OPINION

WEDNESD

, July 8, 1992

WY The & stl dar Sun AS PUBLISHER JON JARRETT

This is the season for thunder storms!

It had been a particularly hot summer. We were new to the Kootenays and were not prepared for the dryness of the heat, particu- larly at 40°! We found we could cope by lying on the cool dining room floor in the welcome path of an oscillating fan, strategically placed behind a large bowl of ice cubes. We were ingenious in those days! Thus, when we were offered the use of a cabin at Christina Lake for a week, we jumped at the chance to flee to a cooler place.

We found the little cabin, perched on a lake side rock, all we had hoped for, and more. We had to be mountain goats to get to it, but once there, the view of the lake and the mountains to the east was spec- tacular, the waters of the lake pleas- antly cool, and the food and

editorial comment

The NDP in never-never land

You'd almost think our elected officials believe they'll never grow old, will not have to care for someone who once cared for them, or realize the burdens which can accompany age and sickness. With the government's recent refusal to fund addi- tional beds at Castleview Care Centre, the NDP have reneged on at least two campaign promises.

The first promise, involved the importance of the family, and the fact that not all families can care for an aged parent. Caring for an aged loved one for an extended period of time, especially when a particular type of care is required, can weigh a heavy burden on, and provide an incredible amount of stress on a family or single care-giver.

Regarding the second promise; local voters might recall the voice of our own MLA Ed Conroy, as he ever-eloquently stated that line-ups to health care facilities for treatment and care should not exist. Mr. Conroy himself was in a position where immediate attention to his health was crucial. Why does his own party refuse the pioneers of this country the right to=@ safe,:secure and healthy environment in which to Spend the remainder of their days - instead of dying on a waiting list?

Castleview Care Centre, which already has an extensive waiting list, could not receive funding from the provincial government to open 25 beds, sit- ting empty in completely furnished rooms. They couldn't even receive funding for one bed.

The waiting list grows.

Rather ironic isn't it, that one of the latest reports to fall into the hands of the provincial government state that the population is aging at an amazing rate, and that by the year 2000 more than 20 per cent of Canada's population will be over the age of 65. It's likely that this percentage will be higher in B.C.,

since this IS the retirement capital of Canada.

Granted, cutbacks during economic downtums are necessary, but taxes are still being paid. Let's look to the future and realize what's needed now, and how this need will increase in the very near future.

NY > —— The © Sun ™s 1S POLITICALLY INDEPENDENT AND A MEMBER OF THE STERLING NEWS SERVICE Established November 28, 1990 Published by The Sun

Weekly on 465 Columbia Ave., Castlegar, B.C. V1N 1G8

company superb. There were all sorts of little animals about, which so excited our dog that she fell off the deck onto the rocks below, there- by proving that, with all the facial hair, sheep dogs do not see where they are going! Thankfully, she was unharmed, but thereafter we kept a better watch on the smaller children.

In order to show our gratitude for the use of this lovely spot, we Set about building the owner a new outhouse, a project which the men

d k with great di

Seasons

Elma Maund

sketches on cigarette packs and eventually, scaled drawing. Once the design had been approved, we all set about to construct what turned out to be a perfectly modern

@ tower of thunderheads appeared on the horizon to the south-east. From the angle of the dock, we had Presumed that the prevailing weath- er systems arrived from'the north, 80 we were not too concerned. By the time the children had been fed and the adults were sitting down to a leisurely feast, the sky had com- Pletely darkened and it was obvious we were in for a storm. We sat on the “deck in the gathering darkness and remarked on the stillness of the air, the quiet, the lack of a ripple or the peep of birdsong. Even the crickets were silent. With a tremen- dous clap of thunder, much like the one that awakened the city last week, and a sudden roar, the wind

out of step with the rustic nature of the cabin. Nevertheless, we were all well pleased with the results. I sus- pect outhouses are now no longer permitted on Christina Lake.

Late on Sunday afternoon, just as we were declaring we had had enough of being dragged around the lake behind the powerboat, and the antics of the older kids just learning to water ski on a single ski,

and rain upon us. It was a tremendous storm, almost tropic in intensity. In no time the lake was a mass of seathing whitecaps, the waves pounding onto the rocks below. Suddenly we saw that the Powerboat was in danger of being dashed to bits on the rocks on the other side of the dock. We all ran down to the dock, rescuing cush- ions and floating bits of ski gear. We attempted to move the boat to

the other side of the dock but the ‘wind was too strong and the dock was awash. The boat rapidly filled with water. We figured the boat would be safer on the bottom than against the rocks, and so we let it sink! All through that trumultuous night the boat rested peacefully at the bottom of the lake. At dawn, when all was again quiet, we gazed ruefully at the owner's boat under several feet of water.

A quick call the the marina con- firmed that they would certainly take care of rescuing the boat. It was duly raised, drained and overhauled. All we had to do was divvy up the considerable account at the marina! The owner later reported he was well pleased with his new outhouse and the engine on the powerboat was running exceptionally well.

I now cannot drive past Christian Lake without remembering that long ago summer and exclaiming at the changes that have taken place over the years. I note the angles on the new docks and confirm that the prevailing weather systems do still come from the north. And it is the season for thunder storms!

Farmers problems compounded by cross-border shopping

GORDON WILSON

This week vegetable farmers from the Fraser Valley and South- ern Vancouver Island gathered on the steps of the B.C. Legislature to dump over 30 tons of lettuce and cabbage on the doorstep of the NDP government.

These farmers, and other farmers in B.C., are fighting for their lives and livelihood. The problems fac- ing the farming industry are deep rooted and long-term, and unless measures are implemented by the government to assist farmers imme- diately, there may no longer be let- tuce fields in Surrey, peaches in the Okanagan, or grain in Peace River. Farming is a $12 billion industry in British Columbia, employing 210,000 people. We cannot afford to lose it :

The problems facing fapmers par- ticularly those in Southern B.C., are compounded by cross border shop- ping and the fact that our farmers are not being given the opportunity to compete on a level playing field. This is illustrated by American veg- etable producers who are dumping their vegetables in B.C. at prices far below production costs. It costs about $8 to produce a case of Cali- fornia lettuce, yet lettuce from the state is sold in B.C. for only $3 a case. Naturally U.S. lettuce is only this cheap during the B.C. growing season. In December, you will pay full price for Californian lettuce.

Farmers have been asking the B.C. and federal governments to intervene and prevent this dumping for months. The Liberal Opposition has been pressing the NDP govern- ment to help farmers, but to no avail. While B.C. crops are rotting in the ground, Agriculture Minister Bill Barice prefers to blame his federal counterpart. So far, a powerless Mr. Barlee has failed to convince his Cabinet colleagues of the importance of saving B.C. farms. Farmers deserve more commitment than this NDP government is prepared to give.

During the election, Premier Har- court and Agriculture Minister Bill Barlee promised the farmers of British Columbia a $2.8 million “Buy B.C.” program to promote home grown products. Now that the NDP are settled in office, they have

iently pushed this electi

promise to the back burner. The Lib- eral Caucus is pushing for a “Buy B.C.” program now during the growing and harvesting season because a buy B.C. marketing pro- gram will only work when there is local produce to buy. A marketing campaign is no help to farmers when their crops have already wilted and died.

In 1974, the Dave Barrett NDP government asked _ British Columbian farmers to place their farm land in the Agricultural Land Reserve. In return the NDP govern- ment committed to support the B.C farmer. It has been 18 years and guess what, the farmers are still waiting for the NDP to live up to their agreement!

Farmers have become trapped in the rules and regulations surround- ing the Agricultural Land Reserve They can no longer make a living farming their land, yet they cannot sell — who would want to invest in a farm today? ALR land can only be

sold as farm land, and it prohibits farmers from developing, subdivid- ing or selling their land for any other purpose but farming.

When the Minister of Agricul- ture for the Province of British Columbia, the Honorable Bill Bar- lee does not even know the differ- ence between a head of lettuce and

his

FRASER INSTITUTE

British Columbia is being criti- cized by Premier Mulroney for tak- ing a stand against the proposed North American Free Trade Agree- ment between the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Mr. Mulroney says: “By being at the table we are able to influence the outcome of the largest trading relationship in the world.”

That is simply not true. Canada is a small player in the negotiations.

a head of cabbage, it is no wonder that B.C. farmers have no faith in the Harcourt government!

Farmers are not asking for much, just a level playing field and the pills ; r

ig ng As long as retail stores insist on stocking cheap U.S. vegetables, and as long as consumers buy them, B.C.

farmers will be left out in the cold.

British Columbia is coming dan- gerously close to losing farming as a major employer and lifestyle. The Liberal Caucus believes in the future of B.C. farming and we will continue to work hard to ensure this vital part of our economy is pre served.

DENT

+ WHILE HE DIDNT SAY 50, CONSTITUTIONAL | MINISTER JOE CLARK APPEARS NA ao ARE

ment in any U.S. trade actions against Canada. I don’t see that the friendship between Mr. Mulroney and Mr. Bush has led to fairer play for Canada in the past when it come to U.S. protectionist trade actions. I don’t think any right-minded person would blame me for being skeptical of this private agreement, this duet, between Mr. Mulroney and Mr. Bush. I am wary of their private handshakes. And I wonder what will happen to their private agree- ment if Mr. Bush goes down to

As Mr. h y and Presid

defeat in N

George Bush know very well, spe- cial interests in the United States, after a NAFTA is initi have the

I agree there is a slim possibility that improved dispute-resolution

opportunity to lobby the U.S. Congress to change the agreement. The Canadian parlia-mentary sys- tem provides no such opportunity for changes.

Look at the U.S. Department of Commerce attack on B.C. in the receng softwood lumber case — the U.S, did not abide by the spirit of the FTA and slapped a punitive tar- iff of lumber entering the U.S. Would we expect things to be any different under a NAFTA?

Mr. Mulroney says British Columbia is turning its back on an opportunity to achieve an improved framework of trade rules. But there is no assurance that we will get an “improved framework of rules” from a NAFTA. What we are con- cerned about is the inequality of

raining power at the negotiating tobe, which can result in inequality of what is negotiated — including inequality of trade rules.

Mr. Mulroney says he has received a commitment from Presi- dent Bush for his personal involve-

would help resolve trade disputes in a NAFTA.

However, resolutions in Canada’s favor won't deal with the fact that these politically-motivated trade actions never should have been brought down in the first place, and that they cost Canadians an incredi- ble amount of time, money and anguish. How can the federal gov- emment feel comfortable negotiat- ing further trade deals with the Americans, who evidently see in the historical character of our trad- ing relationship a fundamental weakness to be exploited?

The British Columbia govern- ment supports the concept of a western hemispheric trading arrangement based on equal part- nership of its members.

The NAFTA, although trilateral in nature, is dominated by one power. Canada and Mexico are not equal to the United States at the negotiating table. In fact, Canada has admitted this from day one of the negotiations. Ninety years ago, a U.S. president summed up his

',

Canada is a small player in big negotiations

country’s dominating foreign policy with the phrase, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” Today that big stick can be a trade deal.

Nations, in many ways, are like people. Sometimes a dominant nation, because of expediency, or the backroom pull-and-push of election-year politics, tosses aside basic rules of fairness in the way it deals with its neighbors. Sometimes fair trade becomes “fear” trade That is a costly proposition, affect- ing jobs and lives.

In the real world, not the make- believe world inhabited by some federal leaders, we have to make a stand for what we believe. British Columbia believes in trade that cre- ates prosperity. We believe in allowing our workers and citizens to carve out a livelihood without having to look over their shoulders at the next surprise on the U.S agenda.

We have called on the Govern- ment of Canada to withdraw from the NAFTA negotiations. We see the proposed NAFTA as a “hub and spoke” deal, with the U.S. as the “hub” and Canada and Mexico as the “spokes”.

Whether or not it is a classical hub-and-spoke arrangement (one dominant nation with numerous bilateral agreements) is not impor- tant. The question Mr. Mulroney and other supporters of the deal should be asking is this: “If we are not equal at the table, how can we expect to be equal, or to be treated equally, when the agreement is put into place?”

We believe in trade, but not like this. British Columbians deserve more, a lot more.

Wednesday, July 8, 1992

The Castlegar Sun

Letters to the Editor

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Castlegar future grad organizers should look at neighboring communities

To the Editor:

Recent coverage in your newspaper of the SHSS after grad activities prompts a reply. No matter what way it is twisted, viewed, rationalized, the parents who organized such a grad drink- ing party broke the law. They did SO not once but two times. First

- in aiding and abetting minors in the procurement and consump- tion of alcohol. Secondly, by tres- passing onto private property.

We as concerned parents and organizers (along with the stu- dent body) held our Grad cele- bration in our area on that same night, and had a very successful Party.

In keeping with its inception four years ago, 96 per cent of grads enjoyed a full evening of friendship, fun, entertainment, food, and notably, no drinking! Students response was very appreciative of our efforts. Their involvement in several fund rais- ing projects such as, a car wash, coat check, etc. was essential to it's success.

We had a good working rela- tionship with the RCMP and ICBC, tremendous support from local businesses, organizations, local City and Village Councils, drug and alcohol centre, media, and the school district. All in all “A Night to Remember”™.

The parents and students of “Grad ‘92” can look back on this event knowing that we did our best to ensure the safety of our grads, that we did not break the law, did not flaunt negative

Strength of character gains respect for local mounties

Dear Editor:

Congratulations to Corporal Hudema and the Castlegar RCMP Detachment for having the guts to do their duty!

Nowhere in the Bill of Human Rights nor the Charter of Rights is there any mention made of the kiddies being allowed to drink in public when under age: Not for Graduation, not for Aunt Hettie’s Birthday, not for making it through the night without wetting the bed. It just ain't there, folks.

What is there, is the obligation of every citizen to obey the law: This includes Graduating Stu- dents, their parents, aunts and uncles (whether they've driven 400 miles or 4,000 miles) and ambulance attendants.

Seems like the only people willing to face up their legal

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behavior but set a positive exam- ple for our young people to fol- low in future years. Congratulations to the grads of Castlegar who chose not to join the “Drinking Melee” — you too have something great to remember about your gad cele- brations. Good luck in the future.

The Trail and Rossland Dry Grad Organizing Committees

Grads of 92 planned a safe way home

Dear Editor:

As a member of the Grad Class of ‘92 I would like to say that we had three options, a Grad Trip, Dry Grad, and Safe Grad. The Safe Grad was chosen by most. The idea of going out and having a good time with your friends but getting home safe sounded great.

Now I'm not saying that alco- hol is needed to have a good time, but most people can’t say that they or some of their friends didn’t drink on Grad night.

The reality is that no matter what rules are laid out for Grad Night there is going to be drink- ing, but at least the Grads of ‘92 planned a safe way home.

Grad ‘92

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| Surprise road blocks

Dear Editor:

Those officers who were out on force on ion night set- ting up Counter Attack road blocks are number one plus in my books. I applaud you for a job well done.

Since it is illegal for minors to be consuming alcohol beverages in a public place, they should not be allowed to do so.

That party could easily have gotten out of control. A thousand people could easily start a riot. I well remember the grad party of “86, when a car was set ablaze for excitement. That, too, was a

Drinking grads not above the law

Dear Editor: is Canada’s number one drug To the mothers and friends of problem and a habit destructive the High School grads, who and costly to our society. wrote letters to the press saying My friends & I have discussed that its OK to go against the law these letters in the press berating to have a graduation public

drinking party. (Does this teach and surprise at the philosophy o'

the RCMP and we feel horror-

Swor-+Lasy FOODS

their grad. children that it is OK 1007)

I was interested in the com- ments “THEY WILL DO IT ANYWAY”. Perhaps we should make special roads for those who drive recklessly because “THEY WILL DO IT ANYWAY” and maybe make special open areas in the city for kids to vandalise and plunder because “THEY WILL DO IT ANYWAY”?

We know that abuse of alcohol

those who think that their chil- dren are above the law. We sup- Port the law and the RCMP.

The ambulance crew are to be admired for their volunteer work, but would it not be better to coor- dinate their activities with the RCMP?

Margaret Pryce Castlegar

applauded

supervised party. well done!

With the increase of vandalism and violence in Castlegar, a con- Scientious police presence near a large gathering is indeed gratify- ing to hear about. Innocent peo- ple having to travel in the early hours should be protected at the very least.

Police over-reaction; maybe not. I feel very strongly that the Police defused what could have turned out to be unbridled drunk- en behavior. The police presence ensured safety for the party goers, public and property.

That you, RCMP, for a job

Nancy Makortoff Pass Creek

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