2 > "2 Castlegar 5 May 2, 1990 Repo VICTORIA (CP) — The B.C. presented a true financial picture of assets, including the Expo 86 lands, says auditor general George Morfitt in his annual report Tuesday. “We are concerned that, in our cial results of privatization transactions are not reported in the most appropriate manner,’” he writes in the report. The report, more than 300 pages, looks at a wide variety of i rt criticizes Victoria's Sale of those assets earned the government more than $1 billion, of which $308.5 million was placed in the privatization benefits fund. That fund is used for gover- nment investments, says Morfitt. ‘The most notable sale was of the Expo 86 lands near downtown Vancouver, In April 1988, the province announced the sale to Concord Pacific Developments for $320 million. When pressed, the Social Credit government admit- government hasn't the’ sale of Crown opinion, the finan- those involving lottery grants and budget stabilization fund. ‘The report was tabled i the legislature Tuesday. asta Crown assets to March 31,1989. The assets were sold under the government Morfitt examines 46 sal privatization scheme. Warm April cooled By CasNews Staff A cooling trend and heavy precipitation in late April put a dam- pér on what started out as @ warm, dry month, the Castlegar weather of- fice reported: in-its- monthly weather summary. **A ridge of high pressure remained over southern B.C. for the first 19 days of April 1990 giving above nor- mal temperatures and below normal precipitation,” the weather office says in the summary. “‘A deep trough of cool Pacific air replaced the ridge for the last 11 days of the month giving~cloud, periods of rain and below normal temperatures. During this period, moderate snowfalls were reported over the passes while several valley stations received from one to four centimetres.”* “Even with the cooling trend at the end of the month, the mean tem- perature was 2.3 degrees above nor- mat,”’ the summary states. The warmest day of the month was April 19 when the mercury reached 23.2 degrees C. The record high is 28.2 C set on April 27, 1980. The coldest day was April 30 when the temperature dipped to minus 1 C. ‘The coldest day ever recorded in April was April 1, 1979 when the tem- perature dropped to minus T3C. The weather office recorded 70.4 millimetres of rain in April, well above the normal 46.6 mm for the month but short of the record 92.9 mm which fell in April 1980. The driest April on record is April 1977 when just.13.1.mm of rain fell. Canada finishes fourth BERN, Switzerland (CP) — For- mer NHL star Kent Nilsson had two goals and Sweden beat Canada 6-4 to take the silver medal today at the world hockey championship. Canada, undefeated in the preliminary round, lost all three games in the medal round and finished fourth. The Soviet Union, who beat Czechoslovakia 5-0 today, took the gold. Czechoslovakia took the bronze. ‘Canada’s Steve-¥zerman-won_the scoring title. Anders Eldebrink, Ulf Samuelsson and Magnus Svensson also scored for Sweden. Greg Adams scored twice for Canada while Theoren Fleury and Doug Gilmour scored once each. Soviet-Czech summary, page B1. Lottery numbers he winning numbers in Saturday’s Lotto 6/49 draw werre 12, 20, 22, 28, 36 and 43. The bonus number was 32. The jackpot of $4,519,484.60 goes to the holder of a single ticket bought in Ontario. The four Extra winning numbers for British Columbia were 14, 50, 64 and 75. The winning numbers drawn Saturday in the B.C. Keno lottery were 9, 12, 16, 33, 36, 38, 41 and 55 The winning numbers in the Ex- press draw were 266970, 300979, 547198 and 690245. The winning Lotto BC numbers were 2, 3, 8, 12, 16 and 23 "Fhese-numbers—provided_by The Canadian Press must be considered unofficial. The winning numbers drawn Mon- day in the B.C. Keno lottery were 7, 8, 14, 19, 20, 24, 29 and 38. © Hall Stationery phone our Circulation Deport 365-7266. practices, the controversial million price tag Work continues on the Slocan Bluffs section of Silverton and Slocan. Closures of the highway from 8:30 a.m. to noon began this week. Minor delays of up to half an hour can be expected at other times, ted. it recorded.the transaction at $145 million. The $320 — like the final value of a mortgage — represented the cost over 15 years. 1. we believe the fund is overstated by $5.4 million in respect of the Expo land sale,’’ Morfitt writes. ‘The selling —price, heexplains, includes future Highway 6 between future payments are met. ‘And several costs associated with the land, including the environmental clean up of the site, were not con- og swoon calculating a gain or a loss until there is reasonable & the public will be unable to judge tl results of the government's privati 0 sidered when government figures a gain, he says. The net result with proper accounting would have been a loss, he says. 4 Morfitt also suggests that more detailed financial in- formation be made available on privatization deals. ys. i $a Morfitt also ‘examines the government's .budgs stabilization fund, which it uses to balance its budget. The fund has no money in it, but Finance Mini: Mel Couvelier has called it an accepted accounting tool that shuffles money between the government’s gener revenue fund and its line of credit. Couvelier criticiz “Someone who's should have the wit to deal-with and I’m not at t policy decisions,”* he said: “Without this information, members (of tie 9 L. ROCKY ROAD the Highways Ministry said. — casnews photo Post deal still interests landowner By CLAUDETTE SANDECKI Staff Writer A Montrose man who owns a tot down the street from the Robson post office says he would still be willing to negotiate a lease arrangement Canada Post proposed three years ago that would have moved the post of ficdiinto a trailer on his property. Ray King said he would have to discuss the proposal with the renters he has in duplexes on the lot but he would-still be interested_in the five- year lease the federal government of- fered him. ‘And King said he would be willing to make changes to the septic system on the lot, one of the three problems the Regional—_District_of Central Kootenay identified as reasons for turning down—his— application to rezone the land, scuttling the lease proposal. The RDCK turned down the rezoning application in October 1987 because ‘‘the existing ground sewage disposal system which served the for- mer duplex does not comply with current legislation requirements,” @ letter to King says., As well, the lot is not large enough to accommodate two duplexes and a commercial use and the location ‘‘has the potential to create traffic congestion,”’ the letter says. King said he has never had a problem with the septic system on the property and questioned how much demand would be put on the system by the post office staff. Canada Post has informed Robson residents the post office will be privatized. The federal Crown cor- poration is cuggently negotiating with Yocal-business people-who- have ex- pressed an interest in taking on a postal franchise. Martin “I believe the way we're fighting the deficit will make us less com- petitive,” he said, noting that ‘‘it makes no sense to cut back research and development in a nation that must compete with other countries.”’ **It makes no sense to cut back on education,”’ he added. Martin, a successful businessman and former vice-president of Power Corp., co-owners of the Celgar pulp mill in_Castlegar, said he advocates reducing Canadian interest rates to @ jevel slightly above the American rate. That reduction would save billions of dollars in debt payments and the money could be spent instead on education and research and develop- ment. “] can’t think of a higher return on investment than education,” he said. Martin was, also criticial of the proposed goods and services tax, calling it unfair and‘nflationary. +} assure you 1 would abolish that tax,’’ he said. However, he added that he favors some form of “‘consum- ption tax’’ that is fairer. He also acknowledged that he is in favor of free trade with the United States but called the agreement the Conservative_government signed a “bad agreement.” “*} am-a free-trader but I would like to have had a decent agreement with the United States,”” Martin said. He said he would renegotiate five areas of the agreement dealing with the definition of @ subsidy, the pur- chase of Canadian companies, agriculture, the export of natural gas from the Beaufort Sea and the export of water. Turning to environmental issues, Martin said protection of the-en- vironment is a ‘‘social value’’ which must be protected. He said Canada should look—at- protecting the _en- vironment as an investment rather than an expense and should strive towards developing environmental technology. Poll continued from front page ziata — 0.4 per cent, Wappel — 5.6 per cent, Uncommittea_— eight per cent. Based on: the Chretien camp’s figure of 3,320 delegates elected, that translates to Chretien — 2,025, Copps — 199, Martin — 631, Nunziata — 13, Wappel — 186, Uncommitted — 266. While not providing tallies for the other candidates, the Nunziata campaign put its count at Nun- ziata — 72 Results from the Wappel camp were unavailable. NDP continued from front poge Advocates of a clean environment, business people and residents “all have concerns about the environment and the economy and we want those things addressed in a positive way,” he said. < But Conroy position. “People who are saying go ahead (with the expansion) at-any cost are part of the problem,” said Conroy, who advocates local control of in- dustry. If the review process, which is ex- pected to include public hearings, is not completed fully now, a federal or joint_Canada-United_States review might be initiated, he warned. Conroy told the audience he wants takes a different to feel Castlegar is a model com- munity. “*1 want to be able to say I’m from Castlegar, we've got the best mill in the province and I’m proud of it."” D’Arcy said he is upset with the current review system that could allow the federal government to make -a “power grab’ and take over the review of Celgar’s project with a federal process that could delay the expansion further. The federal process is not another complete review, but “only a review of the review,"’ he said. The province can then be requested to re-examine its initial review which can be followed by another federal examination of the provincial review, D'Arcy said B.C. could end Meech support VICTORIA (CP) — Premier Bill Vander Zalm, blaming Quebec for much of the impasse over Meech Lake, says he hasn’t ruled out with- drawing British Columbia’s support for the constitutional accord. “Regrettably the issue is Quebec and Quebec is really the cause of the. issue as well,’’ Vander Zalm said in an interview with The Canadian Press on Tuesday. The Social Credit premier said Bill Trial set in stabbing death case By CasNews Staff A Winnipeg man charged in the stabbing death of a Nakusp man will stand trial in B.C. Supreme Court in Nelson sometime in the fall following a preliminary hearing into the case this week, a Nelson court registry spokesman said Tuesday Sean Benoit, 19, who initially told police his name was Shawn Sousa and he was from Revelstoke, will face a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the Feb. 24 death of Jason Christian Ambrock, also 19. At the time of his arrest, Benoit was wanted for being unlawfully at large from Agassiz prison in Portage, Man., Nakusp. RCMP said. He was serving time on two counts of breaking and entering and theft in Winnipeg when he was released on a pass and did not return. He was arrested in November for being unlawfully at large and later released on a promise to appear in court but did not do so. 178, Quebec’s controversial language bill banning —Engtish—on—outdoor public signs, was" responsible for widening the rift over the accord. And he said Quebec must be willing to compromise on the deal- Asked if he had ruled out rescin- ding British Columbia's support of the accord, Vander Zalm replied: “No.” The premier, however, said he would continue to seek compromise *«for as long as possible.”” “But I can’t rule out anything or how things might be dealt with in the next several months. It will depend so much on what other provinces do or what the federal government does. If anything at all “Maybe nothing will happen and we'll just plug along until June 23 (the deadline for passage of the accord). That could well be.”” When the B.C. legislature ratified the accord in June-1988,-Vander Zalm — one of the 11 first ministers who signed the agreement in 1987 — called it ‘‘a great act of nation buil ing.” He said the compromise designed to bring Quebec into Confederation was ‘‘fair to Quebec, fair to British Columbia and fair to all Canadians.”” But in recent months, the B.C. premier has expressed dissatisfaction at the deal. In a January televised speech, he said: ‘‘The Meech Lake accord is unacceptable to the people of British Columbia. They insist~it~must be changed.”” Vander Zalm subsequently produced a “‘made-in-B.C.”’ proposal to solve the Meech logjam. It called for passage of parts of the accord by the June 23 deadline with the rest to be negotiated over the next three Vander Zalm said the accord’s fase~_years. is in Quebec’s hands. And he said the threat of Quebec separatism is greater now than ever. “[’m not an alarmist or @ pessimist but Quebec dropping out (of Con- federation) is a possibility."” Last week, he said scrapping the accord and starting from scratch “might not be that bad. Maybe that’s the best thing of all.” The agreement, which would bring Quebec into the Constitution, would BILL VANDER ZALM . will continue to seek compromise recognize Quebec as a distinct society and broaden many provincial powers Tt would give all provinces a rote i proposing candidates for the Supreme Court of Canada and the Senate, greater power over immigration and limits on federal spending in areas of provincial jurisdiction. The accord must be ratified by all provinces. New Brunswick and Manitoba have not signed the agreement and Newfoundland has rescinded its support. Vander Zalm said people didn’t question Quebec's demand to be recognized as a distinct society at the time of the accord’s original signing. But Bill 178 has changed that, said Vander Zalm. “We didn’t know at Meech that Quebec would be introducing Bill 178 — the ramifications of it,’’ he said. “And I think that was a bad, bad move on the part of Quebec. And it’s affected our country immensely.”’ “Things have become worse,” he added. ‘‘I suppose it’s politics in Quebec and politics unfortunately does not always distinguish between right and wrong.”’ Experts say budget not balanced VICTORIA (CP) — government is mistaken when it claims the current $15.2-billion provincial budget is balanced, says a major charteféd accounting firm. The budget actually has more than a $2.6-billion deficit, Peat Marwick Thorne, Canada’s largest public ac- counting firm, says in a review of the April 19 budget. **A& review of the balance sheet of t The B.C. the general fund, budget stabilization fund and privatization benefits fund discloses that liabilities are projected the way the deficit will be divided up into deficits and surpluses is changed to exceed assets by $2.667 billion at March 31,”’ the review says. The review, written by Hugh Gor- don, head of the tax department in the firm's Victoria office, says’ the deficit had been divided up “‘on an ar- tificial and arbitrary basis.” “Bach year in an arbitrary fashion ° with a effect on the budget surplus or deficit.” “The funds given attention by the government are those in which a sur- plus has been world about your supposed $200 of assets while ignoring your supported debts."" Finance Minister Mel Couvelier said the report was humorous, because the Institute of Chartered The review says the exercise is similar to owing a bank $50, but pretending to have $200 in assets and $250 in debt — “‘then telling the : of British Columbia had Praised the budget. , The president of that group said the B.C. government “‘could give lessons in fiscal integrity’’ to Ottawa. Castlegar Kiwanis Club president Colin Phillips teaches ducks how to swim at the club prepares to holda duck race at Pass Creek Park on June 3. Castlegar News TREET TALK ONE THOUSAND DUCKS will bounce and bob their way down Norns Creek in Pass Creek Park on June 3 in a race to the finish line during the Castlegar Kiwanis Club's duck race. Why will they bounce and bob? Because the ducks are the rubber variety and each Will be sold for $5 in the fundraising event. Top prize is $1,000 to the ‘“‘owner’’ of the first duck to cross the finish line. Second prize is $300 and-$200 goes to the owner of the third-place duck. The contestants will be released about half a kilometre up Norns Creek and will be recaptured below the bridge across the creek on Broadwater Road. Tickets are—available_from__members of the Kiwanis Club and at-many local businesses including Pharmasave, Carl's Drugs and Jenny's Cafe. THE CASTLEGAR VILLA SOCIETY will hold its annual meeting June 7 at the Rota Villa lounge and long-time director Paul Oglow said the society hopes for a good turnout in an effort to revitalize the society’s board of directors. +*We don't have enough people running for direc- tors,"” Oglow said. ‘‘Some people have been in there 24 years.”” Photo by Jim Ford The meeting is scheduled to get underway at 7:30 p.m. YOU KNOW IT’S SPRING in Castlegar when the Wonder Fries truck makes its annual appearance. Owners Michael and Deb Kereiff are back for their fif- th season dispensing chips and other snacks. This year, hungry residents and visitors can find tHe Wonder Fries truck in the Castlegar Realty parking lot. TOM PARKIN, who spent two years as a student at Selkirk College, has co-authored @ book with his partner Dennis Horwood, Parkin, a boater and out- doorsman, is an expert on the Queen Charlotte Islan- ds, and his and Horwood’s book is called Islands for Discovery: An Outdoors Guide to B.C.’s Queen Charlotte Islands. THE CASTLEGAR CHAPTER of the Learning ‘Association of B.C. has received the Castlegar school board’s community service award for 1989-90, School board chairman Gordon Turner notified chapter president Bernice Beckstead-of the ‘award in a tetter tast month: - “Through the dedicated efforts of your members and your association, many positive program modifications and changes have been made in School District No. 9 for youngsters who have different styles_and methods of learning,” Turner wrote in his letter. The board will present the award to the local LDABC chapter at the June school board meeting. Winners will be drawn Sat. May 5, 1990 Your Family Food Store! SHOPPING SPREE OAST BONELESS INSIDE ROUND STEAK. ...... CANADA crac 56a 2 7 ud GROUND BEEF....w.°1" STEAK PRIME RIB cocky LO | y. $498 CRE 85, coc ccccus ..!2° 98° SIDE BACON FLETCHERS. SLICED. SELECTION BULK WIENERS REGULAR OR 8. $119 Pid See FR MEAT FRESH .. rae akaakad. OVERLANDE! HAM SAUSAGE SH COD..........92°* 4, 9498 $10°*/... — CENTRAL DELI DELITES _ OVERLANDER SMOKED BEEF »99° OVERLANDER _ SWISS SALAMI 100 G. OVERLANDER OR SHAVED FLETCHERS POTATO SALAD 48 kg.237"/b. CASINO CHEESE ¢ 100 G. BOLOG BY THE PIECE FLETCHERS. REGULAR, CHICKEN OR TURKEY ..... + nae dO" Commission continued from front page the Regional District of Central The B.C.-wide hearings are set to Kootenay, and the Arrow Lakes En- wrap up this month but Harder said vironmental Alliance. The forestry written submissions will be accepted committee of the Coalition for In- until June 15: formation_on the Pulp Mill Expan- Among those scheduled to make sion and Slocan Forest Products Ltd. heard from 9 a.m. to noon and from presentations Thursday are the Trail are scheduled to present briefs Friday. 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. each day at the San- and District Environmental Network, The panel allots approximately 20 dman Inn. minutes to each presenter for the brief and questions from the com- missioners but there is no exact time during the day for each brief to be presented. Submissions are being SPECIAL PURCHASE 2-1989 CHEVROLET CAVALIERS © 2.2L. Fuel Injected 4 cyl. Engine e Automatic Transmission © Just over 20,000 kms. © Very clean cars. © Balance of General Motors Warranty The King of Cars. 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