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F WIC REPORT Mrs. Bernice Noblitt, the President of FWIC will make her official visit to Ontario when she addresses the delegates at the Officers’ Conference. The Hoodless Homestead had 1,270 visitors in 1982 and visitors are always welcome. Mrs. Hiepleh had just returned from the annual meeting in Ottawa and reported that the Green Paper on Pensions has been issued and meetings will be held across the country to hear submisâ€" sions. Bill C 53 on assault and child abduction became Bill C 127. Mrs Nohlitt urged members to write letters protesting pornography on TV and in magazines. Each Convener presented a report of concerns and programs. I I I WORKSHOPS Three workshops were held with members rotating to all of them. 1. FWIC Convention to be held at the University of Western Ontario, London, June 1985. It was chosen for its suitable facilities with a possibility of 800 delegates, said Norma Alexander, the leader of this workshop. A steering committee was appointed to start the planning and all areas of Ontario will be asked to help in some way. 2. Bicentennial of Ontario will be held in 1984. Mrs. Peggy Pajamaki and her committee had suggestions for the FWIO project and later it was finalized that a quilted wall hanging with each block depicting parts of Ontario would be made. 3. Women â€" Unlimited Potential was led by Joyce Canning, discussing the program suggestions that had been mailed to all conveners. The idea was to stimulate programs and a common interest across the province. Guidelines and sugges- ted resource material could be useful and urges the W1 to become involved in their communities. Progress on Resolutions Mrs. C. Diamond, Resolutions Con- vener reported on the 11 resolutions that were sustained at the Fall Board Meeting. These she had sent to the respective destinations as instructed, along with supportive material. North Central Area RE: Legalizing cannabis...Hon. Monique Begin expressed her appreciation for our views and for our support of their efforts to mount an information campaign on the hazards of using cannabis. The government does not intend either ‘decriminalizing' of ‘legalizing‘ cannabis. Possession will remain an offense dealt with by the courts and trafficking offenses would continue to draw heavy penalties. North Central Area RE: New regulations to have larger tail. brake and signal lights on vehicles...The Federal answer was written by Mr. Pepin’s secretary. “Although Transport Canada offii cials agree there is a need to improve the visibility of larger vehicles, they consider that most accidents that may be attributed generally to lighting systems, are due to driver inattention and lack of maintenance rather than inadequate original equipment. Roadside inspection carried out in the United States and Canada confirm lighting maintenance problems"...“Many heavy duty vehicles have insufficient space available for larger lights or for fitting lights in alternative locations due to special equipment. The intensity of the marker lights cannot be increased because contrast must be maintained with the brighter stop and turn lights in order to ensure they are easily seen. However, a study is being done and if necessary changes will be made.” North Central Area RE: Re-instatement of death penalty for convicted murderers... Hon. Mark MacGuigan reviewed the fact that the death penalty was abolished in 1976 “after being debated and put to a free vote". “Motion to reopen the debate on that question was defeated in the House of Commons June 11, 1981. Since abolition, the rate of murders formerly punishable by death has fluctuated but over all there has been a general decline. Consequently the Government does not believe that steps are required at this time to re- instate capital punishment.” North Central Area RE: Part time workers included in fringe benefit packages...0ntario Minister of Labor R. H. Ramsay, replied, “Since women constitute a majority of part time workers, 1 can assure you that this issue is of particular concern to my ministry. The Employment Standards Act does not, except in certain instances, make any distinction between full time and part time workers. Exceptions are made with respect to paid holidays, equal pay, over time and notice of termination, and in the case of domestic workers and students under 18 years-ofâ€"age. “Ontario Manpower Commission made a submission to this commission and is awaiting a first report," Hon. Lloyd Axxvorthy, Federal Minister of Employment and immigration reported on the above study and recommendations are being made. He also referred to the Unemployment insurance Act of 1981 which expanded coverage to include more part time workers. North Central Area RE: Asking [hat the public be more aware of the potential hazards of marijuana...Hon. Bette Stephenson, Minister of Education expressed appreciation for FWIO's concern and interest in drug education. She said, “Concern about the incidence of drug use and abuse, including cannabis derivatives, had led the ministry to increase attention given to drug education in provincial curriculum guidelines.” She also has encouraged school boards to take further action at the local level, involving the community to provide effective drug education programs. Southwestern Area RE: Confusion in the metric system with weight and volume 7