| Viewpoint
4

Jim Fulton MP

THE 1987 END OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Medium range missiles were scrapped at the
Superpower Summitt, and the doomsday clock was
rolled back. Scandals and resignations continued to
rock Parliament: this time it was Sinclair Stevens and
Andre Bissonnett. At year end Musselgate was in full
swing.

What a year it’s been. To celebrate the successes
and failures, here are my own end of the year awards:

BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE AWARD:
to Simon Reisman':and Pat Carney for the Mulroney
Trade Deal.

REVENGE OF THE TAINTED TUNA AWARD:
to John Fraser, who was canned after contradicting
the Prime Minister over Tunagate. John sprang to life
again as Speaker of the House. I supported him for
the role, which he then used to gag me for criticizing
Mulroney’s treatment of the West. Good man that
he is, Fraser then chastised the Prime Minister and wel-
comed me back to the fray.

NICE WRAPPING, BUT WHERE IS THE PRE-
SENT AWARD: to Finance Minister Michael Wilson
who introduced a tax reform package that gives the
very wealthy a tax cut 5 times greater than the average
family. British Columbians still pay a $1,000 more per
year in tax than when the Mulroney government was
elected. Nice wrapping, but where’s the beef? We need
economic development in the West, not tax cuts for

Opposition
Leader

MIKE
HARCOURT

Oakalla prison is a story of broken promises
and a lack of leadership.

The Social Credit government has known about
the problems at British Columbia’s oldest prison for
many years. If you saw the coverage on both the local
and national television news, you know the prison is
a decrepit, filthy dungeon. It doesn’t even meet the
United Nations’ minimum space standards for detain-
ing prisoners. As one prison guard described it, Oakalla
“is a festering sore . . . it’s a bad place for prisoners
and it’s a bad place for guards.”

Regularly at election time, the Socreds have

<made promises to close it down. Nothing happened.
Yet now the Premier says his government “will be address-
ing it (Oakalla) fairly aggressively over the next several
months because we know we need to move very quickly.”
I guess like other British Columbians I was mistaken
for believing Bill Vander Zalm and Bill Bennett before
denen they specifically promised the closing of

Only now, after a riot and a large-scale escape,
is action being taken. Only after the safety of prison
guards and British Columbians was put at risk are we
going to see an inquiry and eventually the closing of
Oakalla. And even at that, the Premier still seems unsure
of what to do as he says, “If anyone has any suggestions
in that regard, they should write the premier’s office.”

Yet again, the Vander Zalm government acted
only when the problem reached the newpapers and
became a public and political embarrassment. It’s not
the first time the Premier’s “‘applause-metre” approach
to governing has been on display. Remember the recent
scandal involving one of the Premier’s cabinet ministers,
where again he knew a problem existed yet acted only
after the story was revealed on television?

I must take exception with one idea Bill Vander
Zalm is floating. The Premier has been widely quoted
as saying that prisoners should be put to work on work
gangs. Whether you agree with the concept or not,
it’s clear the Premier doesn’t seem to realize that cutbacks
implemented by Social Credit governments make work
gangs impractical. For example, just outside Victoria
itself at. Wilkinson Road jail, the prison staff has been
~ cut from 80 to 65 just since September, making it almost
impossible to properly supervise work gangs so as to
ensure public safety.

_ I welcome a judicial inquiry into Oakalla. It
is long overdue. But I think all British Columbians
should be concerned about a government that acts only
after trouble breaks out, instead of dealing with the
isymptoms, before they ‘inushroom info a major problem. |
That simply is not leadership.

mee tee we ee wees

SHARING THE VISION AWARD: to the House
of Commons for unanimously passing my motion calling
for the creation of a-South Moresby National Park Re-
serve. This motion brought 106. million dollars to the
northwest and a promise: of. settling title with the Haida

people.

CAN I RETURN THIS ON BOXING DAY
AWARD: to Brian Mulroney who said: “Free trade
affects Canadian sovereignty, and we will have none
of it, not during leadership campaigns or at any other
time.”

Hmmmmm. What’s that mean?

RUN THAT BY ME AGAIN AWARD: to Con-
servative MP Don Blenkarn who defended Sinclair Stevens
continued presence in the Conservative caucus after
the latter was found in a conflict of interest position
14 times. “We’ve had MP’s who have been convicted
of drugs, beating their wives, drinking and driving, and
all sorts of things and none of them were ever thrown
out of caucus, so why should Sinc?” said Blenkarn.

HONEST, IT WON’T BITE AWARD: to Exter-
nal Affairs Minister Joe Clark who wants to resettle

gun-toting Contra’ mercenaries in Canada. Seems to
be against the law, Joe.
MORE THE MERRIER AWARD: to the Prime

Minister who spent $308,000 to -- among other things -
build a closet for 80 pairs of shoes. Rumour has it
Ismelda Marcos will be moving in.

PROUD TO BE CANADIAN AWARD: to Ben
Johnson for speed, Rick Hansen and Justine Blainey
for courage, and John Polyani for winning the Nobel
Prize for Science.

PROUD TO BE FROM SKEENA AWARD: to
Judith Ann Kerr of Port Clements who was awarded
the Volunteer Award Medal, and to Andrew Spence
of Port Simpson who received post-humously, the Star
of Courage.

WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER AWARD: to
all residents of our beautiful northwest. May we all
have a happy and healthy holiday season, and may the
successes of 1987 be carried forward to the New Year.

OFFICE &

OF THE
PREMIER

Our government's decision to start work on

a long range development strategy for British Columbia --

a decision strongly supported by some of the world’s
top businessmen at a recent meeting of the Premier’s
Economic Advisory Council -- is a trail-blazing move.

Up until now, no other government in Canada
has set its sights much higher than the traditional year
down the road in terms of advance planning.

Budgets, policies and programs at the municipal,
provincial and federal level have always been based
on annual projections and data from the previous year
and it’s no secret that decisions in these areas were often
made for purely political purposes.

There’s a very simple reason why.

Most governments, because they want to hold on
to power, have tended in the past to steer clear of any
long-term agenda on the grounds that by leaving them-
selves lots of room to manoeuvre, it’s easy to arrange
for “good, positive things” to happen just around election
time.

That kind of self-serving strategy may be politic-
ally expedient, but it doesn’t do much to cushion the
economy against the sharp fluctuations and pressures
which arise from shifts and adjustments in the national
or international economy.

So I suspect our decision to come up with a
comprehensive long-term plan is one that will be watched
with considerable interest by decision-makers in other
jurisdictions.

The development strategy, which will be geared
towards a 10-year time frame but be updated on an
annual basis to meet changing conditions, will identify
our goals and objectives -- and how we plan to meet
them - in virtually every sector, ranging from education
and health funding and taxation, to how best to divers-
ify our economy.

The strategy will have. to be broadly-based and
flexible, so that there’s room to adjust policy decisions,
legislation and regulations to meet the needs and re-
quirements of the day.

A critical factor is that the long range develop-
ment strategy, if it’s to be successful, will have to be
widely accepted both by the public at large and the
people that we do business with, like international in-
vestors and our overseas trading and business partners.

It’s for this reason that the plan won’t be a crea-
ture of government, hatched solely within the bureau-
cracy, and why details will be outlined in a white paper
that will generate feedback and comment.

Se Le ep ENN EE pe SOA ay Dy a FI 9 IO fy A Sy pl oa Ie Pe cla nae eee tak ean ass) cena a ca in te na ns om eed ee

EDITORIAL...

The- Royal. Commission on - Electoral
Boundries is presently holding public meetings
in many communities throughout the province.
Judge. Thomas K. Fisher has been appointed
as the Commissioner.

The purpose of the, Commissioner is
to enquire into and recommend the appropriate
number of electoral districts, each returning
one member for the Legislative Assembly and
the boundries for all electoral districts.

The following factors. will be regarded
by the Commissioner. /

a) the principle of the electoral quota, that
is to say, the quotient obtained by dividing
the population of the Province, as ascertained
by the most recent population figures published
by Statistics Canada, pursuant to the statistics
Act (Canada), by the total number of electoral
districts recommended by the commissioner.
b) historical and regional claims for repre-
sentation.

c) special geographic considerations including

the sparsity or density of population of various:

regions, the accessibility to such~ regions o
the size or shape thereof; ‘
d) special community interests of the inhabi-
tants of particular regions: and
e) the need for a balance of community
interests. —

These. public meetings are scheduled

throughout the province. with the exception —

of the area from Stewart north to the Yukon
border.

My concern is that the voters of the Atlin
Electoral District are not being given the same
opportunity as other British Columbia districts.
There will not be public hearings held closer
to Cassiar or Atlin than Stewart or Fort Nelson,
B.C. This requires a day travelling, plus at least
one overnight stay, plus a second day, travelling
home to Cassiar and a much more extensive trip
for anyone from Atlin.

Our immediate area; Cassiar, Erickson,
Good Hope Lake, Dease Lake, Iskut, and Tele-
graph Creek have seemingly been ignored, and
our voice lost.

As residents of the Atlin Electoral District
the outcome of this Commission could have
an impact on our future representation. If
the electoral boundaries changed, we might
find ourselves lumped in with an area where
our immediate concerns, 1.e. hydro power are
of a low priority simply because of our isolated
location and smaller population.

We who live and work in the “isolated”
areas of the province need a voice; a voice of
our own; a voice that speaks for our concerns.
It is time we made ourselves heard!

Written submissions can be forwarded
to the Honourable Judge Thomas K. Fisher,
580-625 Howe’ Street, Vancouver, B.C.
V6C 2T6.

AN OPINION

JACK J. KEMPF, M.L.A. FOR OMINECA

As the New Year dawns, let us all, for a moment,
reflect on basics -- what is the democratic system really all
about?

In the beginning, feudal lords and kings made all
the decisions, foisting their wishes on the populace. In
time, Democracy and the Parliamentary System were
born. The Parliamentary System made it possible for
many to send one individual to speak their collective
mind to the group that was dubbed ‘government’.

Many today feel the system has become so com-
plicated that they don’t wish to spend the time attempt-
ting to understand it. Please allow me to assure you that
nothing has changed or will change under a true demo-
cracy. It’s still very simple. Those living within certain
defined regions go to the polls to elect an individual
to speak for them in Parliament. If she or he does not
represent to the voters’ liking, the people have an op-
portunity in three or four years to decide on another
representative. That’s democracy, and it’s still that simple.

To allow any change which removes that long
coveted right for which many throughout history have
died, is surely a dangerous course. To accept any system
in any region which allows the decision making process
to rest other than with the free will of the electorate,
is to forego the basic freedom of choice. Please think
about this.

' I can be reached by writing c/o Parliament Build-
ings, Victoria, or by phoning 387-3038.

- married and was patient still.

CASSIAR

Bits & Pieces

Welcome to baby number four: Nicholas Alexander,
born January 8th, 1988 to Fiona and Tim Carew in
Vancouver, formerly of Cassiar.

Nirmal Kaul has every reason to be proud of son, Anil
This badminton player attended school in Cassiar and now
goes to U.B.C. He represented Canada at the Pan-Am
Games in Peru in November, bringing home a gold, silver
and bronze medal. We all wish Anil much luck when he
travels to England in March to compete in the All-England
Open Badminton Championships...please keep us posted
on the results, Nirmal, ;

Hope John Slana enjoyed celebrating his big ‘FOUR-OH’
on January 25th...we also hear that his buddy Mike will
only be TEN on February 29th!

Congratulations to Bernald Borsato and Scott Smith
who became engaged at Christmas. . Wedding bells will.
ring later this year, we hear. : ;

Warning to All: Do not tell Patrick your room number

_ at the Watson Lake Hotel ... and definitely do not give

him a key!

Thanks to the many fans who travelled to Watson Lake
to the recent hockey tournament. And to those who
lost your voices for the “Very first time’, you are now
Officially “tournamentized”’!

Fred W. would like to thank the Pewseys for the first
class accommodation during the Christmas break, and
he apologizes for staying out so late one night! He
also promised to buy Pat a flashlight that will stay
on - just in case she is roaming the streets at night,
again!

We all know to cail the dentist if we break a tooth -
but it seems when Garry broke two teeth recently, he
seriously considered calling a plumber!

Overheard on Cold Turkey Day: “Well, sure I tried to
quit smoking, and I did from midnight until seven in
the morning!”

Answering machines can be very useful if you remember
to turn them on; but does Marie know how to turn them

off yet?

A hockey Mom got so embarassed at her four year old
“star gazing” during the Watson Lake games, that she is

spreading the rumour that he’s blind!

Sunday, January 17th was a very special day for Donna
French - she met her sister Niki Godfrey of Maple Ridge
for the first time. Niki celebrated her 19th birthday
while in Cassiar, joined by her family and many new
friends. She plans to return later this year and says, “I
sure enjoyed meeting Donna and her family and Cassiar
Is sure one friendly place!”’

Peter Schneeberger was home for a visit recently. He’s
enjoying Vancouver and is getting some travelling in with
his job installing bank alarm systems across Canada.

Patience |

Patience, I have always understood
patience!
I grew up having to wait for everything!

My mother would visit her friends for hours (with
me in tow, and me wanting to go home). I’d
go for a truck ride with my dad and he would
take forever to accomplish his business. I sat
through sermons I didn’t understand; school
classes I hated; and listened to adults repeat
themselves in conversation while I sat visiting!

I learned to be patient with my younger
cousin as we played, because she was younger.

I was patient with my older cousins “cause
they were boys”!

-. -I patiently waited to be asked out on
a date. I patiently waited for life to take its
course (whatever that might entail). Then I got
I was patient
through all sorts of times, patient through labour,
patient through moving, patient with responsibil-
ity.

-. I've. been patient with friends, patient
with life! Patient! Patient! Patient! I wonder
if it is a female trait this patience issue. I’ve

never questioned it before.

--T do know that one. of the symptoms

_ of patience is that a person tends to sigh alot!
_ However, I’m tired -of sighing - is: anybody else?
~-] think its me

s

?

—.— Erickson Creek

c—)

The new executive of the Erickson Rec Committee
was voted in on Sunday, January 17th. They are Joe
Hebert, Tim Walters, Elwood Anderson, Joyce Hebert
and Ian Webb. A large turn out of voters bolstered
the mine community’s optimism concerning the opera-
tion of the new Rec Hall. According to camp sources
having the Hall to meet in is a definate plus.

Denise Chamberlain is the rec attendant at the
Hall and the people of the mountain and their guests
can enjoy it between 3:30 and 10:30 p.m. daily. “Hours
may change according to events,” says former member of
the committee, Lois McGrail. In the works at present
are a dance on February 6th and a crib tournament
sometime in February.

J’s Corner has moved into the new space at the

Hall and a few sweatshirts are still available with the -

new Erickson Crest (as designed by local artist, Walter
Comper). ‘

On Saturday, January 16th an impromptu “Hoote-
nany” was held. Marty Fugere, on banjo; Chris Tates
and Roy Roberts, on guitar; entertained the gang in their
usual foot stomping manner. They played a few of
their own songs as well as taking requests.

The Erickson curling team, the ‘“Bumblebees”
made quite an impression both with their sweaters and
on the ice. Team members Chris Tates, Tom McGrail,
Ron Conners and Tim Selsky may not always win, but

Lorraine Lanteigne

t

Cassiar Courier, February 1988 Page 3
people who watch them agree, they are a real “BUZZ”
on the ice! “

I got a look at some fancy rock throwing Satur-
day night by Erickson curlers: Joyce Hebert, Bonnie
Conners and Gord Parton. Since my knowledge of
the game is limited I had to ask some other spectators
what was happening] Compliments to Joyce on her
curling - doing well!

z A Happy Birthday to John O’Brien. It will be
interesting to see what new insights John will have into
the universe this year!!

There seems to be a problem of paternity at
Erickson Gold! Mike Hewcws anxiously awalday the
birth of adopted dog Tia’s puppies. “I know some are
Loafer’s, some are Sonny’s, some are what’s his names,
‘but what I don’t know is how many she’ll have or who
exactly to sue for support!”

Speaking of dogs - all dogs in camp are to be
penned, chained or contained! The Dog Catcher will
be on the prowl and if your canines are too, fines will
be levied!

Congratulation to former Mine Captain, John
Lanteigne, John is now employed with C.M.D. East,
based out of Brampton, Ontario. He is Project Super-
intendant of one of C.M.D.’s contracts in Sherbrooke,
Nova Scotia. "

Tom McGrail, Erickson’s mine manager is most
concerned about the snowmobilers on the Erickson
roads. “I want the public to realize that the roads at
Erickson are radio controlled. I don’t want to see a
snowmobile run into an ore truck!” Tom advises snow-
mobilers to check with his office concerning running -
on Erickson’s roads.

In Loving Memory

In memory of my Dad, Guido DeCecco, who
passed away very suddenly on February the fourth,
nineteen eighty-seven. | miss him so very much as do
Darren, Chad, Kathy and the rest of his family, as I’m
sure do all his friends.

Dad you'll always be with me |
You loved me from the start
You left too soon, too suddenly
And with you went my heart

So many times | still cry

/ miss you more each passing day
No chance to say our last goodbye
So many things we didn’t say

Time will never heal this pain

! loved you far too long

Life without you won't be the same
Oh, Dad please help me to be strong

AT THE STORE: Kleenex tissue - $.69 each; H.P.
Sauce - 14 oz. $1.39; Stewing beef - $1.39 Ib.; Fresh
salmon - $1.59 Ib.; Harvest Crunch Cereal - $2.25.
These prices were without the 20% employee discount
figure it out!!

FEBRUARY 1, 1978: Glen Billingsley was elected
President of U.S.W.A. Local 6536. Len Moth was.out-
going President.

FEBRUARY 2-5, 1978: Northern B.C. Winter Games
took place in Prince George. Barb Billingsley, 11
years old, placed 7th in Juvenile Girls Cross-Country
skiing. Vince Gibson brought home a silver medal
in boxing competition.

CASSIAR SCHOOL: A team of engineers and an
architect visited Cassiar School to examine the orig-
inal four-classroom panabode structure, and to re-
commend whether the structure should -be up-graded
or phased out. (This is the portion of the high school
which was removed in 1987!).

PIONEER ROAD BUILDER RETIRES: Jock Rattray
retired after 23 years of service with the Ministry
of Highways. Jock came to Cassiar Country in 1942
and worked out of Summit Lake on construction
of the Alaska Highway. In 1955, Jock joined High-
ways as Road Foreman on Highway 37 and worked
from the Yukon Border south to Dease Lake and
on the Telegraph Creek Road.  Jock’s retirement
plans were not final. He said ‘I'll. have to sit back
and catch my breath and take a good look at my
Cassiar Country”. (Jock is still enjoying his retire-

.

-ment.in Dawson Creek,:B.C.

TEN YEARS FEBRUARY 78

Someone took you from my world
Who could need you more than me
Don’t they know how much it hurts
And all the things you didn’t see?

Id give it all up to see your face
And though a long time it may seem
One day | know III find your place
Till then I'll see you in my dreams

Dad you're always on my mind

! can‘t forget you, never will

And if you look hard one day it’s me you'll find
| love you so much still

| thank you for the years we shared
Even though they were so few

It helps to know how much you cared
And one day again I'll see you

With Love from De-de
/ miss you more than ever

LISA STEADMAN: It’s nice and squishy, and |
like that. Sure beats the dry stuff, and it’s also cheap-
-er. (Lisa was describing the bread being made at
the Cookery and sold at the store!)

a
ad

JIM FULTON HAS LOST HIS BEARD
DID HE LOSE THE TIE, TOO? .