Not amused
by Santa
— recall tale

Dear Sir:

I am writing in response to the article ‘‘Santa
target of recall campaign’’ in your Tuesday, Dec,
23, 1997 edition.

‘The article had to be without a doubt the most
disgusting article ] have ever read and it certainly
did not rate being put on the front page,

It is pretty sad when you are so short of headline

“news that-you have to put a damper on Christmas
by writing an article tying the children’s hero (i.¢.
Santa) into a political slam.

The impiication tying this in with the Reform
Party does not go unnoticed either, I am sure that if
you do a little research you will find that a good
many of the people involved in the recall process in
the Skeena riding are from other political parties as
well as the Reform party, Your article certainly puts
a-slant indicating that the article was written by a
staunch NDP person belittling and accusing the

. Reform party when in fact the Reform party is not
involved in the procedure.

Tam not denying that a good many Reform party
members agree with the recall procedure being in-
stituted against Helmut Giesbrecht but I am also
sure that a good many persons of other political
parties also agree that the recall is necessary in
Skeena.

: Arlie C. Watson

Terrace, B.C.

Bear biologist backed

Dear Sir:

Perhaps your Dec, 30 headline “Government
biologist should keep thoughts of bears to himself’
should have been in quotes since it was the opinion
of the B.C. Wildlife Federation's Gil Payne, and
hopefully not of The Terrace Standard.

Mr. Payne asserts that ‘‘We can only make a best
guess at populations.’’

Are we going to rely on a guess? When was the
last official tally of bear populations done?
Shouldn’t sustainability be proven before hunting is
allowed?

Mr. deLeeuw has spoken out at risk of repercus-
sions within the Ministry of Environment and
should be commended for doing so.

: Aaron Riis
Terrace, B.C.

MLA would be a better
report card subject

Dear Sir:
I thank the Terrace Standard and especially Jeff
- Nagel for the balanced coverage of my short term
‘while representing the people of Terrace on city
council, Mr. Nagel has provided fair comment on
my, opportunities and positions taken” while on

council, | a .

However, I do take issue with his insinuation that
I abandoned ship, so to speak, by leaving Terrace

prior to completing the
full three-year term as
duly elected.

I am still concerned
about the community
and people who are
making the best of tlrese
uncertain economic
times.

In regards to his state-
ment that revenge was
my molive in signing a
recall petition, it is
Strange that he omitted
Tim Down our discussions regard-
ing the poor per-

formance of Mr. Giesbrecht.

Mr, Giesbrecht was elected to represent the entire

- Skeena constituency, not just thase who voted for
- him or share his viewpoints.

Our collective concerns regarding health care, ed-
ueation, boundary extensions, airport lands and last
but not least, the woods industry, are shared by
many but it is bewildering as to why this MLA has
had-no opportunity to show his ability to represent

The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 14,1998 - as

CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD

— The Mail Bag

Dear Sir:

I read recently that the City of Terrace is going
to charge $15 for a handicapped placard to park in
disabled zones. The suggestion was it’s a
privilege to be able to park there.

As a disabled person myself, let me tell you it’s
no privilege to be disabled.

Most people who have never been real sick or in
constant pain for an extended period do not have
a clue as to what it is to be disabled.

Most people with disabilities live on a fixed in-
come and already incur a lot of expenses depend-
ing upon their degree of disability that other
people don’t have. So although it is only $15 to
some people it’s a lot.

If the city is going to charge to use these spots
they should make sure the disabled are the only
ones to use them.

Many times I have seen able bodied people run
into a store from a vehicle that is not displaying a
placard.

And if you bring it to their attention you are
swom at and told where to go.

HANDICAPPED PARKING placards aren't a privilege worth paying for without keeping the
spaces clear, says local disabled driver Herbert Hohm.

Disabled parking no privilege

A lot of people put their shopping carts in the
spaces making it impossible for handicapped
people lo use.

You have to stop your car, get into your wheel-
chair or use crutches or other aids and move the
carts.

Ti’s a hassle to get back in your car, move it
ahead 10 {cet, A hassle to get out of the car again.
And when you come back to the vehicle after
shopping you find it surrounded by carts again.

But the city says this is privileged parking.

I think théy should patrol and enforce the
bylaws and the stores should keep an eye on the
spaces and pet carts moved and vehicles not dis-
playing placards towed away.

Then maybe they could think of charging to
park there, But il is really unfair to make a group
of people whose income is already $22,000 below
the poverty line of $32,000 (for a family of 3-4)
pay any amount al all just to park and spent

money in the local stores.
H. Hohm
Terrace, B.C,

As far as report cards go, will you be providing
your humorous, subjective and irreverent views of
our provincial and federal representatives? I believe
Mr. Giesbrecht’s last year’s performance would
provide more issues and concerns to write aboul
than one so unworthy as me.

Thank you, Terrace, for the opportunity to
represeut the entire community to the best of my
ability. I truly hope that more citizens involve
themselves in all levels of our political system. Pos-
itive change can be made oue individual ata time.

uc Tim Down
Chilliwack, B.C.

Giesbrecht is honest

Dear Sir:

In your Dec. 30 issue you highlighted a picture of
me protesting the province’s attempted increase in
angling fees last year.

In all fairness I can only hope you give as much
emphasis to the fact that this goverment, and our
local MLA, Helmut Giesbrecht, did respond to the
concerns brought forward.

Indeed, they responded with the most comprehen-
sive and exhaustive consultation with anglers ever
attempted by any provincial government. For his
they deserve a lot of credit, All governments will
make mistakes from time to lime.

More important than the mistake they made on
this issue, is the fact that they had the integrity to
rectify it.

I have thought long and hard about the current
recall campaign, and have been asked to both fight
the recall effort, and to support it, While ] am frus-
trated by a Jot of the policies of the current NDP
government, I feel recall should not be used to

remove men and women from office who are dis-
honest, Or lack character.

While I disagree with Helmut, and the current
goverument, on some issucs, Helmut Gicsbrecht is
unfailingly honest, and has as much character as
any public servant I know,

I know for a fact he works hard at his job, is a
tremendous father (as ] have worked with his son
who is one of the most outstanding young men !
have met), and he was respected by his colleagues
in the education system for his dedication and skill.

He won the election fair and square’ itd’ thé cir-
rent campaign to recall him is just sour grapes. The
claim that he has not done his job is bogus, he
simply has not.done it to the liking of people who
didn’t vote for him in the first place.

The whole idea that he could be removed by the
signatures of people who did not even vole in the
last election is frightening, and points to some of
the dangerous flaws in the recall legislation.

Those people who are frustrated that they lost the
Jast election should think a little about a system
that, for alt its flaws, has worked for over a hundred
years and has created a country and a province that
is the envy of the world.

I choose 10 wail {or the next election, and to let a
decent and caring man finish his term. If I don’t
support the NDP in the next election it won't be be-
cause Helmut Giebrecht was dishonest or didn’! do

his best as he saw it.
: Bruce Hill
Terrace, B,C.

Liquor branch defends
booze tasting program

Dear Sir:
This letter is in response to your cdilorial of Wed-

about the Taste Program in B.C. Liquor Stores,
A primary objective of this program, which
permits small quantities of beverage alcohol pro-

ducts to be offered to shoppers in B.C. Liquor
Stores, is to allow consumers the opportunity to
sample products they might not otherwise experi-
ence.

We helieve that, as consumers become more
knowledgeable about beverage alcohol, they will be
more likely to enjoy these producis appropriately,
and less likely ta abuse them,

The quantities are extremely small: 10 mL for
spirits, 20 mL for wine, and 30 mL for beer. Sup-
pliers are not charged a fee to participate in this
program. The program is handied professionally, is
subject to strict rules and guidelines, and staff are
well trained to recognize, and refuse service to,
customers who may be even slightly inebriated. (in
fact, liquor store staff regularly refuse service to in-
toxicated customers, and will even call police to
report possible drinking-driving offenses.)

The B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch is com-
milted to promoting the responsible and moderate
use of the products we sell, and our staff take this
commitment seriously. Our Alcohol Awareness
program was one of the first of any Canadian liquor
jurisdiction, and we were the first to offer de-
alcoholized beers and wines for sale,

Recent initiatives include the establishment of the
Safe Ride Home program for patrons attending
wine and beer festivals (in conjunction with B.C.
Transit and ICBC); the production of an informa-
tional pamphlet about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
(with the B.C. Medical Association and the BC
FAS Resource Society); and, an on-going in-store
moderation program operated in partnership with
liquor suppliers.

These initiatives are a small sample of the many
alcohol awareness programs to which the LDB
commits support and resources. We take our role as
a responsible retailer very seriously.

Leslie Myers
Liquor Distribution Branch

Bailout not worth it

Dear Sir:

It is my wniderstanding that the inept bungling
NDP party is to spend more money on the bailout
of Skeena (taxpayers money).

I have three concerns with this badly thought out
plan.

The first is that the B.C. taxpayer can no longer
afford these expenditures, we are drowning in a sea
of red ink with the debt and deficit growing at an
alarming rate.

I am in full support of the workers in the Skeena
area, as a matter of fact ] grew up in the Ter-
tace/Kitimat area and do not want any harm to
come to the people there.

Iam very sympathetic to their plight, but a bailout
at this time is nol the answer. ;

Secondly we also have over a thousand workers
in Port Albemi out of work and a total of approxi-

mately 14,000 forestry workers in B.C. without
jobs. Do we bail out all companies that are doing
badly?

With, the, BC. government, holding, avery, large.
interes{ in the company, doesn’t this creafe a con-
flict in that it ‘will now be a ‘competitor’ of other |
mills? ,

Thirdly, it is also my understanding that this mill
is not a modern viable mill and, with the market
conditions the way they are, less able to compete,

The conclusion I make is that these people at
Skeena are to be without work regardless of the
money being poured into this aging mill.

To save these jobs we need to have an almost in-
stant change in market conditions and a more busi-
ness like government, which I don’t see happening.

I do not have any political alliances, nor do [
know that any other party would do any better, all I
do know is that we are sinking fast and the people
of B.C. are hurting.

My wish for 1998 is for an election to be called,
full investigation of our provincial finances, more
help for business and industry from a government
they can trust not to change their minds in the mid-
dle of a deal (cemember Alcan) and of course jobs
for all B.C, peaple.

On a different note, people of the Skeena riding
and Prince George area are doing a good thing by
trying to recall their so called NDPers, We are all
watching and hoping that this will create a situation
whereby we have an election or at best a party that
can stop the NDP, Keep up the good fight.

Carol Lundy (nee Brady)

the needs of Terrace and area in an effective man- simply defeat silting governments, but rather 1

Canada apologizes for past in

‘We are deeply
sorry’ Indian affairs
minister tells natives

Indian Affairs minister Jane Stewart
delivered this “statement of reconcilia-
tion’? to Canada’s native peoples last
Wednesday:

S ABORIGINAL and non-
aboriginal Canadians scek
~ to move forward together in
. a process of renewal, il is
essential that we deal with the legacies
of the past affecting the aboriginal
peoples of Canada, including the First
Nations, Inuit und Melis.
Our purpose is not to rewrite history
but, rather, to Jearn from our past and to
‘find ways to deal with the negative im-
pacts that cerlain historical decisions
continue to have in our society today.
‘The ancestors of First Nations, Inuit
and Metis peoples lived on this continent
long before explorers from other con-
tinents first came to North Amcrica.
For thousands of years before this
' country was founded, they enjoyed their
own. forms of government. Diverse,

lands, waters and resources of their
homelands,

The assistance and spiritual values of
the aboriginal peoples who welcomed
the newcomers to this continent too often
have been forgotten.

The contributions made by all

aboriginal peoples to Canada’s develop-
ment, atid the contribulions that they
continue to make to our society today,
have not been properly acknowledged.
The Government of Canada today, on
behalf of all Canadians, acknowledges
those contributions.

Sadly, our history with respect to the
treatment of aboriginal people is not
something in which we can take pride.

Attitudes of racial and cultural supe-
riority led to a suppression of aboriginal
culture and vaiues. As a country, we are
burdened by past actions that resulted in
weakening the identity of aboriginal
peoples, suppressing their languages aid
cultures, and outlawing spiritual prac-
tices.

We must recognize the impact of these
actions on the once self-sustaining na-
tions that were disaggregated, disrupted,
limited or even destroyed by the dis-

vibrant aboriginal nations had ways of possession of traditional territory, by the

life rooted in fundamental values con-
cemiing their relationships to the Creator,
- > the environment and each other, in the

relocation of aboriginal people, and by
some provisions of the Indian Act.

We must acknowledge that the result:

Against the backdrop of these histori-
cal Jegacies, it is a remarkable tribute lo
the strength and endurance of aboriginal
people that they have maintained their
historic diversity and identity,

Particularly to those individuals
who experienced the tragedy of
sexual and physical abuse at
residential schools, and who
have carried this burden beliey-
ing that in some way they must
be responsible, we wish to em-
phasize that what you experi-
enced was not your fault and
should never have happened.

To those of you who suffered
this tragedy at residential
schools, we are deeply sorry.

The Government of Canada today
formally expresses to- all. aboriginal

role of elders as the living memory of of these actions was the erosion of the people in Canada our profound regret for

ands in

their ancestors,

their potitical, economic and social systems of

responsibilities as custodians of the aboriginal people and nations.

past actions of the federal government
which have contributed to these difficult

o nesday, January 7, in which concerns are expressed

pages in ihe history of our relationship
logeLher.

One aspect of our relationship with
aboriginal people over this period that
requires particular attention is the
residential school system.

This system separated many children
from their families and communilics and
prevented them from speaking their own
languages and from learning about their
heritage and cultures.

In the worst cases, it left legacies of

personal pain and distress that continue
to reverberate in aboriginal communities
to this day. Tragically, some children
were the viclims of physical and sexual
abuse,

The Government of Canada ack-
nowledges the role it played in the devel-
opment and administration of these
schools.

Particularly to those individuals who
experienced the tragedy of sexual and
physical abuse at residential schools, and
who have carried this burden believing
thal in some way they must be
responsible, we wish to emphasize that
what you expericnced was not your fault
and should never have happened.

To those of you who suffered this trag-
edy al residential schools, we are deeply
sorry. ,

In dealing with the legacies of the
residential school system, the Govern-
ment of Canada proposes to work wilh
First Nations, Itiuit and Metis peopte, the

Port Alberni, B.C,

justices

churches and other interested parties to
resolve the longstanding issucs that must
be addressed. We need to work together
ona healing strategy to assist individuals
and communities in dealing with the
consequences of this sad era of our his-
tory,

No attempt at reconciliation with
aboriginal people can be complete
without reference to the sad events cul-
minating in the death of Metis leader

‘Lovis Riel. These events cannot be un-

done; however, we can and will continue
to look for ways of affirming the contri-
butions of Melis pcople in Canada and of
reflecting Louis Riel’s proper place in
Canada’s history.

Reconciliation is an ongeing process.
In renewing our partnership, we must
ensure that the mistakes which marked
our past relationship are not repeated.

The Government of Canada recognizes
that policies that sought to assimilate
aboriginal people, women and men, were
not the way to build a strong country.

We must instead continue to find ways
in which Aboriginal people can partici-
pate fully In the economic, political, cul-
tural and social life of Canada in a man-
ner which preserves and enhances the
collective identities of aboriginal com-
munities, and allows them to evolve and
flourish in the fulure,

Working together to achieve our
shared goals will benefit all Canadians,
aboriginal and non-aboriginal alike. |