dec. 2, 1981 in no way marks the end of the road for Canada‘s constitutional transforâ€" mation. The separatist events in Quebec, which first sparked the referendum camâ€" paign, and this process of constitutional change, will haunt this resolution when it is sent to Great Britain without the support of that province. I am personally disapâ€" pointed that Premier Levesque has chosen to isolate himself and his province from this significant constitutional achieveâ€" The constitutional package is not, of course,.all things to all people. The charter of rights remains to be tested. It is yet to be determined whether it truly protects the rights and freedoms we value as Canaâ€" Until now, it seemed officials kept in touch with the everyday person on campus, be it student, staff member or faculty. But after the last 11 days, one begins to wonder. Two assaults on women have been reported within the immediate vicinity of the UW campus. And as of this writing, the administration has yet to announce concrete action to prevent such crimes. Meetings are being held, studies completed and suggestions investigated. But no action. They are concerned, officials report, but since attacks have not taken place on the campus grounds directly, it‘s not seen as a major problem. Ivory towers. All these officials need do is talk to females on campus. Each woman we have approached about the matter is more than concerned, she‘s downright frightened, to walk on or near the campus after daylight hours. These comments have come from students, telephone operators, librarians and others whose timetable dictates being on campus after dark. _____________ _ S cesses, and as a summary of what we value as citizens of this country. It is also important as a symbol for the oneâ€"third of Canadians who have lived in countries which denied them the dignity and freeâ€" dom we take for granted. Ivory towers. Could it be that the University of Waterloo (UW) administration has fallen into this trap? Two assaults. Sure, to officials who deal with multiâ€"million dollar budgets and matters of great importance, these police statistics are low priority. â€" â€" But to the thousands of women walking on campus, these incidents loom large. o Come down from your ivory towers, university adminisâ€" tration, and get back in touch with the masses. Do something concrete. Show the wouldâ€"be attackers thatâ€"sexual assaults will not be tolerated on or around campus. For the time being, however, the constiâ€" tutional package serves as a point of reference for our decision making proâ€" Who knows, someone‘s life may depend on it. WALTER McLEAN Ivory towers? published every Wednesday by Fairway Press, a division of Kitchenerâ€"Waterioo Record Ltd., owner 225 Fairway Rd.S., K)i:?énor, Ont. address correspondence aterioo office 92 King St.South, Waterioo, Ont., telephone 886â€"2830 - Waterioo Chronicle office is located on 2nd fioor of the O.W. Sports building R opposite Waterioo Square. Parking on King Street or in Waterioo Square. Open & Monday to Friday 9:00 a m to 5:00 p.m WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 subscriptions *16 a year in Canada *18 a year in United States and Foreign Countries The constitutional debate has focused sharply the efforts of certain segments of our Canadian society. In my recent capacity as official opposition spokesperâ€" son on the status of women it was my pleasure to work with national and area women‘s groups in support of their deterâ€" mined efforts to ensure that full equality was a charter provision. This cause united women of all ages and backgrounds from across Canada, in a way that few issues have since the suffrage movement. During the constitutional debate the Kâ€"W Status of Women group joined with other women‘s organizations in asserting that equality rights were nonâ€"negotiable in any charter of rights. Chairperson Mayling Stubbs says she and her members were ‘‘delighted‘" that Section 28, which ensures the equality of men and women, was reinstated in this final resolution. Ms. Stubbs was particularly impressed with how quickly women‘s groups responded and organized a renewed political lobby when threats were made to remove their rights from the earlier constitutional Ms. Stubbs is still concerned that parts of the constitution pertaining to women‘s rights are subject to a legislative override draft. by the federal and provincial governâ€" watching to see whether the governments value‘ legislation and affirmative action Publisher: Paul Winkler Manager: â€" Bill Karges _ *established 1854 A lesson in compromise will exercise their right to overrule equality rights. The expense of many of these ‘"‘equality‘‘ proposals suggests that some provinces might not hesitate to use this override option‘ While all three federal political parties can take credit for the success of last week‘s revised package, I know that members from all sides of the House regret the exclusion of Quebec from this historic context. University of Waterioo history professor Don Horton says that few people in the Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo area really understand the importance of conâ€" stitutional change to the province of Quebec. Horton says the new constitutionâ€" al package offers a "better deal" to francophones outside of Quebec, who have their language rights officially recognized for the first time. Horton added that most of these individuals in the Kâ€"W Region have been away from Quebec for too long. He feels they are no longer attuned to the Quebec position which demands supremaâ€" cy of the French language in that provâ€" ince. For those who queston the ability of Opposition parties to make a valuable contribution in Parliament, the constituâ€" tional debate demonstrates the imporâ€" tance of these parties to the parliamentary servative Party believes in Canada and was the first to sound the dangers of the unilateral the traditions of federalâ€"provincial coâ€" operation. My colleagues and I feel a good deal of satisfaction that we were able to mobilize public opinion on the constitution. The efforts of our party resulted in greater public accessibility by forcing the Governâ€" ment to televise the constitutional hearâ€" ings and by demanding a Supreme Court ruling. This sent the Prime Minister back to the negotiating table to establish an accord with the provincial premiers. Early in the process, the Conservative party was also responsible for introducing an important amendment seeking constiâ€" tutional entrenchment of the rights of women. Along with the N.D.P., the P.C.‘s championed native rights throughout the debate. What began as a plan for unilateral action by the Liberal majority, to be given hurried passage through Parliament, has turned out to be a lesson in statesmanship, accommodation and compromise. It has reminded Canadians of our tremendous potential to coâ€"operate and grow within the Canadian federal system. Prior to Wednesday‘s vote the Leader of the Opposition, Joe Clark, made a personal appeal to Premier Levesque to join the accord. My colleagues and I hope that debate in the Senate which takes place this week will keep the doors open for the inclusion of the province of Quebec. We hope too that the Prime Minister will do his utmost to ensure that this most crucial province will join with others to build for a better ‘"Canadian" future.