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The Year That Was

by Mako Peric

Although we are already halfway through the month of January, it is not too late to look back on 1995. Between Quebec almost leaving Canada, a bomb- ing in Charlottetown, and a new President at UPEI, it was a busy year.

First, events of national concern: fisheries minister Brian Tobin demon- strated that although Canada’s navy and coast guard may not be the terror of the Atlantic, they do know how to arrest Spanish fishing vessels on the high seas. Tobin also proved that he was one of the most competent MPs in Ottawa. No sooner than proving this, he left to take over the premiership of Newfoundland.

The biggest event in Canada last year, ironically, was the threat of national destruction. Even the United States took notice. The campaign was long and nasty, but the Forces of Evil (better known as the Separatists) gained ground throughout, until it appeared that they might actually win. When the ballots were counted, the margin of victory for the No side was very slight. Refusing to admit defeat, there was a shakeup in the separatist leadership, and the threat of another referendum hangs over our heads once more.

In Ontario, the NDP government ~ was tossed out of office, and Mike Harris and the PCs were elected. No sooner was Harris in office than he announced massive cuts. This displeased the people of Ontario to no end.

Not everyone in Ontario was displeased with the provincial govern- ment. A mentally-

unbalanced man decided that Jean Cretien was not doing a good job as Prime Minister, so he broke into the Prime Minister’s residence. i. might

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have succeeded in assassinating the PM if Mrs. Cretien had not woke up and locked the bedroom door. Apparently the Mounties guarding 24 Sussex Drive were not doing a very good job.

Looking at events closer to home, Pat Mella resigned as leader of the local Conservatives. No replacement has stepped forward yet. Even though the Tories lack a leader, election rumours swirl, and in next January’s Year in Review editorial, there will probably be a report on the provincial vote.

After months of warning and plenty of noise, the City of Charlottetown expanded to include a number of suburbs. As well, Cornwall, North River, and the surrounding areas were amalgamated, as were Bunbury, Southport, Crossroads, and Keppoch, which became Stratford.

Summerside became the City of Summerside after swallowing some other communities, despite stiff opposition and loud protests.

On the topic of protest, the govern- ment decided that it was unnecessary for O’Leary to have its own hospital. This made perfect sense to almost everyone, since PEI has more than enough hospitals to serve 130,000 people. The populace of O’Leary, however, was a tad annoyed. Certain government ministers are not very popular in West Prince right now.

Apparently the entire provincial government is not popular in someone’s mind, because there was a bombing at Province House. One bystander was injured, some windows were knocked out, the wheelchair ramp was demol- ished, and the MLAs were scared silly. Despite investigation and some cryptic letters from an anarchist group, the police have no suspects in custody yet.

At UPEI, Dr. Elizabeth Epperly took over as President of the Pei

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The Panther Prints

Her first act as President did not involve adding a thorough reading of Anne of Green Gables to the list of requirements for graduation, despite rumours to that effect.

Something that students noticed more closely was the imposition of a parking fee of fifty dollars. Although almost every other university in Canada has similar fees, shelling out money for a permit was not a joyous experience, especially when combined with a rise in tuition fees. Most of the complaint has been quiet -- no bombings here.

Of course, these are not the only important events that happened last year, either on campus, in the province, or in Canada as a whole. To cataloge all the important occurances of 1995 would take the entire paper. This is just a little reminisence of what took place over the past 12 months. Now we can wipe the slate clean and start over once again.

Windbags on CIMN?

The future of CIMN as an alternative radio station in this town could be jeopard- ised by the pubescent jammerings of adolescent windbags who allow their mouthpiece cronies an open microphone to impart such small minded jams as ‘‘I hate the cops’’. Such ill-advised juvenile rhetoric may be endorsed by others of his ilk in smoky dorm rooms or the backs of big yellow buses, but it is not welcome on my radio in my home. Please respect your listening audience. Shut up, play music.

Frank M. Stavart

January 16, 1996

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