Spea O@ SL YG Meus x9 fb swOS) Les Opposition Leader “Mike Harcourt "Get tough with big polluters* _ Environmental protection under the Socreds is like the weather -- lots of talk about it, but little ever changes. Witness the recent closure of the fisheries on B.C.'s pois- oned coastal waters. Commercial crab, oyster, clam and shxr imp fishing have been banned in eight areas, all adjacent to pulp or saw mills. Our coastal communi - ties have taken another knockdown blow -- fishermen, aboriginal people, and residents with their livelihoods put at risk, and theix families’ health threaten- ed. They're paying for Socred neglect of our environment. Just weeks ago the environment mini- ster belittled the pollution problem in Howe Sound, where a similar shellfish ban already exists. He insists the problem is not urgent and says pollution wil liber edealtiomwathgen tae: duende years' time. Excuses and walling won't work. ment and fisheries can't wait, and neither can the people of this province. British Colum bians no longer trust the Vander Zalm government to protect our environment. They know the Soc- reds lack the political will to get tough with big corporate pol~ luters and clean up our poisoned waters. People are telling me enough is enough. Enough with the gim- micky public relations. Enough with the take newscast ads on the nightly news. It's time to stop slapping big polluters on the wrist and start slappping them in jail. B.C. pulp and paper does $3 the old Our environ- billion in business each year. The industry is- moving towards pollution abatement. But in the meantime, some mills continue breaking the rules and poisoning our water, while reaping profit. It's those mills , thumbing their noses at the rest of us, who must be immediately stopped. New Democrats are demanding pulp mills that fail- to comply with current pollution guidelines be forced to post a $50 million Environment and Economic Pro- tection Bond. The provincial government can then draw on that fund to monitor, prevent, and where necessary, launch immediate clean-up of contamination. The fund could also be used to quick- ly compensate British Columbians whose living suffers by pollu- tion. : Only polluting mills would be required to post a bond. These bonds will shake up _ the industry, provide clean-up funds, and prevent further contamination of our environment. They'll] also send a clear message to one and all that Brit— ish Columbians won't stand _ for anything but the highest standard of environmental protection. Our families and our children deserve it. We demand it, now. Secret Report Says: stone~ . program to help street kids. “in Vancouver to Toke kyr f2260 Jim Fulton, M.P.. $150 Billion Benefits Last year Canada spewed 473 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere. The rate ot release is increasing. Ibe edb bal rent trends continue, by the year 2005 (fifteen years away), Canada will be pumping more than 700 million tonnes into the atmos~ phere annually. Most Canadians now know that carbon dioxide, and the other "Greenhouse gasses" cause "global warming" by trapping infra-red radiation in the atmosphere. Most Canadians also know that carbon dioxide comes from the combustion of fossil fuels: in-~ cluding all petroleum products, coal, and any other form of bio~ mass (wood, peat, dung). We are beginning to hear the dire predictions: melting ice caps, rising sea levels, changing weather. Scientists warn of des- erts forming where Canadian grain production now occurs. But is our knowledge growing fast enough so we can tackle Glo: bal Warming head on? I believe it is. The question ot however, does not only boil down to knowledge -. it necessarily requires political will power, tough decision-making, and a Co- ordinated global series of major efforts. Sadly, this is where Canada fails. A secret study, the Departments of Energy feder- B | action,- paid for by- age 2 Cassiar Courier January 1990 tonnes in 2005 instead of the 700 »million tonnes projected as re- sulting from current energy use trends. To achieve the target C02 emission reductions, ‘Canadians must invest $74 billion by 2005 AD. The Secret rel study then veals the truth! ‘ It says that by committing ourselves to that investment, we Wittternwtact: gGenerateda net bene fit valued. at $150 billion (in 1988 dollars), because most of the measures taken to reduce emissions will also save energy (and you money). So we see that it not makes ecological sense to global warming, it makes good solid dollar sense too. In fact, Ehatemola Urabe on ine ty pene ite just about balances out Canada's entire debt burden the Tories keep pointing to as the reason LO Pusey Gilt as 0 CalietsL programmes, chopping VIA Rail, and for pro: posing the regressive tax system labelled the GST. So why has pretty much buried Why ts B.C. pushing mega-projects, more power lines & more tanker trat- fic? Tt ig obvious the Tories federally and the Socreds provin- cially do not take global warming only tackle Canada and &.C. this study? more hydro overhead seriously. They will not ofter responsible leadership. And yet we must. Did you know that Canada's Arctic icepack has already been thinned by 15%? Scott Polar ke search Institute in Sritain indi- cate the . over 300,000 square kilometers of Canada's permanent Arctic pack-ive, the average ite thickness has already shrunk to 5 feet}from: Sevens @ Pteehas sheen calculated that wasteful habits today atiready to one million deaths Cach yar. are the first "global warming" Casualties. The death count will go much higher. Reports from the Energy contribute worldwide these ally and in eight provinces, han We must avk Victoria and cxamined. options to reduce carbon Obtawaawhy . they are | pldang (the dioxide emissions in Canada. yt 150 billion dollar report. Why tabulated the cost of cutting COZ would a government: hide «a report emissions (starting this year). that would save Consumers money would mean discharging 36 million and save our atmoshpere? years ago and now operates in the Hajor Communities in British Province of Columbia. As well as providing British Columbia’ » direct services 274 hours a day, ea neeus reconnect workers coordinate Social Services and Housing Minister Peter A. Dueck told a Reconnect Seminar that British Columbia is the first juris - diction to have a province: wide Friday, Dueck addressed of 25 Reconnect programs who exchange and information about their ex- periences and to suggest future directions for the Reconnect pro- gram. becember 8, 1989, representatives met ideas Streetworkers, police On ficers, nurses and probation of- ficers were among the group of about 100 people. Discussions included sharing tield experi~ ences, identifying program and service needs and recommendations for the future. Reconnect is a province-wide program for street kids. It be- gan in’ Vancouver .and Victoria. two soCial services and reter street kids to appropriate resources in- cluding health agencies, aicohol and drug detaxification, educa tion upgrading, job preparation and pre-employment The budget allocation this year is $1.7 million. Dueck paid tribute to the Sta ht (PLote tne) 25 prog tants! OF their commitment and dedication in making the program a success. "lt challenge you to assist us to build an even hetter program. This is the purpose of this one day seminar - to review and to build for the future of the Re- connect program," he said. eontact: Regional Director For more intormation Chris Haynes, Region K 755-2393 (Nanaimo) counselling. Young athletes would be hor- rified if their parents suggested they take anabolic steroids -- yet these same parents may un- knowingly be giving their child- ren daily doses of a far more harmful steroid horomone, accord— ing to a Simon Fraser kinesiologist. Dr. James Moon says ‘vitamin D', popularly known as the ‘sun- shine vitamin', is routinely ad- ded to much of the milk, marga- Yine, baby food, breakfast cereal and multiple vitamin supplements University -we feed our children. "Vitamin D, or calciterol, is one of the most potent steroid hormones available and a very toxic food additive," he says. "Tt was mistakenly classificated as a vitamin in 1922. Many of today's vitamin-conscious gener- ation grew up with the notion that vitamin D supplements are not only good for you, but essen- tial for good health.” In fact, says Moon, there have been hundreds of documented human poisonings by various forms of the hormone. "This is one hormone people should avoid con- suming unless there is a clear medical reason for its use. its fants under the age of two who are not exposed to the violet rays of the sun, lactating women who do not get sufficient exposure to solar ultraviolet or people who are confined indoors, such as elderly invalids, may need calciferol replacement therapy, but they are a of the population." Moon says there nificant ‘vitamin D’ true vitamins sources. is one sig- difference between and true vitamins: have common plant The only known ultra- . minority’ plant Cassiar Courier January 1990 Page 3 Vitamin D Identitied As A Potent Steroid Hormone sources of calciferol are plants found in South America. two Both contain the hormonal form of calciferol and cattle grazing on these plants die of calciferol poisoning. "Vitamin D was reclassified as a steroid hormone in 1970, but this knowledge is disseminated slowly," Moon says. "The. full implications of are still not this discovery well-understood, even by those scientists who specialize in studying the cal- cifying/de-calcifying hormone. "An important function of the 'vitamin-D'-endocrine system is to regulate aging of the art- eries, kidneys, and bones. When taken by non-deficient people, the hormone increases aging of these organs. This increase in aging is seen as calcification of the arteries and kidneys, and decalcification of the bones. "For those who need it, the hormone is a powerful therapeutic agent. For those who do not, it has no beneficial effect but many well-documented detrimental ef- fects," says Moon. "Portification of foods with 'vitamin D' had not solved the problem of rickets among infants, or osteomalacia inthe elderly, but has caused many problems among, those who are not deficient in the hormone." One form of calciferol, ir- radiated ergosterol, is widely used in vitamin supplements) and fortification of food. "Health and Welfare Claim irradiated the naturally Canada ergosterol and occurring form,: activated 7-dehydrocholesterol, have equivalent potencies and toxicities for humans," says Moon. "Contrary to these claims, vast differences in behavior tween the two forms are documented in monkeys, chickens, rabbits, and humans. "The only animals in differences are not apparent rats. Unfortunately, rat studies have been used for standardiza- tion of calciferol preparations." Moon says the amount of cal- ciferol added to milk has not been proven safe for long-term consumption. tin eathe early 1950's there was an epidemic in Britain of infant poisonings by the 'vitamin D' hormone added to milk. More than 200 infants were afflicted before the cause was recognized. Intants were getting from 1,000 to 4,000 {.U. of ‘vitamin D'. This resulted in deformed facial bones, irregular dental structures, and, in many cases, severe mental retardation. Great Britain now exercises great control over delivery of the "vitamin D' hormone to the British population. "None of the known steroid hormones are safe to use over prolonged periods, and, except for calciferol, all are restrict-~- ed to use by prescription only." Moon is urging Health and Welfare Canada to undertake a de- be- clearly Cows, which are tailed investigation of the wide- spread use of calciterol, as a step in reducing its use. "There 1s no evidence that any group of people who get sut- ficient sunshine and that in cludes the vast majority of all humans ever needs to consume this hormone," he says. For more intormation contact: De eI Meh OG neon 5 CA Ou One. Qe 3573 or Florida Town, media anil public relations, 291 4323. eS OO>own»n me—o—o—* NORTHERN LIGHTS ~ COLLEGE NLC Board Approves Driving Location Professional The Northern Lights College Board held its December meeting in Dawson Creek. City Alderman Don Kirschman and Administrator Harold Hansen made representation to the Board to locate a new pro- gram at the Dawson Creek Campus. They indicated that the City would support it in every way possible. The Board then decided that the new Professional Driver Training Program, which will start next summer, will base the driving portion in Dawson Creek and the Maintenance Training at the Fort St. John Campus. Acting Chairman, Mike Caisley, indicated that the availability of suitable facilities played a major role in the decision. The Board also decided that the current Agriculture Program would be shelved after this year of low enrollments. would instead channel its efforts into helping to div- ersify the local agricultural economy. Wild game ranching will become the focus of the Mile Zero Farm so local producers will be able to look to Northern Lights College for advice on nutrition, as a result The College husbandry, etc. Reindeer and bison will probably be the main emphasis, although the College will also attempt to arrange sem- jnars for fox farmers and others. The Board also approved the use of a new college logo and ap-~ proved preliminary architectural drawings for campus expansions in Fort Nelson and Fort St. John. A rental agreement for college tac— ilities in Hudson's Hope was also approved. It also ratified the recently settled Collective Agreement with faculty. Caisley indicated that he was particular- ly pleased because there were a number of labour disputes in col- leges this past year, and these were hard on the students. IW Fee PW Dabo TOVUG CINDY fa NSE also discussed oa petition from students about the need for increased library ser- vices. College Registrar, Dr. Glenn Ruhl, provided a report on initiatives that are being taken to better serve the students’ library needs. A report was also received on the recent recruiting trip to Japan. Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and possibly Tumb- ler Ridge will serve as hosts to Japanese student groups this com- ing suinmer. The Board The Board also met with Roy Stewart, President of the Inter- ior University Society. The Board had previously raised some questions about how the new uni versity would operate. Minys Stewart agreed to help the Board to find the answers te its ques~ tions. For further information contact: J.B. (Jim) Kassen Chief Bxecutive Officer 782-5251 (Local 220) WENT Ok Dasa oh a Ay