"New
product"

——— ae ee “<= —

salespeople, same old

With their latest cabinet
Shuffle, the Socred government
has tried once again to touch up
the wrinkles and assume a new
look. They've now had more re-
fits than a B.C. Ferry.

Three years after the first
Fresh Start, we've got 18 Vander
Zalm loyalists facing new jobs on

the issues important to British
Columbians--environment, forest-
ry, housing, health... What does

that say about a party when they
find it necessary to try changing
the whole team in the third per-
iod of the game?

This latest exercise in dam-
age control comes on the heels of
a Socred convention that clearly
revealed the party as out of
touch with the reality of B.C.
And while the new cabinet minist-
ers may prove to be better sales-
people than the old lot, the fact
remains they're still selling the
same old product.
Already the new ministers
have shown it's business as usual
from a party out of step with
British Columbians:

-The new tourism minister says he

wants clearcut logging to become
a tourist attraction;

-The new environment minister
says the dioxin pollution clean-

up in Howe Sound has been so ef-
fective, it's safe to eat crab
from the Sound. Meanwhile, the

entire shellfish fishery remains
closed;
-The new ‘women's programs' min-

ister says she'll not take action
on a woman's right to freedom of
choice because it's got "nothing
to do with my ministry."

As for the other ministers,
they'll be judged on whether they

can correct this government's old
and tired policies. Can
stop the devastation of our
ests? Take action to solve
B.C.'s housing crisis? Reverse
the Socreds' decision to ban the
AIDS video and now provide full
funding for the Ever ywoman's

for-

Health Clinic? Stop favoring
Socred friends and insiders and
get tough with corporate pollut-—

ers and clean up our damaged en-
vironment?

Changing 18 ministers from
so many key areas is an admission
of failure. It's a telling sign
of what this .cabinet shuffle is
all about: a short-term effort
to hang on to power from a Socred
party that lacks fresh ideas’ for
tackling the challenges important
to our future.

When push comes to. shove,
this is still the same old Socred
government of Dave Parker and
Peter Dueck, Bill Reid and Neil
Vant. As the Premier said, "Bill
Vander Zalm doesn't stand alone,
he stands with Social Credit."
And while they may have .— shifted
positions on the elevator, it's
still going down.

they

‘Page 2 December 1989 Cassiar Courier

~ AN OPINION

JACK J. KEMPF

: _MLA FOR OMINECA
‘Just back from attending the
Reform Party of Canada Convention

in Edmonton, a tremendous demon-
stration of truly "grass roots"
democratic process. - No mutual
admiration society, no glossy

costly hoop-la, simply hard work-
ing concerned people seeking a
truly reformed version or  repre-
sentational democracy.

It is true that this is Fed-
eral movement with cautious -con-
cern for their continued success,

should their resources be stret-
ched further on the federal
scene. However, they were not

prepared to ignore pleas trom at
least two western provinces for
provincial involvement and in-
stead, passed a resolution cali-
ing for a task torce to evaluate
the possibilities seriously and
to report by May i990.

Unlike other political con-
ventions which I have attended,
there was an air of friendliness,
optimism and communication giving
the distinct impression that
delegates were not only there to
give their views but also to lis-
ten to those of others in the
true meaning of co-operation; not
only to listen but also to hear!

The entire exercise in ~Ed-
monton gave me renewed enthusiasm
and hope that there is still a
chance for true representative
grass roots democracy in our
country and in this province, a
system wherby representatives are

chosen by and allowed to speak
for their constituents, without
tear. of chastisement. Debora

Grey, newly elected MP for Beaver
River, Alta. said it all in a
heartfelt speech before the as-
sembly which dwelt almost entire-
ly on representative democracy.
A system whereby MPs or in the
case of provinces MLAS, represent

your views in Ottawa or Victoria
rather than the reverse. This,
of Course, need not contravene.

party policy, but rather requires
a party with that professed phil-
osophy.

I will, in the weeks ahead,
have much more to say about the
need for Reform in British Colum-

bia, perhaps coming in the’ form
of a Reform Party of British
Columbia. Meanwhile, your

thoughts on the matter would be
very much appreciated.

I can be reached by phoning
387-3038 days, 383-9739 evenings,
OL 2 bY) sweet ingy sc/o Parliament
Buildings, Victoria, B.C.,. V8Vv
1X4. FAX 387: 4306.

Support the Democratic proc-
in touch

Sick. Keep

with
MLA.

your

Yukon News

WATSON LAKE DAYCARE SOCIETY
RECEIVES FUNDING

A daycare project in Watson
Lake will create much needed nur-
sery space for infants and tod~
dlers, providing essential child-
care services for mothers of
young children who wish to return
to work or school.

The Watson Lake Daycare Soc-
iety is expanding the infant care
area of the daycare centre
through renovations to their
space in the basement of the Elks
Hall. The renovations will
create four additional nursery
spaces and expand the play and
activity areas.

The Community Development
Fund is providing $8,510 of pro-
ject costs, with an additional

$8,895 provided by the Daycare
Capital Development Program, and
the remaining $2,870 provided by
the Watson Lake Daycare Society.

Funding from the Community
Development Fund will be used for
wages for a tradesperson and
helper, for tool rental, and tor
building materials. Work began
on the renovations in September,
and the project is expected to be
finished soon. Most of the work
has been done in the evening so
that the daycare facility can
continue normal operations during
the day.

Once the project is complet-—
ed, the daycare will need to hire
an additional daycare worker for
its expanded programs. 2

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sibyl Frei, Community Development

Office

Economic Development
(403) 667 5389

Angela Wheelock
Communications Advisor

Economic Development
(403) 667 3020

Government of the Yukon
Box 2703 _
Whitehorse, Yukon, YIA 2C%6

—~

ET

* Province of
British Columbia

New Provincial Cabinet Announced

A revamped
incial Cabinet

23-member Prov-
was announced on

November 1, 1989 by Premier Bill
Vander Zalm.

The Cabinet includes’ five
newcomers, strengthens the Gov-

ernment's delivery of a number of
programs including those related
to environment, regional and
economic development, tourism,
and women's programs. A major
focus of the re-orgaization is
the enhanced input which Govern-
ment backbenchers will have in
key decision-making areas.

"This is a strong team which
will guide British Columbia with
Skill and determination into the
Challenging decade ahead. We
have learned from experience, and
we are committed to building on
the solid foundation of financial
Management and dedication to
quality of life which. has
laid," said the Premier.

A Ministry of Regional and
Economic Development will receive
input from a new Caucus committee
Chaired by the Minister of Re-
gional and Economic Development.
Other members of the committee
will be eight Government MLAs
serving as Parliamentary Secre-
taries for the existing economic
development regions of B.C.

"The Caucus committee will:
be a powerful source of input
from MLAs who will contribute to
the vision and future structure
of British Columbia. Regionali-
zation has proven to be tremend-
ously successful. It is impor-
tant, therefore, to strengthen
this process with an_ enhanced

been

structure then can give full-time
attention to the

needs of the

3 people," said the Premier.

oversee specific northern

The enhanced regionalization
process allows the ministries of

Environment, Parks, Crown Lands,
and Native Affairs to dedicate
resources full-time to their

mandates. In addition the pre-
vious Ministry of Tourism and
Provincial Secretary had been re-
vamped to allow a full-time Min-
istry of Tourism to give maximum
attention to the industry.

"Tourism is a dynamic. and
vital part of British Columbia's
economic fabric. Today's move
guarantees that priority atten-
tion will be given to the seg-
ment," said Vander Zalm.

The Premier said British
Columbia's northern development
needs will be addressed on a pri-
ority basis by additional respon-
sibilities delegated to the new
Minister of Crown Lands.

"TI have asked Mr. Parker to
devel-
opment projects like the Kitimat
Port development, and other pro-
jects that will come forward in
the future. Our government has

pledged to bring balanced eco-

nomic growth to British Columbia,
and Mr. Parker's role will be. a
vital one in this commitment,"
said the Premier.

Another move enhances’ the
Ministry of Government Management
Services with the additional res-
ponsibility of women's programs.
Vander Zalm said the move gives
prominence to the needs of women
who find their roles considerably
Challenged in a diverse and
changing world.

The full list of Cabinet
is as follows:

members

Hounorable;:

Bill Vander Zalm

Premier

Bruce Strachan

Minister of Advanced Education,
Training and Technology

John Savage

Minister of Agriculture and

CasSiar Courier December 1989 Page 3

Fisheries

Bud Smith, Q.c.

Attorney General

Dave Parker

Minister of Crown Lands .
Tony Brummet

Minister of Education
Jack Davis

Minister of Energy,
Petroleum Resources
John Reynolds

Minister of Environment
Mel Couvelier

Minister of Finance and Corporate
Relations

Claude Richmond

Minister of Forests

Carol Gran

Minister of Government Management
Services and Minister responsible
for Women's Programs

Mines and

-John Jansen

Minister of Health

Elwood Veitch

Minister of International
Business and Immigration

Norm Jacobsen
Minister of
Services
Lyall Hanson
Minister of Municipal
Recreation and Culture
Jack Weisgerber
Minister of Native Affairs

Ivan Messmer

Minister of Parks

Howard Dirks

Provincial Secretary

Stan Hagen

Minister of Regional and Economic
Development
Peter Dueck
Minister .of
Housing
Russell Fraser
Solicitor General
Cliff Michael
Minister of Tourism
Rita Johnston
Minister of
Highways

Labour and Consumer

Affairs,

Social Services and

Transportaiton and

For further information contact:
Mr. Ian Jessop

Press Secretary, Office of the

Big
BCA

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

B.C.'s umemployment rate
dropped to 7.7 per cent in Sept-
ember, the lowest since November,
1981 as the economy continued to
gather strength.

* The Help Wanted Index
incezcased by 33.2 per cent in
September. /

* Retail sales were up 9.2
per cent in the 12 months’ ending
in July, the highest increase in
Canada. ;

B.C. TRANSIT

«B.C. Transit has signed a
$33-million contract with Lavalin
Inc. of Montreal for 16 SkyTrain
cars. |

The cars, to be
Lavalin subsidiary Urban

built by
trans-

portation Development Corporation

near Kingston, Ont., will bring
the SkyTrain fleet to 130.
ENERGY

The sale of oil and gas
Grilling rights earned $79 mil-

lion for the province so far this

year including $13 million re-
ceived in October.

RESEARCH

B.C.s three public univer-
sities will receive more than $76
million from the federal govern-
ment's new $240-million Networks
of Centres of Excellenece prog-
ram.

UBC will get about $55 mil-
lion, University of Victoria $20
million and Simon Fraser aimost
$1.3 million for research ranging
from robotics and artificial in-
telligence to pest management.

COMMUNT CATIONS
MPR of Burnaby, B.C. Tel's
research and. development subsi-

diary, is heading a team of other
companies in carrying out studies
for development of a top-secret
military satellite communications
system.

FORESTS

An $83,200 forestry project

sponsored by the Nechako School
District will be used to help
teach high school students about

the forest
supports.
Students will improve an 80::
hectare forest block, learn to
interpret technical and ecolog-

and the industry it

Premier
387-6633
ical information and study © sil-
viculture, harvesting and other
topics.
POPULATION

B.C. recorded a net popula:
tion gain of 11,830 from other
provinces in this year's third

quarter, a 10.2 per cent increase
over the same 1988 period.

Por the first time since
1981, net migration from Ontario
during the first three-quarters
of the year exceeded the inflow
trom Alberta, by 8,642 to 8,023.

Annual population growth
rate was 2.5 per cent, highest
Since the third quarter of 1981.

EDUCATION

Academic enrolment at
Cariboo College in Kamloops in-
creased by 20 per cent to about
5,000 this fall as a result of
the new arrangement that enables
the college to grant bachelor of
science nursing degrees from Uni-
versity of Victoria.

.

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