The record, 10 mai 2012, jeudi 10 mai 2012

Francois Tanguay Dealing a stacked deck - Page 6 ¦j".'.«HUMSaWE THE RECO The voice of the Eastern Townships sinc *w -¦%» Drumming ' with the Met Page 4 75 CENTS + TAXES PM#0040007682 Thursday, May 10, 2012 Unmanned aircraft manufacturer sets up in Sherbrooke A company that manufactures unmanned aircrafts has opened an office in Sherbrooke.ING Engineering, a specialist in automated aviation services, chose the Eastern Townships for its expansion.Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Ottawa, ING Engineering will be moving all of the engineering and product development facets of the business to Sherbrooke.The company’s new office on des Sables Street was inaugurated on Wednesday morning.“We decided to settle in the Sherbrooke region because we see great potential in Quebec for the expansion of ING Engineering.We look forward to hiring even more engineering graduates specializing in robotic aviation” Ian Glenn, the company’s president and director general, said in a statement.Currently ING Engineering employs six engineers and is expecting to double that number within five years.More than 80 per cent of the engineering team was hired from the Sherbrooke region, and this is a trend they will look to continue.“The arrival of ING Engineering is another example that the positioning of Sherbrooke as a city of knowledge and innovation is paying off,” Sherbrooke Innopole director general Pierre Belanger said in a statement.“Not only does the conversion towards a value-added economy attracts the high-tech companies, but it also serves to keep our graduates in Sherbrooke.” ING Engineering was founded to provide services for observation, surveil- Cont’d on pace 3 March to commemorate cyclists killed on roads fKj|£ a»* \ ' EVAN LEPAGE CHUS pediatrician Claude Cyr said the Tour du Silence provides both an opportunity to commemorate the victims and a change to promote road safety.Cyr was a force behind the city's helmet campaign started last spring.By Evan LePage The “Tour du Silence,” an international event in which participants walk or bike silently in commemoration of the cyclists killed on the roads each year, will be held next week in Sherbrooke.“During the tour du silence the entire community of Sherbrooke mobilizes and highlights, with its silence, that both youth and adult cyclists can use the roads, that they are vulnerable and must respect the code of the road,” said event spokesperson Dr.Claude Cyr, a pediatrician at the CHUS.“It’s to commemorate the victims and also to promote road safety.” Marie-Ève Laforest, regional coordinator of road safety for the SAAQ reiterated the importance of highlighting the sharing of roads between cyclists and drivers each year.“This meeting of cyclists is important for us because it aims to sensitize road users and cyclists to the importance of sharing the road, especially now at the beginning of bike season,” she said.“We know the sharing of roads is a problem.A survey held in 2010 revealed that 20 per cent of cyclists believe it is drivers who do not respect Cont’d on page 3 1 Red Cross goal is S52k Page 3 \ cj.¦». Page 2 Thursday, May 10, 2012 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Brome Beaux Arts Chamber music concerts presented at the Old Brick Church, West Brome Saturday, May 26 at 8 p.m.Sunday, May 27 at 11 a.m.Guests: Trio Settecento American violin virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine will present - with her early music ensemble Trio Settecento composed of Rachel Barton Pine, violin, John Mark Rozendaal, cello, and David Schrader, harpsichord, -a varied programme of works by Handel, Corelli, Vivaldi and Bach.Programme: Handel, Corelli, Vivaldi, Bach Admission: Free Information: (450) 263-2346 Weather TODAY: SHOWERS HIGH OF 12 LOW OF 11 \ FRIDAY: PERIODS OF RAIN HIGH OF 15 LOW OF 6 "Nr SATURDAY: SUNNY HIGH OF 19 LOW OF 3 > SUNDAY: CHANCE OF SHOWERS HIGH OF 18 LOW OF 9 hr MONDAY: CLOUDY HIGH OF 19 LOW OF 6 Cowansville New centre of expertise in asset management COURTESY in asset management : From left to right: Arthur l auleux, André Coyer (Croupe Coyer).Benoit Desgens (Athéna Construction), Sébastien Coyer (Croupe Coyer), Michel vranklyn (Director), Guylaine Tremblay ( Roy et Tremblay), Stéphanie Gauthier, architect at Favreau Blais Dufour Lemay D’Arcy Brosseau and Stéphane Benjamin, general director of the Caisse.Caisse populaire Desjardins de Brome-Missisquoi celebrated the official opening of its new centre of expertise in asset management at 145, rue Sherbrooke, Cowansville in on April 30.This new centre brings together a team with strong expertise in invest- ment and financial planning, an access to ATM services, round-the-clock deposits.A large parking lot is at the members disposal.It is located on a very accessible and blooming business location.In addition, the services of subsidiaries such as FSG group of Desjardins Securities and Desjardins Financial Se- curity will be offered in the same building.Caisse populaire Desjardins de Brome-Missisquoi has always been concerned by the satisfaction of its members, and this significant investment is another way to offer better services to their members.Source: Hélène Sactouris Uplands wants your stories COURTESY Opening hours plands, a heritage home located f in the Lennoxville borough of Sherbrooke is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.Currently home to the Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre as well as the Lennoxville Ascot Historical and Museum Society (LAHMS), Uplands has a number of special events planned throughout the year.We are presently looking for additional, personal information about the house from those who lived nearby or had a connection to Uplands over the years.Do you have any memories about the families who lived in the house, or about the house itself?Did you sit on the Uplands or LAHMS board?Wed love to hear your anecdotes, stories, and feelings about Uplands, and we will share them with other “Uplands-philes” during our celebrations.You can contact us through our website, www.uplands.ca, or by emailing up-lands@uplands.ca, or by visiting the Uplands page on Facebook.Uplands is open to the public Wednesday to Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:30pm.Admission to the exhibits is FREE.For more information, please call (819) 564-0409 or visit our website at www.uplands.ca.Source: Kathryne Owen Ben by Daniel Shelton W YOU INSIST TMT ^ H YOU'RE LOSING ALT Jg V YOUR HAIR.X PISAGREE.I PUNT THINK YOUVE LOST IT AT AU,:_________ ITS RIGHT HERE'ON TOUR BACK ANP IN JOUR EARS/ The Record ne\vsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Thursday, May 10, 2012 Page 3 r - .,•/( )CAL ^ N TE7 H7(0 “We receive a lot from the Red Cross but we haven’tgiven much back W O over the last few years, ” Red Cross launches $52k funding campaign By Evan LePage The Sherbrooke division of the Red Cross has launched a funding campaign with the goal of raising $52,000 to support the work they do in the city.On Tuesday, May 8, volunteers from the aid organization gathered at city hall to mark World Red Cross Day by highlighting the contributions they make on a local level and kicking off their campaign.As a flag bearing the red cross hung from the flag pole in front of city hall, Sherbrooke Red Cross volunteer Alexandrine Cardin-Dubé explained that, despite what many believe, the volunteer group is not only active on the international level.“The Red Cross is a global specialist in preparation for catastrophes and emergency intervention following fires.Unfortunately, Sherbrooke is not sheltered from catastrophes.This is why the team of volunteers, which I am proud to be a part of, is there to come to the aid of Sherbrookers,” she said.“This aid can come in the form of food support, clothes or housing.It is good to remember that there are at least three interventions per day in Quebec and this number grows year by year.” Cardin-Dubé offered statistics to illustrate the place of the Red Cross in the Estrie region.In 20102011,193 people received aid from Red Cross volunteers and these same volunteers offered their services at the site of 42 fires.In total, 87 citizens made themselves available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year as volunteers for the regional branch of the Red Cross.In Sherbrooke specifically, “The Red Cross is a partner in civil security that the City of Sherbrooke can count on, and this as much in individual disasters as in major emergencies,” Cardin-Dubé said, a partnership reinforced by the presence of deputy mayor Robert Pouliot and fire prevention services director Gaétan Drouin at Tuesday’s press conference.Reiterating that the mission of the Red Cross is to come to the aid of those who are most vulnerable through voluntary mobilization, Cardin-Dubé said that funding campaigns are essential for the proper functioning of the Red Cross.” This point was picked up on by well-know sports journalist Jean Arel, who was chosen as the spokesperson for this year’s funding campaign.“We receive a lot from the Red Cross but we haven’t given much back over the last few years,” he said, noting that it has been years since their last funding campaign.“I don’t think people know they need money to function and it’s a modest campaign: $1,000 per week, or $52,000 that we’d like to obtain this year to ensure the proper functioning of the Red Cross.” Arel explained that in the coming weeks and months letters would be sent to local businesses and groups and that people raising money for the organization would be present at local festivals and events, from the Lac des nations festival to Sherbrooke Phoenix hockey games.“We need to give the Red Cross the means to come to the aid of those among us who need it.This could be the family of someone close to us forced to quickly evacuate their home during a fire or elderly people whose residence has been touched by floods,” Arel said in a statement.“It is reassuring to think that in the minutes following the evacuation, Red Cross volunteers will be there to offer a blanket and priceless comfort during these moments of distress.” More information about the Red Cross can be found at www.croixrouge.ca/quebec.Pot seized in Lambton Investigators from the Eastern Townships branch of the Surete du Quebec underwent a search of a residence on Route 108 in Lambton Tuesday morning believed to be connected to local drug trafficking in the area.The ten or so policemen that were sent to the scene seized about 250 marijuana plants and two pounds of marijuana, which had been readied for sale.In addition, they also seized two firearms, including one prohibited one, which they found on the site.The suspect, a 42-year-old man, was charged with drug possession for the intent of trafficking, possession of a prohibited weapon, and breach of probation and conditions.The raid was the result of an investigation that has been ongoing for nearly a year, completed with the help of information forwarded to the police by the public March Cont’d from page 1 road rules and 32 per cent of drivers believe it is cyclists that do not respect the rules.When we look at this, it is clear that everyone places the blame on someone else when in effect we need to look at ourselves and work together to harmonize the roads.” Laforest said that both cyclists and drivers have rules to follow.Among them, drivers should remember that “regardless of the temperature, the hour or place [.] there could always be cyclists on the roads.” Drivers should also keep a distance of one metre in the city and one and a half metres in rural environments when passing cyclists, and are legally allowed to cross a double line to do so.“Cyclists also have a role to play, including signaling their intentions, having a visual contact with drivers and being very visible on the roads,” Laforest said.“And, concerning cyclists, we could not repeat it enough: everyone needs to wear a helmet.We also know a helmet does not prevent accidents but it can save you from serious head injuries.” The Tour de Silence, which begins at the IGA Extra on King Street West at 6 p.m.on May 19, will cover 15 km under a police escort.Cyclists will wear a black armband, while those who have already been in a road accident will wear a red armband.Wearing a helmet is obligatory.Similar events will also be held in 30 municipalities across Quebec, and in over 400 cities on four continents across the globe.Despite the solemn nature of the event, it comes on the back of a lot of good news for cyclists in the Sherbrooke region.Cyr, one of the major forces behind the city regulation enforcing the wearing of helmets among the city’s youth, reminded everyone that there were no cases of head trauma among young cyclists last year.In 2011,900 helmets were distributed and this year that effort will continue.On behalf of the SAAQ, Laforest in- formed those in attendance at a press conference Wednesday that in 2011 only 36 cyclists suffered injuries on roads in the region, 20 fewer than in 2010 and the smallest number in the last six years.There were also no deaths.In the province as a whole, 1,858 suffered injuries in 2011, a 16 per cent decrease from the year before.Also providing some good news for cyclists was Gilles Bourque, regional director of Transports Québec.“For five years already the transport ministry has proceeded with the paving of shoulders when we do construction work or maintenance of the road network,” Bourque explained.“Concerning the roads the most frequented by cycling clubs, in 2010, 58 per cent of the shoulders were paved.In 20ll, this percentage reached 71 per cent.This year, we expect to reach 80 per cent in terms of paved shoulders on the most used roads.” Bourque described how in 2010, 60 km of shoulder were paved.That figure increased to 140 km in 2011.“By the end of the year 2012 we predict that the network of the transport ministry in Estrie, other than highways, will have paved shoulders on around 70 per cent of their length,” he said.“This year the addition will be in the area of 130 km.Obviously our objective in the middle and long term is to attain 100 per cent of our network.” Finally, Sherbrooke Police Seivice captain Danny McConnell reminded citizens that for the twelfth straight year, the “Salvage-donate your bike” campaign will be putting bikes into the hands of kids whose parents would otherwise not be able to provide one.A total of 114 bikes will be distributed to children this year, each one coming with a helmet.On June 2, from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m., the SPS will also be holding a bike collection day at Blanchard Park.In case of rain, it will be pushed to the next day.In addition to bikes for teens and children, the police are in need of small bikes and tricycles to give to very young kids.Unmanned aircraft Cont’d from page 1 lance and reconnaissance more efficiently, safely and economically than traditional methods, notes a press release.The unmanned aircraft are replacing helicopters and airplanes used for the same purposes.Over the last few years, the company has completed 30,000 flight hours with the Canadian Forces and has provided simulators for training operators of unmanned aircraft.“The main objective of the Sherbrooke office is to develop advanced systems of flying robots and also to adapt existing systems with new technologies.Several unmanned aircraft systems are developed and tested in the Sherbrooke office of ING Engineering, and the airports surrounding Sherbrooke, Bromont and Thetford Mines,” reads the release.' Michel Puval Advertising Consultant fif Serving the entire Eastern Townships with three publications RIXORI) Townships Outlet llmim: Giunty NEWS One number «19 569-9525 mduval@sherbrookerecord.com Page 4 Thursday, May 10, 2012 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Hidden talent in Asbestos Drummer Bernard Riche gets star’s spotlight with Montreal Métropolitain Orchestra By Claudia Villemaire Record Correspondent We meet quite often - he’s out of his cubicle to greet students learning about the mysteries of percussion and drumming.His greetings are always warm and friendly, but he had never mentioned his talents as a composer of music for drums or his recent accomplishments resulting in the composition of a Concerto for Drums as well as a specially composed piece of music for a jazz trio.Bernard Riche is a slight man, not very tall, always smiling it seems - hardly one expected to set up such a musical clatter on his beloved drums that rattle knickknacks on their shelves and threaten window-panes.Nor has anyone in these parts ever imagined a piece of music blending African, Latin and American rhythms in a concert piece that would be accepted by the Montreal Métropolitain Orchestra to be performed at their first event of the season tonight, (Thursday) in the new Salle Symphonique in Montreal.That’s exactly the honour and pride the Richmond aficionados of this talented drummer are talking about these days.Appearing as a guest soloist, spotlighted for his performance of the Concerto for Drums, later joined by Francois Bourassa and Guy Boisvert for the jazz segment, Riche is not only realizing a lifelong dream but is bringing the very best kind of notoriety to budding musicians at the Centre d’Arts and Amis de la Musique in Richmond.Born in France, Riche completed his master’s degree in music, majoring in percussion, especially drumming, at universities in Paris.“I’ve been here for ten years now, and I would never go back permanently to France," this resident of Asbestos says emphatically.“But 1 must say, with music PHOTO BY CLAUDIS VILLEMAIRE Bernatrd Riche shows his drumming versatility in Montreal in the new Salle Symphonique in Montreal Thursday night.and particularly drumming, my dream and focus throughout my studies, the training I received was exceptional," he admits.But, most folks realize there’s more to composing and producing a piece of music than just coming up with a melody line.“I had to find someone who would arrange this entirely new approach to a concert piece featuring a vast array of drums and incorporating several drumming styles.Luckily I had made the ac- Thanks to your donations Camouflaging Entrance Doors to the Geriatric Unit mm cowwflfl Fondation CHUS Hôtel-Dieu Geriatric Acute-Care Unit $10,000 •iSS Plants, a bookcase with books, a wooden wardrobe, and an old-fashioned radio sitting on a short brick wall are just some of the things you'll see on a walk through the acute-care unit at Flôtel-Dieu hospital.Skeptics will be confused because these items are all parts of murals in the geriatric unit to conceal access doors.By providing funding for this camouflaging, the CHUS Foundation's Brigitte-Perreault fund achieved two goals at the same time.First, it humanizes care by creating a more welcoming, reassuring, and stimulating setting for hospitalized patients with cognitive disorders, who often find a hospital stay stressful.The murals help make for a more pleasant stay.It also appears that the artwork entices some people out of their rooms, which helps them regain their independence more rapidly, among other things.In addition, since the artwork does a good job concealing the doors, patients are less tempted to see what's on the other side.As a result, the murals can help reduce the risk of patients wandering off and make it easier for staff to perform monitoring.quaintance of a music teacher in Asbestos, a talented arranger too.Thierry Pilote set to work, melding these drumming styles and my composition into a work of art, musically speaking.” Riche has every reason to be proud of their combined efforts considering the Métropolitaine Orchestra’s almost immediate acceptance of their “demo’ sample.” This week Riche’s days are filled.Already in Montreal, practicing is a priority until today when his first encounter at their final rehearsal with a full orchestra will take him through his paces.“Yes, I am thrilled and not just a little bit nervous,” he admits, talking about the setup the orchestra has proposed, a dais in front of the conductor getting the full benefit of a star’s spotlight.And oh yes, there will be a CD so local folks and supporters can enjoy this, up until now, hidden talent.Two chairs and 3 small bookcase in front of this mural draw all attention away from the elevator.Patients sit and relax in this cozy corner Follow us on Fondation .: PROMUTUEL Everything starts with trust Fraud to contribute to improved health in our community' IMNl’KA.WL ANP FINANCIAL SKKYTCrS jfp ¥.ym .* ¦ , AlSC ¦ ' : The Record ne\vsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Thursday, May 10, 2012 Page 5 Plans for Magog’s future come together The committee responsible for completing the first stages of the strategic planning process initiated by the city of Magog back in February has unveiled the results of their analysis, the city’s new vision statement and the directions proposed by the new policy, which will serve as a starting point for the public meetings and discussions taking place on May 29 and June 9.The strategic planning process, was dubbed “Magog, imagine tomorrow” back in February and aimed to establish a series of development objectives to guide their decision making for the next few decades.“The committee has taken the past few months to structure an approach that will enable us to make a needed shift towards our prosperous future," said City of Magog Mayor Vicki May Hamm in a release.“More specifically we started analysing Magog’s current situation through studying 15 different topics covering economical, social and environmental factors as well as municipal management.” From there, the committee used the different aspects identified that they believe the city needs to improve upon to achieve what they would like Magog to resemble in 2030.COURTESY General Director Armand Comeau and City of Magog Mayor Vicki May Hamm were both present at Magog’s press conference for the future strategic developmental plans.The fist two steps, according to the new plan, will be to ensure land development that sustains or enhances the history of Magog and to facilitate integration, social equity and developing a strong sense of membership to the city.Then, one of the major decisions taken is to reinforce the city’s economy by further developing the health, tourism and technology fields, all while supporting development of collaborative approaches and partnerships that encourage the commitment of the local community.The city has also announced their plans to become more innovative in the field of municipal and community infrastructure in order to attract entrepreneurs, professionals and families, showing them that Magog can be an ideal location to set-up either a company or a family home for the long run.The new plan and guidelines for the city's future will all be discussed in detail at the citizens' meetings organized in late May and early June.Participants will be invited to share their thoughts and concerns about the new plans with the organizing committee, and will then be separated into small groups, joining together those with similar concerns so they can be further explained the details of the plan's aspects which are bothering them with the help of dynamic presentations.Those interested in knowing all the results of the first steps of the strategie-planning exercise may consult the summary report available at www.imagi-nonsdemain.com.The first citizens’ meeting, on May 29, will begin at 6:30 pan.at the Salle Ovila-Bergeron, inside the city’s community centre.The second, on June 9, will bt'gin at 1:00 pan.in the basement of the St-Jean-Bosco church.Maison Gilles-Carie opens in Cowansville Patrick Lacroix Record Correspondent A year’s worth of determined efforts on the part of Brome-Missisquoi’s Regroupement Soutien aux Aidants (RSABM), a support group for natural caregivers, were recognized last Friday with the official inauguration of Maison Gilles-Carle, which will aid natural caregivers by welcoming their ailing loved ones for up to two weeks at a time.The project was pushed forth from the beginning by Chloé Sainte-Marie, who cared for her husband, noted cinematographer Gilles Carle, for many years and hoped to bring relief to others in her position.Originally established in St-Paul-d’Abbotsford, west of Granby, Maison Gilles-Carle was moved on account of non-conformity-with agricultural zoning.The road to the official opening in its present location began last July when it was announced that a new Maison Gilles-Carle would be built on Boul.J.-A.-Déragon, in Cowansville, on a parcel do- nated by real estate developed Daniel Bélanger.Through Belanger’s efforts the construction costs were cut by half, reaching no more than $300,000.Desjardins also contributed by providing a ten-year, interest-free loan.The official opening was further a happy occasion with an announcement from two regional organizations, ROMAN and Appui Montérégie, to the ef: feet that they would subsidize the work of a social and psychological counsellor over the course of three years, a grant of $147,576.“The community’s enthusiasm for our project greatly surpassed our expectations and we are here today to thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” stated Sylvie Careau, president of the RSABM administrative board.Individuals who are welcomed to lhe centre are under the 24-hour care of professionals who cater to I he patrons’ specific medical, nutritional, and psychological needs in a home like atmosphere.Maison Gilles-Carle will open its doors to the public on May 11 and 12, from 11 a.m.to 2 p.m.Sensitisation week puts spotlight on less fortunate Patrick Lacroix Community groups all across the province are presently organizing and holding special events to bring attention to Social Assistance Recipients’ Dignity Week.This year, the umbrella association representing these groups, Quebec’s Common Front for Social Assistance Recipients (FCPASQ), has chosen to focus its efforts on the struggle for a universal guaranteed income.The FCPASQ indicates that this measure would contribute to full personal autonomy, help all persons live out their citizenship in dignity, introduce more egalitarian relations between men and women, and increase wealth redistribution.According to Jacynthe Tremblay, spokesperson for Action Plus Brome-Mis-sisquoi, “this income, granted to all persons aged 18 and up on an individual basis, is estimated to be $18,373 per year according to numbers provided by Statistics Canada.In order to successfully implement such an option, it would be necessary to replace such programs as social welfare, financial aid to students, subsidies for housing, and the solidarity tax credit and reconsider a fiscal model that currently perpetuates social injus- tice.” “We need to end financial support categories if we are to restore personal dignity, and the universal guaranteed income, similar to old-age pensions, would be a big step in that direction,” adds Tremblay.“In this we are echoing the National Council of Welfare.What we find, increasingly, is that there is a problem of accessibility, made worse by the recent centralisation of decisionmaking and services.Among our local English-speaking population, low-income earners are often more isolated and it is even more difficult for them to find the support they need.” Action Plus Brome-Missisquoi has represented the concerns of the less fortunate and raised awareness for the fight against poverty for nearly three decades.Described as a popular education forum, it organizes information sessions and peaceful protests and offers guidance in both French and English.The group is highlighting the sensitisation week by inviting community members to a French-language seminar titled “Towards a universal guaranteed income,” to be held at the Centre de la nature in Cowansville, on Thursday, May 10, at 8:30.A light lunch will be served.St.Francis closed for A S( A; section of St.Francis Street in Lennoxville will be closed to trafic today for aqueduct and sewer work.Starting at 7 a.m.this morning and lasting until 6 p.m., city workers will close St.Francis between Champigny and Beattie streets.Drivers will be detoured around the section via Champigny, Willowdale and Beattie, so residents of those streets can expect increased traffic throughout the day.Only those citizens who need to use the closed off section of St.Francis to access their homes will be permitted in the construction area.Also starting this morning is a two- sewer, aqueduct work week planting project in the Sylvie-Daigle Park area.As of 10 a.m.today, users of the parking lot between du Cégep and Terrill streets will face significant disturbances as workers plant over 130 trees in the media strips and other grassy surfaces.The access lane for the Sherbrooke Transport Service loading area will also be impeded at times during the two-week project.The parking lot of the Amedée-Roy Stadium will be made available to users to compensate for the lack of parking during the planting project. Page 6 Thursday, May 10, 2012 newsroom@shtTbrookerecord.com The Record DITORIAL What does it matter that under the heavy thumb of the USA we have committed to buying 65 (yes sixty five!) F-35 fighters and that the costs were voluntarily underpriced by $10 billion?House of cards: Dealing a stacked deck Today marks the first anniversary of this column.To be honest.1 was expecting to be blaming the Reform-Conservatives on environmental matters a lot.This day will not be an exception.But this administration has outdone itself on a weekly basis when it comes to contempt for our democratic process.We are now all too aware of the damage done to our social networks, we are not even surprised at their shameless display of disdain for anything environmental.But one thing I did not expect was that Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, would be making all the announcements on climate change while Peter Kent was busy attacking the environmentalists! Again an independent federal body has blamed the Harperites of underachieving on their already lean environmental goals.In yet another report, this time from environment commissioner Scott Vaughan, the numbers leave one stunned.After blaming the Kyoto Protocol for everything un-eco-nomic as an excuse to op-out, Peter Kent was heard saying publicly that the new Canadian standards were the most stringent on the planet and that these new emissions goals, set after Copenhagen, would be far more realistic and would lead to a great economic and environmental future.blah,blah,blah.Well folks, the numbers do not even back that feeble statement.As it stands Canada will be close to 800 million tons of emissions by 2020, a full 33 per cent above 1990 goals set in the Kyoto Protocol, while Europe is aiming for a 20 per cent reduction from 1990, an abyss! In- stead of reducing by 282 million tons as per Kyoto we will be minus.27 million tons.in 2020.By the way, the Kyoto engagements are still law in this country and a number of jurists are taking the administration to court on this.Right now there are no goals in the so-called progressive program set forth by the Harper government, no numbers on the real costs of this dismal scenario.We do know from the Stern Report written for the UN a few years ago, that implementing Kyoto standards results in a one to two per cent raise in costs to manufacturers and consumers while opening all sorts of markets for environmentally respectful products and a long term positive effect on the global economy.The losses of not acting are staggering! You can expect the business sector to challenge the Feds on this one.They are already setting new standards for themselves that are essential in a global market.Countries that have acted on climate will not let businesses from countries like Canada get away with environmental murder without imposing major tax hurdles.You can bet the business sector won’t stand long for this.That the Reform-Conservatives can’t stand environmental issues is genetically understandable, but what is not is when they fail to make any economical sense.A year ago in my first column I wrote the following: Beyond all ideologies, one has to understand that avoiding these issues will steer us away from the next economy.Missed opportunities in urban planning issues, energy efficiency and investment in sectors like solar, wind power, electric cars, high quality housing will all suffer from an all-out effort to push for more oil sands exploitation.Well, there you have it, greed, a religious belief that our natural resources are there to be taken without any concern for future generations, and to top it all contempt for anyone who says otherwise.This will end up in the courts sooner or later.It seems that the only out of this mess is to sue this administration for breach of basic democratic ways and means.Three more years?RECORD P.0.Box 1200 Sherbrooke J1H 5L6 or 1195 Galt E, Sherbrooke JIG 1Y7 Fax for Newsroom oncy: 819-569-3945 e-mail: newsrooni0sherbrookerecord.com Website: www.sherbrookerecord.coin Sharon McCully Publisher . symb'.,uf, ,„s„, on C rmtboHeab Alley Oop NOW, THE TRUTH, KING GUZ, DO YOU KNOW WHERE OOOLA IS?HOT EXACTLY ACL RISHT, FOR NOW, SUT I WILL NOT HESITATE TO USE IT F YOU CONTINUE TO PLAY GAMES/ IU.TAKE YOU TO THE CAPITAL TO FIND HIM, BUT I MUST REQUEST THAT YOU PUT YOUR KNIFE AWAY/ BUT I KNOW WHO WOULD KNOW/ ARLO & JANIS WHeRE'eV—^ C&HZ* I HOME The Born Loser m Loom KG FOR.AN INLXPLNOWL WATCH HI5 muT6:\ HOME.'/) H6 5AID HC UE£DeD TO "THIMK*/ AWDY001/ AMD WHY J0&Tl£f ÔHOOLDO'T HIM ûO?/ V If MEMORIAL DAY WEtKSMD 15 J05T AROOMD THE CORMER rmt5 WATCH lb 6UT IT'5 ^ e rA5 t JUST TOLD YOU TVJ0MTY-FIVe PE.RŒHT OFF.FIFTLCK Æ iAl MUTES 1 SLOW! 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