Opinion VICTORIA — Fate and the unpredictability of politics may have cheated Grace McCarthy out of her chance to become premier of British Colum- bia, but if and when she finally departs from the political stage, she will have left behind some powerful messages. At a time when other cabinet ministers chose to ignore Bill Vander Zalm’s shortcomings, McCarthy resigned her cabinet post. The mes- Sage, not understood by all at the time or even now, was that ethics and scruples are not yet completely out of fashion. When she decided not to enter the current leadership race, she sent a clear message that she wouldn’t seek personal power at the risk of further dividing an already badly split party. But McCarthy saved her most important mes- sage for last: redemption for the Social Credit Party lies in getting back to its roots. Last week, McCarthy introduced a private member's bill which, if adopted, would build on one of the legacies left by the party’s first leader — William Andrew Cecil Bennett. In 1961, the Columbia River Treaty was signed, giving the U.S. access to cheap hydro-electric power. Under the terms of the agreement, all proprietary rights, title and interests arising under the treaty, including all rights to downstream benefits, belong to British Columbia — after 1998. In the early years, the treaty received its share of criticism. We sold out too cheaply, the critics said. But the treaty expires in 1998. After that, British Columbia stands to get an annual income of at least $250 million, perhaps as much as $1 billion a year, from the downstream benefits of sale of hydro-electric power generated by the Columbia River system. What to do with such a windfall? The tempta- tion for whatever government will be in power seven years from now is to just add the money to general revenue and use it for whatever govern- ments use money for. McCarthy has a better idea. Her vision is to use part of the money for our children’s education. Under the terms of the Columbia River Treaty Legacy Fund, proposed in her private member’s bill, at least $50 million of the additional revenue flowing into provincial coffers after the treaty’s expiry, would serve one single purpose: give our young children an opportunity to be “among the brightest and best in the competitive world of international trade, commerce, service, and the sciences.” McCarihy’s messages Based on the projected minimum of $250 million in new revenue beginning in 1998, McCarthy proposes to lock $200 million into a fund that will provide for the construction of schools, hospitals and senior citizens’ housing. The remaining $50 million would be used exclusively for a 21st Century Educational Fund. Under the terms of that fund, each child entering kindergarten after 1998 would have deposited $1,000 into a special account. Upon graduation, the account will have at least $4,000 in it. That money is then to be used for the Student’s post-secondary education. “The monies paid to each child will prepare students for careers in export trade and services, science and technology, in accredited institutions of higher learning,” says McCarthy. McCarthy believes strongly that education is the key to solving most problems that plague us, be they bigotry, racism or poverty. “Name one problem that couldn’t at least be partially solved by education,” McCarthy asked me when I discussed her proposal with her. I was hard-pressed for an answer then, and I’m hard- pressed now, “At a time when governments across the country are spending our children’s future, leav- ing massive deficits and expanding the obliga- tions of the next generation, we have a unique opportunity to preserve the benefits of the Colum- bia River Treaty for the children of British Columbia and their future,” she said. When McCarthy introduced her bill, she described W.A.C. Bennett as “a master builder, a creative genius and true visionary,” aspects that have been sadly lacking in British Columbia politics in the past few years. Trying to understand what on earth possessed Vander Zalm to mix private with public business the way he did, I often think back to the time when W.A.C. Bennett refused to let one of his hardware stores sell a piece of equipment to B.C. Ferries, leaving a vessel stranded. And he didn’t even have any conflict-of-interest guidelines to live. by. If Grace had won the 1986 leadership race, I have no doubt she would have brought to the office of premier some of the values that W.A.C. Bennett embraced, and the Social Credit Party would not today be on the verge of extinction. Since that was not to be, the pretenders to the throne could do worse than listen to her parting message. And that includes NDP leader Mike Harcourt. TheReview Wednesday, June 12,1991 — A7 Designer Fashions for Street & Equestrian Wear Up to 7O% OFF All In Stock Items DEDICATION DESIGNS INC. Sidney Centre (Free Parking) 656-2545 SSNS Gre lh TD Tt 2 time you called ust € NIN 5 iy Old ies ee and Service ax : iC - Craftsmanship and Technology Q iN TJ : oe We may be little hard to find, — PRINT ERS but we are worth looking for, . ___ fight here in Sidney. Call us! 656-5641 LSTABLISHED 1974 Children win with Kiwanis doll house AN ELABORATE DOLL HOUSE that came complete with miniature furnishings, sliding sash windows and a roof made of 1,760 individual shingles is proving to be a real hit at the Arbutus Society for Children’s Jack Ledger House Children’s Unit. Program leader Doug Barner says the house is of great use in play therapy. Young children with emotional difficulties often are unable to express their feelings in the usual way. “With the doll house, children can act out their experiences and deal with their emotions — we have found it to be very effective,’ Barner said. The house was painstakingly built in about 700 hours by Sidney and the Peninsula Kiwanis Club. members Ted and Jeanne Parsons, along with Dennis Varga and John Cole. *x* x A FULL-SIZE LIFE BOAT was given to the Admiral Budge 220 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp, recently, branch president Don Coutts said. A new shipwright’s course instructed by Mr. Fowler is expected to make the vessel ship shape, now that it’s at the cadet’s building at Cadet Camp Pat Bay. A combined co-operation and community spirit of a couple local organizations and personnel made the ticky job of moving the boat simple. The 11th Service Battalion’s lift vehicle, the MLVW Hiab operated by Cpl. Kari Bacon and Cpl. Brian Auger, lifted the boat onto a 40-foot flatbed truck and trailer provided by Thrifty Foods and National Fibre and driven by Chris Blahitka. The Navy League of Canada offered a Bravo Zulu to all who helped. * kX CALLING ALL GRADS, it’s the Tenth Year Reunion of the Parkland Secondary Class of ?81, just over two weeks away, June 28. Notices went Out quite a while ago but so far organizer Pam Pettigrew and the reunion committee have received replies from only half of the 1981 grads. The re-acquaintance will start with a wine-and- cheese party on June 28, followed by a dinner and dance at Columbo’s June 29. Numerous door prizes have been donated by Sidney merchants and organizers are hoping for at least three- quarters of the former students to attend. Those needing more information can call the Parkland Reunion *81 at 656-6676 after 6 p.m. DISTRICT OF NORTH SAANICH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ZONING BY-LAW NO. 697 NOTICE IS interest in property may be affected by the following By-law will be afforded an opportunity to be heard or to present written submissions at a PUBLIC HEARING to be held in the Council Chambers, Municipal Hall, 1620 Mills Road, North Saanich, B.C: on Monday, June 17,1991 at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of Zoning By-law No. 697 being “District of North Saanich Zoning By-law No.464 (1983), Amendment By-law (1991), No 4”is to amend the definitions of ‘grade’ and ‘height’; to insert the definitions of ‘natural grade’; and to specify the method of calculating the height of buildings. All properties in the District of North Saanich are affected by this law. Copies of the above proposed By-law and pertinent reports may be inspected at the North Saanich Municipal Hall, 1620 Mills Road, North Saanich, B.C. between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday between June 5,1991 and June 17, 1991 inclusive, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Joan E. Schill Municipal Clerk ” OPEN ht EVERY DAY a ... CHEF” DON MEE... HOURS: SUN. - THURS. 11:00 A.M. - 8:00 PM. FRI. & SAT. 11:00 A.M. - 10 RM. Lay HOLIDAYS 11:00 A.M. - 8:00 PM. a f DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS........° 4°" SERVED TILL 3 PM. FAMILY DINNER COMBO SPECIAL SPECIAL acl CHICKEN CHOW MEIN * CHINESE CHOW MEIN 7 {- & CHICKEN CHOP SUEY CHICKEN FRIED RICE & SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN & DEEP FRIED PRAWNS BALLS & BONELESS PORK & DEEP FRIED PRAWNS SWEET & SOUR TEA & COFFEE & ALMOND GUY DING = rm. _—NCLUDED $650 6 SERVES 45 PEOPLE Serving the Peninsula for ove, 13 years. Always with Guaranteed Fresh- ness, Consistancy and Gocd Taste. +1 EGG ROLUPERSON 4 Family Restaurant : es { : Chinese Cuisine - EATIN- TAKE OUT: DELIVERY pe eio ve Somecd ee