March 1, 1992, carnegie newsletter by Carnegie Newsletter

CENTRE FRANCOPHONE DU DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE

Amid much l a u g h t e r 6 applause a new s e r v i c e o f f i c i a l l y opened i t s doors on Thursday, 27 February. The i d e a t i o n which spawned t h i s c e n t r e , a t 578 Powell S t . , was f i r s t shared by 5 people, a l l francophones, and t h e i d e a grew i n t o LA BOUSSOLE where French-speaking r e s i d e n t s o f t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e E o f Vancouver drop i n t o - volunteer - enquire F, a s s i s t a n c e with w e l f a r e , housing E employment - r e q u e s t English c o u r s e s - e n q u i r e about t h e C e n t r e ' s a c t i v i t y - s o c i a l i z e & take a coffee - u s e t h e telephone - g e t temporary s t o r a g e - advocacy - make donations The 5 founding people a r e Marie Dus s a u l t , Normand Levesque, Jacques Masse, Claude Noel 4 Brian Roy.Their energy i n s p i r e d many o t h e r s , both i n d ividuals E organisations, t o a s s i s t with e x t e n s i v e surveys, networking E j u s t i d e n t i f y i n g i s s u e s t h a t b o t h new

francophones t o t h e DE. and long-time r e s i d e n t s a r e concerned with. The n e x t s t a g e i s s e t t i n g up E deve l o p i n g s e r v i c e s , 1i k e : bank o f . f r a n c ophone s e r v i c e s ; i n f o s e s s i o n s ; Engl i s h l e s s o n s ; l i t e r a c y & High school c o u r s e s ; s o c i a l evenings; i n t a k e , i n formation 6 r e f e r r a l s ; a s s i s t a n c e ; advocacy E t r a n s l a t i o n . Related work i n t h e r e c r u i t m e n t 6 involvement of volu n t e e r s , s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e founding committee, l i a i s o n - n e t w o r k i n g with community r e s o u r c e s E a n e w s l e t t e r i s In t h e i r own words "Ce q u i vous manque l e p l u s dans l e downtown e a s t s i d e ... * une p l a c e pour l e s francophones * du depannage quand t u a r r i v e s E un emploi * une chambre sans vermine * l a femme! . . . p o u r me s u p p o r t e r ! * l a paix * des c o n t a c t s humains "Personne n e s e demande pourquoi un hornme s e promene pas r a s e , pas peigne dans l e downtown e a s t s i d e " ... By PAULR

TAYLOR

S'rELLA'S SECKE'I' hide, . m e n Fate d e c i d e s which t h o u g h t s Ne a r e what we have t o be; But what comes i n and t h e n goes o u t , May not be r e a l i t y .

The many y e a r s I ' v e shed my t e a r s , Time has l e f t a l a s t i n g s c a r ; A t a q u i e t corner t a b l e , In a dingy,down-town b a r . Where l o s t , l o n e l y l i v e s would wander, Aimless pathways through t h e .door; S i t t i n g a t my c o r n e r t a b l e , This I saw and s o much more. Inside t h a t b a r , a f a l l e n s t a r , Who wore s o r r y , s a d - s o f t e y e s ; My f i r s t meeting t h e r e with S t e l l a , Was l i k e touching summer s k i e s . Though she was a b r e a t h l e s s beauty, You must t r y t o understand; In what I sayYyoumust b e l i e v e , I wouldn't even hold h e r hand. Most people hide deep down i n s i d e , Their dark thoughts and s t r a n g e d e s i r e s The burning s e c r e t s i n t h e i r s o u l s , Smouldering a s slow f i r e s . And s o you s e e , i t came t o be, I discovered a t t h e s t a r t , For I knew h e r hidden s e c r e t ; She could never have my h e a r t . She was such a l o n e l y person, Living i n a t r a g i c l i f e ; With t h e s e c r e t t h a t she c a r r i e d , C u t t i n g deep a s any k n i f e . So t i g h t l y bound around and round, Twisting through h e r body's s h e l l ; Even though I knew h e r s e c r e t , I swore I would never t e l l . One l a t e n i g h t she found h e r l o v e r , In anotherys s o f t ,warm bed; So she took a gun and s h o t him, Put a b u l l e t i n h i s head. Now i t ' s prison-time f o r murder, In t h e P e n i t e n t i a r y ; But I s t i l l t h i n k thoughts about h e r , Living h e r r e a l i t y .

She i s s e r v i n g a l i f e - s e n t e n c e , S h e ' l l be t h e r e f o r twenty- y.e a r s : I can only s i t with wonder. While I shed f o r h e r my t e a r s . So now h e r s e c r e t , I ' l l r e v e a l , J u s t imagine i f you can; That I was t h e o n l y person, Who knew S t e l l a was a man. Michael James McLellan T h e i r f a c e lit up a s t h e y t o l d me about t h e new wheelchair t h e y were going t o g e t . A l l e l e c t r i f i e d , s o t h e y could go p l a c e s where t h e y could n o t go a t t h e p r e s e n t time without someo n e ' s h e l p . A t l a s t , freedom from t h e d a i l y f e e l i n g of u s e l e s s n e s s . Maybe I'm a person? Maybe I do count? That was i n January. They were going t o g e t it e a r l y i n February..then t h e end of February now maybe t h e middle o f March. Every time I s e e them, t h e l i g h t i n t h e i r face i s fading. I t almost f e e l s l i k e a game i s being played with t h e i r mind! How many more times can t h e y b e t o l d when t h e y w i l l g e t some freedom, b e f o r e t h e i r f e e l i n g of worth i s completely destroyed? Those i n t h e p o s i t i o n s of power a r e probably saying, "why waste t h e money! This person i s not of any use t o s o c i e t y ! They o n l y have one good arm E one good l e g ! Besides, t h e y a r e j u s t an INDIAN. The Shadow

...

CHARITY I S A BANDAID, . NOT A S O L U T I O N . End L e g i s l a t e d P o v e r t y h a s f o u r f u l l - t i m e p o s i t i o n s a v a i l a b l e s t a r t i n g March 9 t h . People who a p p l y f o r t h e j o b s must be on unemployment i n s u r a n c e . T h i s i s a S e c t i o n 25 UI Job C r e a t i o n P r o j e c t . A l l employees must be r e f e r r e d by a Canada Employment C e n t r e . People o f c o l o u r , F i r s t N a t i o n s People, Women and p e o p l e w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s a r e s t r o n g l y encouraged t o a p p l y . End L e g i s l a t e d P o v e r t y i s a c o a l i t i o n t h a t wants g o v ' t s t o reduce & end p o v e r t y . OFFICE WORKER ( 1 p o s i t i o n ) : T h i s p e r s o n w i l l do bookkeeping, simple p r o j e c t administration, ordering supplies, organizing o f f i c e materials & f i l e s & a r e c e i p t system and o t h e r r e l a t e d d u t i e s . D e s i r a b l e e x p e---r i e n c e - bookkeeping c o u r s e s & / o r ------------e x p e r i e n c e , p r e v i o u s o f f i c e work, p r e v i o u s work witfi-community group o r agency. RESEARCHERS ( 3 p o s i t i o n s ) : These p e o p l e w i l l d o p a r t i c i p a t o r y r e s e a r c h with peopl e who u s e c h a r i t i e s . These a r e some c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f v a r t i c i ~ a t o r yr e s e a r c h : * The s u b j e c t g r o u p c o n t r o l s t h e p r o c e s s from t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f t h e problem t o t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e findings; * The p r o c e s s o f d o i n g t h e r e s e a r c h e d u c a t e s & empowers t h e group, i n c r e a s i n g t h e awareness o f t h e group members; * Both t h e p r o c e s s and t h e r e s u l t b e n e f i t t h e community; * While t h e methods a r e f l e x i b l e & can b e a d j u s t e d , o b j e c t i v e s a r e maintained. T r a i n i n g w i l l b e p r o v i d e d i n p a r t i c i p a t o r y r e s e a r c h , empowerment s t r a t e g i e s , o r i e n t a t i o n t o End L e g i s l a t e d P o v e r t y and p o v e r t y i s s u e s . Each r e s e a r c h e r w i l l o r g a n i z e a group o f p e o p l e who u s e c h a r i t i e s & h e l p t h i s group c o l l e c t & o r g a n i z e d a t a a b o u t c h a r i t i e s & develop ways of documenting people I s experience with c h a r i t i e s . R e s e a r c h e r s can u s e a v a r i e t y of methods i n c l u d i n g q u e s t i o n a i r e s , d i s c u s s i o n s , workshops, p l a y s , p h o t o e s s a y s , poems, songs.

A t t h e end o f t h e p r o j e c t , r e s e a r c h e r s w i l l h e l p t h e p a r t i c i p a n t s o r g a n i z e a publ i c e v e n t where u s e r s of c h a r i t i e s t e l l o f t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e s & f e e l i n g s about i t and make recommendations f o r long and s h o r t t e r m changes. p e r i e n c e ( n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e q u i r e d , b u t u s e f u l ) : Grade 1 2 ; ; F a m i l i a r D e s i------r a b l e e x --7 - 7 -

with MS word; ~ 6 i l i t yt o t y p e ; Research e x p e r i e n c e ; Good i n t e r p e r s o n a l s k i l l s ; A b i l i t y t o f i g u r e o u t w h a t ' s r e q u i r e d & do i t ; F a m i l i a r w i t h p o v e r t y , p o v e r t y i s s u e s & groups; A b i l i t y t o work. w i t h groups; Workshop f a c i l i t a t i o n e x p e r i e n c e ; A b i l i t y t o p l a n & o r g a n i z e meetings; Good w r i t i n g a b i l i t y . This p r o j e c t w i l l l a s t f o r 26 weeks. Wages: UI b e n e f i t s topped up t o $426/wk. APPLICATION DEADLINE:

MARCH 5 t h (Thursday)

A p p l i c a n t s : P l e a s e w r i t e a h a l f -page e s s a y answering t h e q u e s t i o n : "How can p o v e r t y be ended? P l e a s e e n c l o s e t h i s w i t h y o u r resume and send t o : H i r i n g , End L e g i s l a t e d P o v e r t y , 211-456 W.Broadway, Vancouver (For i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l J e a n a t 879-1209)

V5Y 1R3

Mv Ladv My Lady, my spouse, t o hold and keep f o r e v e r and ever, She g i v e s me food f o r thought t o go forward, With l i f e i t s e l f we w i l l endure t h e bonds of marriage, My Lady and I w i l l compromise t h e bonds of marriage and t r i b u l a t i o n My Lady, h e r man, t o keep f o r e v e r and e v e r . . . . Barry Saunders

E.R.T.

A serenade wouid I s i n g Beneath your Dalcony In t h e e a r l y morning m i s t A m i n s t r e l of t h e dawn Lyrics unique brought f o r t h By haloed moon You would never know t h e b a l l a d e e r - nor, perhaps would you c a r e Leaving but f a i n t f o o t s t e p s i n t h e dew upon your lawn The only s i g n of a c a l l i n g from t h e m i n s t r e l of t h e dawn.

Tnm 1 . e w i q

The emergency response team appears to be o u t o f control.Anybody can phone a t i p i n about a neighbour whom t h e y don' t l i k e . Under t h e g u i s e of weapons o r drugs the ERT a r e l e t l o o s e l i k e a gang of Ip i t b u l l s . I t i s q u i t e obvious t h a t the higher-ups, l i k e t h e p o l i c e chief, 1have t o be h e l d r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e b r u t a l 6 i l l e g a l a c t s of t h e ERT. O r i g i n a l l y t h e y were c r e a t e d f o r r e a l l i f e - t h r e a t e n i n g s i t u a t i o n s . Now they a r e going on f i s h i n g e x p e d i t i o n s , 1with no r e a l evidence o f drugs o r guns but j u s t f a l s e information. The masks t h e y wear a r e s o nobody can p i c k them o u t f o r b r u t a l i t y o r property damage. Their Rambo-like a t t i t u d e and d i s r e g a r d f o r human r i g h t s c r e a t e a dangerous s i t u a t i o n whereby they l e g a l l y g e t away with c r i m i n a l acts . With t h e r e c e n t case of t h e innocent Chinese people being t e r r o r i z e d i t i- 1: I obvious t h e y should be s u b j e c t e d t o 1 c r i m i n a l charges l i k e anybody e l s e j would be. This baloney of 'I'm s o r r y ' i s not good enough. i I

llere we go agaln, Another gov t study. Another "pay o f f u . The NDP s a i d they were going t o be d i f f e r e n t . They s a i d they were going t o l e s t e n . J u s t another p o l i t i c a l l i e . The previous g o v ' t , on t h e advice of people who t h i n k t h a t j u s t because they have a degree from some c o l l e g e o r univ e r s i t y they know everything, opened t h e doors of Riverview, took t h e r e s i I dents, and dumped them wherever it was convenient without considering t h e i r ' needs. They were j u s t l e f t t o fend f o r themselves, t o become victims. The people who now deal with those unable t o c a r e f o r themselves a r e not even asked what t h e needs a r e . These ' people only deal with t h e problems 24 hours a day but, according t o t h e gov't don't know nothing. J u s t another study. J u s t another I waste of time. J u s t another waste of taxpayers ' money. I t seems t h a t o u r "new" gov't hopes t h a t t h e s e people i n immediate need w i l l j u s t disappear by t h e time t h e study i s completed and they may have g o t t e n around t o thinking t h a t maybe they should be doing something about t h e problem. So what e l s e i s new i n Bungling-Billy ; Maybe-Mikie land. The Shadow (Of course we know what's needed, but t h a t ' s from being on t h e f r o n t - l i n e of socred abuse f o r 15 years. A l l I ' l l say i n defense of t h e NDP i s t h a t they've s t a r t e d a gov't 3 o r 4 b i l l i o n d o l l a r s i n debt already 6 every expenditure has t o be balanced a g a i n s t t h i s . The most b a s i c t h i n g s would be t o r a i s e welfare r a t e s t o t h e poverty l i n e , t o r e s t o r e t h e minimum wage t o t h e l e v e l of worth i t had (purchasing c a p a c i t y ) i n 1975, t o fund u n i v e r s a l school lunch programs and t o proceed with s e t t i n g up scores of group homes i n a l l c i t i e s i n BC f o r those with mental i l l n e s s e s . I t was s t a t e d , s p e c i f i c a l l y , t h a t t h e y ' (NDP) d i d n ' t have a magic wand & not t o expect miracles. Ed.)

Disabled Access t o Vancouver's Central Naterfront (CRAB) Park The Columbia s t r e e t pedestrian overpass i n t o Vancouver's c e n t r a l waterfront park needs t o be b u i l t . A 260 f o o t long ramp a t 5% grade a t t a c h ed t o t h e e x i s t i n g Main s t r e e t overpass (as proposed by t h e Port Corporation) i s too long. The C i t y of Vancouver committee, with community membership, s t u d i e d t h e access problem thoroughly and concluded t h a t a Columbia s t r e e t overpass was t h e only s o l u t ion The Port Corporation r e f u s e s t o acknowledge t h i s s o l u t i o n , a s they a r e more i n t e r e s t e d i n r i c h t o u r i s t s mainly using Crab (Portside) c e n t r a l waterfront park. CRAB Society worked f o r 5 y e a r s t o achieve t h e dream of t h i s 7-acre p a r k s i t e . But disabled people, t h e e l d e r l y , those with low incomes and c h i l d r e n i n nearby dyacares have not been a b l e t o use t h i s r a r e greenspace i n t h e area. I t was t h e Port Corporation t h a t b u i l t t h e Main s t r e e t overpass, twice a s s t e e p a s proposed a t t h e entrance. We have p a t i e n t l y advocated f o r proper, s a f e d i s a b l e d access f o r 4 1 / 2 years. Please p r e s s u r e t h e Port Corporation t o do t h e humane t h i n g , and approve & b u i l d t h e Columbia s t r e e t overpass over t h e r a i l t r a c k s and road. The C i t y of Vancouver would l i k e l y c o s t share 50% of t h e one m i l l i o n d o l l a r c o s t s . The Port Corporation should show compassion t o a l l people 4 approve t h e Columbia s t r e e t overpass before t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l ' 9 2 Conference of D i s a b i l i t y ~ c c ' e s s i n Apr. Don Larson

Downtown Eastside Residents Association 4

4dvocacy : The Downtown E a s t s i d e R e s i d e n t s ' Welfare advocacy, h e l p w i t h income t a x E l a n d l o r d / t e n a n t i s s u e s a r e done ~ s s o c i a t i o ni s i n i t s 1 9 t h y e a r . I t i s r e c o g n i s e d throughout t h e Lower Mainby 3 s t a f f , a s w e l l a s networking w i t h land as one of - if n o t t h e most - dy- 3 a g e n c i e s & t a k i n g t r a i n i n g . namic g r a s s r o o t s o r g a n i s a t i o n s around. Relocation : T h i s d i f f i c u l t , e s s e n t i a l work hds The h i s t o r y o f DERA h a s been w r i t t e n t o do w i t h f i n d i n g housing f o r people about h e r e b e f o r e i n t h i s N e w s l e t t e r . d i s p l a c e d by e v i c t i o n , d e m o l i t i o n s E A s t h e DERA philosophy i s a p p l i e d t o d i s a s t e r s l i k e f i r e s . The C i t y o f Vand i f f e r e n t housing & community i s s u e s , o t h e r groupings i n s o c i e t y i n g e n e r a l couver f i n a l l y a d m i t t e d it had t o t a l l y - governments, p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s e s E Q i n a d e q u a t e r e s o u r c e s t o do t h i s work E c r e a t e d a job based on DERA' s work. community.organisations - quickly Seniors : develop an a b i d i n g r e s p e c t , some t o Anna Wong once a g a i n l i s t e d many t h e l e v e l o f admiration. a c t i v i t i e s E accomplishments, i n c l u d The Annual General Meeting happened i n g t h e DERA S e n i o r s once a g a i n r a i s today ( F r i d a y , 28 February) E t h e many i n g more money i n t h e S e n i o r s t S t r u t a r e a s o f DERA's involvement gave r e t h a n any o t h e r group! p o r t s t o t h e g e n e r a l membership. SHIPSHAPE: Downtown ~ e ~ o i Pi rto j e c t : T h i s was a 1 - y e a r g r a n t p r o j e c t Located a t 33 W. Cordova, t h i s s e r t h a t aided s e n i o r s i n h e a l t h i n i t i a v i c e i n c l u d e s h e l p i n g r e s i d e n t s open t i i r e s E community p r o j e c t s . The ALICE bank a c c o u n t s t o have money d e p o s i t e d General S t o r e i s a l e g- a c -y o f SHIPSHAPE. d i r e c t l y , r a t h e r t h a n have an e n t i r e T e l l i e r Tower: month's money i n - p o c k e t i n c a s h 6 b e P r o g r e s s i n many a r e a s i n t h i s model mugged f o r it. Help i n a p p l y i n g f o r f o r i n n e r - c i t y s e n i o r s ' housing. i d e n t i f i c a t i o n i s a l s o p a r t of t h i s . Pendera: DERA South: Opened i n October 1991, Pendera i s With t h e massive development a l o n g a n o t h e r example o f community housing E w i t h i n a block o f ~ r a n v i l l eS t . t h e t h a t h a s s k y r o c k e t e d a s a model. I t needs of longtime, low income r e s i d e n t r e c e i v e d a H e r i t a g e award i n t h e a r e a s e n i o r s & o t h e r s a r e t h r e a t e n e d . Both o f r e g e n e r a t i n g community l i v i n g , e s t h e c i t y manager & t h e s o c i a l p l a n n i n g p e c i a l l y s i g n i f i c a n t i n t h a t i t was d e p a r t backed DERA a s t h e b e s t t o h e l p t h e f i r s t t i m e e v e r i t was g i v e n t o a e n s u r e t h a t d i s l o c a t i o n 6 homelessness new b u i l d i n g . were not these people's only f u t u r e . Financial Statements: C i t y Council, t h e 1 - v o t e NPA m a j o r i t y , t w i c e r e f u s e d f u n d i n g , b u t DERA had These were compiled E p r e s e n t e d bv Rosalyn ~ r e c k n e r o- f ~ r a g b m i r / ~ r e c k n L r a 1ready s t a r t e d c!oing t h e community f o r t h e y e a r ending 30 September 1391. work. O v e r 500 mernbers a r c s i g n e d u p l i ~ e ywere a c c e p t e d unanimously. and i s s u c s G concerns a r e b e i n g r a i s e d . I

I I

1 /

Up t o now, DERA has fought f o r a l l of i t s successes. The r e p o r t s given were f o r l a s t year. Right now, a s has been r e p o r t e d on i n t h e media & about which t h e r e a r e e n d l e s s rumours E s p e c u l a t i o n circulating, 7 full-time & 2 part-time core s t a f f p o s i t i o n s have been terminat e d . The work done by people holding t h e s e jobs i n c l u d e s f i n a n c e ( p a y r o l l , g r a n t a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , payments E b i l l s ) g r a n t a p p l i c a t i o n G p r o j e c t s , housing p r o p o s a l s E a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of same, supervision of s t a f f a t 4 p r o j e c t s o f f i c e co-ordination & reception & d i r e c t ing people t o who t h e y need t o s e e f o r welfare problems, l a n d l o r d / t e n a n t d i s p u t e s , income t a x , applying f o r co-op o r family o r s e n i o r housing E on E on. In t h e papers, t h e r e f u s a l of t h e NPA t o fund DERA because i t ' s " p o l i t i c a l " i s c i t e d a s t h e cause of t h i s c r i s i s . T h a t ' s p a r t l y t r u e , b u t j u s t t h e wages 6 b e n e f i t s o f 7 jobs add up t o over $150,000 a y e a r . . t h e DERA South o f f i c e c o s t s about $55,000 a y e a r . DERA South, without s e c u r e funding, has been c o s t i n g DERA about $5,000 a month t o run. The Portland Hotel, on t h e c o r n e r of Hastings & C a r r a l l , s t a r t e d o u t a s a p l a c e where t h e h a r d e s t t o house (of t h o s e 'hard-to-house') would have a t l e a s t temporary s h e l t e r u n t i l more permanent p l a c e s could be found. Because of t h e number of r e s i d e n t s t h e r e with mental i l l n e s s e s , t h e r e has been a consequent i n c r e a s e i n t h e number o f s t a f f needed G t h e e x p e r t i s e t h e y r e q u i r e t o d e a l with s e r i o u s s i t u a t i o n s . The P o r t l a n d seems t o b e c o s t i n g DERA money t o run. The uniqueness o f t h e s e 2 s e r v i c e s , DERA South & t h e P o r t l a n d , i s undeniabt h e s e r v i c e s provided a r e e s s e n t i a l b u t t h e c o s t s involved c a n ' t be born a t t h e expense of g u t t i n g t h e c o r e of le; DERA i t s e l f .

"If people think Granville Street is a blight on the city now, wait until you get 1,500 homeless people living on the street."

crisis threatens Several q u e s t i o n s a r i s e 1. How can government agencies continue funding p r o j e c t s when t h e r e is no core s t a f f t o a d m i n i s t e r them? 2. How w i l l a $10 m i l l i o n p r o j e c t l i k e t h e proposed Union S t r e e t one go ahead i f t h e r e i s no core s t a f f t o run i t ? 3 . Knowing t h a t t h e e x i s t i n g housing p r o j e c t s - T e l l i e r , Pendera, Portland, Marie Gomez, Four S i s t e r s Co-op - a l l budget f o r & pay a d m i n i s t r a t i v e f e e s , w i l l t h e y continue t o pay f o r what DERA appears t o no longer provide? 4. I f t h e 7 c o r e jobs a r e terminated b u t t h e work s t i l l has t o be done, who w i l l do i t ? ( I f the' answer t o t h i s i s "other DERA s t a f f , what a r e they doing now t h a t w i l l be a f f e c t e d i f they have twice t h e workload?) ? These a r e b a s i c . I want DERA t o s u r v ive. I a l s o want members E r e s i d e n t s of o u r community t o be s a t i s f i e d t h a t any d e c i s i o n s made & d i r e c t i o n s taken a r e i n t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t s of DERA E t h e community it was born from E h a s served so incredibly f o r these 19 years. By PAULR TAYLOR

Rich Man, Rich Man. Where a r e you going? Why, down t o t h e s t a t e Where I can keep growi

A man with a

travelling

Rich Man, Rich Man. Why a r e you doing t h a t So I can become a much bigger f a t c a t !

Charge Accounts

Rich Man, Rich Man. What about o u r jobs? Go t o h e l l , laughs t h e

t h e r i g h t upper Western Rain

You working c l a s s a r e nothing but s l o b s !

t h e creek bang flashing droplets a white smiling in the sun f l a k e s right bright my hand i n t h e pouring r a i n she wonderfully approached me evenly a

Rudy K. Penner

\ /

Roving u r c h i n s s i t t o r e s t ' n e a t h t h e p i e r on Crab Park Bay. Nature's b r e a t h on p l a t e a u h i l l s blowing f o r t h a stormy day. Under c u l t u r e s 1 b l u e roof lodge white eyed ravens watch t h e sky. Driftwood l o g s from f a r o f f s h o r e s l a y where t h e y were s e n t t o l i e . Whirlybirds buzz above g u l l s and geese i n q u i e t f l o c k s . D i f f l r e n t s o r t s of tymac b o a t s babble i n t h e i r i d l e docks. Walking on i t s a r c i n g p a t h , c e r t a i n t h i n g s t u r n out a s planned, I can sense some p a r a d i s e f e l l on Crab P a r k ' s g r a s s and sand.

WELFARE RIGHTS WORKSHOP

We a r e happy t o announce t h a t t h e r e w i l l be a Welfare Rights workshop f a c -

i l i t a t e d by t h e P e o p l e l s Law School. Time - 10 am - 12 noon. Place - Learning Centre, Classroom # 2 . Date - 10 March 1992 (Tuesday) I t 1s f o r people i n t h e Morning DropIn, t h e G.E.D. c l a s s e s and o t h e r s (up t o 25 people). The workshop w i l l be l e d by Gus Long an& 7 , . rin Schmidt.

"NON -RETURNABLE WAKIW'I'S"

You, a member o f y o u r f a m i l y o r someone you know i n y o u r neighbourhood c o u l d ' v e been a v i c t i m o f s u c h a p r a c t i c e . People who d e a l d r u g s , b r e a k & e n t e r , are v i o l e n t , r a p i s t s , e t c . a r e t h e p e o p l e who t h r i v e on i t . ; \ A p e r s o n who i s charged f o r one o f t h e above c r i m e s , s a y i n Toronto, g e t s r e l e a s e d on b a i l & f a i l s t o a p p e a r i n c o u r t , w i l l v e r y l i k e l y b e s o u g h t on a 'Inon-returnab l e w a r r a n t . " When t h a t p e r s o n h a s f a i l e d t o a p p e a r i n c o u r t a bench w a r r a n t i s i s s u e d f o r t h e i r a r r e s t . On t h a t warrant i s a "non-returnable" c l a u s e . A r a d i u s of 100 k i l o m e t e r s from where t h e w a r r a n t was i s s u e d i s n o t uncommon. YOU may b e t h e n e x t v i c t i m and your p r e d a t o r may b e from as f a r away as Hope (BC), where t h e y may b e s o u g h t f o r any number o f r e a s o n s . C a p i t a l o f Canada1'

OTTAWA!

COMPETITION - I WIN, YOU LOSE

Listen, f r i e n d , competition a s a prized n our s o c i e t y has done so much harm t h a t i t ' s time we gave it a second look. T h a t ' s 'what A l f i e Kohn does i n h i s book "No Contest 0 The Case Against Competition1 (Houghton Mufflin Company). Kohn p o i n t s out t h a t t h e b a s i s of compet i t i o n i s t h a t my success r e q u i r e s your f a i l u r e because we both c a n ' t be #1. There's no way we can build a healthy, t r u s t i n g s o c i e t y on t h a t foundation. Kohn then looks a t f o u r myths about competition and shows t h a t none of them a r e t r u e . Myth #1 - Competition i s a f a c t of l i f e because i t i s p a r t of human n a t u r e .

For a Hopi Elder, human n a t u r e i s understood i n terms of a journey t h a t t a k e s him o r h e r towards t h e sacred, i n a l i v i n g r e l a t i o n s h i p with a l l t h a t surrounds him. For a business tycoon bent on becoming a b i l l i o n a i r e , human n a t u r e i s understood i n terms of t h e competitive, aggressive v a l ues t h a t w i l l h e l p him i n h i s quest. The human n a t u r e argument f o r competit i o n cannot be proven because our view of human n a t u r e depends on how we understand t h e deepest t r u t h about ourselves, and t h a t view i s shaped by t h e c u l t u r e i n which we grow up.

drop, e s p e c i a l l y a f t e r being up s o high." The e f f e c t s of winning a r e not l a s t i n g and s o l i d self-esteem cannot be b u i l t on such a passing t h r i l l . There i s always a f a s t e r gun somewhere o u t t h e r e . In t h e f i r s t place, t h i s competitive soPlay games, by a l l means, but remember c i e t y we l i v e i n would not f u n c t i o n u n l e s s t h e saying of G.K. Chesterton about play: people co-operated with each o t h e r . Also, "If a t h i n g i s worth doing a t a l l , i t i s I can do my best without having my success worth doing badly." We do not need t o beat depend on another person's f a i l u r e . For instance, I can w r i t e a poem f o r t h e Car- o t h e r people i n o r d e r t o have a good time. Myth #4 Competition b u i l d s c h a r a c t e r . negie Newsletter. I f I had t o compete, I wouldn't write t h e poem a t a l l because a Competition doesn't b u i l d c h a r a c t e r i n poem i s a g i f t . I t i s not t h e means f o r t h e sense of a decent, humane, c a r i n g huwinning a p r i z e . man being. Competition does b u i l d another A l f i e Kohn says i n h i s book t h a t t h e r e kind of c h a r a c t e r , and we had b e t t e r t a k e search shows t h a t s u p e r i o r performance not a look a t t h e kind of c h a r a c t e r competitonly does not r e q u i r e competition, it usuion b u i lds. a l l y seems t o r e q u i r e i t s absence. Often Competition buklds competitive people, people hung up on competition concentrate and most of u s avoid very competitive peomore on winning by any means than on t h e p l e because of t h e i r aggressiveness. We excellance of t h e a c t i v i t y they a r e doing. even become uncomfortable when we become For example, competition has not brought aware of o u r own competitiveness, and we us good t e l e v i s i o n . t a l k disparagingly of t h e competitive r a t Even i n economic terms competition i s not more productive than co-operation. The race. Most of u s d o n ' t l i k e t o have our success depend on a n o t h e r ' s f a i l u r e , o r g r e a t i n d u s t r i a l production miracle i n have our p l e a s u r e depend on a n o t h e r ' s d i s Canada occurred i n t h e Second World War, appointment with government planning and wartime econCompetition poisons $man r e l a t i o n s beomic c o n t r o l s , including p r i c e c o n t r o l s . cause h o s t i l i t y i s p a r t of t h e winner/losI t was a time of co-operation within Canae r model. According t o t h e r e s e a r c h given da, a time when everyone was needed, a i n A l f i e Kohn's book, very competitive time when t h e s u i c i d e r a t e dropped s i g n i f a t h e l e t e s tend t o be s e l f - c e n t r e d , shallow icantly. i n r e l a t i o n s h i p s , aggressive with a mean Myth # 3 - Competition i s fun. s t r e a k , anxious about l o s i n g , unconcerned about t h e needs of o t h e r s , d i s t r u s t f u l , We can have fun playing games, but i f we and b r u t a l enough t o do whatever i t t a k e s take competition too s e r i o u s l y we may f e e l t o win. "Nice guys f i n i s h l a s t , " i s t h e more anxiety than fun i n competitive a c t i way Leo Durocher put i t , and t h e l a t e Prev i t i e s . Losing i s not much fun f o r u s i f s i d e n t Eisenhower thought t h a t "the t r u e our self-esteem depends on winning, and mission of American s p o r t s i s t o prepare sometimes we f e e l angry and depressed when young people f o r war. " we lose. Even winning, a f t e r the i n i t i a l Alf i e Kohn c l o s e s h i s book, "No Contest . excitement i s over, i s not much fun f o r The Case Against Competition," by remindwinners because they have t o win again and i s a v alid altering us t h a t co-operation again i n order t o maintain t h e i r p o s i t i o n . n a t i v e t o competition. With co-operation After winning a t t h e 1972 Olympics, Mark my winning depends on your winning, and we S p i t z s a i d , "I became s i c k of myself. I s e e many examples of t h i s a t t h e Carnegie never knew how f a r down someone could Centre. We hope t h a t t h e wisdom t h a t i s i n t h i s place w i l l t r i c k l e down t o o u r p o l i t i c a l and economic l e a d e r s .

M t h # 2 Competition motivates us t o do e s t . Competition i s more productive than co-operation.

2k-r

By SANDY CAMERON

iMWNTDWN EASTSIDE

STD CLINIC - Monday t h r o u g h F r i d a y , 9am - 5pm. FREE MEDICAL CLINIC - Mon, Wed, F r i d a y 5:30-7:30pm NEEDLE EXCHANGE - 221 Main; e v e r y d a y 9am - 5pm. N e e d l e Exchange v a n - o n t h e s t r e e t Mon-Sat e v e n i n g s . N.A. meets e v e r y Monday n i g h t a t 2 2 3 Main S t r e e t .

ACTIVITIBS SOCIETY Out t o L u n c h Bunch meets d a i l v a t 4 5 1 E . H a s t i n g s ,

1992 DONATIONS : Keith C. -$20 Nancy W.-$100 Luba P.-$10 Robert -$lo Four S i s t e r s Co-op -$SO0 DERA -$SO0 Legal Services -$200 E t i e n n e S -$3O F o r e s t Lawn -$25

10-2:JO

l:lll:l:, - l l ~ l l l l l l l ~ ~lll lcsc l l ~ ~ l l l l l .

r l r f f c n o ' t nccc-pl C l t y III~II h ~ a IIIIIII t f u r thin I I c u a I e t Ie r , (II, I f yuu c a l l I ~ c l p . 11116 F s o l I s y l ~ , WIII I ~ e ' l ls l v e you a receipt.

Y v o n n e C. -$lb Keo -$5 Tom S .-$5 H a z e l M.-$25

IIIIIIIIIE OVOI~I#IIIIV ,

NEED llKI,13 ? The Downtown Eastslde Ilesldents' hijsoclatlol~ can help you with: * any welfare prol)lcrrw + +

+ +

Informallon on legs1 rlghts disputes will1 lancll'ords

UIC p r o b l c ~ n s fincling I~ousing oycnlng a bank account

DERA HAS BEEN SERVING THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE FOR 19 YEARS.

"Yes.

blolluny, Mom~~y: look!

They s i t r i g h t on t h e water."

'Ihey belong wherever t h e y can go."

"hut why do t h e b i r d s s i t on t h e water, bfo~nrny?" " I t reminds them of t h e time before they could f l y . "

O I .

Rut how come b i r d s fly?"

"Well, because t h e i r bones a r e hollow, so they a r e l i g h t enough f o r t h e a i r t o play with, l i k e l e a v e s when t h e wind blows, and because t h e y have wings. \dings a r e t h e kind of l e g s you need t o p l a y in t h e shy." 0 Look, I ~ o kt h e y ' r e f l y i n g again. 'hhllully?'~ "Yes, Angel

Bye b i r d s . .

"lvhy is t h e sky blue?"

"I d o n ' t know.

"\Jll;it

' 5

Maybe i t ' s hecause b l u e is t h e I ~ i g g e s tcolour-."

a f t e r t h e shy?"

"'l'he sky never ends, a n g e l .

I t j u s t goes on and on forever."

"IJhat ' s forever?" "'l'l~e longest t ime t h e r e is.

Come on now, i t ' s t ime t o go."

"1,~'t'ss t a y t i l l forever."

"Idc c a n ' t a n g e l , we have t o g e t hoalo." "1 low collie?"

"Recat~se I have t o g e t sorl~ce x t r a work -1o1.e f o r t h e o f f ice t o n i g h t ."

"Yes, Angel?" "lihy a r e we poor?"

Steven Belkin

This is a tenancy agreeme between

the tenant (s) and

t h e landlord T h e landlord's address and telephone number are:

The address of the place being rented is:

It is called the "premises"in this agreement

Agreement The landlord rents the premises to the tenant according to this agreement and the laws that govern landlords and tenants. The most important law that governs landlords and tenants in British Columbia is the Residential Tenancy Act.

Terms Specific rights and duties of both the landlord and the tenant are in the following paragraphs. Each paragraph has a number and it is called a "term"of the agreement

1. Length of the Tenancy

3. Amount of the Rent

The tenancy starts on:

I and continues: Check one box only

plus

month-temonth;

any extra monthly charge

for a t least the following length of

Write the length of time here (Example: six months or one year) Note: At the end of this time, the tenancy will continue month-to-month.

Total monthly charge

2. What is Included in the Rent Put a check in the boxes beside the things that a r e included in the rent

0 Water 0 Heat 0 Hydro 0 Cablevision 0 Parking 0 Storage 0 Fridge 0 Stove 0 Drapes Washing Machine 0 Clothes Dryer 0 Towels 0 Furniture Room Service 0 Other

4. Payment of the Rent

The tenant will pay the rent to the landlord on the day of each month. It is important to pay the rent on time. If the tenant doesn't pay on time, the landlord can evict the tenant. This means the landlord can force the tenant to move out with very short notice.

5. Occupants

There will be person 0 living in the premises. Their names are:

6. Rent Increases b Once a Year

The landlord will only increase the rent once a year starting from the date the tenant first moves into the premises. b 3 Month's Notice

The landlord will give the tenant 3 full months' written notice of any rent increase.

For example: If the tenant is given a notice in anytime in January (even January lst), there must be 3 full months before the increase begins. The full months are February, March and April, so the increase would begin on May 1st.

7. Condition of the Premises The landlord will make sure the premises are in good, clean condition before the tenant moves in. The tenant will leave the premises in good, clean condition before moving out. (Note: normal wear and tear or damage from ordinary use is not included.

Normal Wear and Tear This expression describes the kind of damage that happens through ordinary use of the rented premises. The landlord is responsible to pay for damage caused by normal wear and tear.

For example: if the tenant regularly cleans the walls and vacuums the carpets, the landlord must pay for repainting or professionally cleaning the carpets. The tenant is responsible for damage that is more than normal wear and tear. For example, If a tenant spills a bottle of ink on the carpet or the wall, the tenant must pay to clean the carpet or repaint the wall.

8. Security Deposit The tenant has paid a security deposit of $ Note: all deposits must not add up to more than one-half of one month's rent.

9. Return of Deposit The landlord will keep this deposit during the tenancy. After the tenant moves out, the landlord has a maximum of 30 days to give the tenant a notice that: says the amount of the deposit and the date it was paid; shows how much interest is owed and how it was calculated; gives details of any deductions from the deposit; and includes full payment of money owed to the tenant

Deductions The landlord can only keep money from the security deposit for any of the following reasons: ifthe tenant or the tenant's guests caused some damage to the premises, building or property outside the building and did not repair it. (Note: normal wear and tear or damage from ordinary use is not included) if the tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean (Note: normal wear and tear or damage from ordinary use is not included) if the tenant owes the landlord money (Example: rent or repayment of arbitration fees)

10. Tenant's Duties a) The tenant will take good care of the pren.lises and any appliances, drapes or other things that the landlord provides a s part of this tenancy. b) The tenant will repair or pay for the repairs to appliances, fixtures or the building itself if the tenant or the tenant's guests cause the damage by misuse. (Note: normal wear and tear or damage caused by ordinary use is not included). C) The tenant will tell the landlord a s soon as they find any problems with the building, appliances or fixtures.

quiet between 11o'clock in the evening and 8 o'clock in the morning.

11. Landlord's Duties premises is clean and in good repair when the tenant moves in. b) The landlord will keep the building and common areas clean and in good repair at all times. C) The landlord will promptly repair appliances and fixtures if the damage is not the tenant's fault or there is damage from ordinary use. d) The landlord will clean up the premises after doing repairs or making

12. Landlord's Right to Enter The landlord may enter the rented premises only if: there is an emergency the tenant gives the landlord permission to enter the landlord gives the tenant a written notice that they intend to enter the premises. This written notice must do all of the following things: let the tenant know the time that the landlord intends to enter; give the tenant between 24 and 72 hours notice of when the landlord intends to enter; and give a good reason for wanting to enter the tenant has moved out the landlord h a s a court order the landlord is providing maid service to a hotel tenant a t a reasonable time.

13. Duties of Both Landlord and Tenant a) Both the landlord and the tenant will let the other person know in writing if this agreement is not being followed.

This written notice will include the following things: Details of how the agreement is not being followed; and Give a reasonable time for the other person to correct the problem.

premises is the tenant's home. The landlord will make sure the tenant can peaceably enjoy the premises during the tenancy. This means the landlord grants the tenant full use of the premises and will not disturb the tenant or the tenant's guests unless it is necessary.

b) Both the landlord and the tenant will obey the laws and government standards in the areas of health, sanitation, fire, housing and safety.

14. Pets

18. Alteration and Decoration The tenant will not make major changes to the premises unless the landlord gives permission in writing. Major changes are things like painting the walls or putting up wallpaper, removing fixtures or making any changes to the building walls or structure.

19. Locks The tenant must have the landlord's permission in writing before the tenant can keep a Pet. The landlord allows the tenant to keep the following pets:

Normally, the tenant will not put on a new lock or make any changes to a lock or security device (like a door chain) unless the landlord gives permission in writing. If there is an emergency or . the landlord is not available to give permission, the tenant may change the lock and give the landlord a key.

20. Storage The tenant must get new permission kom the landlord if the tenant wants to change the number of kind of pets allowed.

15. Tenant Insurance The tenant is responsible to insure their own personal property. Insurance should cover theft, fire and other dangers.

18. Waterbeds and Aquariums The tenant must have the landlord's permission in writing to set up a waterbed or an aquarium. Before giving permission, the landlord may ask the tenmt for proof of special insurance to cover water damage.

17. Residential Use of Premises The tenant will only use the premises to live in. The tenant will not use any part of the premises for a business purpose or as a workshop unless the landlord gives permission in writing.

If there is a storage area for tenants, the tenant will make sure their belongings are put in the proper storage area. The landlord will tell the tenant where the tenant's storage area is. The tenant will not store dangerous materials in the storage or living areas. The tenant will not leave bicycles in the hallways or common areas without the landlord's permission

21. Garbage The tenant will put all garbage in a bag and tie the bag. The landlord will tell the tenant where to put the garbage bags. The landlord will make sure the garbage bags are taken away. The tenant will not leave garbage, boxes, papers or other things in the halls, stairs or other common areas of the building.

22. Landlord Notice T h e landlord must give the tenant notice of eviction for the reasons, in the manner, and on a special form. T h e process is described in detail in the Residential Tenancy Act

23. Tenant Notice T h e tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by giving the landlord at least one month's notice. This means the landlord must receive the written notice before the day the rent is due for the tenant to move out at the end of the next month. For example: The tenant wants to move at the end of May. The tenant must make sure the landlord receives a written notice by April 30th. Note: this notice does not have to b e on a special form.

24. Assign or Sublet The tenant may not assign or transfer this agreement to another person unless the landlord gives the tenant permission in writing. Also, the tenant may not sublet or rent any part of the premises to another person unless the landlord gives the tenant permission in writing. The landlord may not refuse to give this permission without a good reason.

25. Damages During Move The tenant will b e responsible for damage to the premises, the building itself or the property outside the building that happens during their move, if the tenant or anyone helping the tenant causes the damage.

26. Return of Security Deposit See the "Security Depositt1section at the beginning of this agreement.

Write down any additional terms which both the landlord and tenant agree to. O n e example is, the landlord will mow the lawn and do all the yard work. Another example is,the tenant and the tenant's guests will not smoke in the premises.

Building Rules These are written rules that are usually about the use of services or common areas that the landlord provides for a number of tenants. If the landlord gives the tenant a copy of the Building Rules before signing this agreement, those rules become part of this agreement. ;

Changes in Building Rules If the landlord wants to change the Building Rules, the tenant can either accept the changes or continue with the original rules. If the tenant wants the new rules to replace the original rules the landlord and the tenant must sign a copy of the new rules. After the new rules are signed, the landlord will give a copy of the signed rules to the tenant. If the tenant wants the original rules to continue, the tenant does nothing.

Condition Report This is a detailed description of the condition of the premises when the tenant moves in. Both the landlord and the tenant can use it at the end of the tenancy to compare the condition of the premises when the tenant moves out. A Condition Report can be on a special form or can just be written out on normal paper. Usually a Condition Report describes how clean each room is and the general condition of things like the paint on the walls, the floors or the carpets. It also says exactly where damage is located and how bad it is. For example: there are about 20 cigarette bums in the middle of the carpet in the living room. To make a Condition Report part of this agreement, both the landlord and the tenant need to sign it. The landlord will make a copy of it and attach a copy of the report to each copy of this agreement.

Tenant's Copy of Agreement The landlord will make a copy of this agreement and give the original back to the tenant within 21 days of the date the tenant signed it. If the tenant doesn't get the agreement within the 21 days, the tenant can hold the rent they owe until the landlord gives the tenant a copy of the agreement. Agreement Must Obey Residential Tenancy Act All parts of this agreement must obey the rules in the Residential Tenancy Act. Any term that tries to change these rules is "void".This means neither the landlord nor the tenant can be forced to follow a void part of the agreement.

Change of Owner This agreement will apply for the entire length of the tenancy unless the landlord and the tenant agree otherwise. A new landlord has the same rights and duties as the previous one and must follow all the terms of this agreement.

A tenant does not have to sign a new agreement if there is a new landlord. Changing the Agreement No part or term of this agreement may be changed unless both the landlord and the tenant agree to the change.

The landlord and the tenant show they agree to the terms in this agreement by signing on Date

, 1 9 .

Landlord (orAgent)

Tenant

This agreementwas produced by theTenants Rights Coalition with support from the following organizations in B.C.: the Law Foundation. Legal Semces Society, the Notary Foundation and the United Way

The Tenants' Rights Action C o a l i t i o n (TRAC) met with both Moe Sihota and Robin Blencoe, t h e NDP MLAs responsible f o r housing, on Thursday t h e 20th. On t h e agenda was a l l manner of concerns stemming from 15 y e a r s of socred abuse. Six TRAC Board members & t h r e e s t a f f made i s s u e s c l e a r : t h e continued e x i s t ence of a housing c r i s i s , t h e inadequacies of t h e Residential Tenancy Act & Branch, l e g i s l a t i v e changes needed and t h e necessity t o bring i n rent controls. Each o f t h e s e a r e a s was discussed with t h e e x p e r t i s e acquired from years o f f r o n t l i n e experience - e s p e c i a l l y t h e manner i n which l a n d l o r d s can do a l l manner of i l l e g a l p r a c t i c e s while f a c i n g no prosecution o r even f i n e s . Sihota was on t h e edge o f h i s s e a t & a l l e a r s whenever s p e c i f i c reference was made t o changing the- language - t h e p r a c t i c e s of t h e RTA & RTB. P a r t of h i s concern was following gut f e e l i n g s - l i k e p u t t i n g a "right t o housing' i n t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o r t h e Charter - only t o have lawyers r e p r e s e n t i n g l a n d l o r d s t w i s t t h e i n t e n t t o make m a t t e r s worse. For example, a landlord could say t h a t zoning by-laws o r r e n t c o n t r o l v i o l a t e c,-3,-r.-. - .. . h i s c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t i n t h a t he i s "required" t o adhere t o everyone's "right" t o housing. The meeting was productive, i n t h a t both Blencoe & Sihota assured u s o f t h e What is special to you about implementation of a t o l l - f r e e 800 l i n e province-wide f o r t e n a n t s wanting informaVancouver's urban landscape? t i o n on t h e i r r i g h t s . The i s s u e o r f - p u t t i n g a l l documents, agreements & \ d5 ' WIuI don't you like about Cars! p u b l i c i n f o i n p l a i n language was addressed and s t e p s a r e being taken. Most Vancouver's urban landscape? s i g n i f i c a n t was t h e t a b l i n g of TRAC's own Tenancy Agreement, w r i t t e n i n p l a i n c.ars ! language and tested with people do you think are the three biggest challenges English i s a second language. or threats to Vancouver's urban landscape? Blencoe cautioned us, a s it seems hundreds o f groups have already been L-acs! cars! cautioned, t h a t t h e y a r e dealing with a What can we do to maintain and improve mess o f p o l i c i e s , laws & a t t i t u d e s Vancouver's urban landscape'? l e f t by i o c r e d "It w i l l \ ! happen, but not overnight." ,

cat5 '

By PAULR TAYLOR

c a S ~ 'As .

Vmcouver enters the next century, what would your ideal urban landscape be like?

United Native Nations hosted t h e F i r s t people's Conference on t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n i n Vancouver on February 21-23. C o a l i t i o n s & groups r e p r e s e n t i n g i s s u e s .t e x c l u s i v e t o Native Peoples, l i k e poverty, c h i l d apprehension, peace, e n v i r onment, housing, w r i t e r s , t e a c h e r s e t c . were a l s o i n v i t e d t o p r e s e n t t h e i r s t a t e ments on t h e Tory c o n s t i t u t i o n a l p r o p o s a l s . Aboriginal PeopIes have responded v i g o r ously t o t h e deafening s i l e n c e i n t h e Tory gameplan. These p r o p o s a l s g i v e vague promises with one hand and t a k e away t h e means t o make them r e a l w i t h a l l t h e othc changes. Aboriginal People, f i r s t & foremost, want t h e word "inherent" s p e c i f y i n g t h e r i g h t t h e y have t o self-government. T h i s cannot b e given t o them a s a " g i f t " by any government o r c o u r t . T h i s seemed s o s e l f - e v i d e n t t h a t I ' d thought it would j u s t be a f f i r m e d unanimously by a l l t h e r e and t h e workshops could go on t o t a l k o f r e l a t e d concerns. On t h e l a r g e pad b e s i d e t h e f a c i l i t a t o r were 7 numbered concerns: - Inherent Right; - Obtaining Aboriginal P e o p l e ' s consent f o r any changes a f f e c t i n g them d i r e c t l y o r indirectly; Recognition a s a d i s t i n c t s o c i e t y within Canada; - t h e (infamous) Indian Act; - Senate Reform and a b o r i g i n a l r e p r e s e n t a t i o n (not p r o p o r t i o n a l o r t o k e n ) ; - C h a r t e r o f Rights & Freedoms P r o t e c t ions. .Native Women's Rights; - Aboriginal T i t l e & Rights.

Being a Non Aboriginal Person (NAP was k i n d l y used throughout t h e conference), I ' d expected t h e meeting t o b e run i n a NAP-oriented way, b u t t h e Aboriginal Peop l e p r e s e n t , each having s t r o n g p o s i t i o n s , continued t a l k i n g i n terms o f t h e i r own experiences and t h o s e o f t h e i r f r i e n d s . A s people spoke, I began t o understand t h e n a t u r e o f t h e s t r u g g l e . Throughout t h e l a s t 500 y e a r s Aboriginal People have been promised much o n l y t o f i n d l a t e r t h a t t h e y had been l i e d t o & betrayed. There has been a s y s t e m a t i c e f f o r t by NAPS (governments & i n d i v i d u a l s ) t o d e s t roy t r a d i t i o n s & c u l t u r e by t o t a l a s s i m i l a t i o n , u s i n g l e g a l & i l l e g a l t r i c k s t o dep r i v e Native people o f t h e i r land, t h e i r r e s o u r c e s , t h e i r c h i l d r e n and, o f t e n , f - ir l i v e s . Things l i k e smallpox-laden b l m k e t s given t o t r i b e s i n d e s i r e d lands; t h e n t h e Indian Act allows NAPS t o d e d i d e who i s o r i s n o t an Indian, while d i v i d i n g up r e s e r v e l a n d s .

One woman warned of being t%educedl' by t h e NAP system, where more years a r e spent debating while t h e ones in power keep up t h e abuse. Another woman, an Elder, s a i d t h e r e should be no compromise with y e t another promise by t h e "whites" - t h a t t h e r e i s s t i l l a conspiracy going on t o defraud and destroy Aboriginal Peoples. The f e a r s of people(NAP)are fostered by misconception & ignorance. Aboriginal Peoples want t h e i r fundamental r i g h t s r e cognised now i n t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n , not l e f t f o r judges, c o u r t s , o r p o l i t i c i a n s t o decide a s time goes on. A l l manner of concerns a r e born out of t h e i r treatment i n t r e a t i e s , n e g o t i a t i o n s and o t h e r i n t e r a c t i o n s with NAPs. The most popular myth i s t h a t Native people g e t everything - f r e e homes, f r e e education (including u n i v e r s i t y ) e t c . Even on paper t h e s e supposed ' f r e e b i e s ' a r e only applied t o those who l i v e on Indian Act reserves. Natives l i v i n g o f f reserves have no access t o t h e s e programs. The r e a l i t y is having any such programs i n place on paper, most money going t o t h e a d m i n i s t r a t o r s (NAPs), money being systematically rerouted and o f t e n j u s t not released..while t h e government's s t a t i s t i c s s t a t e otherwise. One gathering was t h a t of t h e Elders and Native Veterans - people with t h e longest h i s t o r i e s of maltreatment and o u t r i g h t criminal a c t s a g a i n s t them and t h e i r famil i e s by Indian Act agents, government bureaucrats & t r e a t y v i o l a t i o n s . End Legislated Poverty has unanimously supported t h e b a s i c p r i n c i p l e f o r f u r t h e r aboriginal involvement in Canada - t h e i r inherent r i g h t t o self-government & s e l f determination. As was s t a t e d i n a d e c l a r a t i o n of t h e Native Council o f Canada: T h i s i s our l a s t t r e a t y , t h i s c o n s t i t u t i o n . We must get what i s needed now." By PAULR TAY LO

Editor,

PU~L

Quote: " A l l my l i f e I have t r i e d t o do t h e r i g h t t h i n g . . I ' m b e i n g subj e c t e d t o c r i t i c i s m ...t h a t I d o n ' t t h i n k i s w a r r a n t e d . . I can o n l y do what I am t o l d i s OK. I d o n ' t want t o t r a v e l f o r t h e C i t y b u t I do." Unquote. Alderman George P u i l . Sound f a m i l i a r ? Like M r . Vanderzalm, Mayor Gordon Campbell f a i l s t o s e e t h e c o n f l i c t o f i n t e r e s t i n M r . P u i l ' s u s e o f (6 p r o f i t i n g by) T r a n s Globe T r a v e l Agency, owned by s a i d P u i l . Mr. P u i l , l i k e o t h e r s o f t h a t p a s t G d i s g r a c e d government, f i n d s i t s o conv e n i e n t t o be u n a v a i l a b l e f o r comment. If Mayor Campbell i s t r u l y a l e a d e r o f r e p u t e . . t h e n he h a s no a l t e r n a t i v e b u t t o a s k f o r M r . P u i l l s immediate resignation. A s f o r t h e s t r a n g e t r a v e l l i n g pecad i l l o e s of t h a t Catamite, Gordon P r i c e , who c o n t i n u o u s l y compares Vancouver t o San F r a n c i s c o w h i l e i n Counc i l , p e r h a p s a s l a p on h i s l i t t l e wrist by Mayor Campbell j u s t may c u r b h i s s t r a n g e wanderings a t taxpayers,? expense.

. .,

Gerald Windsor, 29-326 Woodland D r . , Vancouver.

I f c a p i t a l i s m ( t h e philosophys & t r a d i Every f o u r o r f i v e y e a r s t i o n s o f t h e r i c h E middle c l a s s ) i s t y p i maybe l e s s . c a l l y t h e a t t i t u d e "hard-headed r e a l f s m I P ; o u t comes t h e s h i t E i t s opposite, t h e value system o f t h e poor p o l i s h w i t h a new b r e a t h . i s t y p i c a l l y emotional & h e a r t - o r i e n t e d . - it is generous, benevolent G i l l o g i c a l . L i s t e n t o u s , you i g n o r a n t The "logic" of t h e c o n t r o l l e r ' s mind i s Canuck, t h e l o g i c o f board meetings, agendas, comAS we know what i s good f o r m i t t e e formats & paperwork smokescreens. you, w i t h some l u c k . The needs & v a l u e s o f economically deprived i n d i v i d u a l s , a s defined by them, a r e , v o t e f o r me o r my f r i e n d t o t h e c o n t r o l l e r , simply a mass of indivnext door. i d u a l " ~ p i n i o n s 't~h a t amount t o nothing. we do know t h e d i f f e r e n c e , The c o n t r o l l e r does not d a r e t o a s s o c i a t e between o u r a s s & a h o l e with !'the poor" on a n a t u r a l one-to-one in the floor. b a s i s o f d a i l y f a m i l i a r i t y f o r any l e n g t h The Shadow of time, s i n c e t h i s kind of humanizing would tend t o erode h i s o r h e r f a i t h i n . t h e f o r c e s & motivations of c o n t r o l , which THE UNCONTROLABLE: seek t o e l i m i n a t e t f . a d i t i o n r o f poverty. The p o l i t i c a l c o n t r o l l e r s of o u r neighThe p o l i t i c a l c o n t r o l l e r s of t h e Downtown Eastside; t h e d i r e c t o r s h i p s , committ- bourhood do n o t seek t o strengthen o r emi n s t e a d they a s s o c i a t i o n s , whose agendas a r e aim- phasize t h e uniquely human ees ed a t eliminating poverty, have no use f o r work c o n s i s t e n t l y & determinedly, i n paid p o s i t i o n s , t o undermine, c o n t r o l & system- " t h e philosophys & t r a d i t i o n s a s s o c i a t e d a t i z e t h e r a d i c a l , t h e unique, t h c v i s i o n with it. The philosophys & t r a d i t i o n s once formed ary, t h e d i s r u p t i v e & uncooperative p e r s onalized n a t u r e of t h e "lower" c l a s s e s . the historical basis - t h e foundation & The "social s e r v i c e " work f o r c e of t h e r o o t s of r a d i c a l socialist e t h i c s . Today, Downtown E a s t s i d e i s r e c r u i t e d from t h e however, even t h e word " s o c i a l i s t " has ranks of r e l a t i v e l y r i c h & middle c l a s s been eliminated from the language of modgroups who a r e e n t h u s i a s t i c a l l y c a p i t a l i s t . ern politics.wat was once w s o c i a l i s t t ~ That i s t o Say, t h e i r bottom-line philosohas now become Itnew democraticll 6 t h i s o r smokescreen phys, which t h e y w i l l f i g h t t o t h e death i s p a r t o f t h e obscuration, t o defend, a r e based on t h e expedient terminology t h a t i s widely used i n modern short-term goal o f preserving t h e i r econop o l i t i c s t o hide t h e r e a l n a t u r e of t h e mic controllers' activities. As "social c r e d i t q 1was a f r o n t f o r t h e promotion of c a p i t a l i s m & t h e c a p i t a l i s t work e t h i c , s o "new democratic" i s an innocuous, v i r t u a l l y meaningless l a b e l ; a . convenient f r o n t f o r business a s u s u a l . The philosophys & t r a d i t i o n s of poverty a r e unconventional , o r " r a d i ~ a l * ~standing ; a s they do, i n d i r e c t opposition t o t h e philosophys & t r a d i t i o n s o f t h e r i c h and comfortable middle c l a s s . They a r e t h e enemy of a l l c o n t r o l l e r s . Basically, t h e y c o n s i s t of a kind o f i n d i v i d u a l i t y & independence t h a t looks inward t o t h e s o u l , values spontaneious u n c l a s s i f y a b l e a c t i v i t y above r u l e s & r e g u l a t i o n s , & measures human achievement i n terms o f s t a t e s of consciousness r a t h e r than economics.

Under t h e g u i s e of "helping t h e poor" t h e y seek t o i n d o c t r i n a t e t h e lower economic c l a s s e s with images, laws & a t t i t u d e s t h a t d e s t r o y & d r i v e underground t h e t r a d i t i o n s & philosophys of i n d i v i d u a l freedom. The p o l i t i c a l o r g a n i z e r s & c o n t r o l l e r s of o u r neighbourhood, c i t y , province & nat i o n s e e nothing but s t a t i s t i c s & economi c s - they grudgingly acknowledge t h a t t h e s e a r e r e a l human l i f e t i m e s involved i n t h e s e t h i n g s , but t h e s t a t i s t i c s & economi c s a r e so e s s e n t i a l t o maintaining t h e i r priviledged p o s i t i o n i n s o c i e t y t h a t t h e y cannot, under any circumstances, allow t h a t system t o become t r u l y benevolent & uncritical. The "helpt1 t h a t is given t o "the poor" by them i s n e c e s s a r i l y surrounded by a wall of s u p e r f i c i a l humourously p a t r o n i z ing jargon. They a r e always moving t o o quickly t o absorb any in-depth f e e l i n g s from t h e i r immediate s o c i a l surroundings. Naturally, t h e y a r e a f r a i d they might become i n f e c t e d with t h e t r a d i t i o n s & p h i l o s o p h y ~o f poverty, which they tend t o c l a s s i f y a s criminal o r mentally d e f e c t i v e . I p r e d i c t t h a t under t h e "new democratsf1 we w i l l s e e no new democracy, j u s t a s unde r t h e socreds we h a d . no s o c i a l c r e d i t . A s long a s l a b e l s , images, agendas & paperwork guide them; a s long a s t h e controllers.' d a i l y hope, dream o r v i s i o n c o n s i s t s of "economic h e a l t h & s t a b i l i t y " they w i l l continue t o s t e p o n , ' d e s t r o y & ignore t h e c o l l e c t i v e r e a l i t y o f our f e e l i n g s , persona l values & ideas which s p r i n g l a r g e l y from t h e p o s i t i o n o f t h e o u t s i d e r ; t h e one who embraces poverty, madness & d i s e a s e a s simply l i f e - g e n e r a t e d n a t u r a l conditions of existence. I f t h e r i c h & middle c l a s s r e a l l y b e l i e v ed i n democracy, freedom, love, c h a r i t y , benevolence & e q u a l i t y , t h o s e t h i n g s would manifest i n t h e i r p o l i t i c s & b u r e a u c r a t i c activitys - a s it i s , these things are just window d r e s s i n g f o r backroom d e a l s t h a t promote t h e i r personal success a t t h e expense of genuine i n t e g r i t y . TORA

WANDERING A s I w a s n ' t l e a r n i n g v e r y much a t s c h o o l , I s t a r t e d t o p l a y hooky 6 t o s t r a y f a r t h e r 6 f a r t h e r from home. A t eleven, I learned t o s t e a l bicycles t o go j o y r i d i n g . I a l s o h i t c h - h i k e d wherever I wanted t o go. I wanted t o s t a y away from my m o t h e r ' s l o v e a f f i a r s . I d i d n ' t l i k e them 6 t h e y , o f c o u r s e , d i d n ' t l i k e me. I d i d w h a t e v e r it t o o k t o g e t money t o l o s e myself i n t h e movie houses. I s o l d newspapers. I s t o o d o u t s i d e t h e b e e r s t o r e w i t h my wagon t a k i n g home p e o p l e ' s c a s e s o f b e e r . I ' d go t o t h e movies a s o f t e n a s I c o u l d . I ' d buy p o t a t o c h i p s , pop & whatever I could a f f o r d . That was my e s c a p e from t h e r e a l i t i e s of l i f e . Some movies were v e r y good and some were v e r y bad. Of a l l t h e h e r o e s , I g u e s s I ' d h a v e t o s a y Gene Autry was my f a v o u r i t e . I t ' s funny b u t I cannot remember what h i s h o r s e ' s name was n o t P r a n c e r o r Dancer o r Rudolph. A s I grew a l i t t l e o l d e r , I s t a r t e d t o s a i l on t h e Great Lakes' s h i p s . The G r e a t Lakes were my home f o r t h e next twenty-eight years. I enjoyed e v e r y m i n u t e o f my l i f e . I t c o s t me d e a r l y though. By JAMES ROADKNIGHT

During t h e s e s e s s i o n s t h e y began p l a n t hlany p e r s o n s i n t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e i n g p i c t u r e s i n my mind, v i s i o n s , s o t o w i l l remember George, an e x - p r o s p e c t o r , 'peak, the meaning of which I d i d n ' t under although he has n o t been around f o r y e a r s , stand a t But One day I was leafing George t o l d me of an e x p e r i e n c e he had i n through a magazine p u b l i s h e d i n China and mitehorse i n yukon. H~ s a i d he and a f r i e n d were on a tremendous b i n g e 6 wound came a a painting of a range of mountains i n China. I r e a l up in their hotel room, the friend passed o u t on t h e f l o o r & George l y i n g on t h e bed i z e d t h a t t h e two had shown me e x a c t l y t h a t i l l u s t r a t i o n i n one o f t h e l l v i s i o n s t l t a k i n g d r i n k s from a whiskey b o t t l e . the previous day. There came a time when a l a r g e male & a female, human f i g u r e s , s t e p p e d through t h e In days I a record o f my v i s i o n s . In going o v e r i t & t h i n door i n t o t h e room. .w i t h o u t opening i t . king back I s a w that a l l the m ~ s t e r ~ ; ~ i c The woman s a t on t h e f o o t of t h e bed & t u r e s & s c e n e s t h e y had shown me i n p a s t t h e man leaned on t h e d r e s s e r w i t h arms days had always been p i c t u r e s showing me f o l d e d and t h e 3 o f them had a p l e a s a n t what I ' d be d o i n g o r e x p e r i e n c i n g t h e day c o n v e r s a t i o n . George was a b i t saucy i n f o l l o w i n g . Continuing e x p e r i e n c e proved that he c a l l e d them nyou spooks.w After a , time t h e y l e f t t h e way t h e y ' d come - t h r u this be true. t h e c l o s e d wooden door. George f e l l a s l e e p . I that the world i n which The n e x t morning b o t h men were s i c k , s o - t h o s e two e x i s t e d was p r o b a b l y j u s t a s r e a l t o them a s mine was t o me, b u t t h e i r b e r & s o r r y . . e s p e c i a l l y s i c k . George was world e x i s t e d 24 h r s o r s o i n t h e f u t u r e . t e l l i n g h i m s e l f , "Now I'm s e e i n g p e o p l e L i m i t a t i o n s of s p a c e compel me t o c u t walking t h r o u g h d o o r s 4 I'm even t a l k i n g t h e s t o r y o f f . a t t h i s p o i n t . In t h e n e x t t o them. I ' v e g o t t o q u i t t h i s d r i n k i n g ! " But t h e n h i s f r i e n d spoke up: "1 woke up i s s u e , t h e E d i t o r w i l l i n g , I ' l l t e l l how I t h o u g h t o f t h e two who'd v i s i t e d George 7 f o r a few minutes l a s t n i g h t O you were t a l k i n g t o a woman. I h e a r d h e r v o i c e . Who Amnesty, how I was moved by t h a t memory t o was s h e and how d i d s h e g e t i n here?" i n v i t e t h e two f o r a v i s i t . There was v e r y l i t t l e d r i n k i n g i n v o l v e d b u t I s t i l l manAbout 2 y e a r s a f t e r h e a r i n g George's s t o r y I was r e n t i n g & l i v i n g a l o n e i n a 1- aged t o a c t s t u ~ i d l y& t h e y had t o do some-~... L II bedroom house c l o s e t o downtown Abbotsford t h i n g r e a l l y extreme t o it a c r o s s t o b u t soon found I wasn't e n t i r e l y a l o n e . me t h a t t h e y were t h e two l i v i n g "tomorrBy u s i n g t e c h n i q u e s I d e s c r i b e d i n e a r l - OW" i n t h e same house. i e r i s s u e s o f t h e N e w s l e t t e r , I sometimes I hope no one w i l l t h i n k t h i s is m y s t i would t u r n o f f my c o n s c i o u s mind and, when cism. (I'm n o t a m y s t i c . ) I ' m t e l l i n g a h i s doing s o , came a c r o s s a male 4 female l i v - t r u e s t o r y because i t seems t o show t h e r e i n g i n t h e same house. I knew i t was t h e i s more t o r e a l i t y t h a n meets t h e e y e b a l l . same house because I ' d have mind-to-mind By ERIC ERICKSON c o n t a c t w i t h them 4 would b e l o o k i n g- o u t through t h e i r eyes, s e e i n g what t h e y saw. Locked i n i n such a way t o t h e man, I ' d sometimes s e e t h e woman and, through t h e woman's e y e s I ' d sometimes s e e t h e man. I t was p l a i n t o s e e t h a t t h e woman was a N a t i v e E t h e man Caucasian. Apparently t h e y were much more r e a d i l y aware of me t h a n I was o f them and i t was p l a i n t h e y d i d n ' t have any g r e a t d e g r e e o f r e s p e c t f o r me. In s p e a k i n g of me t h e y o f t e n c a l l e d me " t h e S a s q u a t c h . " +

. -

Mission Statement Canadians enjoy a rich heritage. As members of the Council of Canadians, we are dedicated to safeguarding this inheritance through preserving and enhancing our distinct identities and our sovereignty. As Canadians we must take our destiny into our hands so that Canada may continue to play a constructive and respected role in the community of interdependent nations. As individuals, through political parties and through other associations, Canadians pursue various causes related to our economic, social and cultural well-being. But as a people, we must never surrender the capacity to make our own democratic decisions on these matters. Hence, the goal of the Council of Canadians is to contribute to Canada's democratic development and to the enhancement of its political, cultural, social and economic sovereignty.

This article appeared in the Globe and Mail, January 2nd. 1992. John L. Orr is a Director of the Council of Canadians.

Free trade at three: a disaster

ESTERDAY was the third anniversary of Canada's free-trade agree'O 'Y ment with the United States. A recent series in Report on Business, Living In A Free Trade World, presented the good-news side of the debate on the deal. But random opinions and anecdotes based on isolatcd success stories hardly constitute a valid basis for drawing conclusions on free trade. This requires an analysis of all trade-related factors to permit j comparison of Canada's performance before a d i~ftcrtlie pact wcnt into effect in January, 1989. Thcrc is now enough evidence to evaluate tlie agreement's impact on the Canadian economy. The key measures are trade performance and job creation, which were the principal justifications for the deal. Canada's objective for the agreement was to expand exports of manufactured goods to the U.S. market. Conversely, the U.S. objective was to eliminate its merchanldise trade deficit with Canada by expandI ing exports of finished goods to this country, thereby taking over an even larger share ofour domestic market. The true measure of trade pcrformance must be the trade balance (exports versus imports), not export growth alone. 'lo make valid comparisons, tlic value of exports iind imports must bc adjusted to consI;ltll doll:~rs,eliminatin~~ l l cmislead-

ing effects of price inflation. Also, bccawie of thc iissocicltcd rise in thc exchange value of t l ~ cCanadian dollar, the trade deal has significarltly affccted our trade with the rest of the world. Consequently, the following analysis is based on global rather tliari bilateral tradc data alone. Wliilc cumulative exports for the first three years of frce trade show an increase of $46.7-billion compared with the preceding three-year pcriod, global imports cxpandcd by $74. I-b~llionover tlie same pcrtod. In fact, imports from all countries have exceedcd exports since 1988, when imports surgcd by some S IS-billion under the inipetus ol'a 10 per cent rise in the exchange rate for thc Canadian dollar. Thus the principal impact of the freetrade iigreenicnt has becn to expand iniports at a ratc 58.5 per cent greater thiin for exports, rcsulting in a cumulative trade deficit of 627.4-billion since January, 1989. This pcrvcrse result clcarly dctnonstrates thc. failurc of thc agrccment to benefit the cconomy arid reveiils the immediate cause ofcanada's current reccssioti. The main selling point for the trade deal was tlic proniisc of "jobs. jobs, jobs," which was endorsed by most economic soothsayers. However, the growth in the employment rate began to declitic r:lpidly in 1989 and stopped altogether in April, 1990 (correspondi~igwith the rising level of imports :IIII! tlv w o r ~ r ~ ~ tr:~dr i ~ i v t~1:111re)('om-

pared with January, 1989, there are now 100,000 fewer Canadians employed, and u~ie~nploymcnt has swollen by 423,000. To place these figures in perspective, it should be noted that an additional 225,000 jobs are required every year to accommodate new entrants into the labour force, because o f continuing population growth. For comparison purposes, from January, 1983, to J;i~~unry,1980, total employment grew by an avcrage o f 325,000 jobs a year, which contrasts sharply with iln average annual loss o f 34,600 jobs since the trade pact came into force. The employnlent situation will u~idoubtedlydeteriorate further in 1992 as a result of contirluing business failurcs and plant closings. The massive growth o f imports hiu more than nullified any possible benefits from tariff reductioris resulting from the trade agreelncnt. Since January, 1989, industrial production has dccliried by some f 10-bilIior~(7.5 pcr cent), gross donwstic product has remained essentially static, and the balawe o f payments has dcterioratcd by some $10-billion (73 per cent), o f which i~lmost $5-billion is attributable to incrcascd interest payments on forcign dcbt.

B Y

every mcasure, free trade will1 the United States has had a catastrophic in~pact011 thc Canadii~nccononiy. I t is no accident that the onset o f economic decline coincided with the implenientation o f the deal, or that Canada's economy sank into recessio~~ well before any o f our niajor trading partners wcre anectcd by the downturn in the world busi~iesscyclc. Clei~rly tlic free-trade agreement has failed to 1nee1any o f its declared objectives. Indecd. its singular achicvemcnt has been the exp;insion of imports, rcsultitlg in a whopp~ngdeficitin Canildil's trade biilance tililt itlrcatly has precipitated an ovcrall loss of somc 369,000 jobs in Ci~nadiangoodsproducing industrics. Apart from the calan~iloustrade rcsults, thc tradc agrcenicnt suffers from the following flaws: I. Failure to deal with changes in the exchangc value of the Ca~r;~dian dollar Illat rcsult from monetilry policies dictated by the Group of Seven economic summit. The risc in thc dolli~r'svalue sincc 1987 is tantamount to an across-the-boardtarin barrier of about 20 per cent on'illl cxports to the United States (far exceeding the magnitude o f the U.S. tariffs that the agreement was supposed to eliminate).

2. Failurc to resolve the issue o f indus. trial subsidies before the deal was ratified, thereby allowing U.S. businesses to intensify their harassment o f Canadian export. ers. Therefore, it seems inevitable that, i f and when the subsidy question is ad. dressed, any settlement wdl be based on termsdictated by the United States. 3. Acceptance o f inherent constraints in the agreement on the development and exploitation o f Canadian energy and natural resources that effectively neutralize any "comparative advantage" Canada might otlicrwisc possess. Specifically, Canada is required to provide unrestricted U.S. access to its rcsourccs and to sell such exports at thesame price as for the domestic market. 4. Failure to obtain exem tion from existing and future U.S. trade which supersede the provisio~lso f the free-tradc agreement in all cases. Conscquently, the supposcd safeguards in the FTA (including disputc settlement) are effectively nullified. And there is nothing to prcvent the United States from unilaterally enacting new laws to circumvent ally provisions o f the agreement that Washingto11considers inimical to its intcrcsts. Considering all this, it is difficult to understand why the Can;dian government chose to ratif the agreenwnt before resolving its crucia sliortcomings. Furthermore, in 1987 when tlic tradc ncgohtions wcre in their final stages, the C:~nadianeconomy wils enjoying unprecedented prosperity, and there was no evidence o f ally credible necd to gamble on free tradc. So, lrce trade with the United States has 1 proved to be a disaster, in terms o f shrink111gtrade balances, massivejob losses and a cri pling rise in our balance o f payments dc ait. Moreover, given the unprecedented lcvel o f business bankruptcies and the emigration o f manufacturmg plimts to the United Statcs or Mexico, there seems to be little prospect ofany signilicant recovery in the foreseeable futurc. Indeed. the present trcnds must surely lead to the de-intlustrializi~tiono f Canada. Thc cruciid question for Cani~diansis how much longer wc are prcpared to suffer ~ h cruinous handicaps caused by this ill-conceived experinient. Our government must be persui~dedto terminate it before thc damage to Canada's cconomy bcconies irrcversiblc. I

ks.

John L. Orr, u rcrirecl profissiuntrl unginerr tmd uflicid oj' ~ k fi(lem1 e rle crrmenr uf inil~r~lry, is arrre1111.v n ~ccl~rru ugy conslrhat~lin Vicluricr.

ACTION C A N A D A NETWORK (BC) Annual General Meeting A few i s s u e s ago an a r t i c l e was i n h e r e about a r e s o l u t i o n adopted by t h e BC Fede r a t i o n o f Labour. A f t e r 8 y e a r s , members agreed t o support & work w i t h c o a l i t i o n s again. . s p e c i f i c a l l y w i t h t h e Action Canada Network. The n a t i o n a l Action Canada Network i n c l udes labour, f a r m e r ' s , women's, Aboriginal, a n t i - p o v e r t y , environmental, peace, church and s e n i o r c i t i z e n s ' groups. The purpose -

Some of t h e member groups a r e Oxfam, Carnegie C e n t r e A s s o c i a t i o n , DERA, Hospita l Employees' Union, Vancouver & D i s t r i c t Labour Council, Tin Wis C o a l i t i o n , End L e g i s l a t e d Poverty, Canadian Autoworkers' Western O f f i c e , UFAWU, BC Teachers' Federa t i o n , P r o v i n c i a l Council o f Carpenters, t h e Confederation of Canadian Unions, CUPE Metro D i s t r i c t Council, and more. A p a r t i a l l i s t o f t h i n g s ACN (BC) h a s 'We b e l i e v e t h e Canada-US f r e e t r a d e d e a l done i n t h e p a s t y e a r * organized a T r i a l o f Brian Mulroney and and t h e proposed t r a d e d e a l w i t h Mexico a Goodbye Brian P a r t y f o r t h e Oct.26th a r e t h e c e n t r e p i e c e of a l a r g e r s t r a t e g y National Day o f Action (Enough i s Enough); t o r e s t r u c t u r e Canada a l o n g c o n t i n e n t a l i s t and market-oriented l i n e s . We i n t e n d * organized an a l t e r n a t e news conference t o oppose t h e r i g h t wing Debt Freedom cont o continue t h e s t r u g g l e t o e n s u r e t h a t f e r e n c e i n Vancouver; Canada's f u t u r e is shaped by and f o r * produced 5 d i s t r i b u t e d , through t h e BC people, not p r o f i t s Working Group on Canada-Mexico f r e e t r a d e , ACN (BC) used t o b e c a l l e d t h e C o a l i t i o n Que Pasa, a t a b l o i d on how t h e proposed Against "Free" Trade. With t h i s new co-op- t r a d e d e a l w i l l a f f e c t BC; e r a t i o n from t h e BC Fed, it seemed b e s t t o * produced, through Repeal t h e Deal Prog e t a working s t r u c t u r e s e t up & have t h e d u c t i o n s , a v i d e o c a l l e d "We Can Say Now BC c o a l i t i o n ' s purpose & g o a l s w r i t t e n o u t on t h e impact o f t h e d e a l on Canada; so we had an annual g e n e r a l meeting. * d i s t r i b u t e d "We Can Say No" i n BC; * h e l d a conference & demonstration aga i n s t f r e e t r a d e with Mexico i n June '91. There w i l l b e a group meeting on how ACN (BC) & t h e BC Fed can work t o g e t h e r & t h e s e o b j e c t i v e s were adopted a t t h e AGM: - To f i g h t t h e f r e e t r a d e d e a l s and suppo r t each o t h e r i n o u r s t r u g g l e s a g a i n s t t h e g l o b a l c o r p o r a t e agenda a s r e f l e c t e d i n f e d e r a l c o n s t i t u t i o n a l proposals, c u t s t o s o c i a l & c u l t u r a l programs, GATT, p r i v a t i z a t i o n , deregulation, competitive poverty, r y c . ; - To develop & promote p o l i c i e s t h a t w i l l s e r v e people, & promote e q u i t a b l e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f wealth & power; - To s h a r e information 4 educate on issues t h a t a f f e c t u s ; - To develop & implement campaigns/action - To be an e f f e c t i v e p a r t o f t h e n a t i o n a l Action Canada Network. When people were h e r e i n November & December from South A f r i c a , t h e P h i l l i p i n e s & IMexico, t h e y t a l k e d about common problems i n c o a l i t i o n s . . .& l e f t what t h e y c a l l "Terms of Endearment " : '

c o a l i t i o n members agree t o 1 . Agree on t h e o b j e c t i v e s 2 . operate by consensus a s f a r a s p o s s i b l e 3 . Try t o a t t e n d meetings so t h e i r input w i l l be heard; 4. submit t h e i r group's p o s i t i o n s f o r d i s cussion when needed ( r a t h e r than abandon t h e c o a l i t i o n i f t h e r e ' s disagreemt; 5. Try t o be p a t i e n t & t o l e r a n t ; 6 . Respect t h e d i f f e r e n t experiences and ways of operating of o t h e r c o a l i t i o n members & t r y t o l e a r n from them; 7. Keep t h e i r groups informed of t h e coali t i o n ' s work & keep t h e c o a l i t i o n i n formed of t h e i r group's p o s i t i o n and involvement; 8. Consciously t r y t o h e a r people from s e c t o r s t h a t have been oppressed o r s i l enced & l e a v e space f o r them t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n meaningful ways; 9 . Try t o have a sense of humour.

Written f o r t h e C a r n e g i e N e w s l e t t e r Home wears a s t r a n g e v a r i e t y o f f a c e s ; i s m i s s i n g from t h e e m p t i n e s s o f s t r e e t s ; f a k e s p r o m i s e s when t h e p r o m i s e s a r e p l e n t y ; a c a u s e o f t e a r s when company one s e e k s . I look a s i f t h e world t r e a t s me w i t h k i n d n e s s , a s i f I have whatever one might need, C a r n e g i e on t h e c o r n e r , and t h e n s, d o o r s , a f e e l o f l i f e d i d n o t s e e me

.....

H i l a r y Meeroff

TO MlCKIE I bathed you, Smelled t h e clean baby h a i r , Lifted you high above me, You grabbed a t my f a c e , l i t t l e hands And then you smiled. A red-headed t o d d l e r careening In black l e o t a r d s , c o l l i d i n g With a c o f f e e t a b l e , down and crying, I l i f t e d you high above me; k i s s e d An imagined h u r t , t h e n you smiled.

You turned your pages quickly, Soon b i r t h d a y s , p a r t i e s . a n d weddings, Where you kissed and hugged Parents, Aunts and o l d Uncles. Your smile made our c a r e s seem s i l l y .

These l a s t l e a v e s and I a r e Autumn For we share o u r knowledge Of s t a r k t r e e s , shadows and v i o l e n c e . We recognize t h e next season r e l u c t a n t l y , But we don't want you t o know. For Winter is God's s e c r e t . A mystery he w i l l never share. In Winter, my Winter, a blanket 'Of snow and e a r t h around my shoulders, Sleeping with l e a v e s u n t i l we a r e mold. F l u t t e r i n g , whirling then reposing, sad leaves, Since you a r e n e a r , The l e a v e s smile a t me. Since you a r e near, I smile back at them. Tom S c o t t (back from a 3 years, 7 months s l e e p )

I f Fate e r r e d and m i s t r e a t e d you, A l l of your I r i s h - C a t h o l i c s a i n t s

Would scream and beat t h e i r b r e a s t s , Condemning those who would sadden you, And deprive u s of your smile. What a mournful wind, b i t i n g a t limbs, How busy i s t h i s rugged wind, sending Trembling l e a v e s t o g a t h e r a t o u r f e e t , AS you and I watch your daughter p l a y In a p i l e of Nature's golden, dented l o c k e t s . Spring i s l i k e your daughter, Both tender and g e n t l e from inception, Sharing t h e wonderment of Nature's b i r t h s A l l l i f e i s wrapped and s h e l t e r e d In a s o f t blanket of innocence. And Mickie you a r e l i k e Summer F e r t i l e summer, a r i p e n e s s i n your cheeks, Carrying your husband's baby o u t l i n e d Beneath your tweed coat. Laugh and Watch your bundled daughter play.

I t i s l i k e a t e l e g r a m , a n o n - s t o p message, The S t r e e t s p e a k s a l l day, a l l n i g h t , People o f d i f f e r e n t walks o f l i f e a r e t h e r e , The S t r e e t s p e a k s from one p e r s o n t o a n o t h e r , The S t r e e t i s l i k e a f a m i l y , I t p r o t e c t s i t s own k i n d , The b a r e s i d e w a l k n e v e r s l e e p s e v e r , The S t r e e t can b e c o l d o r h o t sometimes, But t h e S t r e e t s u r v i v e s always..

Barry Saunders