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Moreover, Canadian unions are proâ€" tected by an array of provincial and federal laws and structures and wield enormous economic and political power. Unfortunately, all of this makes it more difficult for Canada to adjust and compete in today‘s global market. It‘s a tough, Across most of the western world, the era of big, powerful labour unions is ending. Once mighty labour unions are dwinâ€" dling in size and influence. They are becoming, in effect, industrial dinosaurs. In places like Britain and the United States, for instance, union membership has dropped dramatically. Unions in Canada, however, are hanging tough. Unions are the new dinosaurs "E:ta..{}:e;e's also a lesson here for the 'p'olrticians. There‘s no need to legislate every facet of our lives. Sometimes, in the true spirit of democracy, the big decisions are best left to the people. PAGE A6 Maureen McNab Teresa Clemmer Gerry Mattice Don Steeves Waterioo Chronicle is published every Wednesday by *J | The Fairway Group Incorporated _ Subsen Reporters: Pete Cudhea (Sports editor Keren Adderiey News Editor: Melodee Martinuk Deborah Crandall WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1991 Chronicle gi°+3] 215 Fairway Rd. S., Kitchener, Ont. Paul Winkler Telephone News Line Fax. No. Waterloo Town Square 5 King St. South, Suite 201 Waterloo, Ontario N2J 1P2 886â€"2830 886â€"3021 886â€"9383 Mary Baycroft Jerry Fischer Ray Lakhan Anita Auernigg Circulation: Major Accounts: General Manager: Rick Campbell Bill Karges Circulation Manager: Greg Cassidy In Britain, former Prime Minister Marâ€" garet Thatcher showed that it is possible to challenge the militant union elite and win. Thatcher curbed its power and made it more accountable to those workers comâ€" pelled to pay union dues. The negative consequences of union demands was emphasized recently in a report by economists at Wood Gundy, a major Canadian brokerage house. Accordâ€" ing to the report, Canadian manufacturers have lost the competitive edge, which they once enjoyed over their U.S. counterparts, because of sharply rising labour costs. competitive world out there but our econoâ€" my continues to be handicapped by, the inefficiencies and artificially high cost structures imposed by militant, powerful unions. Here in Canada, Prime Minister Brian Subscription rates $35 yearly in Canada, $40 outside Canada. Should Canada pursue a free trade agreement with Mexico? YOW Happy to see the end of Bill Câ€"43 Mulroney and the provincial premiers have yet to fundamentally address the problem of militant, powerful unions. _ Canada‘s competitiveness and future job prospects shall continue to suffer until they do. David Somerville National Citizens‘ Coalition I want to express on behalf of Planned Parenthood Waterloo Region, how relieved we are that Bill Câ€"43 did not pass the Senate Review Process. I realize that it was a tie vote and the rules call that a defeat. However, it affirms for me that women‘s health care issues do not belong in the Criminal Code. It is my hope now that governments at "No, because the free trade agreement with the States hasn‘t worked out too well." "Yes. We‘re stuck in an agreement with the States and the States is making one with Mexico. To stay competiâ€" tive, we should join too." Gordon Growse Waterloo Waterloo all levels, rather than responding to the oppositions‘ attack about gaps in legislaâ€" tion to protect the unborn, will begin to fill that gap by providing adequate funding for: communityâ€"based education programs to reduce the number of unplanned, unâ€" wanted pregnancies and sexuallly trans mitted diseases; increased research initiaâ€" tives for more effective contraceptives. _ Preventive care dollars are a great deal more cost effective than reactive care dollars. Often the costs of inadequate education programs are impossible to measure. The provision of adequate fundâ€" ing to provide programs which will allow people to make good choices rather than taking chances with their reproductive health is essential. Burna R. Wilton Planned Parenthood Waterloo Region government seems to be screwing up the economy." I dont‘t think so. It‘s got to do "Yes. I think it would help industry and the economy." Stephen Maron Montreal June Bauman