@ Money charged by credit card companies now available in print Federal Consumer and Corporate Affairs Minister Pierre Blais recently released the December issue of the quarterly report, Credit Card Costs. This document provides timely, comparative informa- tion about interest rates and other costs related to the use of credit cards. “Although there are en- couraging signs that some of the issuers are lowering their interest rates, I am concern about the current rates of in- terest. I met with the Cana- dian Bankers’ Association, the Trust Companies Associ- ation and the Retail Council of Canada to discuss this Master Card question. Marketing prac- tices and the need for im- proved disclsoure to con- sumers on how interest rates are calculated were also dis- cussed,” said Blais. “Consumers must be bet- ter informed-to make in- formed choices,” the minister continued. “Credit cards are a practical and flexible form of credit. But the costs associat- ed with their use are varied and complex and consumers should consider other, more favourable, forms of credit.” “As consumers, we should keep these considerations in (Federal government puts together facts about the cost behind credit cards mind-as the holiday season approaches; we must make the best choices possible,” concluded Mr. Blais. This issue of Credit Card Costs gives consumers updat- ed credit card facts and fig- ures, such as interest rates, length of grace period, annu- al fees, the date from which interest charges are applied and associated terms and conditions as well as a graph howing the relationship be- Wednesday, December 18, 1991 s U.S. lumber ‘injuries’ just hypochondria A preliminary finding an- nounced recently by the U.S. International Trade Commis- sion, that Canadian lumber results in “injury” to U.S. in- terests, is inconsistent with what has occurred during the period investigated. Since 1988 imports of Canadian lumber into the USS. have declined by nearly 12 per cent. This represents a decline of Canada’s share of the U.S. softwood lumber mar- ket from 28.2 per cent to 26.8 r cent.. Difficulties that the U.S. lumber industry may be fac- ing relate to declining lumber d tween selected credit card in- terest rates and the Bank of Canada rate. This is the four- teenth issue published since the Government began re- leasing the report in Decem- ber 1987. Copies of Credit Card Costs are available at your nearest office of Consumer and Corporate Affairs Cana- da. d as a result of the re- cession, as well as timber shortages in the West due to environmental considerations. “While this U.S. decision is not entriely unexpected, it is certainly disappointing” says ILMA spkesman Don Fraser. The next phase in this on- going dispute will involve US. i igation into the t of alleged subsidy to the Cana- dian lumber industry. “With the B.C. lumber in- dustry having lost $281 mil- lion last year, it is hard to imagine that anyone could ar- gue that it isn’t paying enough stumpage,” says Fraser. Unlike earlier U.S. counter- vail investigations against Canadian lumber, if this U.S. action continues, Canada will have access to the bilateral trade dispute mechanism un- der the Free Trade Agree- ment. Here's a Great Way to Send SEASON'S GREETINGS to your Santa I think I've been a good girl Dear Santa Claus, My sister Jennifer is writ- all year. I've tried to clean my _ ing this letter for me. She is room, and. put away my _ tenyearsoldandI'm4 months crayons and paperwork. I old. For-Christmas I would a would like to be with my fam- gym activaty center, a musical ily at Christmas. Asnowman dream screen and I need a would be fun and lots and lots _ teething ring. Jennifer would of Teddy’ ‘8. like 2 barbies, lights and lace _Tillleave you some milk and barbie and ski fun Ken. My pizza, and pretzels for the brother Michael would like a reindeer. new wi . Thank you. iar i Love Kim Smit Jayden Pozni' PS. K. Louise says hi. 4 or Dear Santa, Dear Santa, How are you doing? Are I'm Kelli, I'm 2 1/2 years your reindeer ready for the big old. Saint Nick I've tried to be night? This is our very first a good girl. I would like to Christmas s0 it is all very ex- have Rub-a-dub dolly, a_ citing. I'm 2 years old and m;y Magna Doodle and maybe sister is only 7 months old so some new clothes. Mommy is helping us write You can have some treats this letter. We've been good and juice before you fly upin children this year. We are x the sky. Give Rudolph a kiss please. Thank you. Love we Kelli Gretchen Dear Santa, learning to share and care for others. My sister and I sent food, clothes and toys to an- other country so the boys and girls there could have a happy Christmas like us. Me, I'm My brother would like a easy to please, but I think Kerplunk game, his name is little sister would like a pid David. My sister would like a cuddly doll for Christmas. , COMMUNITY legar’s Annual C ity Evenings: Donnie Bodin 367-7187; Sera Hall 364-0202; Lor A.M. FORD Trait 364-0202 - Castlegar 365-0202 “OUT-OF-TOWN CALL COLLECT hours: Monday-Friday 8 am. pm.; Sat. 8.am.-5 p.m; Thursday Night It’s Truck Month At A.M. Ford Back or 1 .9% O.A.C. Up To 3 ,000 Back Brand New 1992 F-150 Pickup “CLOTn SEAT 74.9 LITRE 6 CYL. EF LENGINE STK. 6691 1992 Ford Explorer Ford Trucks 75th Anniversary 1991 Aerostar <4 WO EVALUATION UNIT “ED0IE BAUER TRIM sFotepa OC see ten one, phon rotate to Genter. YOR down, 11% @ 68 me Drive, Trail, B.C. SALES LTD. _ to | CHRISTMAS CAR At the same time assist mentally and physically disabled individuals served by the Kootenay Society for Community Living. HERE'S HOW... With a donation of $5 or more to the Kootenay Society for Community Living, we will publish your name or the name of your business/organization in issues of the Castlegar News just prior to Christmas. Donations are tax deductible. What better way to support the involvement of mentally and ically d individuals in our community! pny LOOK FOR THE SILVER DONATION BOXES LOCATED AT: Arena Complex, Banjo's, Bank of Montreal, Canadian werial Bank of C Cc. and District Library, Ci News, C. gs Credit Union, Central Foods, Johnny's Grocery, Kootenay Savings Credit Union, Safeway, SuperValu and Castlegar Foods. Or mail your donation, using this coupon: lio. Community GhiisimasCard 1 for ¢ Box 3204, Castlegar, B.C. VIN 3H5 Please include the following names in the Society's annual Community ristmas Card ad (send $5 for each family grouping): Living $ 3 Lee ee ee eee eee enclosed. 1 For cash, we recommend dropping this form in an envelope in any of the Donation Boxes at the businesses listed above. aA ae C.D. Her name is Chantelle. Love from Bronwyn Sutton Dear Santa, My name is Tyler. I am 5 years old. Please may I havea Fire Truck that has men and a ladder. A talking Ninja Turle would be good too. Also a car- toon video. I will leave you out some cookies and a milk, and I'll leave the reindeer whatever they eat. Thank you, Santa. Love Tyler Gretchen Dear Santa: Hi my name is Amanda. I love you. I would like these things for Christmas please: Walking Dog, Barbie clothes, coloring book, crayons, jewlery box, earings, sheets with bar- Hi my name is Jessica. I love you. I would like these wings ral barat please: abye baby, Walking dog, Coloring book, And a a bye baby and some Tuna fish and crrayons. From Jesscia Hyson Age4 leave an apple for Rudolph on Christmas Eve. Hugs, kisses and much love from your new friends. Jacob and Caitlin Kazakoff Dear Santa: Hi! My name is Alycia Lakevold, and-I will be six years old tomorrow. For Christmas I would like a mag- ic copier, or a Go Go Walking Kitty and some felts. My brother Chad is 1 1/2 years old. I think he would like some cars and trucks and a toolbox. T have been a real good girl this year. My brother is good too, but he sure gets into ev- erything. We will leave you guys some goodies! Thank you, Santa. ve Alycia and Chad Lakevold Dear S.T. Nick, I would like these tings for Christmas please: M.C. Ham- mer Pants, Nice Toys, Nice Clothes. Loye Celina Hyson Age9 Dear Santa For Christmas I would like DUTCH A Extended by Po, STION © D mand a L'il Miss Mermaid. I will Wednesday-Saturday ) December 18-21 ALL ELECTRONICS & SELECTED APPLIANCES 0% off