Wednesday, January 9, 1991 —_ AT VICTORIA — For a couple of weeks now, members of the B.C. Legislature have been Subject to a new law governing conflicts of interest which, although better than what we had before, is still only a half-measure. The Members Conflict of Interest Act, intro- duced by the government and passed by the legislature during last year’s session, replaces the so-called conflict of interest guidelines laid down by Premier Vander Zalm shortly after he took office in 1986. The guidelines were a monument to political naivete, a manifest of the premier’s belief that with a little bit of guidance and goodwill, everything will turn out just fine, a piece of cake, as it were. One of the fatal flaws of the guidelines was that the premier himself and only the premier decided what was a conflict of interest, what wasn’t, and ' what to do about it. When it came to alleged conflicts of interest, the premier was judge, jury and executioner. The best way to deal with politicians’ conflicts of interest would be to refer them to the courts. Let a real judge decide what’s right or wrong. Unfortunately, the government didn’t go quite that far. -- The new law defines standards of official conduct for Members of the Legislative Assem- bly, and provides a mechanism for the early identification and resolution of potential conflicts of interest. The law also provides a framework for investi- gating alleged conflicts of interest and requires MLAs to disclose their financial interests. The legislation prohibits members of the legis- lature from furthering their private interests by using information gained in the execution of A good judge of conflict public office, unless that information is also available to the general public. And because they are in a unique position to acquire information and influence, not available to other MLAs, let alone the general public, cabinet ministers are subject to especially strin- gent regulations. Cabinet ministers are, for instance, prohibited under the act, from carrying on a business, engage in employment, practice a profession or hold an office or directorship where any of those activities are likely to conflict with public duties. Social clubs, religious organizations and political parties are exempted from this rule. MLAs aren’t allowed to accept gifts. The only exceptions are gifts and benefits received as a result of protocol or official duties that might include plaques or lapel pins. At ant rate, it sounds close to the rule most reporters live by: if you can eat it or drink it in two hours, 1t°s not a bribe. The whole thing is watched over by Ted . Hughes, former deputy attorney general. The act calls for a Conflict of Interest Commissioner, and after retiring from his former position as chief law enforcement officer of the province, Hughes agreed to serve as the conflict of interest watch- dog. z ? I said at the outset that it would be preferable if the courts dealt with conflicts of interest, but failing that, Hughes would have been my next choice, too. Hughes is a former judge, but equally import- ant, he’s distinguished himself as a man of utmost integrity. When the justice system was under siege during the Bill Reid-Bud Smith-Moe Sihota scandal, Hughes held things together. And if the system survived the onslaught rather unharmed, it was largely thanks to Ted Hughes. Watch for numbered key tags British Columbians lose their keys at Waikiki, in Zurich, Dallas, Williams Lake and Port Coqui- tlam. For some reason, last year 30 B.C. travelers lost their keys in Scarborough, Ont. All came back to their owners through Canada Post because their key chains carried the secret-number mini- tags of the Tuberculous and Chest Disabled Veterans Association. The TB Vets use the secret number at headquarters in Vancouver to trace the owners. Since the organization was formed by veterans after the Second World War, the owners of 129,458 sets of keys have been traced. This year, 999,751 tags are being mailed out. Those not receiving tags by mail by mid-January can call 1-800-665-7796, toll free. * KK NEW RULES ABOUT where members of the public cannot smoke cigarettes went into affect Jan. 1, according to a new CRD Clean Air Bylaw. The following places will now be com- pletely smoke-free. Personal service establish- ments which include, in part, beauty parlors, hairdressers and barber shops; health spas, gym- nasiums and tanning salons. As well, public premises which include corridors, stairwells, ele- vators and public washrooms; reception areas and hotel lobbies; retail stores and shopping malls: hospitals, financial institutions, bus shelters, laun- dromats, recreation centres and video arcades are smoke-free. Effective Jan. 1, 1992, one year away, there will be no smoking at all in the workplace, the CRD said. Non-smoking decals and signs are available at the community health office in Sidney at 2440-Sidney Ave. The fine for people convicted of smoking in a non-smoking area is not less than $25 and not more than $500, for the first offense. More restrictions on smoking in restaurants, licensed premises, bowling alleys, bingo halls and extended and long term care facilities are also part of the bylaw. For more information call 360-1450. * kK x RENTAL ACCOMMODATION IS the idea behind a free listing service for both landlords and youth who are 17 years old and over The Association for Street Kids is sponsoring the program called Fresh Start for young people who are either receiving social assistance and going to school or are employed. For more informauon call 383-3514. * KOK CANCELED DUE TO SNOW is at least one meeting. The Saanich Peninsula Hospital Auxil- iary meeting slated for Jan. 8 will now be held Jan. 15 starting at 10 a.m. in the Saanichton Bible Fellowship hall on Mt. Newton Crossroad. New members are welcome. Come at 9:30 a.m. for coffee before the meeting. * * * A BIT OF CHRISTMAS that was almost forgotten. The Preceptor Alpha Omega chapter of Beta Sigma Phi donated food to the Sidney Lions/Review Christmas Hamper Fund, and also donated baked goods to the Mt. Newton Centre Society over the holiday season. OK A A GEORGIAN GRADUATE was the subject of a Valdosta State College press release, which announced that a Sidney resident was the recip- ient of a degree during the fall quarter commence- ment. Receiving his bachelor of science degree was Robert Dean Gillis. *x KOK A WHALE of a lot of money was received by the Sidney Museum last week from Shaw Cablesystems. A generous donation of $5,000 will be used toward completion of the marine mammal museum that is being developed by curator Calvor Palmateer. kK OK COME AND CHECK OUT OUR MANY IN-STORE SPECIALS 2" 1/3 OFF © UNIQUE GIFTS & CRAFTS 655-7189 #107-2506 BEACON AVE. VILLAGE VALET DRY CLEANING & ALTERATIONS 7-7120 West Saanich Rd. Brentwood Bay Phone: Terry or Sandy 652-5255 DISTRICT OF NORTH SAANICH NOTICE The District of North Saanich is accepting applications from persons interested in serving on the following advisory commissions ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Six two-year positions (Individuals with backgrounds y in marine and freshwater biology, forestry, microbiclogy, hydrology and geology are encouraged to apply) ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION Four two-year positions PARKS COMMISSION Two two-year positions Interested persons should forward their names, together with a resume indicating their area of interest or expertise to: Mrs. Joan E. Schill Municipal Clerk District of North Saanich 1620 Millis Road, P.O. Box 2639 Sidney, B.C V8L 4C1 by Thursday, January 10, 1991 PASSPORT TO SAVINGS at HARBOUR SHELL 10241 Resthaven Drive CAR WASH PROMOTION 9 CAR WASHES + 1 CAR WAX ONLY £47 ews ost __ REG. VALUE $77 1 CAR 1 CAR 1 CAR WASH WASH WAX =o Use of all ton squares entitles you to a cm x SO : :