> id TheReview Wednesday, June5,1991 — A7 Protection for the innocent VICTORIA — Our judicial system is built on the premise that no matter what you might be accused of, you’re innocent until proven guilty. _ It’s a wise premise of a mature social structure, but it doesn’t always work as well as it should. All too often; the public is inclined to condemn a person on the strength of an allegation. We’ve all heard the argument: where there’s smoke, there is fire. And then there’s another premise embraced by mature and stable societies that often lends comfort to those who would condemn before hearing the evidence — freedom of speech. A lot of people may find it extremely difficult to believe in someone’s innocence when confron- ted with banner headlines outlining the offence in great detail. In the minds of many, alleged becomes fact. Take the case of Peter Dueck. A little over a year ago, Dueck resigned his post as minister of health over an alleged conflict of interest, involv- ing a tip to Europe during which he and his deputy minister were supposed to have been dined and wined by the manufacturers of medical equipment. : At the time, an already cynical public largely assumed that Dueck was just another scoundrel who had used his political office for personal gain. After all, a number of colleagues had been derelict in their duties. As a political columnist, you're closer to the _ politicians than the average public. I had always found Dueck to be a very honourable and ethical man and had no problem at all assuming his mnocence until someone proved otherwise. I wrote at the time that I was disgusted by the way his own colleagues treated Dueck. Not one of them had a kind word for him. Aside from the usual platitudes of Dueck having done “the honorable thing,” Dueck was left hung out to dry. It took more than a year for Dueck to have his name cleared. I asked Dueck what it was like to live under a cloud of suspicion for a whole year. He said it was hell, and I believe him. Time and time again, the NDP threw Dueck in with some of his colleagues who had resigned “in disgrace.” It must have hurt every time. Time and again, the media counted Dueck among the miscreants who were drummed out of cabinet for wrongdoing. To its credit, the Vancouver Sun gave as much prominence to Dueck’s vindication as it gave to his resignation — front-page banner headline. The Victoria Times-Colonist didn’t. It buried the story on the inside pages. The other incident concerns former premier Bill Vander Zalm. A few weeks ago, Glen Clark, the NDP’s finance critic, asked Finance Minister John Jansen in the legislature whether Fantasy Gardens was in arrears with payments of its provincial sales tax. Jansen said he didn’t know, nor was he going to make any public announcement on whether any individual business was up to date with the payment of the social services tax. A few days later, Vander Zalm produced documents, verified by a respected form of chartered accountants, proving that Fantasy Gar- dens wasn’t in default with its sales tax payments. As if Clark’s initial headline-producing allega- tion wasn’t enough, he refused to apologize when Vander Zalm proved him wrong. He apologized eventually, but very reluctantly. It wasn’t a class act. The two incidents expose a major flaw in our system. In the case of Vander Zalm, the question should never have been asked to begin with. Legislative immunity should not be a licence to slander. If the NDP researchers had done a better job, Clark wouldn’t have asked his question in the first place. And if he had shown a little more class and compassion, he would have apologized immedi- ately. In the case of Dueck, it shouldn’t have taken 12 months for the RCMP to conduct its investigation and conclude that there was no basis to the allegations. As for the media’s role in all this, 1 don’t see how. they could not write about issues such as Dueck’s resignation and allegations made in the legislature, but they could and should go to greater lengths to stress the principle of innocent until proven guilty. Columnists and editorial writers should never have lumped Dueck in with those of his col- leagues who resigned because they had actually been found guilty of a conflict of interest. To Premier Johnston’s credit, she reinstated Dueck as a cabinet minister a few days after he was vindicated. IT WAS A CONCERTED effort and the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation is the big winner. Lions Club members from three areas contributed to raise $12,000 toward a $30,000 project aimed at purchasing a heart monitoring system. Doctors will be able to strap a Holter device on heart disease patients for a 24-hour period. Early detection of heart disease is the key, chief laboratory technologist Chris Logan said. The Holter system allows the hospital to monitor and interpret each recording on site, something previously done in the Victoria General. That meant two trips into town for each Saanich Peninsula heart patient. Because of the contribu- tion of the Sidney, Central Saanich and Gordon Head Lions, two Peninsula patients will be able to wear the device at a time. KK *K A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS to help with the Sidney Jazz Festival, planned for September was made last week. Peolle are needed to assist in the organization of the festival, including band mana- gemmnt, site management, advertising and promo- tion and the solicting of sponsorships. As well, peopl are needed to work at charity bingos and casinos to raise money for the festival. Festival badges will be given to volunteers. To get involved in this fun organization, call Bill German at 656-4141. * Oe Ox IT’S SENIORS’ MONTH in June and to help celebrate Beechwood Village is holding a Seni- ors’ Fair this weekend starting with a ribbon- cutting ceremony featuring Mayor Marie Rosko Friday at 10 a.m. Displays, informational maternal, entertainment and door prizes will be offereed in THIS WEEK IS the 20th anniversary of Canadian Environment Week June 2-8. Histori- cally, projects have ranged from recycling drives to environmental fairs. This year, Environment Canada has placed an emphasis on the Green - Plan, including the distribution of a booklet called “What we can do for our environment.” We have one copy available to the first person to ask for it at The Review counter on First Street in Sidney after 12 noon today. Other copies are available free by writing to 351-St. Joseph Blvd., Hull, Que., KIA OH3. It offers hundreds of tips and suggestions for Canadians to practice every day. OK OOPS, ALL THE FUNDS from the Run For Light go to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. The Girl Guides are helping to organize the event, which starts Friday at 9 p.m. at Mile 0, but they won’t receive any of the money raised, Keating District Girl Guide leader Sandy — Engels said. Registration forms are available at schools, rec centres and sports shops. NOTARIES PUBLIC E-7819 East Saanich Road, Saanichion Open Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00; Saturdays 10:00 - 3:00 Evening appointments available 652-4321 Please note our humber — We’re not in the book! CHARMAINE L. VAN TINE KATHERINE A. McVIE “THE BEAR PUB” presents “DON HAMBLEY” Wednesday, June 19th “KENNY SHAW” Tuesday & Wednesday June 25th & 26th | Travelodge | 656-1176 2280 Beacon Ave. THE SAANICHTON TOWN RESTAURANT “Specializing in Chinese Cuisine” : Combinati Daily Lunch Com menon 95 Special (For One Person) Dinner Combination FROM $5.35 e DELIVERY Special (For One Person) e WESTERN eEAT IN e¢ TAKE OUT e CHINESE ¢SZECHUAN 7784 East Saanich Rd. (across from Prairie Inn on Mt. Newton X Rd.) 652-1213 Best Wishes Facels jewellers 2403 BEACON AVENUE SIDNEY - 655-1515 Fine Gold © Silver © Diamonds e Fine Swiss Watches ™ Review has moved ... our new address 97 26 = 1st Street next to Squid Roe the event designed to attract about 750 people.