ee ee

University Students -from
page 1
from $893 (on an annual income
of $35,000).

This option is likely to be
a political hot potato for young
people. Critics say raising CPP
rates will kill jobs when youth un-
employment already doubles the
national average. Indeed, in-
creased payroll taxes such as CPP
contributions are often credited
with discouraging new hiring, and
the effect of a 10% CPP increase
could cost up to 100,000 jobs (al-
though this number is difficult to
verify). As well, a CPP rate in-
crease hits young people harder
than others since they will pay the
additional amounts much longer
than older workers.

The cumulative effect
could produce resentment among
young people for having to foot the
bill for their elders when they can-
not even expect the plan to be
around when they retire. A recent
Gallup poll reported that more than
70% of Canadians aged 18-29 do
not believe the CPP will be there
for their golden years.

Consequently, young Ca-
nadians should regularly contrib-
ute to individual retirement savings
plans such as RRSPs. The federal
Reform Party even recommends
converting the CPP into a manda-
tory “Super RRSP” along with a
constitutional amendment guaran-
teeing a certain level of benefits to
seniors.

a W
CT

We

CT TTS

THE NO-MOOCH PHONE CARD.

a + .

Over the Ed

FORUM HELD FOR
YOUTH CENTRE

-by Tobi Araki

Prince George youth (ages 12 to 18) were invited last Wednesday
to attend a forum at the Multicultural Heritage Society to discuss what
they want in a youth-directed youth centre. A diversity of about 10
youth fielded a variety of questions from volunteers for the U.N.I.T.Y.
Project (Understanding Needs Inspired by Today’s Youth), an Eliza-
beth Fry Society sponsored group of 20 youth (17 to 25) who are on
their way to implementing the youth centre plan. The discussion ranged
from why a youth centre was necessary in Prince George to possible
locations and layouts for the centre.

September 18, 1996

“Speeihs 6ROAKS”

4 “Tt costs so much to do anything in this town,” says Amanda
Brewster (18), “Prince George needs some
place for youth to be able to just hang out.”

A number of original ideas for activities at the centre were also
generated; they included having pool tables to having laser tag games
and hiking excursions.

According to U.N.I.T.Y. volunteer, Tanzi Bennison, community
support from local businesses for the centre has not come to any oppo-
sition from local businesses. “Everyone thinks Prince George should
have a youth centre...we’ve had everything from money to donations
for prizes given to us.”

Here We Gy AGAIN
AnorteR Hectic Senate

U.N.I.T.Y. spokesperson, Manpreet Sidhu, says that the centre is t
still in the planning stage. “We’re holding this forum to see what the Lh, Cand
youth want in a centre.”

Anyone interested in helping build the U.N.I.T.Y. project’s vi-
sion or would like to make a donation can contact Manpreet or Casey
Leonard at the Elizabeth Fry Society at 563-1113.

Wit wm si
a=a= sw Wily SW ity
Aww Wil iw 777 jase
gittn aril i 3333 University Way, Prince George, B.C., V2N 429
m \) » Fax: 960-6330, E-mail over-the-edge@ ugrad.unbc.edu
= c eS
ai i Be. |

It's the new CONNECTOR™ Student Phone Card. A prepaid card that
lets you make long distance calls from any phone. All fora flat @ ol
rate of 35 cents a minute within B.C., anytime of day. So now
you don’t need to mooch off your parents. Though you night want
to hit them up for money to buy the card in the first place.

° . .. ae ee > EE... ees See
Look for it on Campus...

*Low flat rates also available to destinations outside of B.C.