Whitby Free Press, 23 Jan 1980, p. 11

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WFITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23. 1980. PAGE 11 Election 1980 Questionnairej CONT'D FROM PG. 10 Fenneil I strongly support the proposai of providing aid to Chrysier as I feel that is is a vital industry in Canada, employing many people not only in Ajax but throughout Southern Ontario. No decisions can be made though on this issue during the election, but after the election financial aid to Chrysier will be provided in accordance with Robert De Cotret's an- nounced formula guaranteeing additional parts manufacturing and no funds to be repartiated to the U.S. parent until the federai guarantee is paid off. Posma The Conserative, Liberai and N.D. Parties are al committed to giving aid to Chrysier Corporation. The Libertarian Party wouid not give aid to Chrysier, as it is flot the function of government to distribute tax money in order to reward inefficien- cy. If Chrysier Corporation cannot seil its wares on the market it must simpiy perish. Any jobs lost through a Chrysier bankruptcy wouid be duiy made up by the other auto makers. Rison Yes, with the conditions that the people of Canada have some security - both equity or shares in Chrysier as weil as some guarantee that Chrysier isn't going to "take the money and run". The $500- million handout, now, is just the beginning. Chrysier is asking for another $1-billion, over the next five years. Former Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau has been accused of reducing Canada's milltary preparedness through reducing out committment to NATO. Do you believe that this is true, and is so, what lu your position regardlng military policy in general? If not, please state your reasoas. Dickerson Trudeau did reduce Canada's financiai commit- tment to NATO because he believed the money was not being spent as well as it couid be in keeping abreast of the military advancements of the War- saw Pact countries. Canada should have adequate military strength to defend her borders and to insure a world wide balance of power in co-operation with her allies. Fennel I The Canadian Armed Forces were reduced to a precarious state by successive indifferent Liberal governiments since 1963. From 1963 to May of last year the regulars were reduced by 37 /O and the reserves by 59 0/0. Consequentiy, the Progressive Conservative Government has found the Forces undermanned and over-committed and the Reserves Forces negiected, poorly equipped and assigned a low priority. We believe an increase in manpower and staqndardized equipment within the regular forces study, political exchange and economic study. At the same time we would maintain and improve the present level of committment to the NATO military presence in Europe. Posma During the spending extravaganza of the "Trudeau Years'" defence spending was conspicuouslY 10w. When measuring defence spending by NATO mem- bers as a percentage of G.N.P., only Luxenbourg (1.1) contributes less than Canada (1.8). Belgiurns contribution :3.4; Britain's :5.0; Norway's :3.6; U.S.A. :6.0;. As a member of NATO, Canada should pay its fair share for the defence of the free world in collaboration with our friends. t)efence spending is a legitimate function of government. Rison NATO is an expensive organization. Canada, in the past, has committed itseif to funding the war on world poverty to the tune of one percent of our GNP. We are not neeting that commitment. Ild sooner see our money go in that direction than to NATO's ob- soiete Air Division and the Brigade Group. NATO needs a new role because Europe has changed s0 much. The nuclear stalemate, the EEC and growing European prosperity have changed the needs of Europe. NATO could advance nuclear non- proliferation by serving Europe as a repository for nuclear weapons, making it necessary for countries like Italy to acquire their own. Is there a need for constitutional and/or parliamen- tary reform ln Canada? If so, what reforms would you like to see Implemented? Dickerson Constitutional/parliamentlry reform is long over- due. As a member of Ontarîo Riding's Con- stitutionai Reform Committee which presented its finding to the federai government, arguements were made for reforms in the Senate; federal/provinciai power sharing; fedieral/provin- cial taxing arrangements and cost sharing arrangements; the Supreme Court and many others. Fennieli In recent years, the House of Commons in- creasingiy lost credibiiity as a focus of decision- making and an arena for the representati'ol 0f regional interest. The roie of Parliament has CONT'D ON PG. 22

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