The record, 7 décembre 2016, mercredi 7 décembre 2016

[" Sherbrooke council confronted on Moulton Hill and Glenday Page 3 mTHE» RECORD Promises are easy, not simple Editorial - Page 6 The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 75 CENTS + TAXES BU brings the benefits of bilingualism to Lennoxville Elementary By Gordon Lambie Lennoxville Elementary School will be host to a presentation and discussion on supporting reading development in bilingual children tonight at 7pm.Organized as a part of Bishop\u2019s University\u2019s Café Scientifique series, which presents academic research in a way that is meant to be accessible and interesting for the general population, the discussion will be led by Dr.Corinne Haigh from the University\u2019s School of Education.\u201cIt\u2019s meant to be accessible to the broader community,\u201d Haigh told The Record.\u201cI hope that it gets people excited to talk about bilingualism and its benefits.\u201d Drawing on research she conducted on literacy development in elementary school students in French immersion programs, Haigh said that she aims to break down some of the myths regarding bilingualism and discuss strategies for reading development in children living in bilingual environments.\u201cWe know from research that the more exposure you have to whatever second language you\u2019re trying to learn improves your later reading skills,\u201d the researcher said.\u201cA lot of kids, when they start school here, are probably pretty fluent in two languages or at least have a higher level of exposure.\u201d While highlighting the value and significance of bilingual education, Haigh said that it is important to note that there are a wide range of factors that influence peoples\u2019 decisions regarding the education of their children.That said, though, she added that children whose language skills are identified as being Cont\u2019d on page 5 ¦ THE i RECORD GET a 7 DAY TR1AL ONUNE SCRIPT*01* ¦ PM#0040007682\tWednesday, December 7, 2016 On this day 10 years ago.Grannies for grannies got to work RECORD ARCHIVES/PERRY BEATON * » Fiai .«\u2019V*- .r*V -V sft S\u2019VyS\u2019N ./WA v A'1 ¦ ' ISïïiK v\\ \u2022.*, Close to a dozen CFUW members were in the basement of the Unitarian Universalist Church in North Hatley making AIDS Angels for the Stephen Lewis Foundation\u2019s Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign.Ten years later, the campaign is still going strong, according to Heather Keith, who first started the CFUW interest group.Since its humble beginnings in a church basement, the group, better known these days as grannies for grannies, has raised over $90,000 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which provides care and support to women, orphans, grandmothers and people living with AIDS in Africa.Seen here is Marg Logan White back in 2006, working on one of the AIDS angels, made with cork bodies, wooden heads and decorated with dresses and wings.Take The Record anywhere with you with an online subscription! iPads, tablets, iPhones, Android phones, laptops! For a free 7 day trial, go to www.sherbrookerecord.com, click on e-dition, then Free Trial and fill in the information.For information or assistance call 819-569-9528 billing@sherbrookerecord.com Abenakis hoping for a double RECORD RECORD Study panel recommends keeping school hoard elections id distributed by PressReadei PressReader.com ?+1 604 278 4604 ID PROTECTED BY Page 2 Wednesday, December 7, 2016 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record The Record e-edition There for you 24-hours-a-day 7-days-a-week.Wherever you are.Access the full edition of the Sherbrooke Record as well as special editions and 30 days of archives.Renew or order a new 12-month print subscription and get a 12-month online subscription for an additional $5 or purchase the online edition only for $82.21.Record subscription rates (includes Quebec taxes) 1 year print: $155.91 6 month print: $81.85 3 month print: $41.57 12 month web only: $82.21 1 month web only: $7.46 Web subscribers have access to the daily Record as well as archives and special editions.Subscribing is as easy as 1,2,3: 1.\tVisit the Record website: www.sherbrookerecord.com 2.\tClick e-edition.3.\tComplete the form and wait for an email activating your online subscription.Weather TODAY: CLOUDY HIGH OF 0 LOW OF -3 THURSDAY: 60% CHANCE OF FLURRIES HIGH OF -1 LOW OF -5 FRIDAY: PERIODS OF SNOW HIGH OF -5 LOW OF -15 SATURDAY: MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS HIGH OF -8 LOW OF -17 SUNDAY: SUNNY HIGH OF -8 LOW OF -13 Keeping in Touch Welcoming (back) Holly TOWNSHIPPERS\u2019 ASSOCIATION Jenny Menard, Make Way for YOUth Migration Agent, will be replaced by Holly McMillan over the first few months, while she leaves Townshippers\u2019 to welcome her first baby.ToWkfhippei'J This year has been a busy one for Townshippers\u2019 Association and for our team, two of which are expecting.This means that we will soon be saying good-bye to our mommies-to-be as they head off to start their new families, and welcoming their replacements.In our Knowlton office, Emily Prang-ley Desormeaux will be filling in for Maggie Severs, Health and Social Services agent.We introduced Emily in our Tuesday Brome County News column and on our website Townshippers.org.Today we\u2019d like to (re)introduce Holly McMillan who will be replacing Jenny Ménard, Make Way for YOUth Migration Agent, in our Sherbrooke office.Since working at Townshippers\u2019 for the Canada Game project in 2013, Holly has been pursuing other interests and working as a translator, while continuing to be actively involved in various non-profit organizations and projects.After her project wrapped up, Holly kept close ties to the organization by volunteering each year at Townshippers\u2019 Day, attending Townshippers\u2019 events and sitting on the Membership Committee.Holly is passionate about working with the community, fostering a sense of belonging and community engagement among youth, and sharing her love of the Townships.She is eager to step into this role within the organization for 2017 as this will be an opportunity for her to pursue work that aligns with her strengths, skills, and interests.We are sure you will join Townshippers\u2019 in giving Holly and Emily a warm welcome to the team, and with great excitement, we wish Jenny and Maggie all the best on their new arrivals! Last Colour café Take some time from the holiday craziness and relax by colouring with other adults at the last Colour café of the year, at 6pm, on December 13, at La Relève du Haut-Saint-François, 54 rue Bibeau, Cookshire-Eaton.Bring your own books and crayons (some supplies will be available for new colourers), we\u2019ll bring the snacks.No talent required.Colouring within the lines is optional.Please RSVP through the event posted at Face-book.com/Townshippers.\u2018Tis the season to give and receive Save the date and bring the family! Celebrate the holidays with the community organizations in the Marguerite Knapp building at our Open House on Wednesday, December 14 from 5pm to 7pm.Lighten up your week with a visit with all of us - Townshippers1 Association, Townshippers1 Research & Cultural Foundation, Mental Health Estrie, Lennoxville & District Women's Centre, The Townships Sun, the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network and our special guests, the Lennoxville Youth Center.We\u2019ll have live music with Keenan Wilcox, prizes, special offers, refreshments and more.You\u2019ll have a chance to check out some of Townshippers\u2019 recent activities, such as our Colour café table, pick up some great books and music gifts from Townships Expressions and even earn a few extra \u201cnice\u201d points by helping Mental Health Estrie with their HUGS (hats, underwear, gloves, socks) collection for those in need locally.Swing on by and celebrate community with us at the open house on December 14,\t5-7pm.Details at Townshippers.org/Dec2016 For more information on Townshippers\u2019 Association and our activities, keep reading this weekly Keeping in Touch column in The Record and visit us on Twitter @Townshippers, Facebook and our website www.Townshippers.org.Connect with Townshippers\u2019 offices in Sherbrooke at 100 - 257 Queen St.819-566-5717, toll-free: 1-866-566-5717 or Lac-Brome at 3-584 Knowlton Rd, 450-242-4421, toll-free: 1-877-242-4421.Follow The Sherbrooke Record on Facebook and Twitter! E3 sherbrookerecord @recordnewspaper Ben by Daniel Shelton BEN, WERE J CHRISTMAS YOU JUST f SHOPPING-ON MEASURING/ UNEHASITS v MET yx PRAWSACKS press IjIAf-fJJ ID PROTECTED BY readertamE The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Wednesday, December 7, 2016 Page 3 \t\t\t\t \tLocal.\tN\tEWS\t\u201cMoulton Hill is a narrow road and it is even more dangerous in the wintertime,\u201d Maxwell said.\u201cWe want a permanent solution.\u201d Sherbrooke council confronted on Moulton Hill and Glenday By Gordon Lambie Sherbrooke\u2019s city council meeting on Monday night saw discussion of two of Lennoxville\u2019s most notorious street issues.During the meeting\u2019s question period both Don Maxwell of Moulton Hill Road and Jean-Claude Bégin of the Viewpoint neighbourhood near Glenday Road shared familiar concerns about the state of their local streets.Maxwell began his intervention by thanking the police, the public security committee, and the council for the support and attention they have given to the worries about speeding on Moulton Hill over the last four years.The Lennoxville resident quickly followed that gratitude, however, with the assertion that small measures are not going to make a difference to the safety of the road in the long term.\u201cMoulton Hill is a narrow road and it is even more dangerous in the wintertime,\u201d Maxwell said.\u201cWe want a permanent solution.\u201d Maxwell advocated for the installa- tion of speed humps on the road, a series of raised bumps designed to be almost imperceptible when driving the correct speed.These humps, he said, are used throughout the world to great effect.\u201cThey are very effective,\u201d the resident said.Marc Denault, chair of the city\u2019s public security committee, said that the ideal solution for the Moulton Hill speeding from a safety standpoint would be to urbanize the street, expanding it to provide more room on the shoulders.The problem with that idea, he quickly pointed out, is that it would be quite expensive and the residents on the street would have to share the cost.\u201cI hear your message well,\u201d Denault told Maxwell, explaining that the city is looking for an acceptable solution that will not be too expensive.Lennoxville Borough President David Price, meanwhile, said that studies are to be conducted in the near future on traffic speed and flow, and a speed indicator like the one currently in place on St-Francis street is to be installed along the road as well.Bégin followed on Maxwell\u2019s heels, presenting the council with a petition with 187 names of people fed up with the condition of the paved section of Glenday Road near Viewpoint.\u201cIt is in terrible shape,\u201d said Bégin, who speaks on behalf of a committee of people seeking a solution to the Glenday problem.\u201cEven the base of the roadway is damaged.\u201d While raising points about the uncertainty of when the highway 410 extension will be completed and arguing that the already rough road is being used as a shortcut by drivers looking to get around Lennoxville traffic, the resident called on the council and the mayor to come up with a viable solution within the coming weeks.Council President Serge Paquin interrupted Bégin to let him know that a process was currently underway and that a meeting has been scheduled to discuss a possible solution this coming Thursday night.Bégin acknowledged that fact but said that there is some con- cern that the proposed solution, pulverizing the road surface and laying it back down as gravel, may not be acceptable to all residents.Asked about that perspective after the meeting, the citizen spokesperson clarified that while some have been in favour of replacing the roadway with gravel in the short term, consultation with residents already living on the gravel section of Glenday suggests that the situation there is not much better.Price explained that what is currently being discussed is a process of pulverizing the existing road surface and packing it back down as a sort of non-paved surface.The borough president said that there need to be some tests done on the road in advance to see what the foundation of the road is made up of.\u201cWe had a wicked surprise on Winder Street because they found trees under the roadway,\u201d Price said, \u201cbut any work that gets done won\u2019t be until early spring, so there\u2019s still a winter of pothole hell ahead.\u201d Sherbrooke to allow street food beginning next spring Record Staff Sherbrooke J-umping onto a Canada-wide bandwagon, the city of Sherbrooke will begin authorizing street food vendors beginning next spring.A maximum of three seasonal street cooking permits will be issued in the first year for the period from May 1 to October 31, 2017.The notice of motion was introduced at Monday\u2019s regular meeting of city Council, with a view to the adoption of a regulation on December 19.Street cooking is the preparation and sale of food from an equipped street vehicle, commonly known as a food truck.This activity is currently permitted in Montreal, Granby and Drummondville and Sherbrooke.Lévis and Québec could join the group as early as spring 2017.\"This is a request from the restaurateurs in the territory.We consulted with Commerce Sherbrooke, several business stakeholders and restaurateurs to clarify certain aspects of the regulation.The practice of street cooking will be well supervised,\" says Executive Committee Chair Serge Paquin.The proposed Regulations specify that this activity will require a permit and only restaurateurs and caterers who have been in business for at least a year will be able to apply.Applications will be evaluated by a selection committee and permits will be awarded on the basis of the quality of the applications.The location of the restaurant trucks will be clarified next spring.In determining where food trucks will be permitted to operate, the City says it will promote harmonious and proportional integration with restaurants in the city.Paces such as Jacques-Cartier Park, Lucien-Blanchard Park and Parc de la Plage-Municipale in the Deauville area are among locations to be considered.Commerce Sherbrooke will send an e-mail to all the caterers and restaurateurs in the city asking them to submit their application before January 31, 2017 and candidates selected by the selection committee will have until April 15 to apply for a license.The City will then issue three seasonal permits in 2017 at a cost of $ 500 each.Complete details and the application form are available on the City\u2019s website at sherbrooke.ca/cuisinederue.Follow The Sherbrooke Record on Facebook and Twitter! [ysherbrookerecord S71 ®recordnewspaper WE NEED A HELPING HAND THIS HOLIDAY! r »-,v ALEXANDER GALT CHRISTMAS BASKET CAMPAIGN 2016 The AGRHS Christmas basket campaign has been a long-standing tradition in the community.Over the years we have been fortunate in being able to rely on several partners and community members to help us fill the baskets with some staples and all the trimmings of a holiday meal.However, to better meet the changing realities of our clientele, we are focusing on raising funds rather than food items (any such donations will be taken to the local food bank), V baskets will be created from the funds received.The baskets will benefit families from Alexander Galt Regional High School sector (elementary and high school).We hope we can continue to rely on your support, as it remains very important for the success of our Christmas basket campaign.Please, make cheques payable to (tax receipts for donations of 10$ and over will be issued): AGRHS Christmas Basket Campaign and mail to: AGRHS, RO.Box 5002,1700 rue College, J1M 1Z9 Thank you for your generosity! press!f'MJJ nd distributed by PressReader.com ?+1 604 ND PROTECTED BY y PressReader\\ 604 278 4604 APPLICABLE L AW J Page 4 Wednesday, December 7, 2016 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Jen Young Christmas Sponsor time 5 years ago, people started asking us what kind of food we use, and what kind of cookies my dogs and cats like because they wanted to bring in some \u201cgoodies\u201d for my guys for Christmas.It was such a nice thought.However, the food that was brought in was not the kind of food that the animals are all used to.Christmas morning is a blessed time for me, my children, and all our animals; since we spend it with the animals every Christmas morning, Christmas night turned out not so fun since the foreign food and cookies caused diarrhea for most of them.The next year was the same.You see, the animals get food that I have easy access to and since I own the store; solely to help me keep a roof over their heads and to pay their bills, so when they eat food they have never had before it has to be done slowly and carefully.So, three years ago, I got smart.I started preparing premade meals for everyone.That made everyone happy.People who wanted to sponsor an animals got a special thank you photo, the animals themselves since they got an extra big portion, and me since I didn\u2019t have to worry about a messy Christmas night.And, to stick to tradition, we have premade our cat and dog sponsorship gifts and they are ready for sponsoring.Each cat sponsor package contains a 7-pound bag of litter; the litter we use, so they don\u2019t get confused and decide to do their business somewhere else, and one premade meal.Each dog sponsor package contains 1 brand new blanket bed; since we go through beds like crazy and now they can each have a brand new bed Christmas morning, and one prepared meal.Not only will this give all of them a special Christmas gift each, but by sponsoring someone, for a $20 donation, it actually helps ALL of them since one day of me not having to purchase their meals, litters and beds, means I have more money to pay off my always a few thousand dollar vet bill.We also have smaller premade packages of cookies and treats, also that the animals are already used to, that can be given to them.You can come in to the store, 1730 Wellington South, Sherbrooke, JIM 1K9 to pick up a sponsor package and you will receive a special cat or dog Thank You Christmas photo.We have presently 52 cats with us and 34 dogs so thank you for helping make their Christmas a little brighter.If Loki is a young husky mix and such a cuddle bug.He is learning new things every day.I believe he was either an outside dog and got no experience in a home setting; since TVs and common household items are all new to him, or he came from Northern communities and had little experience with humans.He has come so far and is very loveable.Zac is my older border collie.He is smart and affectionate.He doesn\u2019t appreciate younger dogs bothering him but he is good with everyone.V:,.' : i \t Ruger is full of energy.He goes and goes and goes, like the energizer bunny, but he is smart and learns quickly.He is good with female dogs but still has boundaries to learn.* > Quinn is a sweet older girl.She is bossy with other dogs and doesn\u2019t care for cats, but for a family with no other animals, she will make a wonderful addition to the family.Toby is a shepherd mix and he is waiting patiently for his new family.He is good with other dogs and people.This page is provided by Blue Seal - The Animal Nutrition Centre and The Pet Connection.CENTRE DE NUTRITION ANIMALE CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA SALE ^ December 11 -17, 2016 Buy 2 Yankee candles and get 1 FREE $\u2014% 1730 Wellington Street South Sherbrooke \u2022 819-348-1888 blueseal@agrianalyse.com pressljJft'l-M Printed and distributed by PressReader £3dm.co niop\t0,4 278r4604 COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Wednesday, December 7, 2016 Page 5 One step forward: Identifying Victim Blaming Lennoxville & District Women\u2019s Centre 16 DAYS OF ACTION TO END SEX & GENDER BASED VIOLENCE This past week, the path to Champlain College has been lined with signs hoping to generate awareness about victim-blaming.The activity wanted to address victim blaming and slut shaming, an issue that is all too common in our society.Members of SexEd Champlain installed black signs with victim/slut shaming bearing negative statements.Students, staff and visitors read things that are commonly said about victims of assault: \u2022You just want attention \u2022You said yes at first \u2022Why weren\u2019t you more careful?\u2022You invited him over \u2022You\u2019re lying \u2022What were you wearing?\u2022You are not acting like a rape victim.\u2022 I know that person, and they wouldn\u2019t do that.\u2022 Get over it! What happened is not THAT bad.MATTEL I Believe You! ?! COURTESY help victims.\u2022Your story matters.I believe you.\u2022The absence of NO does not mean YES.\u2022\tI can be there for YOU?\u2022Consent is ongoing, enthusiastic and never assumed.\u2022\tIt is NOT your fault.\u2022\tSexual assault is a CRIME.\u2022\tRape is about power, not sex.\u2022You are valued.After having been confronted with these all too common statements, they arrived at the door where they were asked to \u2019turn around for another perspective.\u201d.The same path was lined with statements of a positive nature, expressing support and a willingness to 30-year old charged for Bell Canada vandalism Record Staff Sherbrooke A 30-year-old Sherbrooke man took out his frustration with Bell Canada by vandalizing the company's vehicles in Sherbrooke and will face trial for causing over $5,000 in damage during a weekend rampage Manuel Nicola Codina appeared on Monday at the Sherbrooke Courthouse before Quebec Court Judge Claire Des-gens to be charged with a misdemeanor for causing damage to a Bell Canada vehicle by fire and one of breach of conditions.The Friday night rampage in the Bilingualism Cont\u2019d from page 1 \u201cat risk\u201d are often steered away from bilingual environments when they might be just as capable of success with the right supports in place.\u201cWe should really value all the languages a child speaks,\u201d the researcher said.\u201cI think there\u2019s this perception that bilingualism can be a risk factor for reading difficulty, but research really tells us that it\u2019s not.There are many positive while avoiding responsibility.At the entrance, people found posters explaining what victim/slut shaming is and how we could put an end to it.Victim blaming marginalizes the victim/survivor and makes it harder for them to come forward, report the assault and get the help that they need.By engaging in victim blaming, society allows the abuser to perpetrate violence How can we combat rape culture and victim blaming?\u2022Avoid using language that objectifies or degrades a person.\u2022\tSpeak out if you hear someone make an offensive joke or trivializing rape.\u2022Let survivors know that it is not their fault.\u2022\tIf a friend says they have been raped, take them seriously and be supportive.\u2022Always communicate with sexual partners, do not ASSUME consent.\u2022Be respectful of others\u2019 physical space.\u2022\tDo not let stereotypes shape your actions.\u2022\tHold abusers accountable for their actions.Do not let them make excuses (being drunk, etc.) \u2022\tBe an active bystander.Hopefully, this project will help to raise awareness and create discussion amongst students, staff, teachers and the community.SexEd Champlain is a group of peers seeking to foster sex positivity and sexual health.This includes a positive and inclusive approach towards gender equality, LGBTQI communities, consent, and communication.To learn more, visit their Facebook page: www.face-book.com/pg/SexAt Champlain.company\u2019s King West parking lot caused more than $ 100,000 in damages.Thirteen vehicles were damaged.One was burned, several had their tires slashed, and damage was also done to the Bell Canada building at 400 King Street West.Codina was arrested as he was leaving the parking lot.He allegedly used a hammer and a knife to commit the misdeeds to the vehicles.Codina is well-known to the police and the prosecution objected to his release.A bail hearing will be held on Thursday.He is known to have a history of psychiatric problems.benefits to being bilingual.\u201d Haigh said that this event, which is free of charge and open to the public, might be of particular interest to parents with younger children, as they are the people who most often have questions about reading development.She added, however, that the talk should have something for a broad mix of individuals who have an interest in reading and/or bilingualism.is just around the corner and it's time to be thinking about gift giving.Offer the gift of a subscripfion to The Record to keep family and friends linked to the events of the Townships.With a 12-month print subscription, add $5 to get a one-year online subscription for yourself or someone else! Mail, email or fax this coupon to us at 6 Mallory, Sherbrooke, QC JIM 2E2, by Dec.31/16 Tel: 819-569-9528, Fax: 819-821-3179, Email: billing@sherbrookerecord.com PRINT SUBSCRIPTION TO: NAME ADDRESS FROM NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE EMAIL TELEPHONE EMAIL START DATE ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION TO: (it other than above) EMAIL NAME TELEPHONE START DATE ADDRESS GIFT CARD: Print Subs: Yes_No_/ FROM Online Subs: Yes_No_/ FROM PAYMENT BY: CASH._ CHEQUE_VISA_.MASTERCARD TOTAL AMOUNT CRED T CARD NUMBER EXPIRY '\tPrinted and distributed b, PrassRaadar\\ ,COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW S Page 6 Wednesday, December 7, 2016 newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record \t\t Kj\tDITORIAL\tLastly, while most Canadians will support the general principle of making our elections more representative, they are in no way unanimous on how to go about it.Promises are easy, not simple HORRORS -SOMEONE IS BURNING A FLAG!!! Mike McDevitt It\u2019s been over year since Justin Trudeau brought his \u2018Liberal Party to power on Capitol Hill with a promise of kinder, more inclusive, and environmentally friendly politics.Despite some success at dismantling large portions of his predecessor\u2019s vindictive agenda, it appears that some dark clouds have appeared on the horizon to darken his \u2018sunny ways.\u2019 The last few weeks have proved particularly difficult for the young Prime Minister as he has raised considerable ire not only among the disorganized opposition (providing fodder for the ongoing leadership races) but also among some of those who made up some of his most enthusiastic supporters.First among the disappointed are Canada\u2019s First Nations, whose resentment has grown not only because of the desperate conditions still endured on some native reserves, but also because of his recent willingness to allow the construction of some controversial oil pipelines to ease marketing of its vast fossil fuel reserves.Also disappointed are environmentalists who somehow came to the conclusion that the Prime Minister\u2019s commitment to environmental protection would amount to the outright ban on such infrastructure and the elimination of the dirty and expensive extraction process that provides it.Trudeau never made any such promise but he did commit to more rigorous and effective consultation among indigenous and environmentalist groups.It is clear that many feel somewhat betrayed by this contentious decision.Also sadly let down is the vast number of Canadians looking forward to the legalization of marijuana, a promise Trudeau did make, only to double down on the persecution of those involved in the trade and to refuse to impose a moratorium on arrests for simple possession of the drug, which is now legally classified among far more dangerous and addictive substances.Very few people actually go to jail for simple marijuana possession, but criminal possession charges are often added by police and prosecutors to compound other offences that are merely misdemeanors.Most recently, the government has come under criticism for its apparent abandonment of a firm commitment to reform Canada\u2019s electoral system and put an end to the inherited \u2018first-past-the-post\u2019 system that has always served to form our national government.The current system is based on the ostensibly different economic and policy needs of the various sectors of the country (Agricultural vs.Urban, for example).The emphasis on local representation ignores the desires of the country as a whole, for one thing, leaving national priorities, which are much more important than they seemed 150 years ago, to governments most often formed by a party whose support falls considerably short of a majority of the population.In addition, individual members are elected by a simple plurality among votes cast, ignoring the often vigorous opposition of a majority who chose other candidates.Finally, votes are not apportioned equally among constituencies ridings having populations from upwards of 130,000 to 67,000, making votes cast in the smaller ridings worth considerably more than those in larger ones.Trudeau repeatedly promised during his electoral campaign that the election that swept him to power would be the last under the current system.In this case, the Prime minister has not only failed to live up to expectations, but has apparently abandoned this much-vaunted principle entirely.He has chosen to dismiss the expensive all-party consultation process he launched so famously and has instead encouraged citizens to weigh in on this extremely complicated question through a leading questionnaire posted online - one that supposes extensive knowledge of the various alternatives among the population.These include ranked ballots, dual representation, and party list systems, to name just a few.Most of these involve complicated mathematic formulas beyond both the ken and interest of the average voter.Lastly, while most Canadians will support the general principle of making our elections more representative, they are in no way unanimous on how to go about it.Some, in looking at other examples of proportional representation around the world, have noticed that in some countries where there are numerous political parties, proportional representation has made majority government next to impossible and coalitions or informal partnerships necessary in order to get anything done.In Israel, it has created situations in which parties attempting to form governments have had to bow down to demands from much smaller - and more radical -ones in order to form coalitions.These arrangements have sometimes granted these parties considerably more influence than they merit.In Italy, unstable arrangements have led to the formation of over 60 governments in just the last 70 years and a referendum on altering that system was just defeated, leading to the resignation of yet another Prime Minister While public polling has determined that Canadians are keen on reforming a system that systematically shuts out smaller parties and fails to accurately reflect the voting preferences of most Canadians, it has not made clear any preference for a specific alternative.As for the question of holding a national referendum on any proposed changes, which was suggested by the committee following its extensive nationwide consultations, given Canada\u2019s history of failed referenda, it is obvious why a government would hesitate to commit itself to any such proposal.While modifying our own electoral system to make it more representative is generally accepted as a good thing among Canadians, it is also not clear that their enthusiasm for such reform is as passionate as it is on other issues like Native living conditions or the environment and it is almost certain that most voters have no desire to expend the time and energy required to develop a thorough understanding of the issue.It is also not clear whether they would trust the recommendations of \u2018experts, a group whose status is declining exponentially in the current political climate.Trudeau has had remarkable success in scaling back or eliminating the most egregious acts of nastiness enacted by the Royal Canadian Harper Government, but he has had much less success - and enthusiasm, it seems - for some of the more forward looking of his optimistic campaign promises and, as a result, is at risk of losing much of the support he garnered from those affected by them.It is also clear that the promises he road into power upon do not enjoy the unanimous support of the party with which he took that ride.Governing is hard; it seems, no matter how cute you are.RECORD 6 Mallory, Sherbrooke, Quebec JIM 2E2 Fax: 819-821-3179 e-mail: newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Website: www.sherbrookerecord.com Sharon McCully Publisher .Stephen Blake Corresp.Editor Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman .(819) 569-9511 (819) 569-6345 (819) 569-9931 DEPARTMENTS Accounting___ Advertising __ Circulation __ Newsroom .(819)\t569-9511 .(819)\t569-9525 .(819)\t569-9528 .(819)\t569-6345 Knowlton office 5B Victoria Street, Knowlton, Quebec, JOE 1V0 Tel: (450) 242-1188 Fax: (450) 243-5155 PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Quebec:\t1 year\t135,60\t6,78\t13.53\t$155.91 6 MONTHS\t71,19\t3,56\t7,10\t$81.85 3 MONTHS\t36,16\t1.81\t3,60\t$41.57 ON-LINE SUBSCRIPTIONS Quebec:\t1 year\t71,50\t3.58\t7,13\t$82.21 1 MONTH\t6,49\t0.32\t0,65\t$7.46 Rates for out of Quebec and for other services available on request.The Record is published daily Monday to Friday.Back copies of The Record are available.The Record was founded on February 9,1897, and acquired the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by Alta Newspaper Group Limited Partnership.PM#0040007682 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to The Record, 1195 Galt East, Sherbrooke, QC JIG 1Y7 Member ABC, CARD, CNA, QCNA Letters The Record welcomes your letters to the editor.Please limit your letters to 300 words.We reserve the right to edit for length, clarity, legality and taste.Please ensure there is a phone number or email where you can be reached, to confirm authorship and current town/city of residence.Names will not be withheld but the address and phone number of the writer are not published, except by request.Please email your letters to newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com.Preference is given to writers from the Eastern Townships.r,,\u201e,cu «.d distributed by Prt,,.,«=«.««=., presslï&MÏÏ Pressjeadercojnw+ 1JS04_278 4604 ,COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE L AW J The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Wednesday, December 7, 2016 Page 7 -L/OC