+ i

POOR pulp wood prices cause two Repap-
controlled firms in Stewart to shut down. About
200 workers at Buffalo Head and Orenda Forest
Producis weren't expected to be back at work until
June.'Meanwhile, the shut down at West Fraser’s
Skeena Sawmills was extended indefinitely, effect-
ing more than 150 sawmill workers.

CONTENDERS in the Skeena riding gear up for
the ‘federal election. Liberal candidate Rhoda
Witherly and MP Mike Scott look ahead to the June
elections.

Isaac Sobol, whe ran for the National Party in 1993,
runs for NDP candidacy and the Progressive Con-
servatives’ candidate is Kent Glowinski.

DESPITE the re-organization of nursing services
and having an average 25 patients a day on the
main medical services floor, Mills Memorial hospi-
tal was alrcady $200,000 in debi.

A STUDY by Sperling Hanson Associated found
the Thomhill dump site could expand to include
waste from all Greater Terrace without significant
environmental impact,

TERRACE Anti-Poverty Group Society lost a
$50,000 prant from the provincial government.

POOR snow clearing is said to be responsible for

hurting Christmas sales in December.

HUMAN Resoarces Development Canada pledged

$45,000 to finance an economic viability study of

both Shames Mountain and Ski Smithers.

- February

WEST Fraser Timber says it will be forced to shut
down unless some concessions by the government
are made to reduce stumpage fees.

AVENOR, a Montreal based company, proposes to
take over the troubled Repap pulp mill and three
sawmills in the northwest. Avenor would take on a
$2.5 billion debt.

CUTS TO the Northwest Community College
budget in an attempt to deal with an $800,000 debt
means some: second year university courses will
likely be eliminated. Thirteen full time instructors
will also face layoffs.

NORTHWEST college students and health care
workers were vaccinited to stave off a red measles
outbreak. The precaition was taken after about 60
cases were reportédin Vancowier,

THE PROVINCE cut the toll-free phone directory
service in an attempt to meet budget cuts. Skeena
MLA Helmut Giesbrecht slammed the move as yet
another way of isolating people in the north. The
phone service was revived a month ater. The cost
of the service is about $2.7 million.

VEHICLE thefts were up 92 per cent in Terrace in
1996. The numbers reflect a province-wide trend.
The majority of the thefts are due to joyriding
youths, and most of the vehicles are recovered.

TAPE recorders replace court room recorders as

‘part of a government initiative to save $4.7 million

annually in court costs. That left 125 court re-
corders‘out of work, including Doug Label, Ter-
race’s only stenographer.

WHISTLER-based Ecosign Mountain Resort Plan-
ners with the financial help of Human Resources
and Development Canada went ahead with (he
Shames Mountain and Ski Smithers study. The
study was to help the hill find ways to become

‘more efficient.

FOREST Renewal B.C. money might be used to }

guarantee transitional loans for Repapa contractors
and suppliers who are owed between $20-$50 mil-
tion, This would be similar to the $4 million FRBC-
backed loan program extended to contractors work-
ing in Stewart.

AN ADDED $900,000 was added to the total
restructuring assistance grant to encourage Terrace

and Thombhill to merge. A total of $2.87 million
would be paid out over four years. The deadline
was set for June 30 for taxpayers to decide on
whether or not they want the deal.

A NEW council to administer health care facilities
took over from the Terrace Regional Health Care
Society, The Terrace Community Health Council is

one of the first in the province to gather health care -

services together.

March

REPAP ENTERPRISES cuts off its debt-loaded
B.C. subsidiary Repap B.C. in an attempt to im-
prove its chances for a merger with Avenor. Repap
B.C. seeks and is granted protection from its
creditors, freezing millions of dollars owed to
northwest contractors and suppliers and putting the
future of thousands of jobs in doubt. The Toronto
Dominion and Royal Banks assume control of the
northwest’s largest forestry employer. The Supreme
Court appoints consulting firm Coopers and
Lybrand to act as monitors during a coming restruc-
turing.

TWO BIG logging contractors filed liens against
wood in Repap B.C.’s yard in order to secure what
they’re owed. Don Hull and Sons Lt. filed for $1.7
million and K’Shian Construction filed for
$915,000, The liens came just before Repap B.C.
received creditor protection provisions.

THE SUPREME court ordered Repap to pay its
contractors a week in advance of the work being
done. This ensured that the company keeps its ac-
counts current to both contractors and suppliers.

A GIANT three by seven meter boulder crashed
onto the Nisga’a highway, blocking the road for
about seven hours. The warmer weather was
responsible for loosening the boulder which had to
be blasted apart. No one was injured,

SKEENA Reform MP Mike Scolt and NDP MLA
Helmut Giesbrecht want Repap finances investi-
gated so money owed northwestern companies is
paid before any takeover of the company is ap-
proved,

THE TSIMSHIAN and federal. and provincial
governments signed an agreement that will
eventually Jead them to a land claims treaty.

GEORGE BLISS Hawthome was sentenced to life
in prison for killing two Thornhill residents in Sep-
lember of 1994. Christopher Williams had earlier
pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

FORMER City councillor and mayoral candidate
Gordon Hull was charged with damaging the fish
habitat and shores of Thornhili Creek. He could
face fines of up to $300,000 for fisheries offences
and $200,000 for a Water Act offence, —

NORTHWEST Community College students
walked out of their classrooms to protest cuts to
courses. Students also presented a petition protest-
ing cuts to second year universily transfer courses
and other programs.

Ro arin’ 20’s
New Years Eve
Party!

| f

Wednesday, December 31

a

A MASSIVE community rally protesting the collapse of Repap B.C. in March focussed atten-

tion on the plight of the northwest, More than 200 logging trucks jammed the highway and the’
streets of Terrace: A standing room only crowd listened to employment and Investment minis-
ter Dan Miller inside the arena banquet room, while the overflow crowd listened outside on
speakers on the steps of the arena. People affected camled placards like “Don't Steal —

Repap Hates Competition.” —

Fun starts at 8 pm. Be early to get your best seat!

The Hansard record of the Provincial
Legislature shows:

* In the last two years Mr. Giesbrecht has only spoken 6

times in the legislature. (July 8, 96 July 15, 96; April 3, 97, May 7,
97, June 18, 97; July 30, 97)

¢ In the last two years, Mr. Giesbrecht has not made a
single formal request in the legislature for the -
government to act on a local issue. .

¢ In the last two years he has spoken on the punishing
stumpage rates. He alluded to them as something good

that the NDP has done for BC.
(July 8,1996)

¢ In the last two years he has, spoken.on, the.govemmment’s. ..].
extreme. increase-ir-anglingnfeesrBub-rather than errr
taking the concertis“of the atiglers’ and ‘fishing guides*""*
regarding the fees to the government, Mr. Giesbrecht
defended government fee hikes. (May 7, 97)

-

« In his previous term (1991-1995) Mr. Giesbrecht was
equally ineffective. Only one time in the six years Mr.
Giesbrecht has been in office, has he spoken to a local
issue in a setting in the legislature where the
govemment was required to respond to it. (June 22, 92)

- Only two other times, in six years has Mr. Giesbrecht
dedicated a speaking time in the legislature to speak to
a local issue raised by his constituents. (Mar 24, 92; June 3,94)

* MLA’s from all parties have addressed many issues in
the legislature on behalf of their constituents many
times over the amount that Mr. Giesbrecht has. He has
almost the lowest speaking record of all MLA’s in the
legislature. He simply hasn't done his job.

¢ In the last two years it has cost taxpayers
about
$300, 000.00 to pay Mr. Giesbrecht’s wages .
and expenses, and run his office, not
including the $450,000.00 pension, he will
be eligible to receive in one year.

If you believe Skeena needs better
representation
Sign the petition to Recall
Mr. Giesbrecht.

If you would like a list of every date that Mr, Giesbrecht has spoken in
the Legislature in the last six years so that you can read his statements
for yourself, you can pick one-up at the Terrace recall office. .

You can sign the petition at 4519 Lakelse Ave.,
Terrace, or.you can call 638-7739 or 632-5311
and we will send a canvasser'to your door. »
This publication is authorized by W.A.
Sandhals, Financial Agent for Lorne Sexton,
Skeena Recall Proponent, 638-7739