’ ent,” he says. “What’s-the unemployment rate in. -
Nisga’a communities? From what I’ve been told

2. BySARAH A, ZIMMERMAN |
MIKE SCOTT has no regrets about opposing the

landmark Nisga’ a treaty when he was the Member _
- of Parliament for the Skeena riding, and if he. had .
‘to, he would do it all over again.

- The eventual passage of the Nisga’ a Treaty i in
-2000 left him bitter, tired and disillusioned, lead-

- ing to his retirement. from federal politics that

same year.

_ Toward the end of his term, the Canadian Alli-
ance’s stance on the treaty — and his own — ~ gener-

ated a torrent of opposition.

»“I was the one who bore the brunt’ of that. I”
found that difficult,” he says, adding he believed ©

one ‘of. the treaty’s greatest faults was that it re-

‘moved individual Nisga’a people’s rights under ;

‘the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“T think the concern we ‘had there i is to have a
constitutionally entrenched self-government pro- *
_ vision beyond the reach of the Supreme Court of ©
., Canada for all times was an abdication of fespon-

° sibility. of all levels of government.”
And he’s not convinced that the passing of

the treaty has necessarily improved the lot of the ;
: Nisga’ a people.’
“What I have seen is sometimes these agree- .

ments. can take.a long time to become: appar-

_‘ithasn’t changed much.” ©’

Interestingly enough, Scott has been an 1 indi-
. rect beneficiary of economic development in the -
Nass Valley home of the Nisga’a. A company he.
‘now owns had the contract last year to provide
‘crushed rock for a large ‘Toad paving Project in the
‘valley. .

The controversy around the. ‘passage of the.
Nisga’a treaty isn’t the only reason Scott opted |

to retire:
~ It was:also a time also when the Reform party

changed itself to become the Canadian Alliance.

That also meant a leadership vote for the new par-
ty. Stockwell Day defeated Reform founder-Pres-
ton:Manning, for whom Scott has a tremendous
amount of respect. -

- He declined to go into much detail but does
_. says he was leery of the direction the party would .

take under Day.”

“I just felt that Mr. Manning had been the oile a

that: inspired, me to > join the Reform Party, ” Scott -
._ Says. a
 -After.. leaving’ the political life in 2000 he
‘and his wife Michele decided to get back |
“. into business and chose a path with which

Scott - was - : familiar —.-road- construction.
Today they co-own and operate Standard Paving.
Scott says operating the business made him

even: 1 more aware of the dark economic cycle.

returns 5 to | political game

8 | , The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 18, 2006 -'A5S

Terrace and the whole northwest has been going .
through over. the last five years compared to the.

prosperity most of ‘the. Test t of the province 3 is en-

- -joying.

“People either had to take much lower paying
jobs in town or. had to move,’ ” he says.

That’s one reason he decided to run for.par- ~
. liament again’ — job creation, Particularly in- the

resource sector.
“If we don’t have a resource base i in this area
that isn’t firing on all cylinders then we’re in trou-

ble,” he says. —

Scott wants to see more ‘promotion. of the pos-

sibilities for mining, and value-added wood prod-’
‘ucts to export in empty shipping containers from

the port of Prince Rupert.
The port project has enormous poteritial for the

whole area,hesays. - © =)

“Right now.we are relying 1 on one port (in Van-

. couver) i in Western Canada to do everything,” he

says. “It’s never good | to put all your eggs in one
. basket.”

But more to the point, Scott says ‘he’s running
again ‘because he feels incumbent NDP MP Na-. .

than Cullen is too closely tied to the environmen-
tal movement to promote growth in the resource

. MIKE SCOTT wants to come out of political retirement and stand. up in Parliament again. 7

“bbe”

sector here. .

“He represents all the things 1 1 am ‘most con-
cerned aboit;” he says.

» Scott says his lifelong corinection to the north-

west makes him understand.-the struggle people i in
_ the resource sector face.

After he pulled out of politics i in 2000 he-had °

the option to move: down south but declined the

_ offer in order:to stay-in the northwest. |.
»“T’ve lived in the north all my life and I don’t.
think I would ever feel comfortable living i in the
city,” he says. “This is my home.”
- Scott likes to'tell people he. wasn *t born i in the.

~ northwest but he got here as soon as he could:

- The 51-year-old. was born in Woodstock, On-

; tario in 1954 but his family moved to Kitimat one...
. year later. Scott grew. up in “Kitimat, graduated
»from Mount Elizabeth Senior Secondary School.

ve

and has worked.i in thé area since.

He married Michele in. 2000. They | met while :
* Scott was working on bringing hydro power, to:
‘Rosswood where Michele. lived. They have a »

blended family ‘of two daughters and one son.
. They are also grandparents to two two-year-
old boys.
The couple still lives in Rosswood.

’ the table”

By SARAH A.
* 2. ZIMMERMAN
FOR: ROOKIE federal ‘election

candidate Gordon’ Stamp-Vincent

campaigning in the Skeena-Bulkley
Valley riding has: been an eye-
opener. _

“This is my first venture into it
and at times it’s almost overwhelm
ing, he says.

~ “It’s. interesting because you've .

got ‘five people who are very pas-

sionate about their country and their .
riding,” he says. “How do you har- —
ness all that energy in a positive .
. way?” :

He’s drawn to public service by

the opportunity to have a hand in

- shaping the country.

“I guess the number one priority

is you have to get the basics out of |

the way — you‘have to get jobs and
the economy rolling again,’“he says,

~ adding an integral part of that is in-
.creasing employment among. First
_ Nations people.

He says its critical to ensure that
First Nations people are part of the
discussion around economic devel-

opment in the area and that more

needs to be done to address issues of

.. housing, education and jobs for ab-.

original people.
“They aren’t always the first at
he says, adding with ab-

'. original people making up nearly

riding they are critical to shaping the "

30 per cent of the population in the

future of the area.
If elected, Stamp-Vincent wants

_ to make sure there. is money bud- °
geted to hold town hall meetings to '

encourage conversations among dif-
ferent groups in the community.

““Tf there is no communication |

you are just in warfare.”

’ Stamp-Vincent points to commu-
nities such as Port Clements, Masset
and Old Masset working together
to bring a health centre to the area.
He says moré communities need to
work together like that for the bet-
terment of the region.

One thing has become clear
throughout the campaign — and
that’s - Stamp-Vincent’ s disillusion-
ment with negative electioneering.

At the all candidates forum here
Jan. 11 he said he opposes any sort
of negative campaigning both at a
national level and in this riding in

‘or r Liberal

particular.
. And he even spoke out against his

own party’s negative ads authorized —
by Prime Minister Paul Martin. 5...

“Ym running because I want
to serve the people of this riding. I .

must, however, adhere to my _per-

tum.

and hard work and all of these may

seem out of date in today’s political . J
world, but I suspect people want to &

see in their elected representatives

‘an MP that will walk the, talk, some-. §

one they can trust.

’ “Look carefully at how candi- .

dates: conduct themselves in. the
campaign.”

Stamp- Vincent shocked constitu-
ents at a forum in Houston Jan. 9
when he left the stage after demand-

‘ing an apology from Conservative
candidate Mike Scott for statements -

which he says unfairly and untruly
painted all Liberals’as corrupt.

He says Justice John Gomery ex-

onerated Martin, Liberal: MPs and

other Liberals of any wrongdoing. in
the sponsorship scandal. He says the .
four members of the Quebec wing |
of the party who are. alleged to have"

been involved will be dealt with.

Walking out of the forum was his :

way of taking a stand, he says. -

“It.was an act of principle,” he .

says. “The Conservatives were ac-

~ cused of being corrupt in the 80s —
- does that mean all Conservatives

are corrupt?” :

_ He says the negative campaign-
ing only serves to tune voters out and

leave them feeling disenfrarichised. :
“People may think it was a bad

political strategy but if you're go- .

ing to have principles you’ ve got to

stand up,” he says.

Stamp-Vincent, wasn’t always a ~
' Liberal and in: the 1990s, supported
the Reform party because of its con-

servative fiscal policies.
He philosophically became a Lib-
eral later on and joined the party of-
ficially last summer, saying he was
drawn to its extreme fiscal respon-
sibility under the leadership of Paul
Martin.

He’s ‘most impressed that the
Martin Liberals have been able to

sonal principles,” he said at the fo--

“Those include honesty, decency. |
‘and respect for my fellow candi- -
dates ~ it’s about honesty, ‘integrity

grity

crtical |
fincent —

Parmar at the all candidates forum here Jan. 11.

GORDON STAMP-VINCENT, right, meets with Liberal supporter Bill

turn around the deficits run up by.
Brian, Mulroney’ s Progressive. Con-.."

servative. Party in the 80s and early
90s.

anced budgets and the last four years

a surplus,” he says, adding as aresult

Canadians are enjoying low interest
rates, low unemployment numbers
and an economy that’s “cooking.”

Keeping the budget balanced is
critical for the mortgage broker from
Prince Rupert.

He’s sure this area will catch up

‘to the rest of the country once ben-

efits of the container port in Prince:

“There’s been eight years of bal-

Rupert start to come to fruition. Lf
“Right now it’s darkest before the :

dawn and people better get their s sun-'
. glasses out,” he says.

- Stamp-Vincent. has lived ind

-worked in Prince Rupert since: 2000.

Stamp-Vincent’ s grandparents * were «
married in Prince Rupert in 1912,”

his father: was.bornin. the former —
‘north coast mining town of Anoyx*
. and he was born in Ocean Falls on

the mid coast. .
He is 49 years old ‘and has | a 7

year-old daughter named Chelsea

who is graduating. from Charles

Hays Secondary School this year.

“not they voted NDP, Liberal or Reform/Conservative

. fits? . =
"2. Will alll parents who need child care have 2 access, 18, 8

-young children? —

=. “adequately i in order to attract and retain skilled and com:
. children receive appropriate nurturing.and care? . ‘s

eye Staff of Terrace Caipus Chita Core Centre :

fay

which parts.of the Charter he wishes to use or’ discard.:

“complaining about: Charter’ ‘violations: made

— of - a part of the. Charter.

_the Mall Bag ;

- Scott vs. Cullen

| Dear Sir:

Mike Scott had one of the worst attendance records i in’ ©

Parliament when he was an MP, absent 70 per cent of the
time in his last session. Nathan Cullen has a 98 per cent
attendance record.: This is not a figment of NDP imagina- ;
_ tion, but cold hard fact. -

' Nathan Cullen was voted by the media as the “Rookie

_ of the Year” for the outstanding job he has done in Parlia- -

ment, earning the respect of constituents, colleagues’ ‘and ©
Ottawa observers.

' problem to be managed, rather than an asset. .
- Nathan Cullen puts his money where his mouth is, do-

“nating a significant portion of his salary to a youth entre-

* preneurship program, and he seldom fails to mention his’

love of Canada. Scott is better known for endless com-

plaining about what’a horrible country Canada is. Indeed," _

Scott has shown that he respects the, policies and ideas of»
the American ultra right far more ‘than Canadian values .
and institutions.

Scott would have us believe. that any and all industrial...

_ development in the north is safe, ‘and. desirable, regard-° -
» Jess of any potential: impacts on existing businesses, or

‘risks to the environment. Furthermore, he would have us |.

believe that all of the economic woes of the north are a

direct result of NDP policy, that itis Nathan Cullen who. ; os
is directly, responsible for mines not being built, or why wa Pa

_ Hecate Straight is.not filled with offshore drilling rigs..:

_For, starters Scott either does not ‘understand. -who has. ty

“responsibility for these issues in Canada (the. provincial
" governments) or is simply lying. to scare voters. Indeed;

the facts are that mining. policy is a provincial issue for

the most part, and in any case far more mines have been .

Started in the north under NDP. governments in. the last 20 a

“years, than under right wing governments...
His endless ranting about the creation of the Tatsenshi- |

- ni Park is a perfect example of his: inability to think clearly’.

.about these issues. Tatsenshini Park is one of the most’"”
magnificent parks in the world, and stopped the develop-

_ ment of . potentially the: most dangerous acid generating a

mine in the world - right next to a salmon river.
‘In exchange the north got a mine. in- Kemess, amine

much closer to this regions communities and one that has

provided far more-economic benefits and jobs to’ Skeena’™

_ tiding communities than a rine in the Taku would. have. .

Needless to say it was none other than the ‘ ‘anti- ~mining” ‘
_.NDP who put that deal together.
_. Nor should Skeena voters forget the’ Mike Scott who.
«failed so miserably to represent. the aboriginal people of”
-.this riding. -Whatever their ideology: an MP has the respon-' :
- sibility once elected to represent everyone. Nathan Callen :
» has: ‘Tepresented | all interests and all citizens, whether or

- There is little doubt the NDP will hold significant f pow

i er in the next parliament. Skeena voters’ have the choice - -

‘to be. represented bya crackpot radical; Mike Scott, or a:

' rising star in Canadian politics, N: athan Cullen: We know.

one thing for's sure — at least Nathan shows up for work...
“Bruce Hill, Terrace, B. c.

le Ss about day care eu

sy

sa tey peg 4 Wt epziad 4 fey <° B.
“Déai Sir? TER OSS oN Nt

“Child Care” is frequently mentioned ‘i in. this federak oe a

“election and we think it important ‘that voters consider.

some ‘very real issues concerning child care. ‘right now. -

We suggest you’ ask your candidates and yourself these’
questions: .

‘1, Will there be sufficient numbers of trained child care

providers who are paid, a professional wage | with bene-

quality care for their child/children? a
3. Will child care centres receive adequate funding to Lie
, Offer programs which genuinely nurture and educate. “

4. Will this candidate support a practical and sus
_ able child care system?

Not. all child care promises are. created: ‘equal. “Will .

* election promises be:kept in the | near future. for today s'
children and families? - _

‘Will promised funding pay child: care’ professionals

mitted caregivers? *..,
.- Will child care centres be adequately funded so t

Your vote can.truly help the future generation if you 7
- ask the right questions!

t

_ Signs of the times _
“Dear Sir: oe =

This letter is directed to Mike Scott, and to’ ‘some extent a

the other candidates. - People are not stupid. They. don’ t "

vote for you because you have more signs. peek
‘It didn’t work for Roger Harris. He lost.. ° « . ae

- If you have too much’ money. there are hungry kids, all

over the riding. Thanks for running. :

-) M. Alex Richard, Terrace, B. c. oe

‘He can’t pick and choose 7

Dear Sir: 7

- It has become apparent : now. that Prime Minister Paul :
_ Martin is clinging to'any support mechanism he can think
_up: He criticizes Stephen Harper for picking and choosing

* Our group. has written Mr. ‘Paul Martin ‘many: letters
by judges in
_ their decisions: We have never received ‘ any. satisfaction ;
Or recognition £ from Paul Martin that there i is even a prob
‘Jem that exists. .
"Prime Minister Paul Martin’ states that he would (nev.
* er) use the notwithstanding clause for (any) 1 reason yet ‘the.
. Rotwithstanding clause (Charter, section 33) i very. mi

“Mr. Martin’ s. excuse for not using “‘Charte ‘section’ 33
“is he claims to have too much respect for the Charter. “But.
-when he refuses to correct‘Charter violation ‘in Supreme
. Court.decisions and pick. and choose which Charter’se
tions he wishes to embrace, how can he accuse. anyon
“else of doing the’ very thing he himself is. guilty of?:.

“Lloyd Brinson, Nass Cs for. Sean

“About the Mail Bag”

The ‘Terrace Standard welcomes letters: Our address mS

‘sis 3210 Clinton St, Terrace, B.C.. V8G .5R2.. You can
“fax us at 250-638-8432 or .e-mail us at: newsroom@
terracestandard.com. No attachments, please. .
| address - and Phone number required. for verification. _

It'is no secret Mike Scott is seen ino.
his own party as a maverick on the far Tight wing, and a

Name,