gee ed meReview Wednesday, June 17,1992 — A7 Victoria — Economic Development Minister Dave Zirmhelt tells the following story about his _ trip to Japan earlier this year. During a meeting with Hokkaido officials, the vice-govemnor of the island prefecture asked him how he would describe the difference between the NDP: government and the previous administra- tion. Trying to make his answer as apolitical as possible, Zirnhelt said that the Socred government had somewhat of a “laissez-fair” attitude in its business dealings, while the NDP government believes that government and industry should work closely together. According to Zirnhelt, the vice-governor laughed and said to all and sundry that irresponsi- ble was probably the better word to describe the . previous government’s attitude: I would'caution Zimhelt, though, not to take too much comfort in the knowledge that a powerful ‘politician in Japan’s most northern province had the Socreds figured out as well as we:did here at home. I'll bet you B.@’s entire annual production of dimension lumber against a couple of Hondas that if the Japanese kept such close tabs on Vander Zalm and his free enterprise crew, they'll be watching Harcourt and his NDP hordes with an equally sharp eye, ready to take advantage of any weakness. The Japanese, Zirnhelt admits, are the world’s toughest traders. They are also extremely import- ant to British Columbia’s economic future, as is the entire Pacific Rim. “The biggest hope for British Columbia is in Asia. We should redouble our efforts to make marketing inroads in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Singapore,” he says. B.C. has great products to export, he says, and he’s not just talking about resources, although mineral products and lumber are still the leading export items. British Columbia, Zirnhelt says, is among world leaders in the development of pollution control and forestry technology. There is also a good chance that British Columbia might be able to export its land assessment system, which is considered to be among the best anywhere. Russia, he adds, is among the countries interested in the latter. And while the U.S. and Asia are and probably will remain British Columbia’s two most import- ant trading partners, there are great new possibili- ties in Eastern Europe. looking to Europe can’t hurt With the collapse of the communist regimes in eastern Europe, a huge market is opening up, although Zimhelt says there will initially be some hurdles to overcome. Eastern Europe, the minister says, is not developing as fast as, for instance the former East Germany, now part of a reunited Germany, because they don’t have the cash reserves that Germany is pouring into its eastern part. As a result, any sort of trade with eastern Europe, he adds, might have to be more of a barter nature. Zirnhelt believes in the importance of trade missions, even though the public might perceive them as unnecessary junkets. Premier Harcourt, he says, is trying right now to arrange a trade mission to Asia this coming fall, to be led by the - four Western premiers. Meanwhile, here at home, Zirnhelt is reassess- ing his ministry’s role which, in the past, has always been reactive, often haying had to respond to crises caused by failing companies. He wants the ministry to become more proactive, taking the initiative in helping to open up new markets for B.C. businesses. Zimhelt says he’s not familiar enough with the workings of the European Community to say where British Columbia might fit into the scheme of things. I don’t want to be too harsh on Zirnhelt. After all, he’s only been in his job for a little more than half.a year, but I'd suggest he get familiar with the E.C. at the earliest possible opportunity. And there’s nobody better to brief him on the importance of the world’s largest trading block than Garde Gardom, British Columbia’s agent general in London. Gardom has been criss-crossing Europe for 5 several years, spreading the word about British Columbia among member nations of the Euro- pean Community, He knows that the E-C. market is getting more and more difficult for outsiders to penetrate... Zimmhelt is correct when he says we should look towards Asia for new and growing export markets, but to ignore Europe would be foolish. British Columbia has a number of specialty wood manufacturers who have carved out small but profitable niches in Europe. That toehold could be easily jeopardized by the government’s failure to understand the intricacies of the E-C bureaucracy. I'll be in the U.K. next week, and I’ll be happy. to tell Garde that Zimhelt wants a crash course on the E.C. and its importance to British Columbia’s economic future. SERVICE AND TRUST Michele Holmes consistently delivers quality real estate service which continues to earn for her. the trust of both clients and peers Make Michele Holmes part of Your Real Estate Solution. PEMBERTON ~ HOLMES “52 656-0911 TOWN OF SIDNEY NOTICE Notice is hereby given that all persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by Bylaw No. 1070, a bylaw to amend Zoning Bylaw No. 750, shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard or to present written submissions respecting matters con- tained in the Bylaw at a Public Hearing to be held: Monday, June 22nd 1992 at 7:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Sidney Fire Hall. 9837 3rd: St. Sidney, B.C. (Please use the entrance off Sidney Avenue). The purpose of Bylaw No. 1070 is to specifically prohibit “Seaplane Operations and Charter Services” as a permitted use within the “G-2 Marina” Zoning. This bylaw. will affect all lands currently zoned “G-2 Marina’. Paul R. Edgington, Municipal Clerk. Free skin screening at Elk Lake ae. ENJOY THE SUNSHINE but cover up is the message from the Canadian Cancer Society as we come into summer and the sun’s ultra-violet Tays pose a health hazard. The bad news? Skin cancer is on the increase. And the good news? It’s easy to detect and easy to prevent. On Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., the Saanich Peninsu- la Unit of the society joins with local dermatolog- ists at Elk Lake’s Hamsterly Beach to give people a visual skin screening. Bring your friends and learn to be “sun-smart.’ Call Norma Sou at 655-1311 for more information. * ok SIDNEY VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS raised over $3,100 locally for the Muscular Dystrophy 1992 Drive over the weekend May 22-24, notes Larry Buchanan, Sidney Fire Preven- tion Officer. Fire fighters in the Greater Victoria area Taised a total of $47,000. * xe e IF YOU CONSIDER THAT 25 per cent of all Canadian boating deaths occur in British Colum- bia, the importance of the Canadian Red Cross Society’s work this summer reaches a higher importance. Through the work of Project S.O.S, public awareness and education is promoted by Red Cross workers in elementary schools. Today, two Red Cross workers will teach students at Sidney Elementary about small craft water safety in a humorous and informative fashion starting at 1:30 p.m. Also on the worker’s agenda is presentations aboard B.C. Ferries vessels travel- ling from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen. And there’s room for more people to get the message. “We are available for training or organization for any organization who requests it,” said the coastal region’s Aileen Stow. The organization can also field questions or concerns people may have regarding small craft safety. Call 382; 2043 for info. exe A CALIFORNIA SEA lion arrived at the Sidney Museum recently, strapped to the roof of a car, curator Calvor Palmateer told council in a museum report received by council June 8. “The day (Town chief administrative officer) David Bartley came to the museum, a California sea lion weighing about 800 lbs, was brought to the museum tied on top of a car. The animal was so big the head was on the front window and the flippers were on the trunk,” Palmateer said. The * museum now has the complete skeleton of this sea lion and it is being boiled by one of the volunteers to clean it for display, the report said. * x * oS REFORMED PRESENTS STEPHEN HARPER CHIEF POLICY ADVISOR THE REFORM PARTY OF CANADA - MR. HARPER WILL DISCUSS THE ROAD TO NEW CANADA : MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1992 AT 7:30 P.M. Tickets $5 each available at 205-2187 Oak Bay Ave. 598-9431 Victoria Conference Centre 720 Douglas St. BEVAN AVE. 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