2 to. and. ‘Montreal: ‘as op- posed, to. those i in | Tural Canon By MARK SUBRYAN THE: NEW. Democratic - Skegna’. riding” ‘feels. ‘the _ back to. the’ basics.: : “Nathan ®. Cullen” *seomplications.- Ottawa ‘and this atea, - “The. Jast time- we: had stable: tepresentation ® : Howard: weré elected, the “Voter: turnout: was very), = Bins added. Cullen. How-_ "3 as the: NDP’ ‘MP for’ : -:.government:.has” all. but: .. Skeena prior to. Fulton. ST ve: “done disillusioned becalise the. -Bovernments: ‘under’ Malro- ney; - “ corporale. sectors of Toron ‘various: ridings: in’ “the country. because. of: the po- itical:forecast. oft today: *. “MPs. The NDP is based 6 “OF: the! ‘people.’ this’ riding: is’ not: getting ‘that, henefit.” - : By: REBECCA ROBERTS | “THIS IS Miles Richard. : “son’s first’ time running for. -. federal: office, but. he’ 8 no’ ny _ Stranger, to politics.’ “As a young. Haida lead. “ery. ‘Richardson’: stood: up. . land: and - ‘forests, in. the vironinentalists, Haida’ ‘heritage site’ ‘and: to: of Gwaii Trust, a $65 mil- ~Up:- with: ‘government ‘mo- on, Qiieen: Charlotte Islands. : * Richardson: Tunning for political office: : _ simply: because: he's. inter- ° 7 ral resources of his hoine- “Tand:: Richardson: says he “decided to'run. for. offic because : he: shares - ‘Prime: He tt tick aor as lack of leadership .at ° he: federal level. An. ‘terms ms . Party’ s federal candidatc. “for, the Bulkléy. Valley: ~ _ tiding’s next’ MP-has, to 20. ‘says? “and: “not. talking io people “have led.” -tolan’ ‘alienation: ‘between ‘some. re- oa “séarch. on the ‘number’. fe people who. voted: vat. that ‘time.“and - they -are “much " higher ‘than in: récerit -his: ; “-aré' kept under wraps “until. . sed. ta: Vote: for the person, : _.not the: party." However, we ~' £0: away from, that prac-" : ‘ney? s” Progressive: ‘Conser- ~ -Vatives:-and “the“‘last two" Liberal governments came C a will be: the local economy, in: says: people ‘in: ‘this’ ‘riding.: have :become:. “Jean Chretien : and 2 = --Paul:-Martin: have. been. “geared: More toward’ ‘the. He. feels: for those tie are: “currently ‘representing a . Bulkley: Valley- -Skeena: ‘based: “economy, . Cullen: -“My;-heart’ goes: out to, these ® “people-" “because” if =~ they “say. anything out’ of: “Hine,..they are relegated. too : the back: bench:. It rust. be * frustrating for ‘the: Liberal ‘ values and: common, oaks" * SWe have:to’ get: the dso sues to the people: so-they =. - Cane ‘understand “where *. ‘we're-coming from. Under: ihe current: representation, _. Marious:. ‘Although it has been al: i alls ‘Skidegate~ “his. perma~ ."}f ‘against angry: ‘loggers « on a. per Queen: Charlotte” Island... i - logging: Toad to: protect, the?’ ‘he’ Mans, « aged © to! convince, federal ~° >and ‘provincial: leaders’ to.” designate GwaiiHanaas a. I amit Task: Group’:and . the ment. ee "4 British Columbia -Claims “He remains as: chairman. =. dion. endowment. fund” ‘sot : gotiations.. “ested. in: protecting:the' nat-*” -pursue the Liberal nomina:: “ton: in Skoona-Bulkley “Malley: -*tinie with: the-B.C, ‘Treaty v. Commission : taught’ him: is. “that. the most. durable, “Tasting ‘solutions:-are ‘solu-: « it: tions’ that, include: and: 1e- th spect, éveryone." nee sometimes: ‘because you | - y.. have to: communicate: with . “people; you have to-uhder--? "stand ‘them -and: you: ‘hav . ta: listen.to them." *. most 20 years since the NDP have enjoyed some. sort of success at the. fed-. tral level, Cullen believes; new leader: Jack: Layton ‘can take the party, back to. othe’ days. of Hd Broadbent, * a °““T"Believe ‘Jack “is ‘an - amazing. “representative,” op he says. ‘When Jack Lay-." |. “ton; Was. chosen as leader “|. _ of. the. ‘NDP, the’ party ex-.- | perienced: an. increase in” | in: the. polls: while, “atthe. Jeo Ottawa, “was when Jim Ful -ton’ represented’ the area,” * he says of:the former:NDP’) “MP who was elected ‘from’ : 1980, to 1993 before: retir--” . “ing. “When Jim and:Frank ‘same ‘time,- Stephen Harp- J." “ers, party. has, stagnated.” “One - of : thé changes ep * Cullen. woiild like'to see-is: ~ on: ‘election day. “A ‘lot. of British Columbians’: are.” discouraged ° because!’ by ~. the: lime: ‘they: head “to ‘the-.” polls, ‘Ontario: ‘and ‘Quebec a . have closed: and the -new ~ been ‘elected, os he. ‘says. “We ‘need: to have. a°more ~ confidential: approach: ‘to election day.’ Twould: be’. ‘great: if’ results‘in.the east; ew Democrat focusse on grassroots after’ the. ‘voters:in ‘British. Columbia. have: “either: started Voting ‘or: r finished : voting: ane participation | NEW: DEMOGRAT. ‘candidate Nathan Cullen expects to knock on close to: -2,500: doors. by: ‘the time. the. ‘campaign ends. As with the other- candidates, hes’ ‘been. Criss- crossing: the: vast. skeena - Bulkley Valley riding.” : , » The’ biggest i issue: ‘for: “Bligh. Cullen: when Martin .does: éventually: call an: électio a cludes. “We. have to settle “the way" to: “softwood lumber dispute. ‘If ~ ecgnomically,’ wl this 4 ‘adversely: affected On* ario,’ it’ would -havé been’, solved: months : “ago. The. - _-poversiment™ continues ‘to. take ‘solace’ in:token-victo- ° cities from: the World. Trade” Organization “when... “we elected ¢ “Last a - out-the: riding are. showing “With the inajority of ti! their: health care misconception “AS says thé federal «Depart. h care. is: a, provi ‘ment’of: Fisheries: is anoth-- “jg “er area that. J has ‘to be. Me om ee : Sjdtansfenijas auch i ifespon- sibility-for health'cire’:to the: province as" possible. them. ‘they. area. servant of: the’ people and” not ‘the. master,” ee Small businesses: need ‘to: be. protnoted, Cullen. Says. fale elected,’ “we would like to. start “up: ‘talks: within: “100- days.” in- office. with - commercials. for® health: ‘groups. -the:.care. ‘How .does- that. Telp. ding he} “says. “That ine come people?” are “oft dur interests. here.” a Richardson was. bora in’ ws hospital, in Queen Char- ‘Jette City 48 -years ‘ago.;He * “nent: residence,. but he. ‘also. | has : “AL home i in. “Prince Ru- ° Richardson received his oR Bachelor: of Arts in Com- rce from. the University ° ‘Of Victoria: in’ 1979, From: BR ‘there, ‘he’ went on-to."be- - ff come:. leader. ofthe ‘Haida. ‘Gwaii: nation: He: remained ea, “Haida: leader for: 12° years; :: ” “In. the: “early 1990s," Richardson was a member’ - ‘of. the” First: Nations Sum-- Task ‘Force. “The®: ‘recom: , ‘mendations of these organ-.“f izations” ‘helped: establish - the B:C. , treaty. process, : po 7 In’ 1998 che was’ named Chief" Commissioner of the B.C: Treaty’: Commission which ~ “has the’, job. of - Nations,” chanibers’: of - commerce, - town, councils, . economic. léadets.:We have to:find a versity: ourselves Another.” “issue - “Cullen “would like: to: address: if: “he is -health care. month, » we: had". --tecord: ‘iuitibers” of: people. : show. up-to a ‘health-care -* js meeting fin-. Smithers}, - ‘That, is indicative: of-the™ “concer - “residents. -throtigh-- “regarding the future: of: “Cullen says a common ° “that ..b . ‘sue, Te 8 just. ‘thatthe: feder- oN sue: “al government ‘has. tried to. -They’ ve given the provin- «°:- “cial governments millions: of dollars: to- tackle the is-- sie. ‘The British: Columbi- - an. government: has: ‘chosen’ ~ ‘to spend “$19 -million‘en.. : dations’ leading toward a prosperous: northwest MacKay. were not in attendance... - campaign’ ‘will be youth.:: “ ple ‘when::it ‘coniés’to elec-; tions.” the forefront. disillusioned: with ‘the: gO! LIBERAL CANDIDATE Miles Richardson ‘says ae ‘container port in Prince. Rupert is one of the foun- ce » Several ‘people who al- : ‘tended the Smithers meet: “ing. were. disappointed with the absence of MP’ -Andy "Burton. and MLA \ Dennis two current “fedéral ‘and. provincial” representatives: “This: ts - indicative of . the’ way: government: is ber * : ing Tun- today., We. saw it.” ‘with ‘the abserice: Of these os “men ‘and -wesaw it “ with’ the: lack - of: taking . on. the: -sigsues Paul ‘Martin showed during his: campaigning tor “hopin to: ‘target during: the. : “There i is alack. Of car: ‘ing, among’ our young peo- “Instinetively, “dé-" mocracy , is..in our; “blood: ° d.. and-it: needs’ to” come: or. MM “Our. young people: ‘are: ie > lation is. a big’ portion. of: - the ‘population of Skeena- : Bulkley. Valley. os" ‘He says he: doesn’ i take ape “, vates for: granted ° but-he <}) thinks -he will succeed’‘in.” | attracting’ ‘aboriginal. voters - ‘ to the Liberal Party. ; ; ‘Richardson “pained a name dine the: early 1990s" ~ when, during® the ‘heat of: | the’ controversy” over. Jog: : .-ging.on the. Charlottes, Tess. ~~ nounced. his. Capadian citi; | . zenship. ; oot He now: says: ‘that’ was: ba .i ‘emiment’ because they. are, being forced’ to pay. high -- “interest. cates .for student’ “loans. How can we-expect ” our: youth’. to. ‘becoming |. ; ‘contributing: ‘members of — 4° 5 society. when - -they: are. bur: * ‘dened:-with * high: student “loans? ‘How’ can: they.. -be. | “expected “to” buy.‘cars’. or. homes: and: contribute | ‘to ‘the economy?” — ~ Skeena ‘riding: will’ be. its» “vast distance. The, new rid= me : ing. stretches’, along - the: -North’-Coast from™Bella:. |. ji : Coola. to: the Queen. Char- ni ‘between these tio types of examinations. Tottes, | ‘north, from the. Yu-' - kon : border’ to the: Lakes | District’ area; east: to. just" |-- “olitside of Vanderhoof- and: . ‘north to-Fort: St J ames. “munication: ral wants a s ong velo Ct “Richardson is ‘the oily | First Nations -persen’ run. “ning. in. ‘Skéena- -Bulkley ‘} . Valley and. he: says he fo-'. - cuses some of his energy :]) ; campaigning. in ‘First. ‘Na-.. tions coinmunities... ye One: of the biggest ‘chal . lenges’ forthe next. MP‘ of J. ‘the ‘new -Bulkley.:Valley- . 7 ’ “Whoever’ has to. repre-* “sent this area‘has to be-an -J. . energetic person," Cullen’ | ~ -says.. “I: have: already: start-.“F “ed setting:: “up -strong:: “com: . networks. | throughout t th siding,” ‘he. o rm cli Standard, Wednesday, June 23, 2004. AS _ CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD —_ ~ The Mail Bag Dear Sir: ‘Rebecca Collard’s June 9: 2004 atticle on thé’ new: proposed’ regulations that will: ‘permit. opticians to" use. "automated : sight. ‘testing equipment -to- generale - an . spectacle prescription. without the need for a:doctor's ‘signature i is: ‘generally a. well- balanced presentation of the issue, but I feel [ must: resporid: to: several: points. . ” First, she: quotes, a ‘Tepresentative: ‘ofthe’ College. of . Opticians :as: stating. that. sight tests have. beef in. use * for séven years ‘without causing. any. harm,: This as: ~ false. There’ are’ several dacumented cases of | patients: with serious: health problems. ‘that “had: delayed : . treatment. because they ‘had a ‘sight test jnstead’ of an’ . eye. exam. One patient “in “Kamloops ‘is’ vvigually. ‘impaired. ‘after, three years of sight: rests,” Case: “involving a missed. brain: _tumour: and, a hemorrhage ate described in a‘letter. from. the’ College - of Physicians:and: Surgeons to. the Minister: of Health. - This. letter’ ‘clearly states, that the new regulations: fepresent substandard. care, ‘and urges the Minister to: reconsider. The. fact. is. that there. is ‘ample - evidence that. isolating refraction ‘(the determination of* a’: spectacle: prescription) froma. full. eye ‘examination poses a serious’ :public : health risk, but ‘there: is: “nO. evidence that-sight.testing is.“'safe",-..- ’ When. the Ministry: ‘of Health: Was: ‘asked. for such ° ‘authored by. one of the: developers of the sight testing © machine, which locked: only” at. the. accuracy. of. the: - : system, not safety: * cain be-detected in’ a full’ eye examination are. initially: : patients see 20/20 cuntit the condition: i is far advanced. - ‘Mr: Brad Benson says sight ‘testing-is a: ‘good: option.” -.for. those -in. good ‘health who. just want to: have: their” vision checked. The Problem: is that many of. these’: - patients do: nol realize: they: are- not’ in gaod: health “until “someone: looks:-in their eyes: Opticians’ ‘are. : triined. to. make and dispense spectacles, and: they. do “this: very, well: They do ‘not have: the-clinical: training... ., or: expertise: necessary ‘to judge. when ‘a, change. :in-- Vision may, ‘indicate’ a ‘more serious . underlying. problemi. a8 - Proponents of; sight testing say | y that. it will be ‘made’ “clear to the: public’ that thereis a difference: -hetween |: “ a’sight test and a “full: : convinced: is van. -educating . his. candidates for - sight : ‘testing,: but... ) there /are ‘already: many. documented. cases: in. the’: advertising and: deliberately blurring the: distinction: s; which» has =a esponsibility’: to: protect: ‘the: ‘public. ‘and impose “standards of practice’ on -its members, ‘has shown Tio will ‘toenforce: the: existing: regulations: governing’ 2 ae ‘sight: testing. “A :2003 provincial’ Ombudsman’ special ° ‘Report | on, 2Self-governin colleges. indent ‘majority: “of public: ‘complaints : réceived -about ‘these. - ‘they are capable’ of reviewing’ complaints About, their _ fellow: -professionals: clearly: and objectively; alternative to. paying for-eye. exams,as most 'B,C.: --sin¢e- MSP" ‘doverage, was: discontinued in- ‘November = 2001. At is no. accident: ‘that, this age: group; is: ‘provisely _ - ‘the one deemed eligible for sight testing. : "Essentially, the. B.C. government is: placating. ‘the: 4 péople who ‘lost. their: ‘coverage by. allowing: a lower © standard of eye-care: for “free"’. ‘Make’ no mistake. If .,thése regulations aré- - approved, B.C. will have: the ; |: lowest standard. of. eye care:in’ North: America, on a. | --par.-with third: world” countries. -[t.-is ‘avery, ‘poor’ : standard; ‘one that. hasbeen“ ‘repeatedly’, ejected: dine ” numerous. North American Jurisdictions, most recently: [sin Alberta in 2003. And. it isnot free. ‘The gosto are’ hidden in: the’ os ‘markup on the: ‘spectacles and in the: long-term. ‘burden~" (On the public’ health systém:to ‘deal “with: delayed: . Dr. ‘Rebecca Counts, Terrace. -, “How could: you: ‘6? re ae mean the. aboriginal popu: “public. relations: tactic, de-.: ‘overseeing land claims: he- ‘He. resigned from that post in ‘March to. - be a'stronger. voice: for the.’ * region, than ‘can: Conserva- . =" ton. “Burton. has’.more: ex- Richardson i is’ ‘unmarried : “perience ‘than Richardson “in: federal. -politics “but-, and ‘he. has no children. yoni Richardson. says” chis- . Richardson. says. he: doesti? t oh think that gives Burtoil an “advantage: pk Shas He's! the’ “tle. ‘To me. that cancels. 2 (the advantage. he. might : have‘had) ‘out.": : * Richardson. is: “clearly: enamouréd: with. the Liber- ‘al Teader.. “He. Says. Martin: ¢ ‘Richardson - ‘believe “that if he’s elected: beeen ik ‘tive ‘incumbent, Andy | Bure... "pointed out, they: ‘ange te terior sf o8 de uityem govcanamede ALA d cat AtmeA Rath iit Yeas they’ re ‘ihe, right ‘thing. to” “eized: for, ‘invol vernent - in’ the ad sponsorship: scans “Richardson “says: he . “feels Martin: ‘has. handled, it Bi ICU “well. : but ‘he’s also done very lits ‘ernment, -you’ ‘have. a big’. be: dealt: with: and: ‘that’ S ie “ment: are “doing - in: =the . __Srotigest, terms possible.’ he -business- minded: m -paigner: ‘He says oné‘of the. “first: things he'd like ‘to do: a And though the: Liberals i get-a- container. port.up “| have been” heavily.‘crili-- + eecnomty around ” Sey Uh ot ge - Signed to draw. attention: fo. oe oS the push by. the: Haidi for 7 z= — land: claims Tecognition.. the. things ‘that | must’ “Bel 3. - dealt. with: simply. because «' ‘Richardson.’ ~ and: running. in Prince: Ruy ~pertin 2 a He. says; there are: a lot: me of opportunities ‘in’ the : tes” “You have ae ‘big. ‘gov. ural resources and: the fen | aS - le- added, indus “eountry, Things. like’ that ole = Rebecca. Robe oe f isa te * Even: though “Rather's . Day has 5 seed, br feel . ~, Step-father or: otherwise. 70... ; 8 Reading .. ‘all the political’: ‘speeches in: ‘our. eo newspapers: ‘made. me. think of my ‘step-father, Ted > Wyatt. He‘ ran for the’ Alliance (now: called the © “ Conservative) party afew: years -ago, ‘and although - L- “never paid’ much attention to: “politics” in ‘the Past, “his. total understanding. and. compassion .for.thé issues he- - Unfortunately, ‘he-“lost’ to. Andy. Burton; ’ but ‘I our MP. and: actually Bat. things done, Plus, he: was, -more. ofa peopie- person:than Mr. Burton: appears to. be. Now,. Lam: not trying. to bash’ anyone, | but lets be ~ realistic here.. ‘Sorry, Mr. Burton. ». ' m against Mr. Burton ‘Again in’ ‘this, election, ‘as ‘we’ lost >} him =this past December. after a Tengthy: battle. with: ‘is also-va-. “cam=." “teukemia, Seon, _... He -was-a very. courageous ‘man, who ‘ihited: even. when ‘it hurt:to, and ‘he’ never, ever complained. when -- - things. happened. that. would ‘have’ made -most of us ery. “like babies.-I guess: ‘the, whole point of this.letter is to: Say ‘that-itis never to, early to tell your, father, step- | - father, or. ‘otherwise, how: much | you ‘appreciate them, ~but one day... it may. be. too fate. - We miss s you Ted. a 7 “About the Mail Bag , the. Terrace: ‘Standard welcomes letters. ‘Our. . ‘address is 3210° ‘Clinton: St., Terrace, B.C. V8G ° ? ht,” be: “ BR2-You can fax-us at 250-638-8432 or-e-mall “evel,” in‘ ofder to turn the de : “}~ attachments, please. We’ ‘need your:-name, | ~ us: at: ‘newsroom@ terracestandatd. com: ‘No - - address and: phone: number’ for-verification,. Our. - deadline Is noon Friday 0 or: Hoon, in Thureday. Af Ws a oe long weekend. a evidence, it: could, produce ‘only-.one’ ‘article, CO- : The ‘fact is that many. serious s health: ccinditions that.) silent; that is, they have: no . early” ‘symptoms and” eye: examination.. I ami - not.” “Mr: Benson n may be conscientious ‘About screening: lower mainland of - opticians * ‘using ‘misleading. bodies. reflect an underlying: lack: of confidence’ that’. & Finally,: ‘sight. testing | is being. promoted’ as.- an’ ; -trentment. of, serious disease ‘B. ¢, citizens: deserve . = os Bs better. eae : - Koa 7 a 4 4 al i mt ‘compelled, to" write, about. the: importance ofa. Father, i