MP argues against way
land claims are settled

THE SIZE and scope of the pro-
posed Sahin, Dene and Metis
land claims agreement in the
Northwest Territories has
Skeena MP Mike Scott con-
vineed tt is bad news for Canada.

Below are excerpts from a
speech, made to the House of

Commons on May 2, in which |

Scott outlined his position.

ONE CANNOT help but be
struck with the magnitude of the
land transfer. Over 42 sq. km. for
every adult will be conveyed fee
simple.

Ia a world which continues to

"experience significant population
growth, and where population
density in many countries are

_ Measured in bundreds of human
beings for each square kilometer,
-it is impossible to reconcile this
massive land grant.
~T ask aboriginal people to con-

- sider this very carefully. Cana-
da’s "population continues lo
grow. We continue to accept im-

- migrants and refugees from ail
over the world to come and make
their home in this country — and
while we may disagree with cur-
rent immigralion levels, all Cana-
dians and all members of this
house embrace this.

Admittedly, colonization creal-
ed much hardship and injustice
for native Indians of the day as
well, and I think we as Canadians
recognize that this is an in-
escapable part of our history.

In addition to the outright trans-
fer of over 40,000 sq. kms. of
land fee simple, the federal
government will pay out approxi-
mately $130 million dollars over
the next 15 years lo the Sahtu
Tribal Council.

This equates to more than $130
thousand for cach adult covered
under the agreement,

Again, to put this in perspec-
tive, if every adult Canadian was
given this same amount of
money, the government would

Mike Scott

need more than $3 trillion dollars
in the bank to write out the che-
ques.

$3 trillion dollars is more than
four times Canada’s total debt of
$700 billion which includes fed-
eral, provincial and municipal
government debt.

Furthermore, even alter such a

massive transfer of land and cash,
nothing in the agreement affects
the ability of the Sabtu, Dene and
Metis to receive existing and fu-
ture benefits under aboriginal
programs.

In discussions with my con-
stituents on the land claims ques-
tion, 1 hear a diverse range of
opinions on how to resolve the is-
sue. The one consisicnt theme
Tunning through all of these is
finality. ,

People want assurance that the
resolution of land claims will
entail a systematic reduction and
phasing out of taxpayer funded
aboriginal programs delivered by
the government.

This agreement
achicve this.

OF the $130 million to be paid
to the Sahtu Tribal Council only
some $3,500 will be given to in-
dividuals as one-time grants.

Virtually ali of the benefits con-
ferred upon the Sahiu, Dene and

does not

How logging
is calculated

By JOHN CUTHBERT
Chief Forester

The British Columbia Forest
Service is conducting a Timber
Supply Review in response to the

“urgent need for up-to-date in-
formation after years of dramatic
changes in how forests are
managed.

In March 1991, a forest service
study identified the reasons why
existing: annual allowable cuts
(AACs) were unsustainable given

current forest management.

Existing processes leading to
AAC determinations took years
to’ complete, uscd out-dated
analytical techniques, and Failed
to. adequately consider other
forest values.

The Timber Supply Review was
developed to provide a picture of

‘current, medium term and long
term timber supply on crown land
which iss

* independent,

* objective,

* accurale, and

* up to date.

More. changes in forest prac-
tices are In store, and a wider
Tange. Of forest values and
resources must be considered.
The review process is designed 1c

.accommodaie change and io
‘stimulale = public comment
through the release of reports and
discussion papers, and public
meclings.

Timber Supply Review's use

The Timber Supply Review will
provide information for consider-
ation by the Chief Forester in
determining AACs - as required
under the Forest Act.

Section 7 of the Act requires
considcration of the following

. factors:
-* the sustainable rate of timber

production taking into account -

current forestry, silviculture and
integrated resource management
practices;
* short and long {erm implica-
. flons of allernative timber harvest
rates;
“* the capabilities and require-
ments of iimber processing
facilities;
‘* Salvage programs due to in-

sect infestations or devastations:

and

jectives of the government. -

-® the: economic and social ob-

AACs are not determined by
mathematical calculation. They
are the best judgments of the
Chief Forester considering the
qualitative and quantitative fac-
tors required under the Act.

Advocacy efforts of any indi-
vidual or group are not consider-
ed by the Chief Forester. Further-
more, the Chief Forester is inde-
pendent of the political process,
and does not take direction on
setting AACs from the Minister
of Forests.

The review process

In each of the 36 timber supply
area in B.C., a supply analysis is
undertaken based on the best
available information. Each anal-
ysis report is released for public
comment, and the information is
used fo analyze the socio-
economic implications of the tim-
ber supply findings.

This analysis is also released
for public comment. A public dis-
cussion paper is prepared which
summarizes both types of analy-
sis and discusses the implications.

Public discussion of these
reporis is critical to the review
process, The forest industry, com-
munities, small business opera-
tors, special interest groups and
individuals all have an op-
portunity to review the situation
and provide feedback based on
informed opinion.

The Chief Forester considers
feedback on technical matters
relating to timber supply analysis,
and the Minister of Forests con-
siders comments on sacio-
economic issues.

The public review and discus-
sion period is three to four
months. The Chief Forester then
makes the AAC determination.

Concerns

Concerns have been raised
about the methodology, rapid
schedule and quality of data in
timber supply analyses. [ would
like to clarify these matters to al-
lay the concerns that have been
expressed,

I believe the current timber
supply analysis process is the best

available. It has been reviewed
carefully by industry and academ- °

ic experts. Information from the
field is etitered into comprehen-
sive computer programs 10 gener-

‘ate accurate and objective harvest -

“Y want to see aboriginal
peoples have an op-
portunity to decide by
referendum whether they
want self-government and
in the resolution of land
claims, whether they want
money and land turned
over to themselves as indi-
viduals or to band lead-
ers.” .

Metis under this agreement will
be controlled by Indian’ leaders
rather than distributed to individ-
uals,

Governments, all governments,
including this one here in Ottawa,
are notoriously bad managers of
wealth and resources. I don’t be-
lieve a majority of Canadians
have any doubts about that.

If ] were a rank and file Sahtu,
Dene, or Metis I would prefer
that [ received a direct personal
benefit rather than having money
and land given over to the control
of the tribal council.

I receive entreaties on an ongo-
ing basis fom native people
living on reserves in my riding
telling me of the injustice they
receive at the hands of their lead-
ers.

They tell me 2 of nepotism where
band jobs and other perks go to
relatives and friends of native
leaders while others are shut out.

This is typically the way
governments function —- fust
look at our federal. government’s
behaviour, if you need any con-
vincing.

It is for these reasons and be-
cause I believe in the value and
dignity of the individual over the
collective — regardless of what
collective we are talking about —
that I am a strong advocate for

settlements government to indi-
vidual, rather than government lo
government.

Before I can support any legis-
lation for sclfgovernment or land
claim resolutions I want to see the
affected aboriginal peoples have
an opportunity to decide by
Tefercndum whether they want
self-government and in the
Tesolution of land claims, whether
they want money and land turned
over to themselves as individuals
or to band leaders.

My deepest concem over this
bill is the precedent being set for
future land claim negotiations.

The first B.C. land claim to be
accepted by the federal govern-
ment -for negotiation is the

 Nisga’a claim,

Negotiations have been uno-
derway for some time behind
closed doors and therefore, in a
forum where my constituents
have no information as to what is
on the table in terms of land and
resources,

When my constituents express
their deep concern about being
shut out of the process, they are
patted condescendingly on the
head and told by government of-
ficials, who patted us on the head,
and told us that the Charlottetown
accord was good for us.

You can, therefore, understand
why people in my riding are very
doubtful that their interests are
being protected. The Sahtu, Dene,
and Metis agreement will only
serve to increase their concem.

It is imperative that the people
in Skeena receive an opportunity
to vote on proposed land claim
seitlemenis within ihe riding to
ensure thal setilement agreements
are not imposed from the top
down,

In saying that, let me reassure
Indian people that Canadians are
very fair minded and I’m sure
that any just and equitable settle-
ments proposed will be sup-
ported,

THE LOCAL forest service has lots of experts studying how

many trees there are and how land should be used. Two of those
are inventory resource officer Dave Nichclson, left, and resource
management planner Kevin Kilpatrick.

schedules based on all forest uses
and values.

Crilical factors are identified,
and a varicty of forest use as-
sumplions are tested to determine
their impact on timber supply.

This sensitivity analysis ap-
proach ensures that supply
projections are realistic and adap-
tive fo changing forest manage-
ment,

Earlier analyses were based on
a narrow range of harvest options
which did not include sufficient
consideration of other forest uses
and values. For that reason, they
ere not reliable predictors of
sustainable timber harvest levels.

The new Ministry of Forests
analysis process incorporates pro-
cedural and technical improve-
ments which produce much more
reliable results than past methods
— and In a fraction of the time,
Timber supply analyses which
used lo take years to complete
can now be produced in six to
cight months.

The data used on current timber
supply analyses is substantially
better than the data that used to
be used — though it is never as
complete as we might wish.

Marcover, the sensitivity
analyses enable us to identify
areas where the -information is
weak, 80 we can imprové. our
knowledge for the next round of
analysis, “

“John Cutan ;

lam confident that the Timber
Supply Review represents a big
improvement over past methods,
and that it provides me with much
better information on which to
base allowable annual cuts which
are realistic and sustainable.
Born in Summerland, John
Cuthbert joined the forest service
in Terrace in 1961 with a@
Bachelor of Science in Forestry
depree from the University of
British Columbia.

He tecane a Registered
Professtonal Forester in 1965,

’ Mr. Cuthbert's career involved
a number of positions, . He was
named chief forester in April
1985.

The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 18, 1994 - A5

CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD

The Mail Bag

Bad medicine explained

Dear Sir:

An editorial in your May 4 publication commented on the British
Columbia Pharmacy Association's television campaign which
Taises awareness about the negative impact of the provincial
povernment’s changes lo Pharmacare.

‘We agree with your editorial in that the message is a very strong
one. This is the firs! time we have had to employ such measures,
but we feel very strongly that the NDP government has threatened
ihe lives of seniors. And the government has refused to listen to us.
While our ad {s strong, we sland by it. How do you portray seniors
al risk in a nice way?

The British Columbia Pharmacy Association is a volunteer group
of modest means, and gathering the Funds for this campaign is na
easy task. However, we are sufficiently worried that senior may
not be as concerned as they ought to be:

* 20% of hospital admissions of seniors are due to the misuse of
prescription medications.

* 10,000 times per year, a pharmacist in B.C. intervenes to pre-
vent a possibly deadly interaction.

* seniors are getting sick and some even die; this ought not to
happen, and as health professionals we wish to prevent it.

The message in our ad is a tough one, but it is even tougher if un-
heard. The NDP government has targeted the seniors with an extra
$8 million in user fees.

Worse than that, the government has further endangered the lives
‘of seniors by increasing the co-pay on ihe pharmacist’s fee, result-
ing in more stockpiling, more waste and more chance a tragedy will
occur.

Bob Kucheran
Executive director,
B.C. Pharmacy Association

Advertising “deplorable”
Dear Sir:

The Pharmacare alternative chosen by government, was to attempt
to change the behaviour of physicians and pharmacists.

First, government sald that Pharmacare would only pay for the
least expensive drug that does the job. If someone still wants the ex-
pensive brand they will have to pay the difference. If a doctor
specifies that no alternative drug is to be substituted then
Pharmacare will continue to pick up the costs.

This policy does not deprive anyone of free choice; it simply says
that public money will not be wasted on brand names that offer no
greater benefit.

Second, government said that the user fees would increase from
75 per cent of the dispensing fee to 100 per cent of the fee. The
avetage dispensing fee in British Columbia is $6.20, so that meant
an increase of about $1.50 per prescription - a lot better deal than
having to pay all of the Hirst $500.

The combination of the $1.50 average increase plus substitution to
the cost effective drugs resulis in just as much savings as the
alternative of making most seniors pay for all of the first $500 in
drug bills.

You might ask why is the B.C. Pharmacists Association running
those T.V. ads described in your May 4 editorial as ‘‘Bad medi-
cine’? and criticizing the ‘government?

The answer is that an increase of just $1.00 in the dispensing fee
would ‘be: worth ‘$10 ‘million to °B.C. pharmacists. It’ would ‘have’ ’
been i lot édsiér'tfo get the fée"iup by a dollar if seniois ‘Were paying”
bills averaging $40 a prescription; than it would be when they just
pay the dispensing fee where the buck increase stands out.

The Pharmacisis Association also claims that by having seniors
pay the full dispensing fee or $1.50 more, they will buy larger pres-
criptions. It turns out that it may be good health care and good cco-
nomics to dispense medication for chronic conditlons in larger
amounis.

In cases where pharmacists are paid capitation fees, that is by the
person, rather than by the prescription, they actually dispense larger
quantities for chronic medications. It appears that the argument
about the size of prescriptions has more to do with some
pharmacists who want to collect more in fees than It does with good
health or good economics,

- Whatever the position of the B.C, Pharmacists Association is,
their T.V, advertising is deplorable, and I would urge every. local
pharmacist to distance themselves from that type of misinformation
and fear mongering.

Helmut Giesbrecht,
M.L.A, Skeena

Let’s hear it for Gim’s

With regards to a letter by Julia E. Little, May 4, 1994, I am in to-
tal agreement with Mrs, Little that ihe library should not be on park
land.

I will second the motion to purchase Gim’s restaurant to make it
into a library. Gim's has ample parking and a wheel chair ramp near
arear entrance. All in favour say aye!

~ Dear Sir:

Randy C. Halgh,
Terrace, B.C.

us

THE START JS FOR PEOPLE LEARNING TO READ

The Start

Good news for library |

THERE’S GOOD news for the library. It’s getting
money from the provincial government.

This means the library will be able to build an expan-
sion. The $200,000 comes from the B.C. 21 program.

When the expansion is done, there will be more room
for books. There will be room to use computers. There
will be more room for people to read. And the staff will
have more room.

The expansion has been planned for six years. Work i is
expected to start right away. :

Kermodel bear shot
OLD GIMPY has been shot He was a very old
Kermodei bear. He. lived on the’east side of Katum
Lake. Lots of people saw the bear over the past years.

Old Gimpy got his name because he got hit by a car
once, That made him a bit lame.

Conservation officers are looking into the shooting. It
can be illegal to shoot a Kermodci bear without a good
reason, . a
Old Gimpy’s hide has already been sent away fot test-
ing. he ug? aga Mags