Voice on treaties is misguided Dear Sir: Martyn Brown of the Citizens’ Voice on Native Claims misunderstands the British Columbia treaty process and the. negotiations involving Canada, British Columbia and the Nisga’a Tribal Council. The Nisga’a Agreement-in-Principle is not a blueprint for treaties throughout British Columbia. Each treaty will be negotiated with individual First Nations and each will involve a unique mix of land “and. resource components and monetary settle- ments. ‘Each treaty directly involves — and must have in- put from — the local community in which the First Nation is located. Martyn Brown misrepresents ihe proposals for Nisga’a self-government, His characterization of Nisga’a. government authority is overstated and misrepresents the provisions of the ATP. ‘While Nisga’a government will have a wide range of powers, Nisga’a laws will affect only Nisga’a citizens, and in most cases will be in effect only on Nisga’a lands (the only exceptions being adoption, marriage and social services). Those few powers that go beyond a local government mode] have a clear connection to protection and enhancement of _Nisga’a social and cultural values (c.g, Nisga’a lan- guage, culture, solemnization of marriage, adop- tion), Most powers are those currently exercised by local governments in British Columbia or other pro- vinees, by health or school boards, or by Indian “bands under the Indian Act. "There will be no exclusive Nisga’a government: powers; both British Columbia and Canada will retain all of their legislative authority. As well, all Nisga’a government powers are either subject to standards or conditions, or are subordinate to provincial and federal laws. In respect to administration of justice powers (in- cluding police and courts), the Criminal Code will apply and Nisga’a laws will not have any effect un- til they have been approved by the provincial govenment. Nisga’a government will be subject to the Cana- dian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and will be elected and democratic. In addition, Nisga’a government will provide non-Nisga’a residents of Nisga’a lands with full consultation and rights of redress respecting decisions which may adversely affect them, and with guaranteed representation on subordinate elected bodies (e.g. school board, health board). I encourage your readers fo call our toll-free line (1-800-880-1022) or visit our web site (www.aaf.gov.bc.ca/aafyhomepage.html) to stay in- formed about the progress of the Nisga’a agreement and treaty negotiations in B.C, Peter Smith, media relations manager Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs “Apology not needed Dear Sir: Not wishing to prolang the debate on whether tolerance of gay and lesbian persons will bring the world to an end with those who have fixed views on the subject, let me respond to Mike Roseneau and Gayle Jean one last time and briefly. Mike Roseneau may want to read his letter to the editor from the July 9th issue before he asks for an apology. No apology is required. Remember Ms. Jean I said that judgment should be left.to'a higher authority. As I recall from my religious: upbringing Jesus was without sin, and therefore entitled to judge others. What other bu- man being qualifies? Helmut Giesbrecht MLA for Skeena Bijl’s no molester Dear Sir: T- have known Bili Homburg, both as foe and friend, for over 20 years and | know him to be an honorable and honest man who takes his Christian values seriously, unlike so many religious nominalists today. Bill first came to my attention in the mid-70's when I worked as a news reporter and he wrote let- ‘ters to my edilor attacking my ‘‘leftist’’ reporting ’ style, At that time I thought Bill's criticisms of me were unfair; as I did in the mid-80’s when he threw me out of his house on diverse occasions for being ‘too liberal’. Despite our difference and il] temper due to my poor health, Bill has always shown me generosity and kindness, particularly since the end of the cold war, Bill is a frail old man. I have watched him these past 10 ycars become more stooped as he gets older. Chronic back pain put a slight scowl on Bill’s face but I always knew there was the twinkle of good humor behind his grumpy mannerisms — just as he knew I was not the snarling beast I often appeared to be, I remember about 10 years ago I was over visiting the Homburgs and their grandson, Daniel was there. Daniel came over and sat between Bill and I on the couch and then he and I began to arm wrestle, After about five minutes Daniel went off to find some- thing else to do; but he came back a few minutes later and thanked me for playing with him. Bill thanked me too, saying that he didn’t play with the grandchildren anymore ‘because he was getting old and people can misinterpret such play a3 inappropriate behavior. He had been reading some of the Mteraturc about church leaders accused of child abuse. -.] know that Bill is much beloved of his grand- children. He will stand up for them against any evil that befalls them. Bill ‘does not abuse children and the children within his care are only blessed from thelr associa- tion with their ‘‘grandpa’’. . Brian Gregg ’ Terrace B.C. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, Septamber 3, 1997 - AS CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD Fish forces dismaying Dear Sir I would like to thank John Hipp for responding to my carlier letter and helping to prove my point, as you may have noticed Mr. Hipp neglected to touch on issues such as native nets indiscriminately taking species other than what is targeted. Mr. Hipp also sieglected to discuss the atrocities committed by trawlers, such as the incidental catch of halibut. Every ycar and it has been-so for decades, mega tons of halibut are discarded dead. This issue has angered and aggravated me for decades. Affer researching at the library I found Bill C-31 and went to Mr. John Hipp and asked if there was a reason why trawlers could not be charged under this bill, he chuckled and said ] suppose so but they could argue that they (the trawlers) were actually helping other species by churning up the bottom and creating feed. I went away from this issue dejected and realizing that these so called conservationists, and cotiserva- tion officers had their own agenda and it certainly was not to get involved and help stop true desiruc- tion of habitat. I realized then and there that fisherics officers such as Mr, Hipp would sooner pin a fine or sum- mons on a family man for having one extra halibut than he would to take the time to help stop trawlers from throwing overboard hundreds of tons of dead halibut as well as destroying the ocean floor. Indeed John, which one of us truly cares about conservation. Thanks for pointing out that fisheries officers and conservation officers take an active role in habitat, stock assessment and fisheries man- agement, You say these officers have done so since May 22, 1868. Since it is now 1997 we can sec that in 129 years under the close scrutiny of these il- lustrious forces, the east coast cod fishery has becn annihilated and the west coast salmon fishery is not too far behind. J] do not know which survey you got your 99 per- cent figure from but it is a different 99 percent than the people I have talked with over the years. As far as my attitude and having no respect for the laws of Canada, you’re damned right — 1 don’t respect on- just and discriminatory Jaws. I wili go on fighting them because unlike you I would sooner die on my feet than live on my knees. ; Allan Grier Terrace B.C. Vendors not problem Dear Sir: et oh . _ City officials are reported to be, concerned, about Feebrey yy ‘street vendors’’, The major concern seems that street vendors were obstructing the flow of pedestrian traffic in some areas. In response to ‘fone’? complaint the city bas come up with designated areas for street vending. So far I have not seen a crowd at any street vendor that has been big enough to be obstructive in any fashion. On the other hand, the crowds in front of a certain coffee shop and a so-called ‘‘family entertainment centre’’ are regularly obstructive to pedestrian traf- fic, Somelimes individuals in these crowds are abusive and intentionally obstructive to pedestrian traffic. _ Ou- any given evening, particularly weekends, groups of young people constiluling crowds: that obstruct pedestrian traffic can be seen and en- countered pushing their way past elderly people, women by themselves or other vulnerable people. In reality, this issue would seem to be one of a concern over competition rather than the obstruc- tion of pedestrian traffic. , : Don Balkwill Terrace B,C, a a ' a Recycling lip service Dear Sir: Recycle, repair, reuse makes good sense, But recycle in government is like the word honourable —just a word to use for political gain. At the age of 12 ] started recycling for the great WWII effort and we were praised for our good work. When the Thornhill dump was taken over by the regional district I was hired to look after the dump- ing and to advise people of the new dump plan. All plans should appeal to one’s common sense. There were many arguments over doing things in an orderly manner. Once people could see the ad- vantage of a well organized procedure, they were very co-operative and good relations between those people and myself remain today, I was told that the recycling was all mine and J told the R.D. rep, Les Watmough, that was non- sense. Then | asked how much money was available for recycling. The answer was none. I said 1 thought that would be the answer and predicted that the B.D, would waste a million dollars on studies and then turn it over lo some foreign corporation to make big moucy just as soon as they put all the new rules ‘into place to eliminate all local recycling. _ SAM cet. ms Pthit, Be products they’ve tested. Dear Sir: I must respond to ihe recent article in the papers regarding the sale of low acid canned foods at the Farmers Market. Pve always been under the impression that when you buy something at a farmers market, you buy at your own risk, I mean isn’t ‘“‘homemade”’ the whole idea of a farmers market to begin with? oe Now you have lo rent commercial kitchens and send samples away to be analyzed. Gh yeah, don’t let me forget, it’s almost im- such as making sure fresh eggs are kept cold, Leave our market alone inspectors say they're just trying to protect the public, and have given a thumbs up to all the possible to get a permit. Give me a break! As far as I'm concerned the health inspectors have taken the rights away from the public to sell or purchase a food item that has been canned properly and is obviously safe for consumption, Until. these new regulations, people have been buying these canned food items for ycars at their own risk and everyone has survived! It’s a damn shame and the Farmers Market will never be the same. oe M. Willams Terrace B.C, Old cars, trucks and machinery were first on the iarget list and I believe they are pretty close to a millions dollars spent on studies, Two public solid waste management meetings were very Well attended and some good suggestions were presented. However, they were tolally ignored when the final decision came into place, Also ques- lions on the $300,000 plus cost over run on our landfill Went unanswered and since that was applied directly to our taxes, we arc sill waiting to find ex- actly where that money went, Why is the landfill closed Thursday and Friday and religious holidays? No one can be there when the big commercial and industrial dumpsters come in and I personally have seen many things on Satur- day morning that should not be there. Such as hundreds of gallons. of used oil leaking out of the side bank. Another example were large loads of old C.N.R. creosote tics which ] understand have PCB’s. When they handed out warnings that we would bei - charged for recycling the active face I asked for and, received the first ticket. . My how the courts have changed. Although the! judge seemed sympathetic to my plea, after an hour of deliberation he said that the bylaw was handed. down by duly elected people and since I admitted! recycling at the active face he had no choice. but to! fine me $100. , My final answer was allhough they were duly elected, Terrace and Kitimat representatives’ (who control most of the voting power) were appointed: _ to the regional district by their respective municipal, councils. Now itis up to the people of Thombill and area to! decide if this has gone too far. I believe that public ineetings are necessary to air out all the rules and, bylaws that affect our freedom and rights since no politician wants to be responsible for the regional district. We must assume that the local MLA and the premier are responsible. If you believe in the environment and you see’ anything that should not be in our landfill report it! to the B.C. Environment ministry right away. , Lionel Sears. Terrace B.C,’ Alcan deal defended. Dear Sir: I am writing to respond to concerns that have. been expressed in the north regarding the recently negotiated B.C_/Alcan Setilement Agreement. Specifically, I want to set the record straight with: regards to fish and environmental protection, and the agreement's electricity pricing structure and in- centives for northem job creation. I'd like ta start with the troubling allegations of, some groups that Alcan is now licensed to divert 90. percent of Nechako River water for power genera- tion, Such open-ended claims are absolutely in- correct and demonstrate either ignorance or inten- tional misrepresentation of the agreement. The fact is that, prior to this agreement, Alcan’s water license gave them 269 cubic meters per sec- ond. tec oe tet eo VEE Their new license, as a result of this new apree- ‘ment: clearly defines ‘that downstream flow require? ments for fish protection is the first priority at all times and must be met before any water Is diverted’ for power generation. Clearly, with these safeguards, water diverted for power generation will never come close to reaching 90 percent of the Nechako River. There has also been some concern expressed about the lack of opportunily to raise environmental. issues during the negotiations. The agreement provides up to $100 million (a commitment of $50 million from Alcan on a match- ing dollar basis) to support environmental enhance-_ meat and fisherics protection in the Nechako watershed, In addition, up to $100,000 a year will be pro- vided to support consultation with local, stakeholders on how to use this fund. Now is the time to make sure downstream issues are well represented, ; , Regardiug the federal government, their participa-. tion and commitment is key to successful resolution of outstanding Nechako fisheries protection issues. Earlier this month I wrote to federal fisheries minister, Honourable David Anderson to urge Ot tawa to join with Aican, the Province and residents of the Nechako Valley to develop a water manage- ment plan that fully protects fish. With respect to claims about ‘“‘free’’ electricity, I want to state categorically that Alcan will pay for electricity at comparable rates to aluminum manufacturers in other jurisdictions, The price of electricity under this agreement is approximately the same as the price B.C, currently receives from exporting electricity to the United States, This agreement allows us to use power to created jobs here in B.C. We are confident the provision of replacement power to Alcan will be used to supply a new $1.2 billion aluminum smelter in Kitimat, which would create more than 2,000 permanent direct and in- direct Jobs. While there is no ‘iron clad’’ guarantee, as some groups have lamented, the agreement is structured to encourage start-up of the new smelter within six years. In the shart term, the agreement commits Alcan to bring its existing Kitimat smelter to full capacity by January 1, 1998, In addition, a $15 million Northern Development Fund will be established to promote new jobs and sustainable economic activity in the northwest. 1 am proud of the BC/Alcan Settlement Agree- ment. It is an inclusive and comprehensive package that protects fish and the environment, creates jobs, setiles outstanding litigation and confirms that the Kemano Compiction Project is dead forever. It is a “win-win” solution for everyone. Paul Ramsey Minister responsible for Alcan negotiations Letters welcome The Terrace Standard welcomes letters to the editor, Our malting address Is 3210 Clinton St., Terrace, B.C., V8G SR2. You can also fax us at 250-638-8432, And you can send an e-mail letter to us at standard@kermode.net