BRITISH COLUMBIA/CANADA ‘Fund poor students now: principals continued from page 1 children committee, but said the $25,000 to continue the emergency food program did not go far enough to feed the 700 children identified by the board as needy. “Twenty-five thousand dollars divided by 700 children is about $35 per year or about $2.50 per month. These 700 children represent less than one-tenth of the children who need the program right now,” Chaun- cey said. Community groups have esti- mated the number of Vancouver’s needy school children at about 20,000. On Monday Vancouver East NDP MLA Glen Clark called on the provincial government to join the board’s proposal and invest $150,000 in a meals program. But the future of the more extensive pro- gram voted by the board was thrown into doubt by the provincial minister of social services and housing, who rejected the proposal hours before it was adopted by the board. In a statement released Monday, Claude Richmond said the provincial government “will not put funds into such a program but will continue to put all available resources into support for families in need so that parents can feed and care for their own children. “A school meal program can remove parental responsibility for providing food and runs the risk of creating an indifference to family responsibilities and even greater dependency on others. : ' “Sometimes a family’s failure to provide for the well being of their children is not related to their economic circumstances,” Richmond stated. Chauncey told the board she found the minister’s attitude “appalling.” Trustees who are members of the NPA, the civic alliance closely identified with the Social Credit party, also hit Richmond’s remarks. Harkirpal Sara said the statements should not discourage the board from “lobbying,” while Carol McRae said she found the minister’s pre-vote comments “unfortunate.” Rankin said Richmond’s logic applied elsewhere might see the removal of waste baskets on the grounds that people would then litter less often. He said that even if the province will not join in applying for CAP funding, the board should do so directly with the federal government. NPA trustee Robert Poburko effectively supported Chauncey’s call for hikes in social service benefits and the minimum wage by urging the board to lobby the pro- vincial government to do so. Pressure on the board to alleviate the crisis of child hunger was increased last week with the release of Inner-City Schools: Principals’ Position Paper. The report, from the association representing elementary school principals and vice-principals, did not mention education cutbacks but effec- tively showed how they have hurt economi- cally poorer students worse that those from more affluent backgrounds. Characterizing “inner-city schools” as those within low-income neighbourhoods close to downtown, with relatively high unemployment levels and low educational levels among parents, the school adminis- trators said between 10 and 13 Vancouver elementary schools fit that description. “However, the official designation of such schools as core or inner-city schools should be done, not by any group but our board ...,” the report stated, noting that such schools should receive “special atten- tion.” “The impact of poverty and deprivation on the education of children in Vancouver requires ... the provision of additional, compensatory education and social pro- grams for young children. 2 e PACIFIC TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 3, 1988 PHIL RANKIN ... backs food plans “Experienced kindergarten teachers in inner-city schools consistently point out that their beginning pupils have scored, on average, one year or more below their coun- terparts in more affluent areas of the city. Inner-city Grade | teachers report a serious lack of language readiness skills among these pupils,” it reported. It noted that parents from inner-city areas have little time for parental volunteer programs (which have alleviated the effects of underfinancing in other areas). The report, citing successful programs in other Canadian cities, called for measures_ such as smaller class sizes, adequate health and counselling services in schools, and closer liaison with community organiza- tions. “The cost of the programs outlined in this position paper could be high. But the price of inaction is higher,” stated the administrators in urging the board set aside discretionary funds in its upcoming 1988-89 . budget. The report did not identify provincial public education funding as a factor. Ironically, an attempt by Rankin last March to set aside an additional $1 million to fund additional staff and services for inner-city schools died in committee with- out a seconder. The board is now consider- ing the recommendations in the principals’ report. Operation Fightback warns of tax grab Burnaby should withdraw from the municipal-provincial partnership program on tax breaks for industry now that the province has moved to seize industrial tax- ing power from the municipalities, a tax revolt group declares. Operation Fightback, which last week drew more than 70 people to a meeting on municipal tax reform, made the recom- mendation along with several others to Burnaby municipal council Monday. Council, which now has a majority of members from the NDP civic group, the Burnaby Citizens Association, voted to receive the proposals as information. But in an interview later Mayor Bill Copeland said his caucus would be con- sidering those and other proposals council has received in hammering out a tax reform package for 1988. He said the BCA majority is aiming for a “zero »per cent tax hike” on residences this year. Copeland pledged tax reform at the Operation Fightback meeting, and Bur- naby council has opposed the intention of the provincial government to remove from municipalities the power to tax industrial and commercial properties. Operation Fightback leader Dave Fai- rey told council the Social Credit govern- ment’s intention contradicts the Partners in Enterprise program whereby municipal councils — Burnaby has adopted the program — reduce taxes on new enter- prises or industrial expansion projects. Fairey said the move also “totally con- tradicts” Finance Minister Mel Couveli- er’s promise to introduce legislation allowing municipal councils to set differ- ent tax rates for more valuable industrial properties. “That promise, it seems, was only a ploy to make them look good,” Fairey charged. “The only policy the provincial government appears to have is to reduce taxes on large corporations and make residential taxpayers pay the brunt of the bill.” He said Premier Bill Vander Zalm’s regionalization and decentralization pro- gram looks hollow in the face of further centralization of taxing powers. Fairey also warned that with B.C. Transit facing a $25-million deficit, homeowners may wind up paying more to keep the system, funded through a cost- sharing agreement with the province, financially afloat. The Operation Fightback brief to council also proposed: @ Closer co-operation between the council and the school board in setting property tax rates. School boards lost their power to tax industrial and commercial properties in 1982, and since then have been forced to increase the burden on resi- dential property owners in the wake of provincial cutbacks in public education. e@ A more open and democratic pro- cess, including public hearings, in setting the municipal budget and tax rates. @ That the school board and council urge higher municipal bodies and the B.C. School Trustees Association to support a program of increased homeowner grants, tax relief for financially strapped home- owners and restoration of school boards’ full taxing authority. @ That Burnaby council cancel partici- pation in the Partners in Enterprise pro- gram, particularly important in light of a planned expansion of Trans Mountain Pipeline’s tank farm, contested by nearby homeowners. e@ That council immediately adopt a comprehensive tax reform policy shifting | _ the burden of taxation back onto large |_ industrial and commercial properties. @ That council commit itself to estab- lishing a higher tax rate for large-scale industries as soon as enabling legislation is enacted. Copeland charged that previous coun- cils, dominated by the right-wing Burnaby Voters Association, ‘‘added insult to injury” by shifting the tax burden increas- ingly onto residential property owners. “We’re pretty well on stream with most of (Operation Fightback’s) proposals,” he said. The new mayor said his BCA majority will also be looking at building affordable housing, noting that the previous council was cited by the Greater Vancouver Regional District as having a dismal record on social and low-cost housing. Actions planned for pledge campaign As speculation increases as to the timing of the next federal election, the Canadian peace movement is gearing up to ensure that peace is a major issue in the federal campaign. The Canadian Peace Pledge Campaign is calling on all peace supporters to help “vote Canada out of the arms race” and “turn Canada into a world leader for peace.” __ The Peace Pledge Campaign, which actually began over a year ago, is now stepping up its activities as the next federal election draws near. The campaign involves voters signing a card that pledges them to vote only for candidates who are taking an active role in helping end the arms race. Participants in the campaign will receive regular updated reports on the positions taken by federal parties on peace related issues. In some ridings, particularly swing ridings, people who have signed the peace pledge will be given detailed reports on the positions of local candidates on the peace question. Some 6,700 Lower Mainland residents have already taken the peace pledge. Organizers of the campaign in Vancouver are now finalizing a mailing to those supporters that will give _ them the details of a-lobby organized by the Canadian Peace Alliance last November with three of the federal political parties in Ottawa. But many more signatures on the pledge cards are needed before the election campaign begins. a ; ; The Canadian wi Peace Pledge _ Campaign In Vancouver, the B.C. Peace Council has taken the initia- tive and on Saturday, Feb. 13 will take to the streets to publicize the campaign and collect as many signed pledge cards as possible. Booths will be set up at Robson Square and Granville Island. Volunteers are needed to staff these booths in two-hour shifts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “The peace movement has the impetus now. The signing of the INF agreement and the outcry at the latest cruise missile test show how public opinion has shifted to the side of peace and disarmament,” said Tim Firth, co-ordinator of the Van- couver office of the B.C. Peace Council. ‘““We believe that promoting the pledge campaign will meet with a lot of suc- cess.” To volunteer for the action on Feb. 13 or to obtain more information on the Canadian Peace Pledge Campaign, con- tact Tim Firth at the office of the B.C. Peace Council, 685- 9958 or End the Arms Race at 736-2366.