Opinion McHappy Day: The town helps out Ronald Corporate philanthropy is certainly nothing to push aside and discredit as only image building. Many charities rely heavily on the efforts and support of high-profile companies, which have the budgets, exposure and name recognition to help out non-profit groups immensely. But image building is part of it; why else would McDonald’s label its generosity with McHappy Day? April 25 is McHappy Day in Sidney. A proclamation signed by Mayor Norma Sealey makes it so. And it’s a dangerous precedent for the town to establish. The money McDonald’s will raise goes to a worthwhile cause. Who can knock the company for putting $1 from every Big Mac it sells to help out children? But the “Mc” in front of happy means Sidney is, in essence, putting an official, public stamp on a private business’s public relations. Sidney's action suggests you go and buy a Big Mac on April 25. That suggestion benefits not only the children, it benefits the corporate image of McDonald’s, which is no town responsibility — unless the town wants to Start plugging every business that does charitable things. Obviously, that would be absurd. McDonald’s will funnel the money it raises this way to Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities of Canada, a non- profit society. But it’s a non-profit society that shares a few very profitable symbols with a private company: a clown named Ronald McDonald, and the “Mc” prefix itself. Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities of Canada is more than public relations, and we wish the society all the best on McHappy Day. The society is a separate entity that has helped the children of this country enormously. But Ronald McDonald is a hamburger salesman as well as a charity “spokesclown,” and the town’s job is not to help him push fast food. Tallying the port: A needed promise Mayor Norma Sealey has promised the taxpayers of Sidney an accounting of the Port of Sidney’s local costs — and the information is most welcome. This announcement, in itself, made a town meeting Thursday worth the time. Because of the various delays on so many aspects of the port project and harbor, and because of the involyement of private companies, many citizens of Sidney are suspicious. But the bottom line will be whether the costs bome by taxpayers are outweighed by the benefits of reducing a major debt (incurred by a past council that bought the land) and by the future economic spin-off the port generates. Council generally believes, despite delays and criticisms, that the port is a worthwhile project. A clear presentation of the figures will give council a chance to prove it to those that aren’t as enthusiastic. And the numbers will be there to compare with the port’s impact on the community as the years go by. TheReview Serving The Saanich Peninsula Since 1912 9781 2nd Street Sidney, B.C V8L 4P8 or PO. Box 2070 Sidney, B.C V8L 3S5 Second Class Mail Registration #0128 656-1151 Publisher: Vic Swan Editor: George Lee AN ISLAND PUBLISHERS NEWSPAPER od VERIFIED (CIRCULATION CONTROLLED Volume 76 Issue No.15 TheReview Wednesday, April 11,1990 — Ac@ & al UH-O#... THE KIDS ARE PLAYING MLAs DEBATING THE THRONE SPEECH” AGAIN... pase Nh Sms: oma AG eT ny ‘Arms cost the earth’ — The unfinished agenda by Daniel Noonan Greater Victoria Branch Veterans Against Nuclear Arms Peace Walk Committee With the easing of tensions in Europe, and a growing concern for our threatened environment, many people seem unaware that the Arms Race is still going on, eating up resources world-wide and cost- ing one trillion dollars per year. Recently, area councils received letters from the Greater Victoria Disarmament Group, asking for their endorsement of the 1990 Walk for Peace, to be held April 21, with the theme, Arms Cost the Earth. News reports of the debates in Sidney and Esquimalt council meetings indicated a degree of dissension over the need for sup- porting the peace movement; although Esquimalt did finally agree to endorse the Walk. Recent polls show that most Canadians feel that environmental pollution and world economic problems rank ahead of war as threats to our future. But Ottawa has yet to replace its 1987 Defence White Paper, with its out-dated Stress on “rivalry between East and West.” Douglas Roche, former Cana- dian Ambassador for Disarma- ment, in his book, Building Global Security, says: “Any discussion of security today must encompass the - needs of untold millions whose deprivation is a growing source of conflicts in many regions. There is a connection between over- armament and under- development.” It is time for a new agenda for global peace and security. Here are some of the most pressing issues: — An end to the arms race. Plans to modernize weapons remaining after agreed cuts in short-range nuclear weapons in Europe must be opposed. Canada could make a strong statement by ending Cruise missile tests and low-level flying training. — New, non-threatening poli- cies for NATO. “Deterrence,” the direct threat to kill non- combatants, remains the cherished policy of NATO. A pledge of “no-first-use” by the West would lower tensions and slow the arms race. Canada could press for this change in NATO policy, in concert with other allies. — A comprehensive test ban. Such a ban would effectively end the development of nuclear weap- ons, and lead towards reduction of nuclear arsenals. Canada could bring pressure on the USA, France, and the United Kingdom to move in this direction. — A strengthened UN National security today means common security. An improved spirit of international co-operation would help to build security for all. Canada could step up its support of the United Nations, and press for a permanent UN peacekeeping force. — Conversion to civilian pro- duction. Planning should begin now to shift military manufactur- ers towards consumer goods and services. The value of military goods produced by Canada in 1987 was estimated at $2 billion, of this $1.3 billion was sold to the USA and $530 million went to other countries. These are only a few of the problems to be tackled as nations move away from reliance on mili- tary might, towards greater co- i ¢ operation and confidence- building. But peace in our wor will still be a dream unfulfilled, unless we the people demand + action from our leaders. The peace movement in Canada sees real hope in the 1990s — but only if growing public concem is accom- panied by strong pressure for enlightened action by our govern- ment. More and more, people are becoming concemed about threats to the environment. The cost of correcting past waste, and provid- ing for better care of resources in the future, will be high. The linkage between issues of peace and care of the earth is becoming very clear. This year, the Walk for Peace in Victona, April 21st, will highlight these links, with the theme, Arms Cost the Earth. Sharing the Peace Walk is one way to show that we care, that we believe we can make a differ- ence. At Yes, we can see signs of progress — perhaps not the beginning of the end — more like the end of the @ beginning. Let us get on with the unfinished agenda. Talking from both sides of mouth Editor: I enjoyed the cartoon about Mr. Harcourt sitting on the fence, re: Carmanah and the logging ques- tion. Now, how about Mr H tuming aboutface and saying he favors free enterprise and would loan the Premier’s nephew money for his business? What an explosion-there would have been if the government had loaned him the money — conflict of interest, etc. I wonder sometimes if Mr. H. knows which sock to put on first in the morn- ings. It must be pretty nice to be able to talk out of both sides of one’s mouth at the same time! Jean Reid Sidney Commenis were inaccurate opinion Editor: I read with amazement the other day the article by staff writer 2 Glenn Werkman quoting Socred regional director, Mark Dickinson as saying that MLA Terry Huberts “bailed” out of the nomination race with Mel Couvelier. As a Socred, I find Mark Dick- inson’s statements to be in bad Continued on Page AZ. ss