PAGE 12, WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1980, WH1TBY FREE PRESS Ottawa Report By SCOTT FENNELL, MP (PC - ONTARIO) ~Ju The explosion of micro electronic technology - a develop- ment which rivais the Industrial Revolution'- is not limnited simply to games and gadgets. It is penatrating into every facet of our lives-offices, businesses, factories, universities, homes. And it isn't waitîng for us to adjust. Direct satellite broadcasting, two-way TV, fibre optics and ELEGANTLY FEMININE Bounce into smmer witb plnyof time j on your hands and flair in your hair! See us right now for a special styling session that wiII give you an. easy summertime! Make an appoint- ment today! LA CONTESSA BEAUTY LOUNGE I19 CGreen Street Canada's future m electroniecs miniaturized computers are ail able to transmit an incredible volume of information at 10w cost. The capacity of the room- sized computer of a decade ago now fits into a minute silicon chip. An optic fibre, the thickness of a hair, carnies 10,000 times the information of a conventional copper wire. By far though, this "information Revolution" will have its most profound effect on the everday office when computers and word processors wiil centralize operations and control the flow of information. Already secretaries and managers can utilize terminais to instantly retrieve information from, files, to receive memos and letters and to access data from. central collection banks. Since computers can now communicate with each other, the day is comming when businessmen will not have to, travel to meet with their colleagues in another centre. Instead, by using audio/visual components, conferences could be held mereiy by interconnecting terminals. But while we marvel at this new technology, it brings with it inevitabie social and economic stresses. It is incumbent upon business and government to develop comprehensive policies sn that Canadians can benefit from. the "Information Revolution," not suffer from it. Employment strategies are but one element. Maximizing Canada's role in the electronic industry, ensuring the privacy and security of central infor- mation banks, these and many more issues must be recognized and evaluated now. the Canadian microelectronics research sector is a world leader. One of our finest accomplishements to date bas been Telidon, a two-way TV system. Bell Northern Research and a host of smalier research and development firms are inter- nationaiiy recognized for their excellence. But even now, it is obvious Canada is losing her hold in the international elec- tronic manufacturing market. Unless we are to be inundated with foreign components and technology, definite steps must be taken now to ensure Canada a prominent role in this field. For the past ten years, ever since it became obvious microeiectronics were changing the face of Western society, the federal government has waxed eloquently about the need for a comprehensive strategy. We are still waiting for it and many of us are starting to get nervous. While the Progressive Conservatives were in government, I had the honor of being parliamentary secretary to, the minister of communications. The deputy minister, Bermie Ostry, and I devised such a strategy. Our short term in office meant that this plan neyer came to fruition and I can only hope that, in the years ahead, the present government will ap- proach this issue in a serious fashion. Dorothy honored A member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 112, Whitby and current president of its Ladies Auxiliary, Dorotby Or- miston was recentiy awarded a Certificate of Menit by the Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Command. The certificate recognized Mrs. Ormiston's dedicated ser- vice in the Ladies Auxiiary of Branch 112. Since 1957, she bas held various offices, including that of president to which she was elected for a total of twelve years in four terms. Her ser- vice to the veterans bas included visiting Sunnybrook Hospital four times a year to present gifts from the Ladies Auxiliary; sick convenor; providing and deiivering Christmas parcels to needy veterans' widows; organizing chlldrens' Christmas par- ties, and honouring fallen local veterans by placmng flags upon their graves each Juiy 1. As kitchen convenor for twenty years, Mrs. Ormiston bas been responsible for catening to weddings, branch dinners and many fund-raising« events, proceeds from which were significant in ensurnnýt4e financiai heaith of thie branch.