Page 2 Cassiar Courier April 1989

AN OPINION

Omineca Update ;

It is almost an impossibility today to pick up a paper, turn on the radio, or watch television without read- ing or hearing about a forest resource-related issue. This should not seem unusual as: the citizens of British Colum- bia are awakening to what has been taking place in our

creased awareness, the public is also seeking answers to”

many other crucial questions regarding the forest indus- try.

In short, the jig is up. The wasteful, profit-motiv- ated practices and politically oriented nature of the forest industry in this province is finally coming to an end.

Hopefully action which surely must be taken will come-

soon enough to stave off disaster in a number of our forestry-based rural communities. Hopefully the present government will now have the guts to initiate these changes in order that we might combat the political upheaval’ in British Columbia. No one should have the private right to do public wrong, and nowhere is this

more applicable than with respect to B.C.’s forests.

The View

From

I can be reached by phoning 387-3038 days, 384-9285 evenings, or by writing c/o Parliament Build- ings, Victoria, B.C., V8V 1X4. Support the Democratic Process. Keep in touch with your M.L.A.

OPEN LETTER TO PREMIER VANDER ZALM.

Dear Mr. Premier:

The recent announcement by Finance Minister Mel Couvelier, that the Budget Stabilization Fund will reach $1 billion by the end of this fiscal year, is most interesting. It is not, however, surprising given the in-

the same period last year. The question is, how will that increased revenue, raised on the backs of British Colum- bians, be spent?

Will it be spent to retire the $6 billion long term deficit still in existence on the Government’s books? Will it be spent in the North where many services have suffered of late, particularly the provision of proper road and highway surfaces? Will it be spent to build a long overdue northern university in Prince George, in order that we might educate and keep at home more of the students borne by those rural citizens who pay the lions’ share of the tax burden. Or will it be held and spent the year before an election in a manner which could be interpreted as vote buying?

Senegal. for fisheries protection - while at home the Minister of Fisheries agrees to the staying of charges against 1.T.T. Industries over the destruction of Land- rick Creek; closes the crab, shrimp, and prawn fisheries at Prince Rupert over dioxin poisoning; cuts the budget for fisheries patrol officers; and can’t find any money

Mr. Premier, the people of British Columbia have become much more sophisticated than they were in years gone by. They know where these increased revenues have come from, and they are watching very carefully to see what they will be used for. My advice to you, as we enter a new fiscal year, is to beware not only of the ides of March, but also of the wrath of much more educated voters.

Jack J. Kempf M.L.A. for Omineca

OFFICE

these facilitites en route.

“The development of the policy was spurred on by discussion with both the travelling public and tourist oriented businesses,” said Reid. “Pilot projects in the Fraser Canyon and on Vancouver Island told us that we were on the right track as feedback from local owners and tourists proved to be very positive.”

“Our new signing program represents an excel- jon step forward in providing better information on signs that are considerably larget than those previously. allowed under permit,” Vant said. “In addition, we will effectively clean up rights-of-way across the province — and tne their scenic value, by removing unneces-

sary signs.”

In rural areas, new signs will display. titles (such .

as gas, food, lodging, camping and tourist attraction), business name panels and directional arrows. In urban areas, standard symbols will identify provincially ap- proved services where required.

“Signs will be produced, installed and maintain-

CASSIAR

BITS & PIECES

10

In response to our continued request for inform- ation concerning past residents, we have received the following list of persons’ whereabouts. With the present hectic movement of people into and out of Cassiar, there must be hundreds more we are missing. Please, we want to hear from you.

xk

Mark and Anita Gloah are in Weyburn, Sask. He is a full-time. minister with the Full Gospel Church. They have two children - Rachel who is 10 and Jonathan aged 7.

Alice Baydock, swim instructor, is back from a year of travelling in Asia and Australia and is now a teacher in Winnipeg.

Wayne Byron and Debbie McCullough are married and living in Faro. They have two children, Cory and

Jody.

Brenda Roberts is in Tumbler Ridge as well as Tracy. Lil Roberts is in Prince George.

Had a letter recently from Amy McLeod. She said to say hello to everyone in Cassiar. Don’t think

AN OPEN LETTER

This is a letter meant to express our thanks and

appreciation to Dr. Zimich. We have no doubt that our

son is alive today due in part to Dr. Zimich’s quick assessment and advice. We owe him a great deal and he has our heartfelt thanks.

We are very sorry to hear he is leaving our com- munity. While at B.C.’s Childrens Hospital and Sunny- hill Hospital, doctors expressed concern about bringing Daniel home to such an isolated community. Because of

‘our confidence in Dr. Zimich to remain in touch with the

Vancouver doctors, and because we knew he would not

hesitate in sending Daniel out should the need arise, we .

all felt safe about bringing him home. Because we are so isolated we have a great need for doctors like Dr. Zimich.

We hope that whoever follows Dr. Zimich will keep in mind the special needs of an isolated community. Time and distance from larger, better equipped medical

CASSIAR MINING CORPORATION

Cassiar Mining Corporation recently announced the 1988 financial results. Revenue of $112,313,000 was

nearly double the 1987 revenue of $58,129,000.

_ primary resource industry. creases in all forms of taxation experienced by British ! Three Months Ended Through the actions of a few seriously concerned Columbians over the last two years. f Sie so avilg, LOO MnCl ROUBLE CIS HINE SO UER ORS At December 31 : individuals, the media, alerted to past performances and Let me say initially, Mr. Premier, that | am not OF TH cE Spring Island. 1988 "2 A987 impending disasters, have begun to run with the forestry opposed to either.a balanced budget or a surplus. Quite Revenue $38,817,000 : issue, bringing it to the public’s attention. The public is the contrary. But given the hardships endured by our PRE Ml E R Net Earnings $ 87 16.000 yen alarmed. They no longer have to look over a fat off hill _ citizens to reach this benchmark, I believe it is very Earnings per share ee een to see what is taking place.” It is taking place at their back important to know where we go from here. Basic $0.51 doors. After operating on the premise that political Our citizens, whether they be small business February 16, 1989 Fully Diluted $0.32 ee blackmail is the order of the day as it has been for so people, independent loggers or sawmillers, fish farmers, Victoria, B.C. - Transportation and Highways i we many years, giant forest companies are being shown up home owners, home buyers or other individuals, are Minister, Neil Vant, and Minister of Tourism and Provin- i Year Ended for what they really are. This is being done by employees still reeling from increases in taxes of all description, cial Secretary, Bill Reid, today announced a new policy } December 31 and unions as well as by other groups and individuals. In from property taxes to user fees and everything in be- on signing for tourist services, facilities and attractions ene or Wee short, there is a very real need for immediate change in tween, including the poor man’s drink. It’s apparent, on provincial highways throughout British Columbia. beforeterercre! Rev cnue $112,313,000 $58,129,000 order to stop waste, realize a fair return for the province from the 3rd Quarterly Financial Report presented by The new policy provides for standardized and y 2. : Net Earnings $ 22,210,000 $ 3,719,000 from the resource, and protect other interest groups in Mel Couvelier, what those increases have produced. easily recognizable signing in both rural and urban i Guess who's sleeping-in the closet at R cd Magic’ Earnings per Share our forests, as well as to curb the moonscape-producing Government revenues are up by $900 million, while at areas. The white and blue designs offer clear, consis- : EAT TEE eo i eg and Maggie’s Basic $1.31 $0.23 practices of present harvesting methods. Thanks to in- the same time $141 million more was spent than during tent information to help motorists find the location of ; j = Fully Diluted $0.95 $0.19

Since its acquisition in June 1988, the Similco

copper mine contributed $45,687,000 to 1988 revenues

and, coupled with a 15% increase in Cassiar’s revenue, resulted in a record year for the Company.

The debt of the Cassiar operation, outstanding since 1981, has been reduced to $14,162,000 as of March 1, 1989 and it is anticipated that it will be fully paid by the end of 1989.

The purchase price for the Similco mining assets was fully paid by the end of 1988, as well as a $5,400,000 obligation to B.C. Hydro.

The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be held on April 27, 1989, in the Waddington Room, Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, commencing at 9:30 a.m. (Vancouver time). The Annual Report will be mailed later’ this month.

For further information, please contact:

Uke : ‘ : : zs hesitation s Ottawa for real enhancement projects! ed by the Ministry of Transportation and Highways with | “ Unita dao JOHAR noe TR Denver COL centres can be a He saving factor and a aes in ‘ e ne INA: att On forestry, the 1988 figures are amazing. Out- no charge to business operators,”’ Vant said. Bone 4 ? could mean the difference between life and death. Niee Rresident, Finance Cassiar Mining Corporation

Jim Fulton, M.P.

A couple of days ago | received a letter from the Minister of External Affairs, Mr. Joe Clark. It was a friendly response to my inquiry about the levels of fund- ing given by the Government of Canada to mining, for- estry, and fisheries projects outside Canada in 1988.

Like most Canadians, | believe very strongly in helping poor developing countries with projects that are sustainable. Like most British Columbians I know, we are getting shortchanged on poutics that affect our vital industries.

Let’s look at the figures given to me by Joe Clark and compare them with what the Conservatives do at home. In 1988 over $90 million was spent on mining projects abroad, such as $25 million to the Chilean National Copper Corporation and $25 million

- to the Escondida copper mine also in Chile. Here in

Canada the Conservatives trashed the flow-through shares - which despite its flaws from a tax perspective did provide capital to small Canadian mining companies to develop. Funding | such as that made available to the military dictatorship in Chile is not available. fo mines, big or small, in B. C.

In fisheries the Government of Canada provided funding to Zambia, Senegal, Brazil, Guyana, Caricom, Leeward and Windward Islands, St. Lucia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. A total of $18.8 million was spent for projects ranging from fisheries development to fisheries protection, to inland fisheries, and fish plants. There is no doubt that Canada has real exper- tise in this field and we should be helping other nations develop sound conservation oriented fisheries. It seems

side of Canada, some $114 million was spent on forest inventories, forest development, sawmill improvement, and even $3.2 million for a forestry school in Indonesia. I don’t doubt for a moment that most of these expend- itures are good and are designed to help countries take better care of their forest lands and resources. In con- trast, let’s look at British Columbia as an example. We

are by far the largest producer of forest products in

Canada. At the moment we are in the last year of a five year federal/provincial forestry agreement known as the

Forest Renewal Development Agreement (FRDA), It is a $300 million agreement over five years to replant our backlog. One hundred and fifty million dollars is

-the federal contribution -- making it a $30 million per

year (on average) contribution.

Now, you might ask, how is it possible that Ot- tawa spent over $114 million dollars in 1988 on forestry projects outside Canada -- and only about $30 million in British Columbia? (And in fact roughly the same amount inside Canada as outside Canada!) Well, Ottawa and the Conservatives don’t seem to be alone at this. MacMillan Bloedel is pulling $900 million out of B.C. to build a new pulp mill in Tasmania this year.

We're told by the forest companies that they’re overtaxed and they cannot afford to properly reforest. We're told by the Conservatives that there must be belt- ‘tightening and no new money for reforestation. Victoria and Bill Vander Zalm took in: some $800 million on stumpage in 1988 and no new reforestation programs from there either.

It seems strange, doesn’t it? We send money all over the world to help countries reforest and manage their forests. The companies and governments here say they can’t afford to reforest and giants like MacBlo move’ to Tasmania. I call it a. high level political/big —

‘To be eligible for service and attraction signing, businesses must meet the standards established by the two Ministries. A brochure has been designed to outline the eligibility criteria and to offer examples of the new signs.

“Ministry staff are now scheduling public meet- ings throughout the province to answer questions and explain the process,” Vant concluded. “I anticipate the new signs will appear on provincial highways this spring and the project should be completed by summer.

Permits covering private signs for existing ser- vices, facilities and attractions will be cancelled as new signs: are installed. Private signing, under permit,.

will be maintained for continuing programs such as —

community welcome, radio station frequencies, area promotion, as well as combination service club and church signs.

Please contribute to the Canadian ~ Cancer Society today.

Canadian Cancer Society

Can Cancer Be Beaten? You Bet Your Life It Can!

i

Sid and Terry Tochritter and their three wee ones (grown now) are in Chillliwack where they both work for the CFB.

Nettie Hodikin, former personnel manager, mar- ried Wes Young, a mine foreman, and they reside in Prince George. They have two children, Desmond and Amanda.

Thelma Clarke and Garfield Williams live in Mississauga, Ontario. Thelma worked in the mine dry and Garfield was a furnace mechanic.

Jayce Julson is married to Lisa now and they live in White Rock, B.C.

Travis Teague married Cindy and is now living in Richmond, B.C.

Last heard from, Pat Massin was living in Campbell River, B.C.

Saw Phil Prophet in Vancouver last summer - he was a salesman.

Don and Cheryl Larson are living in Smithers as well as Pauline and Woody Woodrow. Marilyn, Heather and Jim Collins are in Telkwa. Jim’s picture is in the Herald paper we receive - he’s a car salesman now. Sonja Wilits is living in Telkwa and working at the hospital in Smithers.

Laury Malcohm is living in Prince George.

June Holman is living in New Westminster. ‘ t

Ghyslain and Catherine Rozon

British Columbia’s CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Rozon;

British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital gratefully.

acknowledges gifts in honour of Daniel Rozon. Gifts of this nature are greatly appreciated and

_ will help us provide an even brighter future for our child-

ren, the upcoming citizens of British Columbia, Our letter of thanks has been sent to the generous donors on the enclosed list.

Sincerely, Andrew Chan Donations Officer

THANK YOU

! would like to thank those people who sent the cards of sympathy and the beautiful floral dis- play at the recent passing away of my mother, Mrs. lona Periard.

It is at times like this when thoughtfulness is really appreciated.

G. Periard Judith Sullivan Janet Lachapelle

2000 - 1055 West Hastings Street Vancouver, B. C.

V6E 3V3

(604) 688-2511

NEW ARRIVALS

Latest Discovery

in the

Nugget Danie Crrast DR wteep, Weight “1 Ibs . G ozs

Prospectors: 4S Sy)

22, oi re es Cassini Bo.

Discovery Date Claim Registered by:

r BousQvueyty

al the Whitehorse General Hospital Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada!

Ses ee

odd, however, that Canada provides $1.9 million to ~ business” rip-off: of ‘our forests-and our pocketbooks. .:

POE SOR aes OV <9) rae WEST Tyan!