Page A6 — Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 21, 1992 ‘No’ won't destroy us By THE REFORM PARTY OF CANADA The following was submitted by the Skeena constituency asso- ciation of the Reform Party of Canada. We didn’t reach the decision to campaign on the ‘no’ side lightly. The national office spent approxi- mately three weeks consulting with members. On the local level, 20 directors of the Skeena riding association voted unanimously to campaign vigorously on the ‘no’ side. We think that there are seven main reasons to vote ‘no’ Oct. 26, 1. The deal does not provide mechanisms to help governments strengthen the economy. In fact it’s a recipe for fiscal disaster. There is no commitment to prop- erty rights, the concept on which every market economy is based. There is nowhere any expression of awareness of fiscal limits- nothing about balanced budgets, affordability or limited taxation. 2, The deal diminishes, rather than enhances regional represen- tation in national decision making, Worst in this area is the 1.5-E Senate. The flawed Senate is perhaps the saddest element of the deal. The Senate as proposed by this 6 accord would not and could not serve the purpose of a federal up- per house, ihe purpose served by upper houses in every other dem- ocratic federation in the world- that is to provide direct input into national decision making to less populated regions. 3. The deal declares that ‘‘the composition of the House of Commons should be adjusted to better reflect the principle of rep- resentation by population.’’ In fact, the deal moves the House of Commons farther from that prin- ciple, Under the deal, Quebec gets one MP for every 74,000 people, Ontario gets one MP for every 86,000 people. Alberta and B.C, get one for every 91,000, And Quebec is guaranteed 25 per cent of the seats in the House of Com- mons forever. 4, The deal is not flexible, In fact it is a barrier to the exercise of the democratic right of future Canadians to amend their con- stitution as they see fit. The ‘yes’ forces admit this deal is not perfect. If they themselves know this, why did they putin the deal a mechanism to make it im- possible to ever address those im- perfections? 5. The deal does not address the separatist threat. In our view there are only two workable antidotes to Quebec nationalism. One is an economy so vigorous and prosperous that the huge majority of Quebecers would want to remain in Canada. The other is an intelligent form of new federal- ism that addresses some of Quebec’s requests for greater provincial jurisdiction (which this deal does not do), without gutting Ottawa or turning the other pro- vinces into second class members of the federation. The separatists are on record as saying that this vote is not on sovereignty but only on the con- tents of the deal. Therefore a ‘no’? vote will not break up our country. 6. The deal will not provide Ca- nadians with relief from constitu- tional wrangling. The most fre- quently heard comment from or- dinary people is that they are sick of the years of fruitless talking and want this matter settled. But this deal contains 50 to 60 un- settled or undefined areas that would have to be negotiated after the deal was ratified. 7, The deal will grant native peoples a form of self government (a third order of government} under which native governments could displace fed- era] and provincial laws with na- tive laws and under which native governments could override the Charter of Rights. While the Reform party gener- ally supports the concept of a municipal style of native self government outside of the im- pediments of the Indian Act (but within the laws of B.C. and Cana- da), what is proposed here is not a limited form of municipal or local government. Under this agreement native governments will be more power- ful within their own jurisdiction than either the federal or provin- cial governments. Further if these or any other provisions of the ac- cord establishing native self- government are found to be gen- erally unacceptable, they will be virtually impossible to change. kk kkk Mr. Miulroney’s and Mr. Clatk’s comments notwithstand- ing, a “‘no’’ vote will not mean that you are somehow disloyal to Canada. Nor will it mean that Canada will break apart. If you vote ‘‘yes”’ Oct, 26 you will be following the politicians. If you vote ‘no’? you will be leading them. It may be their deal — but it is your choice! lf Canada wins we all win By RON ORR Ron Orr is the pastor of Zion Baptist Church. He’ll be voting ‘yes?’ Oct. 26. In a democracy you must vote according to conscience. So while every one examines the issues I suggest you also examine your conscience, What attitude will guide your choice at the polls? Canada is a body with many different members and parts, Some are small, some large, ail different, and all are important. But right now we are divided and dangerously close to saying to each other, ‘I have no need of you.” What we need is to build unity. To honour one another so that there will be no division and all members will have the same care for one another, ... Let us esteem others better than ourselves = look out not only for Paradigni " SPEAKERS MODEL SSE MKII - Performance series - 2-way bass reflex - 150 watts power handling - 2 drivers our own, or B.C.’s interests, but also for the interests of all others in Canada. Beware the narcissistic wine of individual rights. It can make you drunk and very sick, Absolute in- dividualism can not make 4a caring, sharing society. Those who jealously guard their own, and supposedly our pro- vince’s interests, are fearful they may not get a fair deal. If every one in Canada feels that way we will never have a deal. Personal agenda and self inter- est as every regions guiding light will leave our Dominion divided, unhappy, ineffective and dis- graced, Self interest also corrupts our view of leadership. Some people act as if all our leaders are dis- honorable. That leaders only serve themselves, rape the land and people, wrest ‘thelr own political advantage at any cost, It justis not the whole truth. Fellow Canadians, we have by democratic process elected the best available leaders in the land. And I believe the ones God has raised up for this time. We the people have a responsibility to be good citizens. In simple language — trust and follow our leaders. Democracy, is not dictatorship. It does not force government upon you. You must choose, will- ingly, to be governed. A people who will not, will fail at demo- cracy. It is incredible to think that we have the unanimous agreement of 10 provincial premiers, the feder- al government, and both opposi- tion parties but people could be swayed to reject them all by those who, want more and, would , :Bive. less,” Tf our distrust of leadership is so strong that we see all public people as self interested monsters - that if their accord is good for them it must be bad for us - then our country is doomed. God help us. This vote is about trust; of people, of leaders, in the details being worked out equitably and wisely, in the future of Canada. In troubled relationships, every effort at reconciliation that is re- jected weakens the will, hardens the positions, and makes trust harder next time. So let’s stop fighting and find a willingness to live together. No one needs a better deal, We need to deal better with others. B.C. doesn’t lose unless Canada loses. If Canada wins we all win. My conscience tells me to be positive, to believe in Canada’s people, politicians, and processes, I will vote ‘yes’. 1962 - 1992 ZOtin BURT IA SAL =! ““éome ‘equal: Unbounded faith signifies ‘yes’ vote on By NORM LAVALLEE Norm Lavallee lives in Ter- race, He's been interested for years in the constitutional process and has written about it before. It is wilh great hope, un- daunted faith, and all the serious considerations _ it deserves, that I humbly offer my views on the Charlottetown Constitutional report of Aug. 28, 1992. I believe it falls well within the purview of the U.N. decla- vation that Canada, bar none, is the best country in the world to live in. As a whole, Canada has much to be grateful for, as I as- sume that the U.N. does not make declarations of this stat- ure lightly. The profound constitutional package on which we, as Ca- nadians, will vote on in a referendum question on Oct. 26, is admittedly imperfect in some areas. But, as we all know from ex- perience, nothing is perfect, At the outset, the Canada Clause sets the standards for all of our diverse peoples from the original three - aboriginal, French and English - to the multitude of citizens from many lands, The social and economic union entails many objectives of many Canadians that pro- vides us with a continued health care system to environ- mental concerns and standards. When our government is wheeling and dealing making trade deals, these and no other fundamental and crucial stan- dards will be the ultimate test for us all, These are universal standards, These are the standards that the U.N. declares we should be proud of. For countries of sub- standards, beware of the Ides of March, for we are coming. vee The Senate will: finally. be- Elected | may" Oct. 26 depend on the provinces, Ef fective only time and test will tell, The guaranteed 25 per cent seats for Quebec in the House of Commons seems to be the most contentious issue. This may be to assure Quebec that, due to the distinct socicty clause, they may re- quire additional strength to sustain it. Or it may be to appease some Quebecois of the Parizeau per- suasion, Whatever the reasons for or against, Quebec is a part of Canada and must remain so. “Whatever the reasons for or againt, Quebec is a part of Canada and must remain so.” It is glaring!y apparent to al- most all that everywhere Euro- pean man has gone he has had a huge impact in indigenous peoples. The first peoples clause is of huge impact sur- rounded around the Indian Act which directly leads to the root of self-government and land claims. It is very controversial indeed, In the above mentioned U.N. declaration, one of the very few criticisms of Canada was the plight of the first peoples in Canadian society. This must ultimately be resolved particularly in light of our acclaimed tolerance in our country. The progressive proposals are a great step in this direction for resolution. As an aside, it may also Jead to alleviating certain aspirations of a certain province or provinces from abandoning our most beloved country. In conclusion, from an over- all perspective, I believe these constitutional proposals deserve and require an affirma- tive vote on Oct. 26, With unbounded faith and courage for the future of our Canada, I-vote ‘yes’. “ DAY STEREO T.V. 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