er-crossing on Sunday, 18 October. People attended from Canada, the US & Mexico t o make a united statement against the North American Free Trade Agreement. Following i s a report that appears i n E L P ' s October Action Line:
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r i v e r s by corporations who c a r e more abodt p r o f i t s than about c h i l d r e n dying from leukemia, hunger and di3ease. He s a i d t h a t a t r a d e d e a l would be ok f it was f a i r . F a i r t r a d e would mean t h a t orkers a r e n ' t v i o l a t e d , t h a t environments r e n t t v i o l a t e d , t h a t t h e r e Id be h e a l t h a r e , choice 6 e q u a l i t y f o r women. F a i r ould be t h e wealthy paying t h e i r share. He pleaded with people t o hold f a s t t o Jesse Jackson speaks a g a i n s t NAFTA ______________-__--__________________________________----______________________________ h e i r values i n t r o u b l e d times. There were , The r a i n was pouring down a s brave s o u l s any s t r u g g l e s t h a t came before t h i s one & i gathered a t t h e Hands Across Borders Event LOW, more than ever, "We need t o t u r n t o a t t h e Peace Arch on Oct.18th. Union orgalard each o t h e r . . n o t on each o t h e r . " n i z e r s , anti-poverty a c t i v i s t s & farm wor"Don1 t h a t e Koreans, don1t have Mexicans, k e r s attended from Canada. Mexico & t h e US !cc1t hate t h e Taiwanese. A l l of u s a r e t o p r o t e s t t h e NWI'A. lhey came iu iisteii tacing an aggressive a s s a u i t oii rn-; ll=.ir,g t o a l i n e of speakers who described t h e standards 4 t h i s a s s a u l t i s c a l l e d f r e e d e s t r u c t i v e corporate agenda t h a t i s shovtrade," he s a i d . ing f r e e t m d e down t h e t h r o a t s of working He described t h e t r a d e agreement a s a people & t h e poor around t h e world. 'Fast t r a c k downward t o t h e bottom l i n e t t . Speakers were accompanied by More than a 4e s a i d it was about de-development & was i Paycheck & t h e Rebel Voices. They sang songs, incauding %C1s Poverty Line song, & a p o l i c y of d e p r i v a t i o n . He explained t h a t f r e e t r a d e was p a r t of t h e agenda t o c u t celebrated our c o l l e c t i v e s t r u g g l e s with wages, t o p r i v a t i z e g o v l t s e r v i c e s and t o , music from~oallt h r e e c o u n t r i e s . lower s a f e t y & environmental standards. He The speakers included labour types, envnoted t h a t i n t h e meantime schools were ironmentalists, Audrey McLaughlin & t h e closing & 40 m i l l i o n people i n t h e S t a t e s very funny Elaine Bernard from Harvard. a r e without medical insurance. He s a i d t h e Miriam Palacios spoke on behalf of t h e Aci n t e r n a t i o n a l companies a r e now dismb i g t i o n Canada Network. She a l s o introduced a n t l i n g t h e Canadian medicare system. Jorge Calderon, a PRD (Mexican opposition The t r a d e d e a l i s about Mulroney & Bushp a r t y ) human r i g h t s worker who described getting public r a t i f i c a t i o n f o r private t h e Mexican government s t e r r i b l e record i n both human & worker's r i g h t s . He s p ~ k e d e a l s t h a t only serve t o lower everyone1s standards. Jackson s a i d t h a t Bush i s using o f i b h i s s t r u g g l e i n l i f e & death terms. tlie %lore jobs" argument. More d o e s n ' t Jesse Jackson was t h e next speaker. The mean b e t t e r . "Once t h e r e was f u l l employSun s t a r t e d peaking out from behind t h e ment f o r African American people and t h a t clouds & t h e c h i l d r e n , sensing excitement, was c a l l e d s l a ~ e r y ,he~ ~s a i d . stopped whining & lugging a t t h e i r soggy When t h e speeches were over p a r e n t s parents, In a powerful & hyponotic voice, gathered t h e i r c h i l d r e n & walked with t h e Jesse Jackson t o l d t h e s t o r y of two r i v e r s o t h e r s towards t h e Peace Arch. Our c h i l d - t h e Rio Grande 4 t h e S t . Lawrence - and r e n witnessed people from a l l 3 c o u n t r i e s t a l k e d about t h e t r a d e d e a l . He described singing " S o l i d a r i t y . V t h e r i c h h i s t o r y of t h e p e o p l e o n a l l side: Reverend J e s s e Jackson s a i d t o them, of t h e r i v e r s & of t h e degradation of t h e "For those weary i n t h e s t r u g g l e t h e r e i s hope. There i s a new generation who can work f o r h e a l t h c a r e & decent jobs. I t is time t o r e i n v e s t ij r e b u i l d . I t i s time t o r a i s e the standar world, not lower them this .I"
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On Tuesday, Oct . 6 t h o f t h i s year, Came g i e Centre held a launch f o r a book c a l l e !'The Wind Cannot Read". I t was t h e b i g g e s t t h i n g 15 t h e Carnegie Centre was proud t o share it with t h e r e s of t h e world. The poems E s t o r i e s a r e from d i f f e r e n t Cultures E ages. I t took t h r e e y e a r s t o make t h i s book. A l l t h e w r i t i n g was from t h e c i t y E f r o around t h e province of B.C. It is amazing how many people c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h i s book. The people who came t o t h e launching of t h i s book were from CBC r a d i o , King Ed., F i r s t United Church Learners E t h e Women' Centre. I t g i v e s me g r e a t p l e a s u r e t o say thank you t o you a l l f o r coming. We c o u l d n ' t I
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e c t s of t h i s c a p i t a l E i t s s t r u c t u r e s on LIIG - i i i d i ~ i d i i dis tlie ~ i i i p iiiiddle t~ ihi-oirgh" which t h e opposing l i n k s t r a v e l i n t h e i r own s o l i p s i s t i c c i r c l e s . ~ 1 .
-Was c e r t a i n t h e p o s i t i o n we were t o take was a l o o f , formal, commendable. We would be capable of g r e a t unthinkings, excruciat i n g l y exact persona i n our new p o i s e s , f a r beyond c r i t i c i s m from moral o r p o l i t i c a l warrants. Our jobs, you know, a r e etched t r a n s p a r e n c i e s i n t o which we f i t ourselves our odours, our p r i s m a t i c b l u r o f being. Lines drawn, t h e f o r t e s g a t h e r themselve s t o t h e f r o n t , each i n d i v i d u a l a l i n k i n t h e chain composed of opposing s i d e s . The meetiing of r e $ i s t a n c e s always compromises t h e i n t e g r i t y of both s i d e s , o r r a t h e r t h e i n t e g r i ~ yof both s i d e s i s i n t h e s t a s i s of opposition i t s e l f i n t h e twinning mutua l i t y of d e f i n i t i o n E dependence. The s i e g e i s c a ~ i t a l6- t h e ~ s y c h o l o e i c a l
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Which you might have d i f f i c u l t y l o c a t i n g crabby a s you a r e with a r t i f a c t p e r s o n a l i t i e s , d i r t y coinage. The boundaries t h a t a r e your s e l f - d e f i n i t i o n , your ' i n t e g r i t y ' a r e f a n t a s i e s of sense (YSafetytt) i n l i f e where "dangeru i s perceived a s a chain of p o s s i b l e unplanned s c e n a r i o s around your neck. I
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By Gordon Clark Staff Reporter
The man who turned Vancouver's "skid row" into the "downtown eastside" is stepping down. Jim Green announced his resignation yesterday as organizer of the Downtown Eastside Residents Association. But Green, 49, isn't leaving the neighborhood he's fought for over the past dozen years. In six weeks he'll take up duties as organizer of a new communitybased bank being established by
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"It's kind of funny for a guy who has trouble balancing his cheque book," said Green, who lost a bid for mayor against Gordon Campbell in the last civic election. Green said he's wanted to leave DERA for about two years because he wanted new challenges. The new bank will use union, pension, church and government funds to help finance community developments, Green said. "The basic principle that we'll try to adopt is using ethical investment funds in the community, especially in h n ~ i s i ninitiatives. ~
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"We would hope to bring people from the community together to set up a board that can present interests of the community." The bank will also offer chequing and savings accounts and loans for jhe neighborhood's mostly low-income residents whom large banks have refused to serve. The bank is modelled after the South Shore Bank in Chicago which helped transform that neighborhood, he said. Green recently visited Chicago with Clark and others to study the -. bank and its principles.
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J i m Green h a s r e s i g n e d a s t h e Organizer f o r DERA (aowntown East s i d e R e s i d e n t s ' ~ s s o c i a t i o n ) .He had been i n t h i s job 12 y e a r s $:inas s t a t e d a t t h e monthly members h i p meeting i n Carnegie, t h i s announcement was " l e t o u t of t h e bagu t h e i d a y before. J i m w i l l b e working with DERA a s a cons u l t a n t f o r t h e n e x t 4-5 weeks on ongoing housing p r o j e c t s , a s w e l l a s h e l p i n g t o t r a i n & o r i e n t t h e new o a g a n i z e r . Since t h e t r o u b l e w i t h i n t h e DERA organisation i n t h e e a r l y spring t h i s year, t h e r e have~)beenmany changes i n b o t h t h e f i n a n c i a l systems used & t h e s t r u c t u r e of board/employee/management r e l a t i o n s h i p s . No one has been t t a p p o i n t e d n a s t h e new o r g a n i z e r . There i s a Personnel Committee which makes job d e s c r i p t i o n s , a Finance Committee t o examine a l l a s p e c t s o f funding & budgets, a Fundraising Committee t o perform t h e f u n c t i o n i t s name mandates, a R e s t r u c t u r i n g Committee t o propose d i f f e r e n t / b e t t e r methods o f i n t e r n a l change, a H i r i n g Committee t o p o s t p o s i t i o n s & i n t e r v i e w a p p l i c a n t s . A t l e a s t 2 committe e s a r e involved d i r e c t l y i n h i r i s g a new o r g a n i z e r , beginning w i t h Personnel & a job d e s c r i p t i o n , t h e n H i r i n g it s e l f . There w i l l b e an i n t e r i m manager f o r a few weeks 6 t h e s t a f f i n t h e o f f i c e E a t a l l DERA-managed b u i l d i n g s w i l l c a r r y on with t h e i r u s u a l competence.
An o r g a n i s a t i o n c a l l e d "SAVE THE WORLDFOUNDATION" made a d o n a t i o n o f $5,000 t o DERA; t h $ y t d had a f u n d r a i s i n g e v e n t & g o t more t h a n t h e y ' d hoped t o g e t , s o gave t h e : ' e x t r a ' t o DERA. Hopefully a f u n d r a i s e r j u s t f o r DERA w i l l happen, i f t h e y a g r e e t o h e l p . The DERA Housing S o c i e t y & DERA , need t o r a i s e $120,000 t h i s y e a r i n o r d e r t o maintain t h e present l e v e l o f services.
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WOODWWtS & I G A c l o s i n g down A t t h i s f i n a l g e n e r a l meeting w i t h J i m Green a s o r g a n i z e r , h e r a i s e d t h e sudden . announcement o f t h e c l o s i n g o f t h e IGA Food Floor, l a s t day being F r i d a y , Nov 13 and Woodward's i t s e l f on J a n . 31. About 4 y e a r s ago, DERA began lobbying g o v t t & a number o f b u s i n e s s o r g a n i z a t i o n s w i t h a p r o p o s a l o f making t h e b u i l d i n g i n t o a m u l t i - u s e f a c i l i t y : housing, medical 4 health clinic, childcare service, rebail s t o r e s , community s e r v i c e s & market. The worst s c e n a r i o would b e t o s e e t h e s i t e boarded up f o r y e a r s ; t h e 2nd-worst would have it become t h e s i t e f o r more h i g h r i s e 6 h i g h r e n t condos w i t h no community i n p u t ( l i k e t h e Baso development on Main). The l i a r d e s t - h i t by t h i s c l o s i n g w i l l b e s e n i o r s & r e s i d e n t s who used t h e b u i l d i n g as a d a i l y - n e e d s r e l i e v e r . I t ' s t h e f u t u r e of t h i s f a c i l i t y t h a t DERA & o u r community must d i r e c t . By PAULR
TAYLOR
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lgovytfight lleaves war By Shelley Browne Special to The Province
PRlNCE RUPERT - War is an option to force Canadians to recognize aboriginal self-government, says Miles Richardson of the Council of Haida Nations. "I'm not saying it's a realistic option, but it is an option." Richardson told a panel discussion on self-government at the 13th annual assembly of the North Coast Tribal Council that nations around the globe turned to civil war and fighting to settle differences. He said while natives "are not going out and looking for another Oka," they have been "stomped on for too long," and must assert their sovereignty and nationhood. "The critical time. . . is now," he said. "We have the biggest opportunity since those sailboats first came to our shores to have native self-governmentrecognized." Richardson said this aboriginal fight $i< 2 ~ : .&f! fg!nrp d the CharlottRown accorp on Monday. He said the accord "was the ~roductof our continuing determi-
To make an 'X1 on a p i e c e of paper, t h e d w = [ s i t back t o wait E s e e what happens To -be disappointed, even outraged when nothing does happen t h a t b e n e f i t s t h e ' X ' A~~~~ maker ThE2ie~amrsigBqo f L , t o t a l ,p o & & t i c a lidiocy, p r a c t i c e d by Canadians, Americans, BbitiSh . . t o name only 3 parliamentary democracies Only when t h e v o t e is backed by a Right of Recall, a s p r o t e c t i o n from t h e i r own d e p u t i e s / p o l i t i c i a n s , i s t h e parliamentary system o f any meaningful value t o us. With t h i s r i g h t o f r e c a l l it would be i n h e r e n t on people who v o t e t o have knowledge of t h e l o g i c a l development of our s o c i e t y - u s u a l l y termed 'progressive1., s o c o r r e c t G f l e x i b l e t a c t i c s could be empeloyed t o reach goals. P r a c t i c e without theory i s b l i n d , i n e p t . Theory without p r a c t i c e i s f u t i l e . a windbag's p a r a d i s e l
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i People s a i d "no." The m a j o r i t y . I t ' s always been p o s s i b l e t o come up w i t h a C o n s t i t u t i o n t h a t i s j u s t & f a i r , b u t p o l i t i c i a n s a r e s o used t o p l a y i n g t o v e s t e d i n t e r e s t s . . n o t a l l , b u t most. What's i n c r e d i b l e i s t h a t 75% of e l i g i b l e v o t e r s v o t e d . P e o p l e on b o t h s i d e s found t h e i r Voice. T h e r e ' s going t o b e an e l e c t i o n i n 1993. P o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s , w e l l , e x p e c t g r e a t p u b l i c a g o n i z i n g o v e r " l e s s o n s l e a r n e d " & "new d e a l s " & " l i s t e n i n g I' Most p o l i t i c i a n s f r o n t f o r t h e i r c o r p o r a t e / c a p i t a l poyers t h a t we n e v e r s e e .
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Income i s d i s t r i b u t e d unevenly i n Canada. The personal income o f t h e p o o r e s t 20% o f Canadians i s 4% of t h e n a t i o n f s t o t a l i n come, while t h e r i c h e s t 20% of t h e populat i o n g e t 43% of t o t a l earned income. (F. 1) Wealth can be thought of i n terms'of land, p e r s o n a l p r o p e r t y , s t o c k holdings & s o on. The w e a l t h i e s t 20% of Canadians hold 69% of a l l Canada's n e t wealth. The p o o r e s t 20% o f Canadians havenht any n e t wealth because t h e i r d e b t s a r e l a r g e r than t h e i r a s s e t s . (F.2)
who Gets CanadaRichest 20%
D EIcxt to Richest 20% Middle 20%
Next tc Poorest 20% Who Pays Taxes? Poorest 20% A s a r e s u l t o f f e d e r a l Conservative govBig Business g e t s t a x breaks. In 1987, ernment t a x changes s i n c e 1984, a f a m i i y 118,162 p r o f i t a b l e companies with a t o t a l of f o u r w i t h an annual income of $24,000 of $25 b i l l i o n i n p r o f i t s paid no t a x a t pays more t h a n 40% more i n t a x e s , while a a l l . (F.4) wealthy f a m i l y pays 6% l e s s i n income t a x . While t h e tax burden i s s e t t l e d on t h e There may n o t b e simple s o l u t i o n s t o a l l s h o u l d e r s o f i n d i v i d u a l taxpayers, p r o f i t - of Canada's economic problems, b u t t h e r e a b l e c o r p o r a t i o n s pay l i t t l e o r no t a x e s . a r e some p o l i c i e s t h a t would c l e a r l y i m A --l n r g ~ fF, l a r g e r n m n l t n t n f f e d e r a l 5 o v f t prove t h e l i v e s of most Canadians. These revenue i s coming from i n d i v i d u a l income i n c l u d e f a i r income t a x e s , t a x e s on weai i i i i n h e r i t a n c e & c a p i t a l g a i n s , c l o s i n g corpt a x i n s t e a d of c o r p o r a t e t a x . (F.3) o r a t e t a x loopholes & clamping down on c o r p o r a t e t a x c h e a t e r s - and c a n c e l l i n g t h e "Free" Trade Agreement. * -
Ownershipaof Wealth
Ontario C o a 1 i t i o n ; ' f o r S o c i a l J u s t i c e
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Eichest 20%
Middle 40%
B Poorest 40%
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It's pretty scary having to fight for the unity of Canada alongside people you'd just as soon lived somewhere else
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Bramalea 1989 Brascade Resources 1989 Confederation Life Ins. 1989 Great Lakes Groups 1989 Suncor 1989 Weldwood of Canada 1989
Knothead says... ~t seenyi t g mqttex qomehw M we've chosen t h i s l i f e o r n o t , when you consider our i n s i s t e n c e on being somebody, having an i d e n t i t y . so who s e n t u s h e r e ? Are we trapped i n t h i s l i f e t i m e a g a i n s t our w i l l ? E i t h e r t h e i n t e r r e l a t i o n s h i p of a bunch of chemicals, which i s our body, c r e a t e s an i l l u s i o n t h a t somebody's home- o r someu body r e a l l y i s here, t a k i n g advantage of t h i s animal space s u i t t o walk around i n & l i v e l i k e t h i s on something c a l l e d a plane t , experiencing time, space E personal history. The 20th centruy i s hard ground t o t a k e root i n . I f we a r e chemicals c r e a t i n g an i l l u s i o n of i d e n t i t y , our e x i s t e n c e i s nothing more than a s t r a n g e drug t r i p - a r o l l of d i c e i n t h e t e s t t u b e of space dec i d e s our f a t e . Do we have t h e a b i l i t y t o t h i n k f o r ours e l v e s ? O r a r e t f o u r f tthoughts j u s t t h e buzz we g e t o f f t h e a c c i d e n t a l combination of t h i n g s we know l i t t l e o r nothing about? I t seems, t o m a t t e r what you b e l i e v e t h e r e ' s t h e experience of chemistiy t h e universe p u t s t o g e t h e r & t a k e s a p a r t , and t h e r e ' s t h e d r i v e r of your own v e h i c l e , f r e e t o d e l i v e r t h i s b i o l o g i c a l machine o n , any road. Meanwhile t h e universe says>don1 t
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h a t nobody - an i l l u s i o n c r e a t e d bv chemicals. . a r e we nothing & something a t t h e same time? Is t h i s what's c a l l e d a paradox? .(PARA: Beside, p a s t , beyond; DOXA: opinion -"A t h i n g c o n f l i c t i n g with preconceived notions o f what i s possible") Maybe t h e universe i s an uneven playing f i e l d of i l l u s i o n beginning from & ending i n o b l i v i o n (OBLIVIO-ONIS: "To be f o r g o t t 'en o r dis-used") - a r e we picked up, used, reused & c a s t a s i d e , f o r a l l e t e r n i t y ? . I f we a r e , doesn't t h a t make our e x i s t e n c e I t o t a l l y meaningless & unnecessary? / Who i s t h e user? How can an i l l u s i o n of i i d e n t i t y be used & f o r what i s it useful? I i s t h e r e any r e a l l a s t i n g value t o humI I an h i s t o r y - a r e a l l t h e s e d a i l y soap ope r a s going anywhere a t a l l ? Are we only t h e changing dream of sense surrounded by s o l i d s l e e p & o b l i v i o n , . l i k e t h e shake says: "such s t u f f a s dreams a r e made on". . ? Some people seem t o be a b l e t o do nothing r i g h t , & o t h e r s t o do anything they want t o with appaTent ease. Some claim t o have mental & emotional communications with everything around them 6 o t h e r s f e e l confined t o t h e i r own thoughts & perceptions. Tf we could g e t r i d of a l l f a l s e o r i l l u s i o n a r y experience, would we have then d e s t ~ o y e do u r s e l v e s completely? I f t h e
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The referendum dance i s a f a m i l i a r dance f o r anyone who has ever watched t h e evening news. o r read any paper. anywhere. I Whatever way you v o t e o r think o r what your p o l i t i c s o r f e e l i n g s a r e , t h e dance i s always t h e sape. 'Well f o l k s you've got two ways t o g e t screwed; which way would v ou p r e f e r ? ' To me it sounds l i k e a c a r n i v a l barker , e Y l l i n g about s e l l i n g you 2 b a l l s f o r a bluck i n a game t h a t ' s f i x e d , and i f you h it t h e t a r g e t ( u n l i k e l y ) you win a cup : h a t ' s been glued 46 times & w i l l break )efore you g e t out of t h e area.. The a d v e r t i z i n g is\/saying "why f i x it i f j~t a i n l t broken?" and I say, "yeah, i n ,some ways, i n p e o p l e ' s h e a r t s i t 1s broken 1m t you d o n ' t know how t o f i x it so q u i t lying t o us." For a long time people have been thinking t h e r e ' s a Canada f o r t h e r i c h (people Io r provinces), then t h e r e ' s a Canada f o r the poor (people o r provinces). For a l o n g time people have been l i v i n g with t h i s . If v o ~ lwant t o s t o p a b i l l from b&ing passed J -you have t o have t h e resources - people, power & money. I f you endorse a b'ill i t ' s *I ,=..A, nn I v + r r n t h n7rn-i I n h l m t ~ 1 ?1s i iilrqinn ---------, t h e saluc t>liiig - pccple, pC?"er 6 m o n e y . don't we have t o j u s t continue on a s i f In t h i s referendum thing, governments may it' s t r u e ? g e t a l i t t l e more o r a l i t t l e l e s s , but Why i s it t h a t some t h i n g s s t a y t h e same ordinary people g e t next t o nothing y e t / no m a t t e r what you?do t o them whkle o t h e r s token p o l i t e n e s s convinces us we're g e t t j change t h e minute you touch them? Has some ing more t o say, more power. I know damn t h i n g (nothing) f o r g o t t e n i t s n a t u r e t o well g o v l t doesn't give anything away, est h e p o i n t where it b e l i e v e s i t s e l f t o be p e c i a l l y p o l i t i c a l power. I saw one person nothing (something) ? (a p o l i t i c i a n I b e l i e v e ) say t h a t t o f i x 1 The universe w i l l l e t u s see, but it t h e economy, t o f i x Canada, you f i r s t have w i l l n o t l e t u s be. We're given a s e r i e s t o f i x t h e e n t i r e system of government. of s i t u a t i o n s , each one o f f e r e d then taken I ~ e l l ,t h a t ' s what most people have been away again. The o v e r - a l l p l a n seems t o be saying for decades. ''Keep them moving" - never allowing "perm~ ~ v won1 l t t l o s e any power, people won't anencew of i d e n t i t y o r f i n a l selfhood t o gainany power, and s t i l l t h e gov't does occur. Is time h o s t i l e t o permanence, & must we now give up our a d d i c t i o n t o i t ?
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n o t work a s i s . . People a r e a g a i n s t u c k w i t h "Well, t h a t ' s a l l we've g o t because we h a v e n ' t g o t a n y t h i n g e l s e . . . . . . . 11 f i a t a wonderful t h o u g h t ! Wetye g- o t something everyone knows does n o t work. We're b e i n g asked t o b e c o n t e n t t o buy a c a r f o r l o t s of money t h a t won't s t a r t 6 w i l l n e v e r go anywhere..G keep it f o r 4 o r 5 y e a r s i n s p i t e o f it n o t working. We do i t a l l t h e time, e v e r y time we a r e lucky enough t o v o t e .
Common questions and answers about Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security
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65 years of age. The first cheque arrives a month' after the pensioner's ' birthday. Q:' If a person never worked in Canada, is her or she entitled to OAS? A: Yes, as long as he or she meets the residency requirements. Q: What i s t h e r e s i d e n c y requirement? A: As of July 1, 1977, the federal government introduced requirements applicable to people who were under age 25 on July 1, 1977, and to anyone who was not a resident prior to that date. The rules say that: a) A full OAS benefit is payable to anyone with 40 years of residence alter age 18; b) A proportionate amount is payable to those who have at least 1C years of residence, but less than 40 years. For example, someone with 20 years' residence would receive half oi the full benefit. Q: If a person is 65 but does not have 40 years of residence in Canada, is he or she entitled to any pension?
Programs. Prolonged: "a disability is proQ: What is the n ~ ~ x i m u Paym longed only if it is determined in prement under the CPP? scribed manner that such a disability is A: The CPP was introduced by the likely to be long continued and of Federal Government on January 1, indefinite duration or is likelv to result 1966. Anyone who paid the maxi- in death." mum contribution up to December 31, Q: Is there a period of time for 1 9 9 1 , is entitled to $636.11 Per which a person must contribute month. Anyone eligible for the maxi- before being eligible-for disability mum of both CPP and OAS gets benefits? $1,010.18 a month. A: A person must have contributed Q: What happens if a person for five of the last ten years, or two of or couple have difficulty surviving the last three years. with the pensions and have no Q: What if a person is receivother income? ing long term disability or WCB A: I t is recommended that they benefits? consult with Health and Welfare A: If an individual is receiving LTD Canada (Income Security Programs) or WCB benefits, they can still apply and apply for supplement. They will for disability benefits under CPP. be advised of their entitlement, if any. However, the LTD amount may be Q: Are disabled workers enti- deducted. tled to anything from CPP? Q: If the disability benefit is A: There is no clear answer here. denied because of medical eviTotal disability must first be confirmed dence, what is the next step? by a doctor or specialist and the indi- A: If an individual believes that he vidual must apply for disability benefits or she is totally disabled, medical eviunder CPP. dence in support of that claim must be Q: What is the monthlv disabil- ~rovided.Ameals of CPP decisions
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aximum in 1992 of $358,24. Any rphan children under 18 will receive 154.70 a month, which will continue /o age 25 provided they make applicabon and are not married. Q: Any other survivor beneits? A: There is a lump-sum death benfit to help pay for funeral expenses. he maximum is $3,220. ; Q: Can a p e r s o n w h o c o n 1 ributed but isn't working receive PP benefits at age 60? i A: Yes, but the monthly pension is educed. Note also that a person can ork up to age 70 and pay into the
Kanaarim nerds.
I s e e a present d a n -m a b o r i g i n a l - t i t l e G r i g h t s ; t o t h e independence of our t r a d i t i o n a l t e r r i t o r i e s ; t o our s u r v i v a l a s a d i s t i n c t n a t i o n t h a t ' s beenllself -governed s i n c e 1 time immemorial. A s a b o r i g i n a l people, self-government was always with u s through our totme poles and songs, dances, t h e handing dvwn of a c h i e f s nape. Canada's gov't i s playing a c a t G mouse game with t h e Canadian people, but i t b o i l e d down t o "who's going t o win?". The only people s u f f e r i n g mentally a r e me 6 you. There i s no ending t o t h e cont1 T-Q: What happens if an individroversy on c o n s t i t u t i o n a l issues..womenfs r i g h t s , h e a l t h c a r e , people with d i s a b i l i a1 returns to work while receivCPP benefits? t i e s 6 a b o r i g i n a l r i g h t s . The p o l i t i c a l people o f ~ a n a d aare-certainl; s e l f - d e t e r mining with t h i s referendum. um Debate -I n p hptr ii11aqgdF~p p ~ p l p l l -"----- of !! What i s a c o n s t i t u t i o n . I t i s t h e funda- your vote. Thank you f o r l e t t i n g - m e share e n t a l law of an i n s t i t u t i o n , In r e f e r e n c e my views on t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l referendum. bo Canada it is t h e law of t h e nation. 1 A referendum i s t h e submission of a prosed law o r o t h e r i s s u e t o a popular vote .on Oct. 26th it was t h e day f o r u s t o r r e n d e r our nationhood G self-government e y wanted us t o accept an undefined o n s t i t u t i o n o f Canadatt f o r o u r f u t u r e nerations..our c h i l d r e n 4 grandchildren. Canadian p o l i t i c i a n s a r e not playing t h a f u l l deck of cards 4 a s an aborigi1 person I b e l i e v e t h e Creator gave humkind authority,G l e a d e r s h i p t o a l l d i f f r e n t c o l o n i e s of t h i s world'but i n Canada 0th authority G leadership a r e i n the ands of t h e Prime M i n i s t e r G t h e Premiers
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Diane MacKenzie, our beloved dix.ector,_ was g r i t t i n g h e r t e e t h when t h e C i t y gave h e r t h e job of g e t t i n g i n p u t from r e s i d e n t s of downtown south about s t a r t i n g a 'mini' -Carnegie t h e r e . The f i r s t snafu* came when t h e s t o r e f r o n t s i t e f o r t h i s , on Granville, d i d n ' t have t h e proper zoning! Okay - Diane wound up a t 609 Helmken and has a phone number: 665-2391. A bare-bones r e p o r t had one o l d guy amaz ed a t h i s new housing i n t h e Continental Hotel, t e l l i n g Diane t h a t t h e C i t y should now l o c a t e a l i q u o r s t o r e r i g h t downstairs s o t h e o l d guys wouldn't have s o f a r t o go On more of a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e note, i n f o on what's here a t Carnegie i s being c i r c u l a t e d with t h e question " I s t h i s what we uead i r l ijowniown Sou.chl" --inisV1 i n c l u d e s a l i b r a r y , l e a r n i n g c e n t r e , gym & weight room, pool t a b l e s , s e n i o r s lounge, c a f e t e r i a , m u s k , a r t E photography, cards and games, n e w s l e t t e r , o u t trips, information about community s e r v i c e s & an alcohol-anddrug-free lace t o hang out.
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Creek North/Canucksl Arena Proposal
You a r e i n v i t e d t o a t t e n d a meeting on t h e proposed rezoning o f a 5.4-acre s i t e located between t h e Georgia & Dunsmuir v i a d u c t s f o r t h e new Canucks' hockey arena. Proposed i s a 20,000-seat arena with r e . t a i l along Abbott S t r e e t & a 19-storeytoh e r containing o f f i c e s , a media c e n t r e & a f i t n e s s club. Please j o i n C i t y s t a f f E t h e developer' a r c h i t e c t s t o review 6 comment on t h i s p r o posal a t t h i s p u b l i c meeting: UKI'E: Wednesday, Nov. 4th, 1992 TIME : .6-7 :30 pm (open house) 7 :30-10 pm ( p u b l i c meeting) PLACE : Chinese C u l t u r a l Centre 50 E. Pender S t .
I f you would l i k e a d d i t i o n a l information p l e a s e c a l l Bryan DeBou a t 873-7043.
Do you l i v e i n a h o t e l o r rooming house? There a r e f r e e copies of t h e STANDARDS OF MAINTENANCE By-law i n t h e Newsletter Office i n Carnegie. I f you a r e having any problems with h e a t , s p r i n k l e r s , windows t h a t d o n ' t open, doors t h a t won't c l o s e , plumbing, l i g h t s , cockroaches, e t c . , your l e g a l r i g h t s & standards a r e c l e a r
We Can Make a Difference"
r-egarding t h e C i t y Plan f o r t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e a r e a & neighbouring communities, and e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e development of t h e new ca&cksl Hockey Arena proposal. There is no way o f h a l t i n g t h i s arena, but we can be p a r t of t h e development process. This i s o u r community 4 we a r e q u a l i f i e d t o give our opinions t o t h e developers.For example: i f people a r e going t o come i n t o events t h e r e with t h e i r c a r s c l u t t e r i n g up V INFORMATION & REFERRAL our s t r e e t s E p o l l u t i n g t h e a i r , i t ' s only f o r T'IY Users f a i r t h a t people l i v i n g h e r e should have Information S e r v i c e s Vancouver (ISV) has p r i o r i t y f o r jobs a t t h i s arena; where a r e expanded i t s information & r e f e r r a l s e r v a l l t h e s e c a r s going t o park?; what wdlp.. i c e s t o accomodate TTY(Te1etypwriter)users. happen i f BC Place Stadium E t h e Arena a r e By c a l l i n g 875-0885, deaf 6 hearing imp- having events a t t h e same time? a i r e d c a l l e r s a r e a b l e t o o b t a i n i n f o on &, We a r e a 'companyt with many ideas. We i f needed, r e f e r r a l t o s o c i a l & community need t o voice those i d e a s a t meetings r e s e r v i c e s which a r e a v a i l a b l e i n Greater garding developments i n our community.Mp Vancouver. e.g. home s e r v i c e s , a d u l t daycentres, health clinics, transportation, subsidised housing, l e g a l advice c l i n i c s , s e l f - h e l p groups, r e c r e a t i o n centres,youth employment & much more. Free Gkonfidential.
'THIS DAKK AND C H I L L I N G W I N D A dark damp wind
C h i l l i n g not bones but replacing joy with forboding Stalked s i l e n t a s a c a t and Enshrouded every town and c i t y on e a r t h Even those who had no w r i t t e n word o r r a d i o knew i t . Their shaman had no magic For This e v i l And f e a r grew s i l e n t l y The mothers sensed it and i n s t i n c t was not recognized By t h e men Who c a l l e d t h e s h o t s Hysteria t h e y s a i d And ignored o r locked .bhem up. Not so many y e a r s And t h e sweet smell a f t e r a r a i n was gone The b u r s t i n g joy of l i f e . Folded i n t o i t s e l f And t h e c r i s p clean t a s t e Of w i n t e r apples No more. The meanings of words got l o s t Words l i k e honour t r u t h beauty And o t h e r words replaced them: Preferred s h a r e s B Dividend number 11 Once g r e a t f o r e s t s Were l e f t g r e a t s c a r r e d wounds Unable t o h e a l Pure waters Lay seethingcesspools of f i l t h And t w i s t e d h o r r i b l e death - Erie The r a i n s f e l l , Their nourishing E cleansing magi c Turned r a n c i d Poisoning l a k e s , s o i l , Eroding o t h e r works of humans Michaelangelo The f u l l smell of t h e a i r In Spring A memory Replaced with f o u l stench Promises of s i c k n e s s and P o i n t l e s s death . And how t h i s dark E c h i l l i n g wind Was e x a l t e d So tremendous I t s power of d e s t r u c t i o n The need t o ignore t o i n s i s t demand That i t completely engulph And d e s t r o y Each blade of g r a s s Each singing whale Each b i r d , b e a s t , p l a n t And t h e i r b a b i e s t o o Was so g r e a t The f e a r was choked And t h e c h i l d r e n born t o i t Understood computers Knew not t h e courage borne of love The s t r e n g t h of t r u t h So t h e r e was no f i g h t . . Langstaff
t h e p o i i t i c i a n s need t o t a k e a f u l l b r a i n t e s t . They t a k e from t h e poor E g i v e t o t h e r i c h , while people walk t h e s t r e e t & s l e e p i n t h e d i t c h . What kind of way i s t h i s f o r people t o l i v e , when government i s r i c h and r e f u s e s t o give. . They s a y t h e y a r e broke and don't have money, t h i s i s n o t t r u e arid n o t a t a l l damn funny. You s e e t h e money buying t h i n g s we don't need, t h i s i s a s u r e f a c t yes indeed. Money i s a l s o spent on t h i n g s you never see, c h a r i t y s t a r t s at home t h a t ' s t h e way i t should be. We go f u r t h e r i n debt a s each day goes by, i t ' s only a m a t t e r of time then we w i l l f r y . Something has t o be done before i t ' s t o o l a t e , we c a n ' t l e t p o l i t i c i a n s determine our f a t e . Who a r e t h e y t o c a l l a l l t h e shots, when t h e y sit on t h e i r a s s e s l i k e a bunch of crackpots. There a r e n o t enough people running t h e world , now we a r e c a s t i n t o a g i a n t h u r l .
If we d o n ' t c l e a n up t h e world very soon, you can b e t t h a t e v i l d o l l a r t h a t we a r e doom. We a l l know i t ' s money behind t h e waste, if it weren't f o r money we wouldn't be i n such a haste. As we chase t h e greenback day a f t e r day, t h i n g s w i l l s l i p away and t h a t ' s t h e way it w i l l s t a y . We got t o show a genuine concern f o r t h e r i g h t t o l i v e h e r e o r it won't be long before we're gone I swear. I t ' s only a matter of time we c a n ' t go on l i k e t h i s , we w i l l n w r & o w t h e f u t u r e o r what we w i l l miss. We have t o do it f o r t h e childrem of tomorrow, o r t h e r e w i l l be nothing h e r e b u t a l o t of sorrow. Don't t h i n k i t ' s okay because you had your time, i f you t h i n k t h i s way b e l i e v e me i t ' s a crime. There i s a f u t u r e somehwere f o r a l l of u s , i f we do t h i n g s r i g h t t h i s ' l l g i v e you a i l u s . No one has a r i g h t t o d e s t r o y t h e e a r t h we l i v e on, you're lucky t o be h e r e were j u s t a pawn. We should be thankful we have such a place t o l i v e , now we should j o i n hands and be w i l l i n g t o give. A l l n a t i o n s must come forward t o t a k e a stand, and work hard a t bearing down on t h e master plan. We can' t g e t nothing done by being a.t war, t h i s only confuses t h i n g s t h a t ' s f o r sure. Everyone must speak o u t f o r what they t h i n k , o r t h i s b e a u t i f u l p l a c e w i l l f o r e v e r shrink. People a r e very scared what's happening everywhere, you c a n ' t h i d e from yourself so you have t o c a r e . Show your compassion t o t h e e a r t h and a l l t h i n g s here, make it known t h a t t h i s should be c l e a r . Let it o u t loudly t o t h e people who a r e i n power, soon nothing w i l l grow not even a flower. Stop t h e raping of t h e land and a l l t h e crime, i f we d o n ' t s t o p now t h e r e w i l l be no time. Help t h e animals s u r v i v e before man k i l l s them a l l , i f you d o n ' t w e ' l l a l l t a k e t h e f a l l . I f you won't h e l p d o n ' t be a clown, show some r e s p e c t f o r yourself and take a s t e p down. We a r e t i r e d of t h e promises p o l i t i c i a n s always make, show u s something r e a l s t o p being fake. L e t ' s g e t t o g e t h e r and f i n d a way t o make a b e t t e r p l a c e day by day. No one should be hungry everyone should have a home not l e f t out on t h e s t r e e t t o f o r e v e r roam. A world l i k e t h i s i s t o o good t o go t o waste we must c l e a n i t up and show b e t t e r t a s t e . I t can only be done by us t h e man we must j o i n t o g e t h e r and t a k e a stand. I t c a n ' t be l a t e r i t has t o be now we w i l l put o u r minds t o g e t h e r & f i g u r e out how. If we can do t h i s and c l e a n up t h e p l a c e ,it w i l l then show t h a t we a r e a c t u a l l y a human r a c e .
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Martin Lucas
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$17 m i l l i o n invested i n jobs 4 t r a i n i n g f o r people on welfare On Oct;5 Minister of Social Services Joan Smallwood announced $17 m i l l i o n i n new money f o r t r a i n i n g E jobs f o r people on welfare. Welfare r a t e s a r e s t i l l abysmally low, but a t l e a s t t h e s e changes put more money i n t o t h e hands of low-income people. This i s important a t a time when t h e r e a r e m o r e people on welfare than e v e r b e f o r e b e c a u s e of high unemployment caused by Free Trade cutbacks i n U I 4 a s h i f t towards more s e r v i c e s e c t o r jobs. The BC g o v l t a s a whole
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J-----------a r t n e r s h i p with p r i v a t e employers This -- -----------------i s a wage su6siay program t h a t i s suppos:d t o l e a d t o f u l l time work. With t h i s lew program, employers have t o pay $5.501 lour 4 t h e Ministry w i l l pay $3.50/hr f o ~ 3 wage t o t a l l i n g $9/hr. This wage a l s o ay ) l i e s t o young people under 19. With t h e )Id program employers paid l e s s E people :ot lower wages. kAnalysis* The move towards h i g h e r wages md equal wages f o r youth i s encouraging. lowever, wage s u b s i d i e s s h o u l d n o t r e p l a c c Full time work a t decent wages. Wage subs i d i e s maintain low wage c e i l i n g s cost ;ovl t money. L e g i s l a t i n g a h i g h e r minimun dage would make t h e p r i v a t e s e c t o r resp~ n s i b l ef o r paying decent wages i n s t e a d >f t h e g n v e r n m ~ n i Penpie nn w e i f a r e would then be a b l e t o work a t decent wag e s f u l l time without subsidy 4 taxpayers money could be used f o r more u s e f u l things, l i k e universal childcare.
New jobs i n tourism E f o r e s t r y Theijobs .............................. i n tourism a r e p r o j e c t o r i e n t e d , paying about $7/hr f o r s h o r t term l o c a l l y degined p r o j e c t s , such a s b u i l d i n g park t r a i l s i n towns. The jobs i n f o r e s t r y a r e s i l v i c u l t u r e based, paid f o r by t h e Ministry 6 cont r a c t e d out by t h e Ministry of Forests. Most pay between $7 4 $9/hr E have some t r a i n i n g component t o them, l i k e f i r s t a i d
job c r e a t i o n scheme: he jobs w i l l probably not l e a d t o f u l l - t i m e work & t h e wage c e i l i n g s a r e too low. For example, most f ' s i l v i c u l t u r i s t s t f a r e t r e e p l a n t e r s . One of t h e few b e n e f i t s of t r e e p l a n t i n g i s t h e p o t e n t i a l t o make good money i n a s h o r t time. Wages a t $7/hr downgrades t h e earning c a p a c i t y of a l l p l a n t e r s . Seasonal work means t h a t people have t o go on UI a f t e r . I f t h e wages a r e low, U I b e n e f i t s w i l l be r e a l l y low. Many people w i l l end up back on welfare because t h e r e i s no long
6i%ii-fGdid-thib year under t h e - Regional. l y I n i t i a t e d Special Employment P r o j e c t s (RISE). Most of t h e s e jobs pay between $7 E $10/hr. I Bridging t o jobs Work t r a n s ~ o r t aion t c o s t s Single !)parent EZ-iiZG-fi~~6-G-Ziaiii6iiii $50/month t o meet t r a n s p o r t a t i o n expenses t o childcart The money could be used f o r gas, bus and o t h e r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n needs. S t a r t - u p c ---o s t s of up t o $200 when a p e r s -_-_----on on welzare s t a r t s a new job a r e now a v a i l a b l e . This i s meant f o r i n c i d e n t a l s l i k e h a i r c u t , sundries E o t h e r job s t a r t
Alcohol & rug Counselling may be funded a s a t r a i n i n g preparation s e r v i c e up t o $500 t o be paid d i r e c t l y t o t h e person o r t o t h e organization of h e r / h i s choice. P---------a r t time t r a----i n i n g may now be approved t o help accomodate tfie time commitmeGh$ ;of s i n g l e p a r e n t s . This i s new i n p o l i c y though many o f f i c e s have been a l l o h i n g it already. I t means p a r e n t s can a l s o be i n volved i n both earnings enhancement programs & t r a i n i n g programs. Community p a r t i c i p a t i o n To encourage co....................... mmunlty p a r t i c i p a t i o n , t h e gov'twiill prov i d e a monthly allowance o f $ 1 0 0 t o people on welfare who volunteer i n non-profit o r g a n i z a t i o n s t o gain work experience but who a r e not r e a d y - f o r f u l l - t i m e employment o r t r a i n i n g . There i s no time l i m i t a s t o how long a person can be on t h i s program. There i s - a minimum of 10 hours a month t o be put i n . The money i s paid once p e r month t o t h e person on welfare. *Analysisx These bridging b e n e f i t s recogn i z e t h e d i v e r s e needs of people on welfa r e & show commitment from t h i s Ministry t o i n c r e a s e f l e x i b i l i t y a t t h e l o c a l leve l , p u t t i n g more income i n t h e hands of poor people & s e n s i t i v i t y t o d i f f e r e n t people's needs. People on welfare - ------------- i n t e r e s t i n i n any of t h e s e new p e r k o r programs.. ask your Financial Aid Worker about them. I f you d o n ' t g e t anywhere, t a l k t o an advocate. Advocates .,- ------ For more information about t h e jo6 programs, c o n t a c t t h e MSS Regional
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i c i e s & programs, c a l l Glen Tasden i n V i c t o r i a a t 356-5989. I f l o c a l MSSoffices a r e being d i f f i c u l t , t e l l him. By PAM FLEMING l e t t e r t o Norman S t a r k , President, P o r t of Vancouver Corporation. r e : Columbia S t . p e d e s t r i a n overpass We a r e pleased with your commitment t o , access f o r people with d i s a b i l i t i e s t o t h e c e n t r a l waterfront park. There have been many s t u d i e s E meetings G c l e a r l y t h e Columbia S t . overpass with s t a i r s / e l e v a t o r s i s t h e only r e a l option. Thank you f o r your pledge of 50% of costs. a t t h e Oct.22nd meeting. Don Larson
* SUPPORT LETTERS * Tim Agg needs our support. His Review of Legal Aid Services i n BCrecommends c u t t i n g t h e criminal t a r i f f s by 10% i n order t o do more poverty 6 family law. I t a l s o recommends enhancing t h e advocacy 6 information programs. This could mean d i r e c t funds t o advocacy groups ! Criminal lawyers w i l l not approveofhaving t h e i r t a r i f f s c u t . T h e a v e r a g e b i l l i n g s of t h e t o p 200 criminal lawyers - $158,849 - t h e highest b i l l i n g s from one lawyer f o r family cases l a s t year was $321,800. This means t h a t one lawyer made more than 2 . 5 times t h e e n t i r e l e g a l a i d budget f o r i n f ormation 6 public e d u c a t i o n s e r ~ i c e fs o r BC! Send t h e Attorney General a l e t t e r of support endorsing Agg's recommendations. You can b e t t h e criminal lawye,rs a r e fighting t h e s e changes. Let t h e AG knowthat the tommunity is behind t h e s e changes today. Write t o : Colin Gableman, A.G., Room 232, Parliament Buildings, V i c t o r i a , B.C. V8V 1x4 You can a l s o w r i t e t o t h e Legal Services Board o r Board members, such a s Sue ~ g k r s o r Robin Loxton. Phone 660-4699 f o r more i n f o about how t o proceed with t h i s p a r t .
T-WE TAKE *-Perhaps
t h e e a r t h i s a zone of t o l e r a n - ; :e f o r i i f e , & we a r e zones of t o l e r a n c e â&#x201A;Źor t h e unconscious s e l f . Perhaps Vancouver i s a zone of t o l e r a n ce f o r people i n a province owned & run by f o r e s t r y companies ( & people from outof-province who brought t h e i r "wealtht1). Perhaps t h e Downtown Eastside i s a zone of t o l e r a n c e f o r poverty, & t h e Carnegie a zone of t o l e r a n c e f o r gregarious o u t s i d e r s & impoverished p o l i t i c a l hackers, & f o r t h e d i f f i c u l t employed ( s t a f f ) & f o r t h e credulous ( t u t o r s ) . Perhaps newspapers a r e zones of t o l e r ance f o r t h e c a r i c a t u r e s of event, t h e I
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(which has l i t t l e t o do with WHAT HAPPENED &/or HAPPENS). Perhaps t e l e v i s i o n i s a zone of t o l e r ance f o r t h e cynical t r i v i a l i z a t i o n of l i f e . (No one l i v e s l i k e t h e people "on TVt, 4 a l l t h e people Ifon TV" l i v e t h e same l i v e s . ) Perhaps b e s t s e l l e r s a r e zones of t o l e r ance f o r anal sadism, dreams of s u f f o c a t ing wealth, & a deadly kind of Norman Rockwellish n o s t a l g i a f o r a r u s t i c i s m t h a t never was. But i f any of t h i s i s t r u e , t h e s e zone! a r e r e t r o s p e c t i v e l y defined & occur a s cqnsequences of various Itnot conscious" forces. I n t e n t i s not necessary. When an attempt i s made t o manufacture a zone of t o l e r a n c e , t h e process becomes identical*
THIS JOKE SERIOUSLY?
Can p o l i t i c s change i t s skin? Can leopards re-arrange t h e i r s p ~ t s ?Can t h e 155ghteous" s t o p gnawing t h e bones of t h e Ifsinners"? Can Canada s t o p criminalizing the everyday a c t i v i t i e s o f i t s c i t i z e n s ? Nothing seems t o d e l i g h t law-abiding !%itizanstl so much a s c h i l d r e n turning i n t h e i r p a r e n t s f o r smoking marijuana,c mot paying taxes, o r something.. & those sinne r s who drink alcohol o r smoke c i g a r e t t e s must be punished with more taxes! i s n ' t that right? i s n ' t t h a t according t o t h e law? - & a r e n ' t you a criminal i f you oppose t h e law of t h e righteous? Where i s t h e benevolence of t h e e l e c t e d leaders? They're i n love with macho posturiii~gI; ~ i i - c w uiilinking - t h i s i s no mnocent snake i n t h e g r a s s shezding i t s skin t o become a b u t t e r f l y . This i s h a r d - s e l l a monstrous puppet t h a t plays politics i t s e l f over 4 over again on t e l e v i s i o n , s t r i k i n g a l l t h e romantic chords t o promote a marketable version of h i s t o r y , s t a r ring P i e r r e Berton (mirror mirror on t h e wall, who's t h e r i c h e s t p a t r i o t of a l l ? ) . Hooray f o r t h e United Empire Loyalists! Hooray f o r Anne of Green Gables, t h e Voyage of Columbus, & t h e s o p h i s t i c a t e d heroes & heroines of romantic European immigration The Maple Leaf Forever! Hockey Night i n Canada! The Jays make t h e Series! t h e l o s t c i t y of gold s t a r r i n g Burt Bollooks & Bunny Boobs. 6 t h i s i s what they want us t o vote f o r ? Well, not e x a c t l y - what they want us to vote f o r is economic policy, law & orde r & 'Igood" govh-nment - i $ n t t t h a t ihow it -goes? But some of u s were a c t u a l l y born
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of t h e n i g h t with i r o n spiderwebs of business a s usual s t r e t c h i n g from pole t o pole On t h i s web, men 6 women i n i r o n s u i t s ,Between gypsy moths & new constitutions, climb up & down dreaming of a c o s t - e f f e c t we've had our own personal concerns to i v e f u t u r e . Nothing can s t o p them except be worried about. But a few months t h e i r own minds & t h o s e minds have been down the road you can bet there'll be conveniently m i s l a i d somewhere so t h e i d i another stupendous, colosal, nauseous News media production that goes on & on o t i n s i d e t h e s u i t can go bungee jumping ti1 it finally fades away like a dull i n t h e b i g i r o n playpen with Uncle John Wayne & t h e c a p t a i n s of i n d u s t r y . This i s It's got to be something BIG, like Ross a p a t h e t i c excuse f o r human e x i s t e n c e Perot & Brian Mulroney being chosen by dumb animals I n smart s u i t s - p o l i t i c i a n s the Transnationals to form a new country who do themselves up every day f o r consumcalled the United States Of Canamericap t i g n by l l c o n s t i t u e n t s u . exico. Money must be put i n Its p l a c e . ~ t s The new nation's flag will be an upside down maple leaf wearing a sombrero and a purpose i s not p r o f i t . Its purpose i s not big gold sheriff's star with 53 points. t o c r e a t e investment c a p i t a l . The purpose f o r which money was invented & s t i l l i s Canamericaexico will have a puppet king & queen - Ted Turner & Sinead OtConnor, u s e f u l today, i s t o symbolize m a t e r i a l who will tour the country and interview value - . n o t h i n g more! T h a t ' s a l l it has a each other at town meetings. r i g h t t o claim...the only honest money t o BC's new name will be San Franhollywood, day i s c o s t p r i c e - t o i t s p o i n t of consand its new capital city will be umption - t h a t ' s a l l . Squamish. A s f a r a s q u a l i t y o f human l i f e i s conSo there you have it, the future ; or cerned, every o t h e r use of money i s countsomething close enough. Makes ya wanna e r productive. The progress we need i s evgo live with the Eskimos. o l u t i o n , not innovation. Garry Gust But reaA e s t a t e i s r e a l l y what keeps t h e i r o n s p i d e r s a l i v e - t h e y j u s t love t o buy & s e l l square f e e t . Nobody can run non& h e r e - I mean, i n Canada [yes i t ts t r u e ) p r o f i t because t h e land-holder o r space some of u s a r e more Canadian than Mulroney merchant sneds h i s number one s l a v e around i 4 Clark & K i m Campbell put t o g e t h e r . so every 30 days t o c o l l e c t t h e r e n t - & i t ' s why do t h e y keep bombing u s with commerci- enormous, you b e t - hundreds, thousands, a l s f o r our own country? Why do t h e y keep m i l l i o n s G b i l l i o n s , t u r n i n g over every r l t a m a n r l - i n n + h g + vf I l h ~ x r i n + n l I j?? FLASH: BUSH GETS PRESIDENTIAL PARDON
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Xsnrt it because t h e y want u s t o t h i n k Canada i s j u s t another product t h e y can s t a c k on t h e i r p o l i t i c a l s h e l f & s e l l t o t h e highest bidder? Somehow we're required t o "buy into" our own b i r t h r i g h t - a new v e r s i o n of it t h e United S t a t e s can approve o f ? They want u s on-side? Why do t h e s e p o l i t i c a l people i n s i s t they r e p r e s e n t u s ? Most of u s c a n ' t even be bothered t o v o t e anymore. They c a n ' t represent u s any more than some a d v e r t i s ing executive i n New York C i t y r e p r e s e n t s u s by t r y i n g t o s e l l an image of Canada t o a bunch of t o u r i s t s . These p o l i t i c a l l e a d e r s a r e only moneye l e c t e d mouthpieces f o r t h e i n d u s t r i a l i z ing & moralizing, holier-than-thou empire - -
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Dance t o t h i s tune, b r o t h e r c i t i z e n ! The g r e a t n a t i o n w i l l suck you d r y 6 s p i t you out on t h e s l a g heap of h i s t o r y . By then it w i l l have introduced your c h i l d r e n t o t h e same-process & they won't know what h i t them. Economic s l a v e r y t i g h t e n s t h e screws E laughs i n your f a c e , you believe r s i n t h e f a i r , j u s t , d e c i s i o n makers of politics! ha ha ha ha ha! .what ' s t h a t you say? - troublemaker? - madman? - criminal? Why yes, of course, I thought you knew. I ' m t h e one you love t o experiment on. You give me a l l your wonder drugs, a l l your f a s t food, a l l your l i n e u p s & t a x e s - a l l your d o ' s 6 don'ts. - me E my crazy crimi-
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spread r a c i s t garbage o r shout "Theatre" a t a crowded f i r e ,( !1 ; and 2 ) t h e provinc i a l HmKin Rights Act t h a t g e t s more spec i f i c i n terms o f housing, s e r v i c e s . . Individual accounts show t h a t p o l i c e o f t e n use t h e i n d i v i d u a l ' s i l l i t e r a c y i n proper procedure t o p e r f legal rights orm searches, d e t e n t i o n s , e t c . t h a t t h e y have no l e g a l b a s i s t o c a r r y o u t . The b a s i c premise i s t h a t you have a r i g h t t o enjoy l i f e , & c a n ' t be hassled
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shut up! .well it j u s t wonvt work anymore.
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i s something e l s e . Much of t h e questioning had t o do with someone's personal experience where t h e i r r i g h t s had been viol a t e d . A t t h e same time, we a l l r e l y on t h e same p o l i c e t o p r o t e c t o u r r i g h t s & s a f e t y from being a s s a u l t e d , robbed o r cheated. Another b a s i c J i m s t a t e d was t h a t anything i s l e g a l u n l e s s t h e r e i s a law making it i l l e g a l . No one's opinion can make what you choose t o do i l l e g a l on t h e spur of t h e moment unless t h e r e i s a law i n e f f e c t p r o h i b i t i n g i t . Mentioned were 1) t h e Charter of Rights and Freedoms, guaranteeing r i g h t s a g a i n s t d i s c r i m i n a t i o n , of freedoms of assembly 4 a s s o c i a t i o n , o f speech & t h e p r e s s e t c . There a r e a l s o l i m i t a t i o n s t o t h e s e i f
t r i m the trees o make it s a f e o r nearby apartments To make it s a f e f o r hydro E c a b l e E phone l i n e s a t w i l l c a t c h t h e fumes
Dora Sanders
(Note: D r . David Suzuki wrote t h i s p i e c e a m Toronto, but Vancouver can e a s i l y be s u b s t i t u t e d f o r r a p i d urban expansion)
1
Working on a f i l m about t h e Toronto watershed I i n t e ~ v i e w e da number of people who generated t h i s sense of excitement & hope. They i n d i c a t e t h a t a t a l l l e v e l s of s o c i e t y , t h e r e i s a s h i f t i n our thinking leading t o new i d e a s t h a t could eventuall y a f f e c t t h e way we l i v e & our expectations o f what q u a l i t y i n o u r l i v e s means. Ecology i s t h e study o f organisms and t h e i r environment. The d i s c i p l i n e informs u s t h a t we, l i k e a l l b i o l o g i c a l beings, cannot b e viewed a s s e p a r a t e fromour s u r roundings o r t h e t h i n g s t h a t support us. We humans a r e t o t a l l y dependent on water, a i r , s o i l i j o t h e r l i f e forms f o r survival. T h e i r condition determines t h e q u a l i t y of our l i v e s - everything i s interconnected. T h i s understanding undetrlies tihe Vecosystem approacht1 adopted by David Cromb i e (former Mayor of Toronto) i n h i s a n a l y s i s of t h e Toronto waterfbont. Seen t h i s way, economics & t h e environment arenAt viewed a s mutually e x c l u s i v e o r competing s i n c e t h e y a r e i n t e r l i n k e d & interdependent. I t 15 & 5 i i ~ d to 5iiggCs"Le iaii uitir alluru a clean environment when t h e economy i s s t r o n g because t h e two cannot be s e p a r a t ed t h i s way. The ecosystem approach a l s o d i c t a t e s t h a t Toronto' s flancouverl s ) w a t e r f r o n t c a n ' t b e administered i n b i t s i j p i e c e s within d i f f e r e n t p o l i t i c a l j u r i s d i c t i o n s & b u r e a u c r a t i c subdivi$iona. r t has t o be t r e a t e d a s a complete e n t i t y w i t h i n a p e r s p e c t i v e of v e r y long time periods. Cromb i e t o l d me t h a t when he t a l k s t o people from p o l i t i c s , business, environmental groups & o t h e r a r e a s , t h e ecosystem approcah i s not questioned. I t ' s taken t o s e t t h e b a s i c ground r u l e s . He r e p o r t s a r e a l enthusiasm C, w i l l t o a c t , t h e major conce n being how t o implement t h i s approach. PP
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1
H i s impressions suggest environmentalists have been a b l e t o g e t a c r o s s a widespread understanding 6 acceptance of t h e b a s i c concepts t h a t must d i c t a t e f u t u r e p o l i c y & a c t i o n s . The l e v e l s f d i s c u s s i o n must b e r a i s e d beyond t h e u s u a l one of parochi a l t e r r i t o r i a l i t y & vested i n t e r e s t .
Greater Toronto (Vancouver) i s p r e d i c t e d t o grow by 50% by t h e y e a r 2020, but where w i l l t h e people go? A s people move f u r t h e r out t o suburbs, t h e c i t y i t s e l f i n h e r i t s a lower t a x base. Inner c i t y conditions decl i n e while growth a t t h e c i t y ' s periphery c r e a t e s e c o l o g i c a l imbalance, low d e n s i t y sprawl a c r o s s a g r i c u l t u r e land & g r e a t e r dependence upon t h e c a r consumes r i v e r s E swamps & woods. The challenge i s t o r e v e r s e t h e flow & a t t r a c t people back t o , t h e city,.-. There i s a need t o enact demanding l e g i s l a t i o n t o ensure p r o t e c t i o n of ecological v a l u e s around t h e c i t y . Developers say,tkey can work within such laws a s long a s they a r e c l e a r l y d e l i n e a t e d & applie-4 f a i r l y . A t t h e same time, q u a l i t i e s m a k i n g c i t i e s such magnets t o people must be enhanced. That means rediscovering a sense of communi t y 6 making s t i - e a t s o.f t h e downtown c o ~ e s a f e & a t t r a c t i v e , with l o t s of s o c i a l and c u l t u r a l opportunity. Highrise apartments a r e not t h e s o l u t i o n f o r many reasons. So, i n s t e a d , s m a l l e r houses on s m a l l e r l o t s with 30-35 people p e r a c r e would encourage neighbourhoods..also l o c a l shops r a t h e r than shopping malls. Most opposition comes from l o c a l p o l i t i c a n s who recognize t h e p o t e n t i a l erosion o f t h e i r power base. New thinking i n c l u d e s p r a c t i c a l proposa l s t o r e t u r n an ecological balance - exc i t i n g ideas f o r e c o l o g i c a l l y benign homes i n t h e r e v i t a l i z e d downfiown core & methods t o r e h a b i l i t a t e urban waterways. The appa r e n t receptiveness t o t h e s e ideas a c r o s s a broad spectrum of c i t i z e n s i s t h e most hopeful news I ' v e had i n a long time. I
YELLOW GIVES ME THE BLUES
j , ~ e / sgoners man, no v i s i t o r s i he/s i n t h e next room (womb) i Carnarion Milk, Man! Young Guernsey Mose/s dismay Sell t o the dnorbell t where t h e r e i s War t h e r e 1s t r o u b i e another l o c a l f r a y Loud r a c k e t f r a c a s WorldPax Romana i f you g e t yours from Eden don/t wast i s L . P . t e a c h e r s d i s t ~ i b u tt h e school s u p p l i e s a m i l l i o n d o l l a r high school devalued by t h e f r e e t r a d e congress constitutional i n s t a b i l i t i e s Like a Culture by decree with Aboriginal consent. talk write endless r e p e t i t i o n s Call
t t i n g s i c k of l i e s ?
included i n d e c i s i o n s a f f e c t i n g your l i f e Demand answers from your t e a c h e r s and
e wondered a t dlstcange e rushed towards a l a r g e ravine; a s t r a i g h t drop of s e v e r a l seconds f l i g h t - Strange c r e a t u r e s t h e s e ! So he c i r c l e d E watched E waited. Off i n t h e d i s t a n c e he could s e e clouds o f d u s t & many two-legged c r e a t u r e s (seeming t o prey..perhaps t o e a t . . t h e f i r s t two-legged c r e a t u r e running from them, a l s o going towards t h e ravine. The eagle could smell t h e r a i n a few s e c o n d s , f l i g h t Slowly t h e e a-g l e c i r c l e d a s t h e lone
c r e a t u r e f e l l n v e r t h e edge, as t h e r a i n
and thunder s t a r t e d , a s t h e o t h e r c r e a t u r e s f e l l i n t o t h e ravine. A t t h i s p o i n t t h e eagle, i n h i s wisdom, decided t o g e t t h e h e l l o u t of t h e r e . Later t h e e a g l e wondered what he would understand from t h i s experience..other t h a n when it r a i n s t h e y chase each o t h e r (heree he shakes h i s f e a t h e r s ) supposedly t o e a t each o t h e r , b u t i n s t e a d of e a t i n g t h e y jump o f f c l i f f s . He a l s o f i g u r e d t h a t , perhaps, t h e y ' r e not good e a t i n g . He a l s o t h o u g h t , t h a t perhaps t h i s a c t i v i t y was b e t t e r l e f t t o t h o s e more q u a l i fied i n t h i s p a r t i c u l a r area. By DAVE McCONNELL
t o monsters. You d o n ' t need t o be an e x p e r t t o have a v a l i d opinion. You d o n ' t need t o be 19
1
REFUGEES I N THE ' 9 0 ' s C o n f e r e n c e : B i l l C-86 and s t r a n g e r t h i n g s .............................
By Doug Kellam Thanks t o Amnesty I n t e r n a t i o n a l and t h e Vancouver A s s o c i a t i o n f o r S u r v i v o r s of T o r t u r e (VAST), I was a b l e t o r e p r k s e n t DERA a s a d e l e g a t e a t t h i s c o n f e r e n c e . Delegates representing professionals, community & r e f u g e e g r o u p s & government a g e n c i e s came from e v e r y c o r n e r of t h i s f a r f l u n g l a n d of o u r s t o a t t e n d t h e 3day e v e n t which was h e l d a t t h e P l a z a of N a t i o n s on O c t o b e r 14-17. D e l e g a t e s s p o k e on a wide r a n g e of r e f ugee i s s u e s i n c l u d i n g c o u n s e l l i n g surviv' o r s of t o r t u r e , s t r a t e g i e s f o r i n t e g r a t i n g r e f u g e e s & l e g i s l a t i o n & compliance , w i t h t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n C h a r t e r of Human ' R i g h t s . I n o t h e r words, t h e c o n f e r e n c e c o v e r e d b o t h p r a c t i c a l & p o l i t i c a l - con-
cerns. The h i g h l i g h t of t h e c o n f e r e n c e was Vancouver Refugee l a w y e r P h i l ank kin's c r i t i q u e o f , t h e new l e g i s l a t i o n c o n c e r n i n g r e f u g e e s o u t l i n e d i n B i l l C-86. T h i s B i l l c o u l d become law by mid-November. M r . Rankin p o i n t e d o u t numerous problems w i t h t h e p r o p o s e d B i l l , n o t t h e
l e a s t of which i s t h e f a c t t h a t t h e a u t h o r s of t h e B i l l d i d n ' t c o n s u l t r e f u g e e s , immigrant g r o u p s & t h o s e w o r k i n g w i t h them d u r i n g t h e c r e a t i o n of i t . T h i s a l o n e i s r e a s o n a b l e grounds on which t o oppose i t . However, Rankin d i d n ' t s t o p a t t h a t ; he went on t o g i v e a p o i n t by p o i n t c r i t i c i s m of t h e more n o t o r i o u s p a r t s of t h e l e g i s l a t i o n . U l t i m a t e l y , t h o s e opposed t o t h e b i l l a r g u e t h a t i t w i l l e x c l u d e genui n e r e f u g e e s from Canada. T h i s i s h a r d l y p r o g r e s s i v e lawmaking. Our b e s t l a w s a r e b a s e d on t h e n o t i o n t h a t i t i s b e t t e r t h a t t h e odd g u i l t y p e r s o n s h o u l d go f r e e than t h a t t h e innocent be punished. A l l indications are that the federal government h a s i n t r o d u c e d t h i s "get-tough" l e g i s l a t i o n i n response t o i n c r e a s i n g r a c i s m & c o n c e r n o v e r i m m i g r a t i o n . Conc e r n s which t h e T o r i e s ' g r e a t e s t w e s t e r n p o l i t i c a l r i v a l s , t h e Reform P a r t y , a r e c a p i t a l i z i n g on. I n t h i s c o n t e x t t h e B i l l is n o t reasoned & considered l e g i s l a t i o n s o much a s i t ' s p o l i t i c a l "damage c o n t r o l " Given t h i s I u r g e DERA members t o j o i n t h e i r v o i c e s w i t h The Vancouver Refugee C o u n c i l & o t h e r like-minded g r o u p s i n opp o s i n g t h i s B i l l & c a l l i n g f o r an open & c o n s u l t a t i v e process t o address t h e issue.
(Enclosed with t h e above was a copy of a l e t t e r s e n t t o Michael McCarthy, e d i t o r o f ' $pare Change, dated t h e day a f t e r S h e i l a S ) ,
$pare Change: "Context" means t h e bigger p i c t u r e . Community outrage surged when t h e f i r s t e d i t i o n of t h i s rag campaigned on a DEEDS t r i p - saying it i s our ! f a u l t 1 f o r being poor, t h a t we have t o p u l l ourselves up by our b o o t s t r a p s & s t a r t our own businesses, d o n ' t give panhandlers a dime but t e l l them t o become s t r e e t - c o r n e r hawkers of $pare Change! Cute l i t t l e c i r c u l a r scam. S h e i l a Baxter wrote t o VanCity, which had a f u l l - p a g e ad i n t h e 1st paper. I t remains h e r E t h e Carnegie A s s o c i a t i o n ' s concern t h a t solut i o n s i n t h e l a r g e r context of s o c i a l change were E a r e being ignored/swept und e r t h e c a r p e t of "market forces" by t h e e d i t o r of t h i s so-called "Vancouver Civic Affairs S t r e e t Newspaper." The following r e p l y was received:
Dear Michael: A t t h e time t h a t you asked f o r Vancity's' involvement with Spare Change, you provided a number o f l e t t e r s of supporltl fromiIDERA, DEYAS, AIDS Vancouver 4 many o t h e r l o c a l community organizations. Those i n d o r s a t i o n s appear t o not only have eroded, but t o have reversed G r e s u l ted i n some censure. Our p a r t i c i p a t i o n , by way of a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e f i r s t two i s s u e s , was an expression1 of our d e s i r e t o back t h e community of which we a r e a p a r t . We had not commited f i n a n c i a l l y t o continue beyond two i s s u e s , ' but do f e e i t h a t t h e r e i s a need t o r resol u t i o n . We had intended our p a r t i c i p a t i o n , to be a source of a s s i s t a n c e E not a b a s i s , f o r continuing c o n f l i c t . Please advise of your d e s i r e t o be p a r t of any r e s o l u t i o n E on what b a s i s .
Dear MS. Baxter: I am t h e new Executive Director of t h e VanCity Community Foundation 6 am responding t o your l e t t e r of Sept.30 t o R . Allan. I would be happy t o respond t o your r e quest t o c l a r i f y VanCity funding 6 support, f o r "Spare Change" E I ' d a l s o a p p r e c i a t e the opportunity t o d i s c u s s your perspective on t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n . David D r i s c o l l
David D r i s c o l l , Executive Director One f u r t h e r n o t e - s e v e r a l of t h e ougani s a t i o n s E people whose a r t i c l e s were i n t h e 1st paper wrote s e v e r e l y c r i t i c a l l e t t e r s t o McCarthy. Not one appeared i n t h e 2nd e d i t i o n . In t e l e v i s e d interviews, McCarthy t r i e d t o d e f l e c t c r i t i c i s m , sgying he'd purposely put i n h i s 'judgements' t o s t i r t h i n g s up. Cute. Corporations E r i g h t wing f a n a t i c s must've loved it - g e t poor, homeless E disadvantaged people f i g h t i n g among themselves . . . g e t t h i s paper t o d r i v e a wedge between people i n t h e i r own commun i t i e s from t h e word go! 9unImwfie
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EASTSIDE YOUTH ACTIVITY SERVICES
Out-to-Lunch
Bunch m e e t s d a i l y a t 101 W . Cordova, 10-2:20.
1992 DONATIONS : Cement Masons-$100 iieit11 C.-$20 Paula R.-$20 Nancy W.-$100 Colleen E.-$25 I.uba P -$ I 0 S t u a r t M.-$10 Itobert -$I0 CEEDS - $50 l b t a r y C l u b of Chinatown -$767.15 I:our S i s t e r s C0-op -$500 Joyce M . - $ 1 IlERA -$500 'Tom s .-$5 Legal S e r v i c e s llazel M.-$25
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FREE MEDICAL CLINIC Mon, Wed, F r i d a y : 5:30-7:30pm NEEDLE EXCHANGE - 221 Main; e v e r y day 9am-5pm. Needle Exchange van - on t h e s t r e e t Mon-Sat e v e n i n g s . N.A. m e e t s e v e r y Monday n i g h t a t 223 Main.
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WTH 4: ................................ Income t a x i s f a i r & progressive.
Income i s only a small component of ~ e a l t h . Income t a x i s g e n e r a l l y u n f a i r t o the unwealthy E i s r o u t i n e l y evaded by individuals E corporations. Export-based economies a r e fundamentally *Prout recommends r e p l a c i n g income t a x u n s t a b l e & t h e most v u l n e r a b l e t o economic ~ i t ha consumption t a x , i n a d d i t i o n t o f l u c t u a t i o n s . Globalization simply allows placing r e s t r i c t i o n s on t h e accumulation ~f a s s e t s through a wealth tax. l o c a l companies t o move t h 6 i r production t o t h e cheapest pools 05,'labour i n search WTH 5: Government n a t i o n a l i z a t i o n is a ................................ of p r o f i t , while labour has no comparative good solution. ------------freedom t o move a c r o s s n a t i o n a l borders. N a t i o n a l i z a t i o n f a i l s because of depend*Prout recommends economic s e l f - s u f f i c i ency on remote, i n e f f i c i e n t bureaucracy ency a s t h e key t o economic s e c u r i t y : minwhich is r e s i s t e n t t o change. Nationalizaimum export o f raw m a t e r i a l s , l o c a l manuf a c t u r i n g & a g r i c u l t u r e , s e r v i c e s f c r loc- t i o n is another form of monopoly. " P r o u i recornmencis che ciecen;ralization of a i consumption G i n t e r n a t i o n a l t r a d e based economic a c t i v i t y using worker-owned and on. b a r t e r r a t h e r than currency. managed cooperatives a s t h e primary means MYTH 2:'tSurvival of the f i t t e s t w i s t h e of organizationofpraducing/distribating. ............................... key t o economics. ---------------MYTH 6: The r o f i t motive i s key t o econo----p --I------------------------!Economic Darwinism, t h e theory of economic activity. -----------mic winners & l o s e r s , i n e v i t a b l ) produces Globally, t h e p r o f i t motive l e a v e s a economic d e c l i n e f o r everyone. Although s e l f - i n t e r e s t i n i t i a l l y c r e a t e s some econ- legacy of poverty, s t a g n a t i o n & i n s t a b i l i omic dynamism, more & more people g e t l e f t t y a s ' fewer E fewer i n d i v i d u a l s & n a t i o n s remain economic winners. behind i n poverty, e v e n t u a l l y c r e a t i n g a *Prout recommends a consumption-based echuge d i s p a r i t y of wealth. The two fundame n t a l causes of depression t h a t q r i s e from onomy. A s u s t a i n a b l e E p r o g r e s s i v e l y i n t h i s s i t u a t i o n a r e an excess concentration creasing standard of l i v i n g can be obtaino f wealth r e s u l t i n g i n economic s t a g n a t i o n ed by guaranteeing purchasing power & min& e x p l o i t a t i o n , & a decrease i n investment imum n e c e s s i t i e s t o a l l people. Material and production. i n c e n t i v e s would be e s t a b l i s h e d t o encour*Prout recommends cooperative economics age e f f i c i e n c y i n production & d i s t r i b u t with wealth t a x e s t o reduce t h e accumulaion. I n t e l l e c t u a l and!lspiritual resources t i o n of wealth by a few, & guaranteed pur- can be more e f f e c t i v e l y developed from a chasing power f o r everyone. base of physical s e c u r i t y . TEN POPULAR ECONOMIC MYTHS
MYTH' 3: Free e n t e r p-r ----------------i s e is good f o r sokie--------------t y a s a whole.
MYTH 7: Nationalism is essential t o self................................. i-------dentity.
Free e n t e r p r i s e means freedom t o maximi z e p r o f i t s , r a t h e r than t h e freedom f o r a l l t o p a r t i c i p a t e on an equal b a s i s . Economic advantage remains f i r m l y within t h e wealthy e l i t e who work t o e l i m i n a t e compet i t i o n through mergers, a c q u i s i t i o n s and monopolies tiprout recommends economic democracy i n t h e form of worker-owned business organiz a t i o n s , r e g i o n a l economic planning & loca l u t i l i z a t i o n of l o c a l resources.
Nationalism i s a weans of s e p a r a t i n g t h e world's people along geographical l i n e s . Economic e x p l o i t a t i o n i s e a s i e r where peop l e a r e ' d i v i d e d & subjugated by dogmatic sentiments such a s nationalism, p a t r i o t i s m and regionalism. Businesses 6 p o l i t i c i a n s use t h e s e sentiments t o maintain power and control. "Prout recommends u n i t i n g people cn t h e b a s i s i f a c i n n i b u n i v e r s a l bond, while encouraging r e s p e c t f o r a l l c u l t u r e s . % % \
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MYTH 8 : .The earth has i n f i n i t e resources ................................ f------------o r human use.
*P'ou~ reconmends t h a t candidates publish p o l i c i e s p r i o r t o e l e c t i o n s 4 be held lega l l y accountable t o t h e s e p o l i c i e s . C i t i z en boards should be e s t a b l i s h e d t o regula t e s o c i a l conditions c u r r e n t l y run by politicians. MYTH 10: People a r e content t o be merely consumers. ---------
Modern economy r e l i e s on t h e c r e a t i o n of a r t i f i c i a l needs, over-accumulation & l i f e s t y l e s t h a t a r e e c o l o g i c a l l y unsound. Peapie off en view themselves a s "Parate from t h e environment & b e l i e v e t h a t n a t u r a l r e sources & o t h e r s p e c i e s a r e unboundedly The greed-motivated psychology of s a l e s available f o r exploitation. iis not shared by t h e population a t l a r g e . *Prout views n a t u r a l resources 4 o t h e r l i v i n g beings a s having t h e i r own e s s e n t i - When n o t bombarded by i n t e n s e a d v e r t i s i n g , al value, beyond t h e perceived u t i l i t y by people search f o r a v a r i e t y of non-materihuman beings. S u s t a i n a b l e development f o r a1 experiences such a s education, c u l t u r e , human beings i s connected with t h e welfare music, a r t 6 adventure. Consumerism sugge s t s t h a t people serach f o r happiness i n of a l l c r e a t u r e s & t h e environment.
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r-----acies. Governments a r e unable t o overcome t h e p r e s s u r e s of t h e business lobby & d e f i n e t h e i r agendas i n terms agreeable t o corpo r a t e i n t e r e s t s . Democracy i s held f o r ransom by p a r t y p o l i t i c s which f u r t h e r t h e s e l f - i n t e r e s t s of t h e wealthy a t t h e expense o f e t h i c a l l e a d e r s h i p .
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*Prout recommends r e d e f i n i n g progress t o i n c l u d e i n t e l l e c t u a l and s p i r i t u a l development. True human values & e t h i c s should be brought t o t h e f o r e f r o n t i n making poli t i c a l & economic d e c i s i o n s & overcoming t h e material exploitation currently i n vogue. By GERRY MOORE & RICK HOBBS 1 (appearing i n Prout Journal. ) .-
PROUT s t a n d s f o r Progressive U t i l i s a t i o n Theory. Capitalism & Communism a r e t h e o r i e s too. Prout i s a w h o l i s t i c , socio-economic theory t h a t has common s e n s e a s i t s a p p l i c a t o r & s p i r i t u a l i t y a s i t s foundation. Below a r e t h e f i v e fundamental p r i n c i p l e s . Each has undergone both academic & p r a c t i c a l a n a l y s i s An i n t e r e s t i n g event happened r e c e n t l y 3 P r o u t i s t s t r a v e l l e d t o t h e former Soviet Union's e a s t e r n republics a t t h e i n v i t a t i o n of s e n i o r gov't o f f i c i a l s . prout was accepted a s t h e b a s i s of t h e i r new s o c i a l o r d e r within 3 days. Said ..-one: . . Y O U a r e ~ h fe i r s t f o r e i g n e r s who d i d n ' c come n e r e t o t a k e what we have::
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1. No i n d i v i d u a l should be allowed t o accumulate any physical wealth without t h e c l e a r permission o r approval of t h e c o l l e c t i v e body. ( C o l l e c t i v e doesn't mean a l a r g e gathering of people i n a democratic model)
There should be maximum u t i l i s a t i o n & r a t i o n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n of a l l mundane, supramundane & s p i r i t u a l p o t e n t i a l i t i e s of t h e j n i v e r s e . There should b e maximum u t i l i s a t i o n of a l l p h y s i c a l , metaphysical & s p i r i t u a l p o t e n t i a l i t i e s of u n i t & c o l l e c t i v e bodies of t h e human s o c i e t y . There should be a proper adjustment amongst t h e s e p h y s i c a l , metaphysical, mundane, supramundane & s p i r i t u a l u t i l i s a t i o n s . The method of u t i l i s a t i o n should vary i n accordance with changes i n time, d a c e & Derson. & t h e s e u t i l i s a t i o n s should be of a progressive nature. . CICa6italism'makeshumans beggars; communism makes t h e beggar a b e a s t . 93 P.R. Sarkar
'400 UNITS FOR MEN I am concerned that some of your readers may think the B.C. government does not recognize the great need to address the homing Concernsofpeople with mental CHoming hi)smen*ly ill," The Province, Oct. 18). This year we increased funding to men:&health services by over $50 million, a 28perxent increase, much of it making sure patients moving into the communitv
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the total to 3,200. As well, 100 new places are being developed for former patients of Riverview Hospital. Along with that goes a tull package of support, everything from ~mploymentcounselling to recreation. Not everyone will get the housing they need. But this problem Over take timeto turn things time. It Elizabeth Cull
Folks, Donat i o n s to
the
Carnegie Newsletter
are a l w a y s appreciated. Thanks !
Police released a composite drawing yesterday of a man sought in an attempted attack on a 17-year-old Courtenay teen two weeks ago. The teenager got away and Nesbitt did not rule out a connection with Shaw's death.
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of suspect in recent attempted attack.