A s you read on, you won't f i n d much i n p r i n t (here) t h a t applauds t h i s d e a l . In every province, t h e premier i s heading a gung-ho "yest1 campaign, using hundreds of thousands of p u b l i c d o l l a r s . Mulroney and h i s den, while crying ' t h e cupboard i s b a r e ' when slammed f o r c u t t i n g funding ' f o r women's c e n t r e s ($1.6M a y e a r ) , s c r a p ping t h e Charter Challenge program ($2.5M a year) & passing B i l l C-69 t o k i l l seve r a l n a t i o n a l programs l i k e Medicare. . t h e f e d s scraped over $4M from t h e bottom o f t h e b a r r e l t o p r i n t & d i s t r i b u t e over 18 m i l l i o n c o p i e s o f t h e i r "guide" t o a l l of us. The medium i s n e a r - t o t a l s a t u r a t ion, t o make t h i s d e a l seem l i k e t h e r e s u l t of profound soul-searching & s a c r i f i c e f o r t h e b e n e f i t of " a l l Canadiansf1! What we're being asked ( t o l d ) t o accept i s t h a t t h e NDP & Liberal & Conservative agendas have been put a s i d e . . a r e seconda r y t o t h e f u t u r e of Canada.
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Mulroney i s n a t i o n a l l y l a b e l l e d a s t h e m i n i s t e r in- t h e h i s t o r y o f worst t h i s country. Regardless o f t h e w i l l of t h e m a j o r i t y of Canadians, he rammed t h e "free" t r a d e agreement through (57% of v o t e r s opposed), i n s t i t u t e d t h e GST (85% o f v o t e r s opposed) & passed b i l l C-69 t o reduce f e d e r a l funding of programs l i k e Medicare t o $0 within 15 y e a r s (86% of v o t e r s opposed). Because of our parliamentary system, t h e Tories have an a b s o l u t e majority i n Ottawa. They can pass anything i n t o law. This i s t h e r e a l i t y t h a t t h e L i b e r a l s & t h e NDP faced i n Charlottetown. The F i r s t M i n i s t e r s wheeled 6 dealed i n back rooms, each t r y i n g t o keep t h e i r heads above t h e mud o f t h e Tory/big business agenda.
The most t e l l i n g aspect i s t h e linkage of t h e "social & economic union clauses". This i s d i a m e t r i c a l l y opposed t o j u s t i c e .
How can t h i s d e a l promise "universal, acc e s s i b l e , p o r t a b l e , publically-administered h e a l t h c a r e f 1when C-69 i s a l r e a d y law? How can it promise "adequate s o c i a l s e r v i c e s 6 b e n e f i t s u while each province g e t s t h e r i g h t t o "opt out" of any nationa l program & t h e f e d e r a l T o r i e s have a l ready begun t o withdraw funds by l i m i t i n g t r a n s f e r payments? The message behind t h e glowing propaganda i s t r u s t us. Mulroney's message, d e l i v e r e d l e s s than an hour a f t e r t h e accord was reached, was "Anyone opposed i s an enemy of Canada." (Who's Canada?) Before Meech Lake, s u p p o r t e r s were pred i c t i n g t h e end o f Canada i f it d i d n ' t pass, were s a t u r a t i n g t h e media with d i r e warnings, c a l l e d , E l i j a h Harper:!Wraibortf
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The r i g h t s of women were purposely l e f t o u t of t h e Canada Clause, then n a t i o n a l o f f i c e s o f women's r i g h t s groups i n Ottawa got phonecalls from t h e M i n i s t e r i n Charge of t h e i r funding, t e l l i n g them t o e i t h e r support t h e d e a l o r shut up..any opposition would g e t t h e i r p u b l i c funding c u t o f f . (Reported on CBC.)
Off the record, the rumor's true-on the record, the rumor's fake.
Mulroney, a f t e r people s t a r t e d p o i n t i n g o u t s e r i o u s flaws i n t h e deal, s a i d on TV t h a t Y'hey complain but d o n ' t have any a l t e r n a t i v e . " This i s t h e most ignorant insult a l t e r n a t i v e s ( f a i r taxes, f a i r t r a d e , s o l i d a l t e r n a t i v e s t o every scummy ploy s i n c e '84 by t h e Mulroney/corporate agenda) have been s y s t e m a t i c a l l y ignored.
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A 2-minute r e p o r t on t h e morning news a few days ago brought a l o t o f t h i s t o a focus. Judy Rebick, P r e s i d e n t o f t h e Nati o n a l Action Committee on t h e S t a t u s of Women, confronted John Crosby 6 asked why women's r i g h t s weren't at t h e t a b l e i n PEI Crosby s a i d , "If we had t h e women, we'd have t o have t h e c r i p p l e s & t h e coloureds too." Rebick r e p o r t e d t h i s t o t h e media. Crosby was then shown, n o t defending o r apologizing, but a t t a c k i n g Rebick f o r havi n g t h e g a l l / b a d t a s t e / ( a s t o n i s h e d honesty t o r e p o r t what had been s a i d by an e l e c t e d o f f i c i a l . He s a i d h e r a c t i o n was "disgusting". "contemptable". "beyond contempt". S 1 m a t t e r Crosby - t r u t h h u r t ?
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Shelter for you and your children Information about your options Protection of other women Another woman to talk to
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Aside from a l l t h e flowery p h r a s e s and a s s u r a n c e s t h a t t h i s d e a l i s t h e r e s u l t of i n c r e d i b l e work, i t ' s geared t o being a p e r f e c t f i t f o r t h e impending North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Much of t h e d e v o l u t i o n o f powers t o t h e provinces and re-a2rangement o f g o v ' t won't mean an) t h i n g i f no g o v ' t can e x e r c i s e t h e s e powe r s without ending up i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l d i s p u t e s with t r a n s n a t i o n a l i n t e r e s t s . We have t o e s t a b l i s h Canada a s both f a i l and s t r o n g b e f o r e hidden agendas g e t a chance t o r e a r t h e i r u g l y heads. By PAULR
TAYLOR
If t h e referendum f a i l s , t h e n e x t s t e p would have t o b e a c o n s t i t u e n t assembly..with people n o t worried about g e t t i n g re-elected deciding what's best! P.S.:
1 BATTERED WOMEN
If you are in need of food, clothing, free medical care, or help with lawyers, the courtsorwelfare, call us at Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter (872-8212). If we're not able to help you, we will aid you in finding another group that may offer assistance.
Most of the services listed here operate with inadequate funding -you can offer your support by alerting your government representative to the fact that more funding must be provided if these services are to continue.
For further information,contact:
Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter 872-8212
YOUR RIGHTS ON THE STREET
TIME:
1 PLACE:
Monday, October 20.
10:OO a.m.
Carnegie T h e a t r e , main f l o o r .
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JSm Quail, Legal S e r v i c e s S o c i e t y "The cops a r e always s t o p p i n g me E s e a r ching my p o c k e t s 6 backpack."
"They wuldn't even l e t h e r w a i t a t t h e b u s s t o p - t h e y s a i d g h e y l d throw h e r i n J a i l ! IS THAT LEGAL? ! I 1
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I f you have q u e s t i o n s about your r i g h t s on t h e s t r e e t , come t o t h i s e v e n t and g e t some answers. J i m Quail knows o u r communi t y - a n d h e knows your r i g h t s ! (Free c o f f e e served. )
THE ARROGANT MOUSE The a r r o g a n t g r e y mouse s c a r e d me t h e
first time h e b o l d l y r a n a c r o s s my f r o n t room. I t u p s e t me t o s e e him 6 h i s leatrings i n m y kitchen. He made me angry when I caught him e a t 11 i n g my 'new8 s u i t , which I ,had been conI 1 s i d e r i n g r e t u r n i n g t o t h e shoppe He d i d p,ot even move when I went n e a r him. I bashed him w i t h a broom as he on t h r e a d s . . 6 have been s o r r y e v e r s i n c e . I h e a r d him s q u e a l i n ~ a i nas I k i l l e d .
IC Autumn Finding They happened upon a goshawk, wounded i n t h e road. I t was s o bJood4speckled t h e y c o u l d n ' t make out t h e g r a y tawn l i oh i t s b ~ e a s t . She wanted him t o s e t it down i n t h e marshgrass, t o h e l p i t d i e i t were, 5 be o f f . Y o u a r e probably r i g h t , " he s a i d . "Th b i r d has no s o u l o r agony I can s t r e t c h upon a w i r e - nothing t o hold u s t o i t . Living o r dead, it c i r c l e s beyond t h e t i m b e r l i n e of s p e c u l a t i o n . . h u r t s f o r t h which we cannot see." She s a i d nothing. She was s u r e of him They l i n g e r e d t h e r e unconsciously f o r some moments, marvelled a t i t s s t r a n g e c r y i n g s , wondered what t h e y should do. A t l a s t he s a i d , "We can do nothing." Almost dead i n t h e road, i t d i d not look a t them. I t asked f o r n o t h i n g . .i t d i d n o t watch them go. Gram
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STREET-WISE AND HOME-HAPPY Drugs d o n ' t r e s p e c t any borders, so why should residents,who a r e plagued by them? That was t h e i d e a behind a p r o t e s t marcf l a s t Friday n i g h t , October 9, u n i t i n g two neighbourhoods a c r o s s t h e Hastings border t h a t d i v i d e s t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e on t h e n o r t h from Strathcona on t h e south. I t was t h e f i r s t time r e s i d e n t s of both neighbourhoods had joined f o r c e s a g a i n s t t h e r i s i n g t i d e of s t r e e t drugs flooding t h e area. I t ' s g e t t i n g s o c h i l d r e n c a n ' t go t o school without stepping over used needles o r condoms, o r having t o d e t o u r around drug d e a l e r s doing t h e i r t h i n g . Many s e n i o r s f e e l trapped i n s i d e t h e i r homes, unable even t o go t o t h e park, because t h e y don't want t o f a c e t h a t scene. About 100 r e s i d e n t s marched, many of them p a r e n t s from P r i n c e s s Place a t Princ e s s & Cordova, where more than 120 c h i l d ren l i v e . The p a r e n t s t h e r e have had t o organize p a t r o l s i n o r d e r ' t o g e t t h e i r k i d s t o school s a f e l y each morning, even though t h e school is only two s h o r t blocks away. Strathcona p a r e n t s have been doing t h e same t h i n g s i n c e l a s t year. A s t h e march proceeded up one s i d e of Hastings & down t h e o t h e r , a number o f s e n i o r s from t h e l i c e n s e d premises joined them."manksH s a i d one. "I f e e l s a f e r going home t h i s way.
The marchers made it c l e a r t h a t t h e y a r e n o t l a y i n g a moral t r i p on anyone. In f a c t many people f e e l t h a t most i l l e g a l drugs should be decriminalized. The same goes f o r p r o s t i t u t i o n . The Carnegie Community Centre Association i s on record a s favouring co-op b r o t h e l s where working women can e a r n a l i v i n g i n h e a l t h y & s a f e conditions & c o n t r o l t h e i r own business. Strathcona r e s i d e n t s have been meeting f o r t h e p a s t two y e a r s t o come up with proposals f o r b e t t e r education & s o c i a l programs f o r s t r e e t people. They formed a new S t r a t h cona Residents Association l a s t week t o f i g h t f o r t h e s e programs, among o t h e r s .
5. But t h a t d o e s n ' t mean r e s i d e n t s want s e e s t r e e t a c t i v i t i e s near where t h e y l i v e . Like any commercial business, t h e s e a c t i v i t i e s should be zoned i n t o a non-residenti a l a r e a , where t h e y can be c a r r i e d out without bothering o t h e r people. Most of t h e working women have been v e r y co-operat i v e about moving when t a l k e d t o by r e s i d e n t s ; many a r e p a r e n t s themselves & say they wouldn't l i k e t o have t r a f f i c k i n g going on i n f r o n t of t h e i r own c h i l d r e n . Even t h e drug d e a l e r s seem t o understand t h e p o i n t . A number have t o l d r e s i d e n t s & Oppenheimer Park s t a f f they would be w i l l i n g t o move i f t h e y were s u r e t h e i r customers would come, too. The i n d u s t r i a l a r e a around t h e docks e a s t of Campbell i s b e t t e r s u i t e d f o r t h i s a c t i v i t y , and a "zone of t o l e r a n c e " shoulcl develop t h e r e t o allow t h e s t r e e t scene t o continue without h a s s l e . T h a t ' s a l l t h e r e s i d e n t s a r e asking f o r . Right now, t h e drug scene i s centred at Hastings & Jackson. There a r e drug d e a l s going on round-the-clock, noise & garbage, t a x i s h r i n g i n g people around & t a k i n g them away. Within two hlocks of t h a t corner ara t l e a s t seven s o c i a l housing p r o j e c t s , with more than 1,000 s e n i o r s 4 c h i l d r e n . They have a r i g h t t o l i v e i n peace G secur i t y . People who have no c h i l d r e n o r who l i v e i n big b u i l d i n g s with walls around them may not be aware of t h e concerns t h a t o t h e r s have, who l i v e i n unsafe h o t e l s o r i n s m a l l e r houses & must contend with peo- ' p l e shooting up on t h e i r back porches, washrooms o r s i d e yards. The s i t u a t i o n has been g e t t i n g worse f o r , a number of reasons. There a r e more drugs around, e s p e c i a l l y cocaine. The s t r e e t scenes i n t h e West End 6 Mt.Pleasant were driven o u t , without a thought where they might r e - e s t a b l i s h themselves. The same 4 d t h i n g i s happening on Granville S t r e e t r i g h t now. The drugs have g r a v i t a t e d down t o Hastings S t r e e t , bounced around from Main & Hastings, t o Oppenheimer Park, S t r athcona School, McLean Park, & now Jackson & Hastings. I t ' s time t o f i n d a home f o r t h e s t r e e t scene. By MUGGS SIGURGEIRSON I
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On Sunday, O c t o b e r 18, a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l m e e t i n g w i l l happen a t t h e P e a c e Arch a t t h e Canada-U.S. b o r d e r . P e o p l e from Canada, t h e S t a t e s and Mexico w i l l meet t o g i v e t h e i r v o i c e t o o p p o s i n g t h e p r o p o s e d N o r t h American F r e e T r a d e Agreement. T h i s r a l l y i s t o make a s t r o n g and u n i t e d s t a t e m e n t f o r t h e media t o broadcast i n a l l 3 c o u n t r i e s , timed t o come b e f o r e t h e e l e c t i o n s i n t h e S t a t e s 6 b e f o r e t h e referendum i n o u r country A b u s w i l l b e l e a v i n g from C a r n e g i e a t 10:30 i n t h e morning, r e t u r n i n g by 4:30-5:OO. I f you want t o g o , w r i t e y o u r name on a sign-up s h e e t i n Carnegie o r use these directions: - Take S k y t r a i n t o S c o t t R d . S t a t i o n ; - F r e e s h u t t l e b u s from S c o t t Road s t a t i o n w i l l t a k e you t o P e a c e Arch P a r k . The b u s w i l l o p e r a t e from 10:45 t o 4:00 on Sunday.
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r e j e c t anglo chauvinism & c o l o n i a l b i a s . C. "But a "NO" vote w i l l d e s t r o y Canada ....................................
( i f not end t h e world) ......................
This i s t h e cheapest of a l l t h e t a c t i c s being used. From &lroney s infamous "enemies of Canada" remark, through Weiner's brandishing of a passport, t o Valcourt ' s "dark future", t h e backers of t h e Deal p i l e on t h e h y s t e r i a . What chance does anyone have t o c a s t an informed vote ( i f t h e lack of t h e f i n a l t e x t d i d n ' t make t h i s impossible anyway) when t h e l e v e l of debate i s so sad? This Deal g i v e s them more ammunition i n t h e War on t h e Poor. OCAP (& ELP) w i l l be working f o r i t s d e f e a t .
The National Action Committee on t h e S t a t u s of Women says people should v o t e "not1 t o t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n . Here's why: Abofiginal_-yomn: There i s no guarantee 6Z e q u a i i t y f o r women under a b o r i g i n a l
The Charter o f Rights & Freedoms: The new ~ a n a a a - ~ i a u ~ e - i ~ ; e n i : f i ~ n i - : f i e - r o~ f~ h t ~ governments a t t h e expense o f t h e r i k h t s of i n d i v i d u a l s & disadvantaged groups. The Canada Clause s e t s out a h i e r a r c h y of r i g h t s . A s i t c u r r e n t l y reads, Canadians & t h e i r governments a r e required t o be committed t o minority language r i g h t s . Only Canadians a r e r e q u i r e d t o be committed t o t h e r i g h t s of women & r a c i a l minorit i e s . No one i s r e q u i r e d t o b e committed t o t h e r i g h t s of d i s a b l e d people, l e s b i a n s and gay men. The Canada Clause amounts t o a c o n s t i t u tional direction t o the courts t o interp r e t & balance r i g h t s d i f f e r e n t l y than bef o r e 1982. This weakens t h e r i g h t s of women, m i n o r i t i e s & p a r t i c u l a r l y l e s b i a n s .G gays 6 people with d i s a b i l i t i e s (Editor I s note: and poor people t o o ) .
self-government. Social Programs: Like t h e Meech ---------reement, t h i s - a e a l makes f u t u r e
Lake Agshared c o s t programs l i k e a n a t i o n a l system o f c h i l d c a r e a v i r t u a l i m p o s s i b i l i t y . Provinces w i l l be a b l e t o o p t o u t of new shared c o s t programs with compensation, r e s u l t i n g i n a patchwork of programs acr o s s t h e country. Behind closed- doors & a t t h e l a s t minute t h e F i r s t Ministers introduced an entire11 new l i m i t a t i o n on f e d e r a l spending. This t h r e a t e n s new & e x i s t i n g s o c i a l programs including medicare & a f u t u r e n a t i o n a l program a g a i n s t male violence. F i r s t M i n i s t e r s , not t h e f e d e r a l P a r l i a ment, w i l l s e t n a t i o n a l o b j e c t i v e s . These f e d e r a l p o l i c i e s w i l l have t o r e s p e c t prov i n c i a l p r i o r i t i e s which could include ext r a b i l l i n g by d o c t o r s & u s e r f e e s .
signed t o guarantee gender e q u a l i t y & mino r i t y representation. While some provinces have promised gende r e q u i t y , each g o v 8 t can decide how i t s s e n a t o r s can be e l e c t e d o r chosen. There a r e no guarantees of r e p r e s e n t a t i o n f o r women o r m i n o r i t i e s . These p o i n t s were r a i s e d a t t h e NAC meet i n g i n Vancouver on Sept 20th: 1L.Sixty iFema a r e s t i l l t o be n e g o t i a t e d . 2. We won't have t h e complete l e g a l t e x t before t h e referendum. 3 . Provinces w i l l be a b l e t o n e g o t i a t e s e p a r a t e d e a l s with t h e feds. This could f u r t h e r erode n a t i o n a l programs and standards. 4. A %oll v o t e could h e l p make Mulroney r e a l l y unelectable.
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BIG MERCHANT WISDOM Big Mouth Asshole favoured t r a d e , . Never thought how t h i n g s a r e made Up and down t h e land he went On maximizing p r o f i t bent. Back and f o r t h a c r o s s t h e s e a s Seeking cash and making p l e a s Here and t h e r e and everywhere For i n v e s t o r s , loans and wares.. Tom, Did Never To
t h e worker, laboured long h i s job, and g o t h i s pay thought what could belong himself, o r i n what way.
Side by s i d e , t h e s e two were seen One f o r p r o f i t , one t o make. Big Mouth d i d n ' t have t h e b r a i n To s e e i n Tom a running mate. Tom, t o o slow t o t h i n k i t o u t F e l t he c o u l d n ' t do without Big Mouth's e n d l e s s t r a v e l l i n g So, he f e l l t o g r o v e l l i n g : lfPlease be kind t o me," he s a i d , "Let me have a home, a bed," Knowing not t h a t what he made Is t h e o n l y source of t r a d e . What can Big Mouth buy and s e l l well? I f Tom j u s t s t o p s from Bea Ferneyhough
THEY' RE GETTING BIGGER
I bought my TV i n a second-hand shop Where t h e repairman s a i d T h e r e ' s a l l new wiring i n t h e r e Because of t h e cockroaches That were l i v i n g on t h e wires*' The o t h e r day I took t h e TV back He hadn't removed t h e cockroaches "They ' r e b i g and f a t from e a t i n g The new s t u f f around t h e wiring And t h i s time I want my m sprayedw Dora Sanders
Editor, This i s i n regard t o t h e David Milgaard s t o r y i n t o d a y ' s Province. I have a r e a l problem about h i s mother pleading h i s case about h i s drinking problem. In t h e paper it s t a t e d t h a t David was 40 y e a r s o l d . He'd been i n j a i l f o r 23 o f t h o s e 40 years. Upon r e l e a s e , IF David wanted help from t h e government, about f i t t i n g i n t o t h i s s o c i e t y , I b e l i e v e t h a t it was up t o him t o have asked f o r help. There a r e many o u t l e t s here i n Vancouve r , and where h i s mother l i v e s . Help i s t h e r e ; a l l David needs t o do i s ask, not f o r h i s mother t o plead h i s case. Blaming does not h e l p o n e ' s needs, u n l e s s t h e y ' r e going t o accept t h e i r own a c t i 0 n s . A ~well a s doing something about i t , d e a l i n g with it now can be so h e l p f u l t o o n e ' s s e l f .
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An Aquaintance, M. Prevost.
Changing Times Times a r e s o c o r r u p t That Beelzebub has s e n t envoys To l e a r n business management Hell i s accumulation Now and f o r e v e r Accumulation without end. We have been pushed t o t h e periphery But t h e periphery i s not t h e edge Tora h a s s a i d it The periphery i s a t t h e c e n t r e And t h a t i s where we a r e . . . The s p i r i t u a l i s p o l i t i c a l Make no mistake Thy Kingdom Come doesn't mean When we're f e e l i n g b e t t e r Or when times a r e more auspicious I t means now. Sandy Cameron
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Don Larson. Most of it was r e p e t i t i o n o f t h e contents of h i s l a s t 3 o r 4 l e t t e r s . - alcohol & p r o s t i t u t i o n & pedophiles w i l l accompany a 2nd convention c e n t r e & c r u i s e s h i p p i e r s n e a r Crab Park; - warships & personnel with bad.lbehaviour; - put p i e r s on west s i d e of Canada Place; - n o n - s e n s i t i v i t y t o l o c a l concerns w i l l destroy l o c a l use of t h e park; - Port i s n ' t allowing independent ecologic a l o r s o c i a l impact s t u d i e s . New i n t h i s l e t t e r were words of David Suzuki: "Economics & t h e environment can not be viewed a s mutually exclusive o r competing because t h e y a r e i n t e r l i n k e d and interdependent. I t is absurd t o suggest we can only a f f o r d a clean environment when t h e economy is strong because t h e two can not be separated t h i s way." "The ecosystem approach a l s o d i c t a t e s t h e waterfront cannot be administered i n b i t s and pieces 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 subdivisions. I t has t o be t r e a t e d a s a complete e n t i t y and within a p e r s p e c t i v e of very long time periods . I 1 Larson a t t r i b u t e s t h i s t o Suzuki i n connection t o Toronto's waterfront development & concludes t h a t " t h i s ( h o l i s t i c approach)is not happening i n Vancouver. o u r park is being s o l d out.lt
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Address t o Council Committee on Planning and t h e Environment I w i l l confine my remarks t o t h o s e r e c ommendations i n t h e D i r e c t o r o f P l a n n i n g 1 s r e p o r t p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e i n i t i a t i o n of a development process f o r t h e c e n t r a l w a t e r f r o n t . E s s e n t i a l l y I t h i n k t h e process presented is a workable one s u b j e c t t o t h e following concerns: 1. t h a t t h e proposed m e d i a t i o n / a r b i t r a t j.: ipnrlpdnel members be s e n s i t i v e t o t h e needs G e x p e c t a t i o n s o f t h e adjacent community, which c o n t a i n s a s u b s t a n t i a l r e s i d e n t i a l community a s well a s commercial interests; 2. t h a t t h e C i t y undertake a review t h r u a c o n s u l t a t i o n p r o c e s s with t h e adjace n t community t o a s s e s s p r i o r i t i e s before e n t e r i n g i n t o t h e "cooperative planning processIt with t h e P o r t ; 3. t h a t t h e "protection of t h e n a t i o n a l i n t e r e s t t 1 , i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e use of t h e c e n t r a l w a t e r f r o n t a r e a , :)be r e - evalua t e d with t h e i n c l u s i o n of i n t e r e s t s , o t h e r t h a n t h o s e s p e c i f i c a l l y r e l a t e d t o Port purposes ; 4. t h a t an assessment of requirements f o r view p r e s e r v a t i o n be undertaken i n
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l i g h t of p o s s i b l e e f f e c t s on a d j a c e n t park & housing; 5. t h a t improvement o f w a t e r q u a l i t y and o t h e r r e s t o r a t i v e environmental impacl b e a primary c o n s i d e r a t i o n at a l l s t a g e s of p r o c e s s ; 6. t h a t maximum earthquake p r o t e c t i o n s t a n d a r d s b e used. By KEN LYOTIER
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a wind ,was g r i n d i n g t h e v i l l a g e s i n t o dus d a i l y , news a r r i v e d of t h e l o s t c o l o n i e s of o u r s e l v e s
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beyond t h e horizon, l i g h t n i n g cracked i t s white s h e e t s t h e migraine of p o t e n t i a l wrong stormed toward u s l i k e a f r e n z y of s t a r s
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branches waved f e v e r i s h l y on t h e shore shaken w i t h t h e t h u n d e r o f o l d a r r i v a l s h a l f of them vanished i n t o t h e sun while we watched from t h e beach t h i n k i n g armadas t h e r e i s a b l a c k work a t t h e bottom of n i g h t , a name f o r i t s dead no one knows h i s t o r y a s l e e p i n s i c k n e s s & t h e sweat o f madness, t h e simply t e r r i f i e d who remember running from flames o n l y t o -be n e a r l y drowned a reality like that s i l e n c e s . I was s c a r e d t o death just t o t a l k t o her I k e p t t h i n k i n g t h e war would break o u t o f h e r g r a p h i c , unbalanced gargantuan s c a l e of t h i n g s something l i k e a camp s q u a t t i n g i n t h e g r o u ~ dl i k e h i s t o r y I am haunted by t h e v a c a n c i e s h e r eyes made t h e s i l e n t 0 i n hung mouth r i n g i n g unspeakable g e s t u r e s . D a n Feeney
P o l i t i c s Not Dead Yet I have no q u a r r e l with T o r a ' s a n a l y s i s o f t h e d e c l i n e of North American s o c i e t y . We l i v e not only w i t h a market economy but i n a market s o c i e t y . R e l a t i o n s h i p s a r e def i n e d i n market terms. Money markets a r e r e p l a c i n g what North Americans c a l l demoaracy, a s Tora says. The growth o f t r a n s n a tional corporations i s replacing local c u l t u r e s & l o c a l p o l i t i c s with economic p o l i c i e s t h a t support "the c o r p o r a t e agenda" & i t s dynamic of accumulation. Democr a c y i s dead & p o l i t i c s i s a dead h o r s e , Tora concludes. I d i s a g r e e with T o r a 1 s conclusion t h a t p o l i t i c s i s a dead horse. F i r s t of a l l pol i t i c s i s about how we manage our r e l a t i o n s h i p s i n community & i n t h e world. I t i s an e x p r e s s i o n of who we a r e , and j u s t because t r a n s n a t i o n a l p o l i t i c s i s dominated by huge c o r p o r a t i o n s , i t does not mean t h a t we have t o abandon hope. Tora i s one of t h e most p o l i t i c a l (and s p i r i t u a l ) persons I know. Every l i n e he w r i t e s i s p o l i t i c a l i n t h e sense t h a t i t comes from h i s profound concern about what i t means t o b e a human being & what a human being i s up a g a i n s t . H i s w r i t i n g b r i n g s hope because i t s u g g e s t s t h a t t h e r e is a v i s i o n o f t h e world t r u e r t o our n a t u r e than t h e nightmare v i s i o n o f c o r p o r a t e capitalism. P o l i t i c s i s f a r more than p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s , e l e c t i o n s , o r referendums. The peace movement, environmental movement, & femini s t movement ( t h a t has done much t o show I c
men t h a t t h e y don;t have t o be stuck with d e b i l i t a t i n g d e f i n i t i o n s e i t h e r ) a r e impo r t a n t p o l i t i c a l e x p r e s s i o n s f o r o u r time. And t h e t i m e s a r e changing. Maybe t h e c o r p o r a t e c a p i t a l i s m of t h e west i s about t o c o l l a p s e a s t h e S t a l i n i s t communism o f t h e e a s t c o l l a p s e d . M i l l i o n s of people a r ound t h e world a r e s e a r c h i n g f o r something b e t t e r than a s o c i e t y d e f i n e d by r i g h peop l e who would never f i t through t h e eye o f a needle. Most o f t h e "advocates" t h a t Tora r e f e r s t o i n one o f h i s a r t i d l e s a r e among t h o s e c a r i n g people. They, l i k e Tora h i m s e l f , have found t h e courage t o f i g h t back, no m a t t e r how i n s i g n i f i c a n t o r absurd t h e i r endeavours seem t o be. I f t h e y d i d n ' t r e s i s t , b r a v e l y t r y i n g t o keep t h e i d e a of j u s t i c e a l i v e i n s p i t e of everyt h i n g , t h e c o r r o s i v e powers of p r o f i t and accumulation would d e s t r o y h o p e ~ c o m p l e t e l y . So p o l i t i c s is not dead because c a r i n g human b e i n a s a r e not dead. There i s a s t i -r r i n g i n t h e n i g h t a s people p r e p a r e t o embark on a dark sea. Underneath t h e r a v i n g s of our p o l i t i c a l G economic masters, a t e r r i b l e s i l e n c e i s growing.. .an expectat i o n , P o l i t i c s i s n o t dead. I t i s changing i t s skin. By SANDY CAMERON
Child of t h e s t r e e t e x c i t e d by t h e l i g h t s T u n e d on by t h e freedom from d o ' s and d o n ' t s Free a t last To s l e e p i n t h e c o l d To b e h a s s l e d by c r e e p s To come o u t o f a s t o n e To f e e l hunger and p a i n When t h e l i g h t s go o u t and t h e p e o p l e a l l gone Waiting t h e dawn on a b u g - i n f e s t e d bed S l e e p i n g i n doorways No change o f c l o t h e s One second a tough guy The n e x t minute a c h i l d Can you r e a l l y blame me f o r wanting you s a f e from t h e c o l d , t h e c r e e p s and t h e d a n g e r s you f a c e HOWcan I n o t c a r e what you do Child of t h e s t r e e t ) I c a r e I do.
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The Board o f t h e BC C o a l i t i o n of People w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s i s urging people with d i s a b i l i t i e s t o v o t e a g a i n s t t h e accord. " I t was Dith s h e e r d i s b e l i e f t h a t I heard t h a t people with d i s a b i l i t i e s had been dropped from t h e Canada Clause," s a i d Mary Williams, Vice-president of t h e C o a l i t i o n & c h i e f spokesperson on t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n . "The i n i t i a l shock was f u r t h e r compounded when I read t h e r e s t of t h e p r o p o s a l s . I t i s no b e t t e r than t h e Meech Lake Accord t h e t h r e a t s t o new G e x i s t i n g s o c i a l programs a r e v i r t u a l l y t h e same & women with d i s a b i l i t i e s see erosion of t h e i r rights." The C o a l i t i o n i n t e n d s t o launch an i n t e n s i v e campaign t o educate i t s members on why t h e p r e s e n t d e a l c m l t be supported. "We won't be i n t i m i d a t e d i n t o s i l e n c e , " s a i d Williams. Itwe a r e assuming we s t i l l
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l i v e i n a democracy & t h a t we can c r e a t e some open, r e s p e c t f u l d e b a t e on t h i s d e a l . The g o v ' t h a s even r e f u s e d t o r e l e a s e t h e (complete) l e g a l t e x t of t h e agreements b e f o r e t h e referendum. I t s absurd. " Williams a l s o s t a t e d t h a t t h e C o a l i t i o n would n o t b e l a b e l l e d "anti-French" o r "un-Canadiantf.'lThe C o a l i t i o n i s on r e c o r d s u p p o r t i n g Quebec's d i s t i n c t s o c i e t y a s well a s a b o r i g i n a l s e l f -government. "
THE OWL WHO WAS GOD Once upon a starless m i d n i g h t t h e r e w a s a n owl who s a t on t h e b r a n c h of an oak t r e e . Two ground moles t r i e d t o s l i p q u i e t l y by, unnoticed. "You!" s a i d t h e owl. "Who?" t h e y quavered i n f e a r & a s t o n i s h ment, f o r t h e y c o u l d n o t b e l i e v e t h a t i t was p o s s i b l e f o r anyone t o s e e them i n t h a t t h i c k darkness. "You two!" s a i d t h e owl. The moles h u r r i e d away & t o l d t h e o t h e r c r e a t u r e s of t h e f i e l d & f o r e s t t h a t t h e owl was t h e g r e a t e s t & w i s e s t of a l l a n i mals, because h e could s e e i n t h e dark &
answer any q u e s t i o n . "I '11 s e e about t h a t " s a i d a s e c r e t a r y b i r d , & h e c a l l e d on t h e owl one n i g h t when i t was a g a i n v e r y d a r k . "How many c l a w s am I h o l d i n g up?" "Two," s a i d t h e owl, & t h a t was r i g h t . "Why d o e s a l o v e r c a l l on h i s l o v e ? " "To woo," s a i d t h e owl. The s e c r e t a r y b i r d h a s t e n e d b a c k t o t h e o t h e r c r e a t u r e s & r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e owl was i n d e e d t h e g r e a t e s t & w i s e s t a n i m a l i n t h e world, because h e could s e e i n t h e d a r k & answer any q u e s t i o n . "Can he s e e i n t h e d a y t i m e , too?" a s k e d a r e d f o x . "Yes," echoed a dormouse & a French p o o d l e , "Can he s e e i n t h e daytime too?" A l l t h e o t h e r c r e a t u r e s laughed a t t h i s ' s i l l y q u e s t i o n , and t h e y s e t upon t h e f o x & h i s f r i e n d s & drove them o u t of t h e r e g i o n . Then t h e y s e n t a messenger t o t h e owl & a s k e d him t o b e t h e i r l e a d e r . When t h e owl a p p e a r e d among t h e a n i m a l s i t was h i g h noon & t h e sun was s h i n i n g b r i g h t l y . He walked v e r y s l o w l y , which gave him an a p p e a r a n c e of g r e a t d i g n i t y & h e p e e r e d a b o u t him w i t h l a r g e s t a r i n g e y e s which gave him an a i r of tremendous importance. "He's God!" screamed a Plymouth Rock hen & t h e o t h e r s t o o k up t h e c r y "He's God!" So t h e y f o l l o w e d him wherever h e went & when he began t o bump i n t o t h i n g s t h e y began t o bump i n t o t h i n g s t o o . F i n a l l y h e came t o a c o n c r e t e highway & h e s t a r t e d up t h e m i d d l e of i t & a l l t h e o t h e r c r e a t u r e s f o l l o w e d him. P r e s e n t l y a hawk, who was a c t i n g a s o u t r i d e r , o b s e r v e d a t r u c k coming a t them a t 50 m i l e s an h o u r . He r e p o r t e d t o t h e s e c r e t a r y b i r d & t h e b i r d r e p o r t e d t o t h e owl. " T h e r e ' s d a n g e r ahead , I 1 s a i d t h e b i r d . "To woo?" s a i d t h e owl. "Aren' t you a f r a i d ? " asked t h e b i r d . "Who?" s a i d t h e owl c a l m l y , f o r h e c o u l d not see the truck. "He's God!" c r i e d a l l t h e c r e a t u r e s a g a i n & t h e y were s t i l l c r y i n g "He's God!" when t h e t r u c k h i t them & r a n them down. Some of t h e a n i m a l s were merely i n j u r e d , b u t most of them, i n c l u d i n g t h e owl, were killed. Moral: You c a n f o o l t o o many of t h e p e o p l e t o o much of t h e t i m e .
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For Liz a t Riverview Those adventures now a r e words i n someone e l s e v s mouth, d i s t a n t temples b l e e d i n g t h r u t h e blonde distraction. Forgetfulness i s a s e r i e s o f shocks, of n i g h t s , each t h i n n e r t h a n t h e l a s t ; f i n a l l y i n v i s i b l e , W'E ~fdl&hErlLak:oE space t h e s i z e of a f i s t , r a i s e d 20 y e a r s a g a i n s t t h e i n d e s c r i b a b l e f r a u d o f i d e n t i t y . You a r e a sound b e a t e n from t h e f l e s h , an ache, a b a r of s i l e n c e where t h e l i g h t f a l l s l i k e s t a t i c . A broken s y l l a b l e . The i n s t i t u t i o n s h r i n k s from t h e road. Black-limbed, g n a r l e f t r e e s embrace absence crookedly, a kind of dark i m p e r i s h a b l e l i g h t n i n g . The h i l l s seem t o b r e e d weather, d e s p e r a t e t o vanish, an involuntary p r o l i f e r a t i o n o f algebras f o r the inpenetrable r e l i e f . A s i f an e q u a t i o n could l e a d l y o u l i k e a thread t h r u t h e tragedy o f your swollen thunder. We s h a l l f i n d t h e u n p l e a s a n t now a t every c o r n e r , i n e v e r y s t a t i o n drinking t h e i r sugary i n d i s p o s i t i o n s l i k e medication, . r e e l i n g o f f t h e i r imported p l a n s f o r l o v e , f o r community, f o r t h e hidden wave t h a t does n o t b r u s h them nameless t o t h e i r drowning. And when t h e echo of t h e h a l l s h a s d i e d , t h e wards c l o s e d , autumn done, may we h e a r your song a g a i n though w i n t e r and war come. Dan Feeney Well, I'm almost f i n i s h e d a new book. I t ' l l b e out i n t h e spring. I t ' s called ''A Child I s Not A Toy". I n i t , c h i l d r e n themselves speak o u t a g a i n s t p o v e r t y 6 say i n t h e i r own words how being poor a f fects t h e i r lives. I d i d n ' t apply f o r any g r a n t s t o fund r e s e a r c h , b u t worked with t h e people who speak o u t i n t h e booktts pages. Expenses have t o be kept t o t h e a b s o l u t e minimum when I have t o c o v e r mine o u t of m y welf a r e cheque.. and t h i s way people d o n t t
mistake me f o r some ' p r o f e s s i o n a l ' who i s playing a r o l e t o g e t a s t o r y . New S t a r Books pays me $100 a month i n r o y a l t i e s f o r No Way To Live a n d u n d e r The Viaduct I g e t 10% o f t h e money books a r e sold-for - t h e n t h e $100 a month i s p a i d u n t i l t h e t o t a l i s p a i d . You d o n ' t g e t r i c h w r i t i n g books about s o c i a l condit i o n s b u t I'm n o t looking t o g e t r i c h . Having a l i t t l e e x t r a i s ' f u n ' ! Thanks t o a l l my wonderful buddies a t Carnegie. S h e i l a Baxter
TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House to the following: THAT recent measures adopted by Parliament to limit fransfer payments to the Provinces for social programs are resulting in reductions in individual entitlements under these programs; THAT these measures are slowly destroying the social fabric that holds us together and makes us proud to be Canadians;
THAT there is NO need for these measures since the cost of social programs can be borne by our economy if Parliament chooses to give the highest priority to the maintenance and improvement of Canada's social programs; THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon Parliament to make a clear and tangible commitment to safeguard Canada's social programs, (i.e., health care, educational support, social assistance, Family Allowance, Cld Age Security Pension and Unemployment Insurance), by enshrining the basic principles and values of these programs in the fundamental laws of Canada, namely the Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
[NOTE:All signers must be of voting age. Your signature must be legible to be counted. For additional copies, please photocopy petition onto paper 8 112 x 11 inches or 8 112 x 14 inches, or write to One Voice.] Signature (Sign your own name. Do not print.)
Address (Give your full home address, or simply your city and province.)
RETURN TO: One Voice, Canadian Seniors Network, 1005 - 350 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON. K1R 7S8
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The s u p e r - r i c h e l i t e , t h e o w n e r s / s h a r e h o l d e r s / e x e c u t i v e s of t r a n s n a t i o n a l i n t e r e s t s , have an agenda. The Wall S t r e e t J o u r n a l d e p i c t i o n i s a sample of t h e c o r p o r a t e agenda. Nothing is s a i d of t h e 60 m i l l i o n p e o p l e i n Mexico who l i v e i n o p p r e s s i v e p o v e r t y . . o f t h e same huge g u l f between t h e w e a l t h y e l i t e s t h r o u g h o u t C e n t r a l America and South America..of t h e " f r e e " t r a d e a s p i r a t i o n s of t h e r i c h e l i t e s i n a l l count- '' r i e s of t h e hemisphere. The p r e s e n t condit i o n s of want a r e t h e d i r e c t r e s u l t of t h e World Bank & I n t e r n a t i o n a l Monetary Fund l o a n i n g money t o pay i n t e r e s t on huge d e b t o n l y i f S t r u c t u r a l Adjustment Programs a r e f o l l o w e d . A SAP makes p e o p l e produce c a s h c r o p s & goods f o r e x p o r t , r a t h e r t h a n grow food f o r t h e m s e l v e s . . . l i k e r a i n f o r e s t s bei n g d e s t r o y e d s o Burger King & ~ c ~ o n a l d ' s can have t h e l a n d t o r a i s e b e e f c h e a p l y . Compare t h e W.S.Journa1 p i c t u r e t o t h a t of t h o s e s e e i n g " f r e e " t r a d e f o r what i t i s .
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We b e l i e v e t h a t s o long a s market economy a s p r a c t i s e d today p r e v a i l s a s t h e dominant t h e s i s governing human s o c i a l production, u n i v e r s a l genocide i s inescapable - i s i n e v i t a b l e ; and t h a t it i s approaching i t s c ~ n c l u s i o nf a s t e r with eve r y passing year. We consequently b e l i e v e t h a t t h i s c i r c umstance c a l l s f o r a c t i o n now f o r fundame n t a l change t o b r i n g about an lend t o t h e f a c t s of l i f e t h a t a r e l e a d i n g u s t o o u r d e s t r u c t i o n , namely: - an end t o l e g i s l a t e d poverty through c o n s t i t u t e d r i g h t o f access by a l l t o t h e means E instruments e s s e n t i a l f o r making a l i v i n g ; an end t o t h e arms r a c e and war; an end t o t h e circumscribing E reduction of democratic p r a c t i c e . Our c a l l i s f o r fundamental change: t o e n l a r g e & expand democratic r i g h t E oppor. t u n i t y i n a l l spheres & a t a l l l e v e l s ; t o recognise t h e r i g h t o f one 4 a l l t o access t o t h e means & instruments of making a l i v i n g ; t o b r i n g about r e j e c t i o n of t h e "market economyf1 which p i t s every p e r s o n ' s hand G b r a i n a g a i n s t every o t h e r p e r s o n ' s hand G b r a i n i n a manner t h a t condemns a l l t o p e r p e t u a l i n s e c u r i t y and warring i n t e l l e c t u a l , manual, economic 6 m i l i t a r y . I n s h o r t , an end t o p r i v a t e monopoly. Co-operative, not competitive a c t i v i t y , we f e e l , i s c a l l e d f o r ; n o t r u t h l e s s comp e t i t i o n "out t h e r e " but "out t h e r e " a broadening, l e v e l playing f i e l d of opporI t u n i t y f o r a l l t o win, one E a l l , i n a win-win way, a s t h e y say - an expanding E s e c u r e & happy l i f e . "Life, l i b e r t y & t h e p u r s u i t o f happinj e s s should be o u r goal. ] The f i r s t 6 fundamental n e c e s s i t y f o r s u r i i v a l is obviously good h e a l t h , E one cannot guarantee good h e a l t h without a t t h e same time guaranteeing access t o t h e means & instruments of production, i . e . t h e wherewithal f o r procuring f o r o n e ' s own personal use, food, c l o t h i n g , housing & access t o o p p o r t u n i t y f o r self-development through s t u d y & education. Health r e s t s on t h e presence of a l l of t h e s e . They must be a v a i l a b l e t o a l l .
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For success, t h e r e f o r e , i n achieving a v i a b l e c o n s t i t u t i o n , we must r e l e g a t e merchandising a c t i v i t y t o i t s r i g h t f u l r o l e a s a f a c i l i t a t o r , a subordinate & accessory i n t h e s e r v i c e of production f o r i n d i v i d u a l & s o c i a l consumption. Merchandising i s by n a t u r e & h i s t o r i c a l l y secondary t o 6 a t t r i b u t i v e t o production, n o t dominant. For h e a l t h y s o c i a l development it s e r v e s f i r s t 6 foremost p r o d u c t i v i t y & a balanced standard of l i v i n g a t t h e p o i n t of o r i g i n of production, providing a s u s t a i n e d & balanced i m proving s t a n d a r d of l i v i n g f o r a l l according t o t h e r e a l v a l u e of each 6 everybody's r e s p o n s i b i l i t y E good w i l l toward a l l - locally, nationally E internationa l l y . Only s o can merchandising cease t o be a t h r e a t t o human s u r v i v a l . Recognition o f t h e n e c e s s i t y f o r such guarantees of access t o t h e means E i n s t ruments e s s e n t i a l f o r making a l i v i n g and of t h e s o c i a l l y r e s p o n s i b l e r o l e of merchandising p r a c t i c e a r e indispensable, we b e l i e v e , i n a meaningful, democratic constitution. We Canadians a r e t h e i n h e r i t o r s of t h e enriching influence of Magna Carta & t h e l i b e r a t i n g impact of t h e Declaration of Independence 6 , i f we have t h e willpower, & t h e good w i l l , can be t h e s a v i o u r s of t h e world from t h e degenerating s e l f - s e e k ing of p r i v a t e monopoly & m u l t i n a t i o n a l c o r p o r a t e domination which i s leading t h e planet t o self-destruction. People's democracy can triumph & can l e a d us away from s e l f - d e s t r u c t i v e competi t i v e n e s s E i n t o a world of co-operation & good w i l l toward a l l people. We, Canadi a n s , can - i f we w i l l - lead t h e world out of t h e m i l l e n i a of barbarism E i n t o t h e 21st millenium of p e o p l e ' s democracy and peaceful co-existence f o r a l l .
* For All-Canada Unity i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h e c a l l i n g of a p e o p l e ' s c o n s t i t u e n t a s sembl y. By BEA FERNEYHOUGH
1
DOWUTOWN EASTSIDE YOUTH ACTIVITY SERVICES
S T 9 C l i n i c - P.londay t h r o u g h F r i d a y , 9am - 5pm. FREE bKDICAL C L I N I C - 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 . meets e v e r y Monday n i g h t a t 223 Main.
Out-to-Lunch
Bunch m e e t s d a i l y a t 101 W . Cordova, 10-2:20.
-I)ONA'I'IONS: 1992
Cement blasons-$100 Paula H.-$20 Colleen E.-$25 Nancy W. -$I 00 l.r~baP.-$10 S t u a r t M.-$10 NI:XT I!;SW I<oI)ert - $ l o cmns - $50 I<oLary C l u b of Chinatown -$767.15 l,our S i s t e r s Co-op -$500 Joyce M. -$lo 'Tom S.-$5 DERA -$500 llazel M.-$25 Legal S e r v i c e s -$ZOO 'l'l~eo l d S a i l o r -$40 Etienne S.-$50 PLURA -$800 C e c i l e C . -$20 ores st Lawn -$25 B i l l T.-$20 E r i c E.-$10 Jean F.-$15 Yvonne ,C. - $ l o Ken - $ 5 Wm.B .-$20 Anonymous -$18 Smithers S . S . - $ 4 5 Roberts A . L . C . - $ 3 0 K c i t h C.-$20
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The Downtown E a s t s i d e R e s i d e n t s 1 A s s o c i a t i o n c a n h e l p you w i t h : any w e l f a r e problem i n f o r m a t i o n on l e g a l r i g h t s disputes with landlords unsafe l i v i n g conditions income t a x U I C problems f i n d i n g housing o p e n i n g a bank a c c o u n t Come i n t o t h e DERA o f f i c e a t 9 E a s t H a s t i n g s S t o r phone u s a t 682-0931.
DERA HAS BEEN SERVING THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE FOR 19 YEARS
Inn.
..happiness I met my f r i e n d Hector i n a bank l i n e u ~ t h e o t h e r day. Hector i s b i g on t h e d e c i sion-making l e v e l s of t h e NDP. "Hi., Hector," I s a i d . "I guess you & the r e s t of t h e t o p NDP b r a s s have been busy f o r t h e l a s t year." 'lWe've been very busy," Hector r e p l i e d . "We took o f f i c e b e l i e v i n g t h a t every ide n t i f i a b l e group should have i t s chance t o be happy about us. We've worked hard a t t h a t end & we look back with p r i d e on what we've done. J u s t l a t e l y we gave a l l t h e women i n t h e province about 48 hours o f happiness when t h e y believed t h a t they a s women stood an equal chance of becoming members of t h e Senate.'' "That's c e r t a i n l y commendable," I s a i d . "The women of BC s u r e l y deserved 48 hour: of happiness. But what about t h e people on welfare?" "We gave t h e people on welfare not j u s t 48 hours but 2 weeks of happiness when wc announced welfare r a t e i n c r e a s e s . For 2 whole weeks, everyone on welfare was happy because t h e y thought t h e y were g e t t i n ~ an increase. And t h e rednecks i n BC were happy t o o because t h e r e i s nothing t h a t makes a redneck a s happy a s when he can phone i n t o an open l i n e r a d i o show & foar a t t h e mouth about how welfare bums a r e being c ~ d d l e d . ~ ' "So you gave t h e people on welfare an i n c r e a s e , d i d you?" I asked. Hector looked a t me a s i f I ' d gone out of my mind. "Are you kidding? We know which s i d e ouj b u t t e r i s breaded on. The welfare bums had t h e i r two weeks of happiness while t h e y thought t h e y were g e t t i n g an i n c r e a . se. We gave t h e i n c r e a s e t o t h e landlord: i n s t e a d . That way w e ' l l s t a n d a good chance of g e t t i n g it back i n t a x money & t h e l a n d l o r d s have t h e i r turn1 t o be~liappy "I've got t o s a y you're being very even handed when it comes t o spreading around p e r i o d s of happiness," I remarked. Hector looked p h i l o s o p h i c a l . "Yes. Tha i s t h e NDP way. To g i v e everyone a b u r s t of happiness now & then. ~ v e nt h e shopkeepers have come i n t o i t . We found t h a t a bunch of bums were j u s t buying 2 o r 3 c i g a r e t t e s a t a time. We made t h a t i l l e g
Now they have t o buy t h e whole package o r everyone concerned i s going t o go t o j a i l . S a l e s of packages of c i g a r e t t e s a r e up & t h e shopkeepers a r e having t h e i r time of happiness. To say nothing of i m proved t a x revenues. Z thought about it f o r a minute & then I s a i d , "But what about yourselves? Don't t h e e l e c t e d members of t h e NDP deserve t h e i r chance t o be happy?" Hector looked grave. "Yes ," he s a i d . "Everyone knows how s t r o n g t h e NDP concern i s about Forestry. We're concerned a s we watch o u t f i t s l i k e MacMillan Bloede l c l o s e i n on t h e l a s t few patches of prime f o r e s t i n t h e province & s o we've decided t o t a k e s t r o n g action." Joy f i l l e d me. "You mean you're going t o p a s s l e g i s l a t i o n t h a t w i l l curb compan i e s l f k e MacBlo?" I asked. llWell, no ,'I Hector s a i d . "Your quest ion about t h e happiness of e l e c t e d NDP membe r s . . . t h e y ' r e happy because t h e y ' r e g e t t i n g b i g g e r pay cheques than t h e y ever r got i n t h e i r l i v e s before. Now we're a l l able t o have handsome investment p o r t f o l i o s . The s t r o n g a c t i o n we're going t o t a k e about MacBlo i s t h a t each & every one of u s i s going t o buy MacMillan Bloedel p r e f e r r e d stock. A s t h e l a s t of B C ' s f o r e s t s i s cleaned up, t h a t stock i s l i k e l y t o r i s e o u t o f s i g h t . We'll be r i c h E very, very happy!" Here Hector l a i d h i s hand on my shoulder 6 gazed s i n c e r e l y i n t o my eyes. "Happiness can only be enduring,Vrhe intoned, "if you a r e t h e one who i s c a l l i n g t h e tune." By ERIC ERICKSON ( E d i t o r ' s note: The f i r s t i n c r e a s e i n t h e welfare r a t e s s p l i t t h e new money - $25 on s h e l t e r E $20-$50 on support - f o r people who have f a m i l i e s and/or a r e disabled. Increases f o r s i n g l e people was s o l e l y on s h e l t e r . The annual t a g i s $60 million. A s i n g l e "redneck" i s p r e t t y low-key when the NDP-got storms of f l a c k f r o m a l l of t h e socred i l k , j u s t a s Rae's NDP gov't i n Ont a r i o g e t s roasted i n t h e p r e s s f o r changing t h e labour laws. S i n c e Eric seems t o expect miracles, t h i s piece should maybe be e n t i t l e d "Another dream I had". . ) I
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T H E RABBITS WHO CAUSED ALL T H E TROUBLE Within the memory of the youngest child there was a family of rabbits who lived near a pack of wolves. T h e wolves announced that they did not like the way the rabbits were living. ( T h e wolves were crazy about the way they themselves were living, because it was the only way to live.) O n e night several wolves were killed in. a n earthquake and this was blamed on the rabbits, for it is well known that rabbits pound on the ground with their hind legs and cause earthquakes. O n another night one of the wolves was killed by a bolt of lightning and this was also blamed on the rabbits, for it is well known that lettuce-eaters cause lightning. T h e wolves threatened to civilize the rabbits if they didn't behave, and the rabbits decided to run away to a desert island. But the other animals, who lived at a great distance, shamed them, saying, "You must stay where you are and b e brave. T h i s is no world for escapists. If the wolves attack you, we will come to your aid, in all probability." So the rabbits continued to live near the wolves and one day there was a terrible flood which drowned a great many wolves. This was blamed on the rabbits, for i t is well known that carrot-nibblers with long ears cause floods. T h e wolves descended on the rabbits, for their own good, and imprisoned them in a dark cave, for their own prolection. W h e n nothing was heard about the rabbits for some weeks, the other animals demanded to know what had happened to them. T h e wolves replied that the rabbits had been eaten and since they had been eaten the affair was a purely internal rnatler. But the other animals warned that they might possibly unite against the wolves unless some reason was given for the destruction of the rabbits. So the wolves gave them one. T h e y were trying to escape," said the wolves, "and, as you know, this is no world for escapists." 4 1
Moral: Run, don't walk, to t h e nearest desert island.
Yes o r no t o t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n a l d e a l ? HOW should I v o t e on t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n ? That's a question t h a t l o t s of people a r e asking. This a r t i c l e won't t e l l you how t o vote, but h e r e a r e some p o i n t s about t h e deal a s i t r e l a t e s t o poverty i s s u e s and i s s u e s ELP has taken a s t a n d on.
E C O ~ O ~union: ~ C This i s t h e s e c t i o n i n t h e o r i g i n a l Tory proposal t h a t we c a l l e d a c h a r t e r of r i g h t s f o r b i g business. ELP voted t o oppose t h i s s e c t i o n . I t would've p r o h i b i t e d laws, programs o r p r a c t i c e s of t h e f e d e r a l o r p r o v i n c i a l g o v ' t t h a t would be b a r r i e r s t o t h e m o b i l i t y of persons, c a p i t a l , s e r v i c e s & goods. The Charlottetown proposal t h a t we w i l l be v o t i n g on on Oct.26 t a n g l e s t h i s busine s s r i g h t s p a r t o f t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n up with s o c i a l r i g h t s i n a " s o c i a l & economic ~ n i o n " c 1 a u s e ' ~ Bruce . P o r t e r , a lawyer who has been working with s o c i a l j u s t i c e groups bn t h i s i s s u e , says t h a t t h i s p a r t i s j u s t i c i a b l e . This means t h a t it can be taken t o c o u r t . "A t r i b u n a l of n e o - c l a s s i c a l economists i n t e r p r e t i n g t h e meaning of "unduly impede s t h e e f f i c i e n t f u n c t i o n i n g of t h e Canadian Economic Union" could do a l o t of damage," s a y s P o r t e r . In any event t h e r e were no economic union r i g h t s f o r business i n t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n ~ f 1982. The Charlottetown deal seems t o give t h e s e r i g h t s t o business, although vith l o t s of exceptions.
Property r i g h t s : The o r i g i n a l Tory proposa l wanted t o i n c l u d e p r o p e r t y r i g h t s i n the c o n s t i t u t i o n . ELP voted t o oppose t h i s p a r t . I t ' s been l e f t o u t of t h i s one.
Changes t o t h e Bank o f Canada Act: The ori g i n a l Tory plan was t o l i m i t t h e r o l e of the Bank of Canada to. f i g h t i n g i n f l a t i o n . b i s would'have been a d i s a s t e r f o r poor beople s i n c e t h e Bank's r o l e now includes Fighting unemployment. The Bank u s u a l l y Fights i n f l a t i o n by i n c r e a s i n g i n t e r e s t a t e s which i n c r e a s e s unemployment & povr t y . This s e c t i o n was a l s o l e f t out of h-------__ i s round of d i s c u s s i o n s .
Federal p r o v i n c i a l powers: The National Action Committee on t h e s t a t u s of Women says t h i s s e c t i o n i s now a d i s a s t e r f o r s o c i a l programs. There i s a new s e c t i o n t h a t allows p r o v i n c i a l Premiers t o r e s t r i c t f e d e r a l spending powers i n e x i s t i n g s o c i a l programs, such a s medicare and educ a t ion. One s e c t i o n allows provinces t o opt o u t of n a t i o n a l s o c i a l programs & s t i l l g e t paid by t h e f e d s i f they c a r r y on a program t h a t i s "compatible with t h e n a t i o n a l o b j e c t i v e s ." This program could be p r i v a t ized & probably wouldn't have t o meet high quality standards. Housing, labour market t r a i n i n g : The d e a l a l s o g i v e s provinces power, but not necess a r i l y f e d e r a l money t o c o n t r o l housing, labour market development & t r a i n i n g , c u l t u r e , f o r e s t r y , mining, tourism, r e c r e a t ion. This w i l l r e s u l t i n uneven programs between r i c h 6 poor provinces. W i l l BC a l one have enough money t o r e s t o r e t h e co-op housing program chopped by t h e f e d s ? D i s a b i l i t y r i g h t s : People with d i s a b i l i t i e s a r e outraged t h a t d i s a b i l i t y r i g h t s have been dropped from t h e Canada c i a u s e , weakening t h e i r r i g h t s
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Aboriginal r i g h t s : ELP voted t o support t h e p r i n c i p l e of Aboriginal s e l f determina t i o n . The d e a l seems t o be a c c e p t a b l e t o t h e Aboriginal o r g a n i s a t i o n s t h a t a r e l e d by mostly men. But t h e Native Women's ASSo c i a t i o n b e l i e v e they have l o s t C h a r t e r r i g h t s t h a t t h e y used t o have. The r i g h t of Quebec t o s e l f determination: ELP voted t o support t h i s . We'll have t o wait u n t i l a f t e r t h e referendum t o s e e i f t h e people of Quebec a r e happy with t h e package. NAC s a y s t h a t "the r i g h t t o s e l f determination f o r Quebec & a b o r i g i n a l peop l e must mean t h e r i g h t t o democratically d e c i d e ' t h e i r f u t u r e without being overwhelmed by a massive campaign o r c h e s t r a t e d
by t h e m a j o r i t y p o l i t i c a l e l i t e s . " How t o sum up? Some of t h e worst p a r t s of t h e Tory plan seem t o be weakened o r gone. These i n c l u d e t h e economic union, p r o p e r t y r i g h t s , Bank of Canada c l a u s e s . Maybe we should t a k e some c r e d i t f o r t h i s . But t h e l o s s of d i s a b i l i t y r i g h t s , erosion of e q u a l i t y r i g h t s , r e s t r u c t u r i n g of power towards t h e provinces 6 changes that make it h a r d e r t o have n a t i o n a l s o c i a l programs w i l l make poor people even worse o f f t h a n before. By JEAN SWRNSON
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I was q u i t e s u r p r i s e d t o read t h e f i r s t major advertisement of t h e BC Canada YES Committee l a s t week. Their ad urged u s t o v o t e ftyes" t o t h e Mulroney c o n s t i t u t i o n a l d e a l f o r 3 reasons - it w i l l decrease t h e s i z e E c o s t t o t h e taxpayers of government, with t h e t r a n s f e r of 6 a r e a s of f e d e r a l j u r i s d i c t i o n t o t h e provinces; - it w i l l reduce i n t e r p r o v i n c i a l t r a d e barriers; - it w i l l enshrine s o c i a l p o l i c y o b j e c t i v e s i n t o t h e Constitution. Those 3 reasons a r e reason enough t o v o t e %on on October 26th. The Mulroney d e a l does anything but dec r e a s e t h e cost of gov' t . *Forty-two more MPs, a t a c o s t of $770,000 each, i s t h e l a s t t h i n g Canadians can a f f o r d . *Forestry i s being t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e provinoes bu4 t h e f e d e r a l department w i l l remain s i n c e most of i t s budget a t p r e s e n t goes t o i n t e r n a t i o n a l f o r e s t r y products E s e r v i c e s . "Housing i s being t r a n s f e r r e d but t h e f e d e r a l dept. w i l l remain beca;& 90% of i t s budget a t p r e s e n t goes t o t h e maintenance o f f e d e r a l housing p r o j e c t s . *Amat e u r s p o r t s i s being t r a n s f e r r e d but most of t h e f e d e r a l d e p t ' s money w i l l s t i l l go t o preparing a t h e l e t e s f o r t h e Olympics, Commonwealth Games E o t h e r i n t e r n a t i o n a l events. There w i l l be a b s o l u t e l y no reduction i n t h e s i z e of t h e f e d e r a l g o v ' t ; it w i l l i n f a c t grow l a r g e r .
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The Mulroney d e a l w i l l do anything but reduce i n t e r p r o v i n c i a l t r a d e b a r r i e r s . Section 1.6 o f t h e summary agreement (not the legal t e x t ) s t a t e s t h a t interprovinci a l t r a d e b a r r i e r s w i l l be discussed a t a f u t u r e f i r s t m i n i s t e r s 1 meeting. F i r s t m i n i s t e r s have b e e n d i s c u s s i n g ending them f o r years. They a l r e a d y have no commitment t o ending them. They've refused t o d + s c u s s t h e d e t a i l e d framework f o r e l i m i n a t i o n of t h e more than 500 b a r r i e r s i n e x i s t e n c e . I expect i t w i l l be s e v e r a l more y e a r s o f t a l k , along with t h e over 50 o t h e r p a r t s of t h e Mulroney d e a l w h i c h a r e being t a b l e d f o r f u t u r e d i s c u s s i o n , b e f o r e any dec i s i o n i s made. L a s t l y , enshrining s o c i a l p o l i c y o b j e c t ives i n t o the Constitution i s the l a s t t h i n g we should do. We a l l c a r e very deepl y about our h e a l t h c a r e 6 s o c i a l s e r v i c e r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s . To enshrine them i n t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n w i l l mean t h a t t h e 9 judges of t h e Supreme Court of Canada w i l l s t a r t d e f i n i n g what t y p e s of programs t h e g o v ' t must o f f e r . I ' d r a t h e r l e a v e it t o e l e c t e d p o l i t i c i a n s than t o 9 appointed judges. A t l e a s t we have t h e chance t o throw t h e poli t i c i a n s o u t a t e l e c t i o n time i f we d o n ' t l i k e what t h e y a r e doing. Cariboo-Chilcotin MP Dave worthy summed up t h e "yesu s i d e well when he s a i d l a s t month t h a t "Westerners must be ~ e r s u a d e d t o vote f o r t h e October 26 c o n s t i t u t i o n a l ; referendum, even i f t h e y have t o hold t h e i r noses while doing i t . " Darren Lowe
HAVE THE LAST WORD
D o you a g r e e that the Constitution
of
Canada
should be renewed on the basis of the agreement reached on August 28, 19923
Canada's 600 Indian Bands are the only acceptable "distinct society" in a confederation of EQUAL Provinces. An expanded senate and parliament means more politicians feeding at the public trough. A NO vote is an invitation to the people of ten provinces and two territories to demand that no special status be given to any other part of Canada, with the exception of those peoples who First possessed the Land. Say NO to an ill-conceived constitutional package, arrived at by an incompetent, factional group of special interest politicians. Garry Gust DEside ViiLage Voters Collective .
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"OK,fellas, here's the scene. . . Bruce, you're upset. . . Mario there has eaten one ofyour eggs . . . you know you're almost extinct and your anger has been building for eons. . . suddenly, you lash out!"
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7 h e Burning Times : P R O D U C E 8 BY M A R V AUMSTROh16
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d e p t h /oak at t h e Wifch- h u n t wnducted try Chr;.stianity g. i t s r e l a t i o n s h i p to v r o l e n c e aclainrt w d m e n a f i e e n l r r ~ o n m e n tt o d a y ,
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A poetic dowmcntary of <he pre- C h r i s t i a n , M a t r i a r c h y ~f c a t u r r n g d i s ~ u s s r e nby M e r l i n Stone, C a m / C h ~ i s t , Luisah T e i s h , S t a r h a w k , C h a r l e n e Sprathak, P J e a n BoJen.
A s r v ~ t oD Puooucrrom
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