wget ta agate ints Fanon panier OS ei Wednesday, October 7, 1992 @ Scott David Harrison EDITOR Jim Gouk compares the — Accord to ‘apartheid.’ The Reform Party candi- date for Kootenay West-Rev- any that favors Jim Gouk guaranteed ——__—_—_—— 25 per cent representation in the House of Commons and distinct society status invites controversy. | —_ xeoonnebly ‘com- pare this to apartheid, said, “because it gives special power to one province over the other. “I don't believe Quebec should have special power, nor should British Colum- bia.” Gouk said the accord is flawed because there are far too many issues that must be resolved. He said some 60 items in the constitutional package have yet to be upon. “The irony of this whole referendum is that it is non- binding. The government is taking an opinion poll and who knows what they are go- ing to do with it,” Gouk said, pointing to the 60 items that must be ratified before the accord is p: m Gouk said the “biggest flaw” of the agreement is its amending formula. He said any formula which requires unanimity from the House of Commons and the 10 provinces before constitu- tional changes can be made is toowigid. “The entire agreement was a backroom, closed-door, decision making process and we have no idea what was done or how it was done.” eee Gouk is forming a Vote No’ movement in the West Koote- nay. Anyone interested in joining the movement can contact him at 399-4744. The West Kootenay Yes For Canada Referendum Com- mittee will holds its i meeting Friday at Selkirk oo aa at 4:30 p.m. in room ARROW LAKE ELEVATION 1412.00 ft. on Oct. 2 Forecast of Elevation 1411.6 ft. on Oct. 9 Sihota backs Charlottetown Accord Corinne Jackson NEWS REPORTER There are still a lot of questions left unanswered. At a meeting with the Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce Friday, Moe Sihota said that he was not, going to use “Mulroney-type tactics” while push- ing for a yes vote on Oct. 26. “It’s important that we lay out the facts,” the B.C. Labor and Constitutional Affairs Minister said. “There is a huge thirst, a huge appetite for knowledge.” Sihota is the latest politician to hit Castlegar to campaign for the Charlotte- town Accord. He arrived just two days af- ter federal Fisheries Minister Tom Siddon pitched the constitutional agreement. Sihota said a yes vote would enable Canada to concentrate on other pressing matters, namely the state of the nation’s economy. He warned against using the national referendum as an opportunity to protest the Brian Mulroney government's GST and Free Trade Agreement. “The time will come for us to vote on Mulroney,” he told a packed audience at Castlegar’s Fireside Inn. “That time is not on Oct. 26.” Refuting concerns about B.C.’s place under the agreement, Sihota said “facts make it abundantly clear that we have gained.” “J think it’s clear, very clear that the benefits outweigh the concerns.” — Moe Sihota Sihota said the accord will give B.C. four new seats in the House of Commons and another three following the 1996 cen- sus. The current constitution grants B.C. two more seats by 2001. Sihota also discounted former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's statement that absolute representation by population is not provided for in this package. He said such a deal would be unacceptable be- cause it favors larger cities like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver instead of rural populations. Sihota said if true representation by population was adopted it would mean additional seats for Ontario and no seats for Yukon. Sihota said the accord is “reflective of values as Canadians we cherish” because of its social covenant. He said the clause, which commits the federal government and 10 provinces to the continued support of social programs, “reflects what’s unique about Canada.” Selling the deal as good for B.C. and Castlegar, Sihota said that it would give the province more power in developing it’s own economic strategy. “Under the constitutional change,” he said, “we can take stock of the labor defi- ciencies, train to fit into the market nich- es with readjustment programs. “I think it’s clear, very clear that the benefits outweigh the concerns.” MATTRESSES From the very Basic to the most Luxurious! $2 = to $536~ ¥ * Low Cost Warehouse Operation * No Commission Sales 99 2 PC. SET * Manufacturer’s Volume Discounts Passed on to you! DOUBLE 2 PC. SET QUEEN 2 PC. SET 149 179 HIRO-EXCELLENCE 179° 259 229° 299 269° 329 NO FRILLS NO GIMMICKS LOW PRICES 4445 Minto Rd. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm — OPEN PUBL Sunday: Closed 3 (eo) mi Wednesday; October 7, 1992" AroundTOWN Our person for Our People Corinne Jackson 365-7266 WORKSHOP DEALING WITH ADVOCACY The law foundation of B.C. is sponsoring a workshop on Advocacy and Disability Issues on Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Garry Colley of the Advocacy Access Project will discuss legal and monetary- assistance programs available to the disabled and other issues. The workshop will be at the Sandman Inn and is free. To register call 399-4463, or 1- 800-663-1278. FORESTS ARE OUR FRIENDS October 7 is Forestry Awareness Day. Saying that “people are the managers of our forests.” Canadian Women in Timber is urging everyone to become knowledgable about the forest industry and our role in protecting the forests. For more information call 278-5095, or 266-6982. SURVIVAL SKILLS STUDIED Crescent Valley Centre is offering a course in wilderness survival skills on Oct. 19. Contact the centre at 359-7564 for more information. Corinne Jackson NEWS REPORTER It’s not just a job. That’s the way Dennis Hutchinson likes to describe his work. It’s a challenge, but with a committed staff and growing community support his work is also “pretty exciting.” The Kootenay Society for Community Living director has been with the organization since 1984 — during the initial integration of people from Kamloop’s Tranquille mental institution back into their communities. Since those first few years, Hutchinson has seen some recognizable changes both in the community’s attitude and his own. “I now realize there are a lot of ways of relating who you are. We have to look alot deeper at the way w e approach people,” he says. Hutchinson describes his work with the disabled as having a “profound impact” on the way he sees things. “These people tend to be more honest and MIAKING [PROGRESS for Community Living out and finding rewards _ News photo by Corinne Jackson Patty Ferguson (left) enjoys an afternoon at the Kootenay Society for Community Living office as she puts her talent to work — illustrating a story under the watchful eye of instructor Sherry Heagy. straightforward from the rest of society,” he admires. There was a time, however, when Hutchinson had uneasy feelings about people with disabilities. was an easy one. “I was always interested in human services and secial sciences. I did volunteer crisis intervention work and had been involved with persons with disabilities in ‘Attitudes have changed out there. (Younger students) have an opportunity that we didn’t. They don’t have the fear of the unknown that creates stereotypes.’ — Director Dennis Hutchinson “I can understand why people pull back (from those with disabilities),” he says, explaining that it is merely fear of the unknown. “I shared all those fears. Feeling insecure around people who were non- verbal.” But just as his own attitudes have changed, so have those of the people around him. “Attitudes have changed out there,” Hutchinson says with pride, pointing to the success of school integration. “(Younger students) have an opportunity that we didn’t. “They don’t have the fear of the unknown that creates stereotypes,” he says. Although Hutchinson may have at one time felt uncomfortable around people with disabilities his choice to. work with them the past. 4 “I’ve always believed in social justice for everybody so I had a natural draw to this area,” Hutchinson explains. He may love his work but it isn’t without its frustrations. Hutchinson knows his work is worthwhile and important, but sometimes he feels he’s not playing in the same game as others around him. He says many people are too busy with their own lives to stop and realize that there are a lot of people being left behind. “I realize that society is moving faster and faster,” he explains. Hutchinson says that while some people are struggling to get to the top, there’s not a lot of thought given to the people being left behind. “I sometimes feel that what we're doing runs totally counter to what’s going on out there.” Through it all, however, Hutchinson says he feels “pretty positive. “When your work gets recognized, when the community starts opening up, (a person with a disability) secures a place with an employer or makes a friend, it makes you feel that you’re not just wasting your time,” he says. Currently, there are physically challenged people — with help from the society — who have found work for themselves. The jobs range from walking dogs to taking care of Selkirk College’s recycling program. In fact, Hutchinson says that the recycling program has gone so well that the society has been asked by people in the community to expand their operation. Although people with disabilities are now seen by others as responsible and contributing members of society, Hutchinson says acceptance still has a long way to go. “Just being accepted for who you are is a really big issue. “To appreciate the strengths and skills everybody has regardless of ability,” Hutchinson explains. “Integration is great, but it’s taking the next step of getting people involved in the community and the community involved with people with disabilities.” - ~ pe AMD ABO LEN DI LS FTE A BNET Tat