S: Ctateties comene.ce LIFESTYLES Sea of grey flows away from traditional parties Editor's mote: Their baie is grey and they may mot be so mimbte. but ( amadiams over SO are turming © more active role kn politics. And some are turuing to so-called fringe parties where they feel their opinions «i count. Here took st the isvotvement of srutors im potitics By CHRIS MORRIS: The Canadian Press Paul Nevers is getting sct to turn his back om the traditional parties. At the age of 85, after a lifetime of playing politics, the fects the cross-cusremts of a changing Canads ac sweeping him in a new political direction. ‘Sitting on the veranda of the house once owned by “I've lost faith im both the Tories and the Gets — they don’t listen to the people; they're power-hungry.” says Nevers, a tall, vigorous octogenarian who speat his life working log booms and ferries on the Saimt John River. “I figure CoR is the voice of the people. You're free to talk at the meetings. They listen.” About 25 per cent of Canada’s 26 million peopic now are over the age of SO, says Statistics Canada, and there are a lot of seniors like Nevers who feel they have lost the voice im politics. Them political dilemma is that there is imtie place for their views in the traditional parties. As older English-Canadians become more involved im politics and more concerned about Canada’s future. they sometimes have a disquicting desire to turn back the hands of time to an era when they sang the Mapic Leaf Forever and saw a lot more of the Union Jack “I think what we're secing im these new parties and 8 society clause im the Merch Lake accord. And with some, remoms don" matter any more — the dearest 1 10 deep, a's a basa cmonos. Ambrose LaBerge, 2 staunch CoR sepporter and an anglophéec despite bis Freech mame, has been suspiciows of Quebec simce Charies de Gaulle showed “Vie ke Quebec libre!” in 1967. “Wm « Second World War veteran; my young brother was killed overseas,” says LaBerge, 2 retived mining caginee: living mcar Newcastle, NB. “Whee | sce the reaction of some of the French poopie to Camada and things Canadian, well, 1 see red. Aad right bere in New Brewrwick, they dom’t think (Camadsan, they thank Acadian.” a of the acw political parties and pro-Engish organizations often remark om the “sca of grey” im the audience. Bet the same observation could be made about most political gatherings, a reflection of the fact that the renwed have more timer to devote to party functions. Nevers says it docsn't matter if younger people aren't turning owt im force at CoR mucctings. He believes the opumoms of hus grmeration carry weight with children and grandcieidres “We're a force,” says Nevers. ““We have childeen and grandchildren and | believe there's an awful lot of them go by their parcats.”” That"! mot mcccmasily so, says Michael Adams, presidemt of Emviromics Research Growp Lid.. a Tor- como based namomal poling company Adams says 20 years of opimion sampling suggest that younger gracrations often thimk thes parents and ae out to hench. “You have to remember — the values of the older ave wery and if there’s that drives (baby) boomers crazy, it’s people judging thems,” says Adams. Adams believes the ‘tues of today’s conservative They are people who are deeply unhappy wath the fe een eee See They crowd imto meetings of new so-called fringe parties like the Confederation of Regions and the western-based Reform party, which also opposes official They deplore what they see 2s the federal gover- mment’s favoritism toward Quebec, and if they ive mm Atlantic Canada or the West, they feel thes regions have suffered at the expense of the French fact Many have mistrusted Quebec for a long time. ‘With Nevers, it goes back to the First and Second World Wars when many French-Canadians opposed iption — the y of caizens for military service. With others, a's a combmation of more reoem events: the decision to give the CF-18 mamtenance con- tract to Quebec rather than Manitoba: the decision to locate the Canadian space agency m Quebec: and Quebec law banning English on outside signs; the Gistm- t ditor's note Albough s quarter of ( amads's popetative mover Ihe age of SO. stretegnts for ther major pobtcal parties seem eaworried shoot the emergence of grey power. Here's what thry any. By CHRIS MORRIS ‘The Canadian Press Veterans of Canada’s political scene pooh-pooh the theory that Geey Panthers are im the forefrom of demand for radscal change. ‘Semors, they say, are pussycats when it comes to cxpermmecnting wih the acw and untried m politics. ‘There’s 2 consensus that older folks tend to stay to the bitter ead it the party they gee ap wich. About 4.1 million people, or almost 16 per cent of Canada’s population. are over the age of GO, says Adding those between 50 and 6O brings the total to 25 per cent of the population. But neither the young Turks nor the old warhorses of the traditional parucs seem worned about the large sumbers of grey beads showing up at mectings of protest parties like the Confederation of Regoons and the Reform party. Two such veterans, Liberal Senator Keith Davey and Conservative Senator Norm Atkins, say that despite the growing sumber of semiors im party politics, they're sot pushing the traditional partics in more conservative darechons. Atkins, 56, 2 national Tory strategist and a principal figure im Ontario’s once-mighty Big Bluc Machine, acknowledges that some of the acw fringe Parties ave attracting seniors. But he says they're mot taking away the party's mamsiream supporters. “The fact thet they feei alienated from the major parties may be because the major partics have to reflect a broader, more moderate position if they're going to be credible enough to get ciected,”” says Atkins, relaxing at his summer cottage at Grand Lake, N_B. “Some of these people are frustrated by the fact the parties are setting priorities that aren't their Davey, 64, former national organize: for the Liberals and a confidant of leader Jean Chretien, Veterans ignore seniors Gisminses as “*gooty” the older people who turn to the so-called fringe groups. And he rejects any suggestion that people might become more Conservative as they age. “I don't, by any stretch of the imagination. equate right-wingedacss w.ih old age."” growls Davey. “l would agree the groups you sec like Co, people tend to be old, but that docsm’t mean the rest of ws are less Wberal.”” The observation that there are a lot of grey heads at mectings of the protest parties also holds rec for Comservative amd Liberal meetings. Blossom Wigdor, charman of the National more politically active, have more time for political gatherings and vote im highes proportions than young “There is a tendency im late middie age and carly old age to be more generative — that is, concerned she says. “This may fuci the older person's search for capression, recognition, control and for a genuine concern about what they sce is happening or not happening im society.” But Wigdor says most seniors believe they can accomplish more by staying im the political parties they've grown old with. She thinks it would be a mistake to over-emphasize the importance of the new “I think there may be 2 warning that if we don't listen to people and if we don"t have governments that are more responsive, people may turn to more extreme groups. “Bat | think these are fringe groups and it would be wrong to exploit their sumbers. By and large, seniors tend to work within them traditional parties. What we're secing is a relatively small group cxpressing frustration.”” Mike Murphy, the 32-year-old president of the New Brunswick Liberals, says older people are sential in the party because of their dependability. experience and wisdom. Federal government unveils green plan «+e AS SHSS seniors girls finish third WEATHER 50 pes cent tomorrow vy re terntin tte ae. the kind who are upset with tarbams om Sikhs, upset about the changing cthmo-cultural pictere. They're people amtumadaied by wocual chamge Amd everything im their lives has changed. They've seem the decline of religious walucs and the decline of deference to authority. They've witmessed the femmmist revolution and watched the extended family “They've seem every social imtioution m our coun ory change.” says Adams, “and mow they're seeing the ethno-cultural Of the country, the changing racial seality of Canada, and thes view about social change ix “x's omc Game thing after anothe.” They're and co younger polmacs. im frustration, they tern to alternative “I thk m’s 2 question of control, vsibiity, of having someone ites to them, and freuration.” says Wigdor, cxplamming the attraction of the fringe parties. “I thimk there may be 2 warming that if we don’t listen to people and if we dow’! have governments that are more respomsive, people may turm to more extreme groups.” to your and the HERE'S HOW... What better way to Arena Complex. Banjos. Bank of Montreal Conodion ks Library. Cost! Sofewoy ond SuperVolu Or mail your donation. using this coupon: Here's a Great Way to Send SEASON’S GREETINGS = COMMUNITY Castlegar’s Annual Community CHRISTMAS CARD At the some time assist mentolly and physically dssabled im dividuals served by the Kootenay Society for Community Living With a donation of $5 or more to the Kootenay Society for Community Living. we will publish your nome or the nome of your business ‘organization im ssues of the Costlegor News just Prior to Christmas. Donotions ore tax deductible support the involvement of mentailly and physically challenged individuals in our community LOOK FOR THE SIL VER DONATION BOXES LOCATED AT: the Bookstore. iol Bonk of Commerce. Castlegar 2 District News. Castlegar Sovings Credit Union, Cen tral Foods. Johnny's Grocery. Kootenoy Sowings Credit Union UtilitCorp offers notes UtiiCorp Unieed is offering two $125 milion is offered at an annual Coupon imterest rate of 9.3 per cent Finance position gets VP Harry L. Wine Jr. has jomed UniCorp Unaecd 2s the com pasy’s mew semior vice-president of fimance. Wins wil serve 2s the com pasy’s chief fimamcial officer, 2 position that kas been added to the UtiiCorp management struc- ture, the company said im 2 mews reiease. He wil have overall respon sibiiay for ai of UtiiCorp’s fimamce and accounting activities. Wins, 4. previously was both vice-president, controller, of Squibb Uniced Scates and vice- peesmdiemt. treaserer, of Squibb Corp. im Primceton, NJ Prios to that, Wine was vice presademt. wreaserer, of Baxter in- ternational Imc_. im Deerfield, HE. and tweaserer of American Hospaal Sapply Corp. m Evan ston, 1. UtiiCorp is the parest com pany of Wes Kootenay Power ria spe To: Community Christmes Society for C Box 3204, Cestieger. B.C. VIN 3H5 say Livi Please inchde the fol nomes in the Cheistmas Card od (send $5 for each temmily o Nomes (please pri Address $s enclosed For cosh. we recommend dr Donction Bones oF the busmesses insted obowe Postal! Code thes form in an eowsinge a amy of the DEVELOPING 106: ‘The Castleaird Plaza @ 365-2211 HOUR PHOTO OPEN SUNDAYS Noon-4 p.m. * Dec.9 * Dec. 16 * Dec. 23 “Picture “Place Canada City sets traffic plan in motion By SIMON BIRCH Editter Lowering the speed limit on Columbia Avenue to 50 kil public meeting and open house Jan. 15 to get the commumity’s reaction to the suggestions. The meeting will be The angle parking stalls will be changed to parallel parking. . Changing imtersections by most of a 14th-block stretch of the street and creating a two-way left turn down the centre of the roadway short-term solutions to traffic problems on Castlegar’s main thoroughfare. The suggested improvements for controlling traffic on Columbia Avenue were reviewed by council's former works and services committee last month and discussed by council behind closed doors Monday before 2 work the balay ere haya s. points out on a mop the city’s director of engineering and public works. Council will hold a by and newspaper advertisements. Hample said the proposed schedule for the improvements includes a report to city council for adoption of the proposals by Jan. 28, distribution of information brochures im late February to carly March and im- plementation of the changes in late March to early April. “We realize this means a pretty significant change to Columbia Avenue,”” Hample told council following changes are suggested: © Reducing the speed limit to 50 km-h between Arrow Lakes Drive between 6th Street and 20th Street except the parking stalls adjacent to the Oglow building at the corner of 6th Street and Columbia Avenue. Maintaming left-turn lane between 6th Street and 17th Street amd reviewing the feasibility of such a lane between the imtersection of Columbia Avenue (the bottom of what is commonly known as Hospital Hill). © Installing traffic signals at 24th Street and Columbia Avenue. © Making 7th Street into an cast- bound one-way street for one block. © Changing the cxisting yield sign please see TRAFFIC page AZ Teachers, board ratify contract Monday, ending months of negotiations and settling several major issues “We're glad to be settled,”” said Joyce Adams, president of the Castlegar and District Teachers Association. “It was a very difficult set of iations. Obviously both sides had to give and both sides did But she said the contract meets all the major objectives the teachers had the right direction for otk teachers and the board. There were some concessions, they didn’t get we didn’t hold The agreement is retroactive to July | and expires June 30, 1992. Under the new contract, class sizes will average no more than 25 studen- ts im primary levels and no more than 28 im grades 4 through 12, Turner “Im essence, (class sizes) shouldn't go over 30 im any class unless we're planning to give some help or bring im additional staff,"’ he said. “*Classes over 30 would be a rarity."’ defined was important to the teachers. Turner said it was a “major concession’’ for the board and most schools im the province aren’t getting those limits. A wage increase of seven per cent, retroactive to July 1, will be in effect the first year and 6% per cent in the LOOKING FOR A BUSHY ONE Columbia Avenue. conttews prov by Steve Peden from the Hobbit Hill Children's Centre the merchandise T: at the Coctleger Rotery Clob’s Chetetees tree bot in the West Kootenay Power aa Power yerd on Candidate doubts delay By CasNews Staff The Social Credit party candidate nization of the Celgar pulp mill in for Rossland-Trail said John Reynold’s resignation " Monday as won't delay a decision om the Proposed expansion and moder- Waiter Siemens said. ** that things will continue. They don’t expect any interruption. The federal 'l was assured Mill cleanups wouldn't cost jobs, MLA says By SIMON BIRCH Editer Rossland-Trail MLA Chris D’Arcy said he doesn’t buy Premier Bill Vander Zalm’s argument that tougher pollution regulations for pulp mills would mean the loss of jobs in the industry. Editorial, page A4 “Quite frankly no. I don’t buy it at all,”” D’Arcy said Tuesday would have a hard time meeting the tougher standards that the premier vetoed on the weekend. Vander Zalm said Monday it was his responsibility to protect jobs which led to his decision to override cabinet’s approval of the sew pollution standards. The premier’s veto of the proposed new regulations led to the resignation Monday of John Reynolds as environment minister The new standards would: have forced pulp mills to reduce their emissions of organochlorines — the chemical family that includes dioxins, which have been linked to cancer and birth defects in rats — to 2.5 kilograms per tonne of pulp by the end of 1991 and to 1.5 kilograms by the end of 1994. Rossland-Trail Social Credit can- didate Walter Siemens said there has to be a balance between cleaning up the environment and the threat to jobs. “I can only say that | know we need cleanups but I know that it has to be within reason so that industry can clean up to the degree mecessary tion, said Vander Zalm's decision to veto the new pollution standards is democracy that functioned im a little better manner the whole cabinet would have had enough guts to get up and resign,”’ Conroy said. D'Arcy said Vander Zalm's han- ding of the issue is typicai of the premier “It’s another example of how he just does not understand the Parliamentary system of govern- ment.” ding to British tary tradition. prime ministers and premicrs are supposed to be “first among equals” and the premier should accept the majority view of his cabinet. D’Arcy said “Perhaps, in other words, there should be some other ministers who are prepared to resign over this other than simply the environment minister." Conroy said he hopes the fracas over the pollution regulations doesn’t force the premier to quit “I hope it doesn’t force Vander please see CLEANUPS page A2 Transit workers vote in favor of strike By CasNews Staff Castlegar and Trail transit workers voted unanimously Monday in favor of strike action if a new contract is Rot negotiated, said Wes Hughes, secretary for Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2087 However, Hughes said he hopes a strike will not be necessary noting that 95 per cent of all contract negotiations are settled without work stoppage. “We would certainly hope that would happen in this case," he said Tuesday Two ballots were taken at a mem- bership meeting Monday night. The determine if the employees favored a strike. “There was 100 per cent rejection of the employer's last offer and (em- ployees were) 100 per cent in favor well as the HandyDART services for the disabled Employees are secking parity with municipal pay first was to would accept the ponds most recent offer and the second was to