you gonna vote? Does it matter? Satisfied with the direction this country is head- ing? This may be the election to confirm that. Dissatisfied with the direction this country is heading? This may be election to change that. Afraid of the direction this country is heading? This may be the election that gives you a real reason to be afraid. On the satisfaction front, pundits are calling for Jean Chretien to repeat his 1993 victory with an- other majority government, although slightly re- duced. On the dissatisfied level, Reform could well form the Official Opposition. This thought sends shivers up and down the spines of traditionalists. But this could be the natural unfolding of Canada's future. So on the one hand we could have a Federal gov- ernment which is favours special status for Quebec Local candidates tell why you should vote for them. See Page 7. and an Opposition which op- poses it. Such polarization may tend to make politics a delightful spectator sport for the next four (or so) years. But this isn't the Queen's Plate we're talking about. It's the future of this country. Traditionalists fear that a vigourous Reform vote would send a message to Quebec: whatever you want you could only get by voting for separation because English Canada is tired of talk and concessions. Many fear that could push them to separate. Those who followed the aftermath of the last referendum can see a chilling picture: we had separatists inviting Quebecers in the armed forces tojoin an armed Que- bec immediately; and a Premier who would have de- clared sovereignty immediately. In other words, the process for separation would have spun out of control. In such cases the first shot can neyer be far away.rAlexa McDonough was right when she called this a recipe for Civil War. So what how are we to vote? Well, Alexa may have some good ideas, but they're too old and her bungie chord is too long. If you really love long shots, you could always vote for the Cana- dian Action Party. Paul Hellyer has accomplished too much to be considered a wingnut. He won't gather many votes, so at least you know your vote isn't bringing the country to grief. Whitby deserves more than 24-hr clinic While we now wait patiently, strumming our fin- gers on the dashboard, the Ontario Hospital Re- structuring Commission will decide the fate of Whitby General Hospital. This issue has generated a lot of heat, a multitude ofstudies and restructurings, much posturing and a lot of confusion. We could make a few observations. First, Whitby voters did not vote to close down WGH as a full-service hospital. In fact, a petition of 31,000 names support efforts to keep the hospital fully functional. Secondly, turning the building into a rehabilita- tion centre for the region makes some economic sense. But as we said previously, this will do noth- ing for the community of Whitby. Send letters The opinions on this page are the considered opinions of the editor of the Whitby Free Pressnot asguidelines to the perfect life, but as starting points for discussion of what is important to residents of the town of Whitby, about issues related to this community. The Whitby Free Press strives to provide a forum for discussion of isuch ssues. You can join the debate on our letters pages. Write to us at our address (given below) or fax letterso us at 668-0594. Or send letters by e-mail to: WFPletters@aol.com.AIl letters should be signed and in- clude a mailing address and phone number where the author can be reached. Third, having an urgent care centre open twenty- four hours a day is not a lofty target into which the community can pour its spirit. Private clinics could, do almost as well. The whole effort has been some- what useful, but at best is a combination of second- guessing and regional bargaining. We don't feel this has done much to serve the needs of the residents of Whitby. Health Minister Jim Wilson has not been encour- aging. His statement last week that the proposal to turn WGH into a rehab unit looks positive. As if that proposal itself were positive. One wonders how he could make such a statement without it being construed as interfering with the restructuring commission. And the OHRC itself is a cul-ious animal. It was created by the government as a free-floating agency, empowered to make decisions regarding the hospitals in Ontario. Yes, these decisions have to be *made; yes, often they are painful. But the mandate from Whitby residents is clear: 31,000 names on a petition signify support for a full- service hospital. Sometimes implementing the will of the people is not cost efficient. Jim Flaherty and Health Minister Jim Wilson and the rest of their Common Sense Revolution will still be responsible for whatever decision is made. We fear it will be for a rehab centre - the wrong deci- sion. The community of Whitby will be the loser. The ommuityofWhtbvwillbe he 1se. The only Newspaper owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents! Publisher: Doug Anderson Editor: Bill Swan Production by: Xavier & Associates. Published every Saturday by 1220501 Ontario Inc. 900 Hopkins St., Box 206, Whitby, Ontario LIN 5S1 Phone 668-6111 Fax 668-0594 MEMBER OF: NA canadian Community Newspaper Association Ontap ACommunity CONTAOLLED Newspaper Association The Whitby Free Press is distributed free to 99% of the homes in Whitby, Brooklin, Ashburn & Myrtle as well as numerous public and commercial outets in Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax and Pickering S28,000 COPIES DELIVERED WEEKLY MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE Canada $36 + GST • Outside Canada $85 + GST Printed on newsprint with minimum 20% recyced content using vegetable-based inks. All written material, illustrations and advertising contained herein is protected by copyright. Any reproduction by any means for commercial purposes withoufthe expressed permission of the newspaper is prohibitediand is a violation of Canadian copyright law. Reproduction for non-commercial distribution should bear a credifeeesto the Whitby Free Press.