The

Page A14 — Terrace Standard, Wadnesday, October 21, 1992

TO THE TERRACE STANDARD

ETTERS

Questions need answers

An open letter to; The Rt, Hon. Brian Mulroney Prime Minister of Canada

Dear Mr. Mulroney:

I fully realize that after you read this Ictter you will brand me a disloyal Canadian, even though I’m a veteran of World War J, having served six years overseas in England during the Battle of Britain, a8 well as in Sicily, Italy and Wester Europe.

I also served 23 years in government, six of those in cabi- nel, and have attended many federal-provincial conferences; therefore, [ have a reasonable knowledge about how govem- ments work.

Native government detail

Dear Sir:

My greatest concern in the con- stitutional debate is about the im- plications of native —_self- government. We are not being told exactly what this entails.

Instead, we are told that if we vote ‘yes’, the details will be ne- gotiable, but if no agreement is reached within five years, the matter may be referred to the courts for them to decide.

In my opinion, this virtually guarantees that a negotiating setlement will not be reached un- ‘less, of course, the governments give the native leadership every- thing they ask for and more,

There is no question that this constitutional package is far worse than the Meech Lake Ac- cord. Before the vote on the con- slitution on Oct. 26, 1992, the Government of Canada and the provinces must answer some very important questions, such as:

1. Distinct Society: Clearly spell out what this really means. If it is only language and culture, I have no problem whatsoever. However, Premier Bourassa stated that it is only the first step- ping stone.

2. Native Self-Government: This must be clearly spelled out (i.e., what it will do and how it will be financed) before we are

This is entirely possible given the spineless attitude of our governments to any politically correct special-interest group seeking preferential treatment.

Once you vote ‘yes’ on Oct. 26, you will be handing complete control of this issue to these spineless governments or some appointed judge. There is no me- chanism in place for the general public to be consulted ever again. You can kiss your input good- bye.

This would be akin to your agreeing to buy a new car and leaving the dealer and your band (which has access to your pay-

asked to vote, as it appears it will be the largest financial commit- ment Canada has ever embarked upon.

If it is only municipal-type government, I would have no concern; however, that is not what many native bands have in mind.

We hear how they will be equal with the provinces and national government, as well as opting out of the Charter of Rights and Free- dom, etc, Surely, this cannot be what is intended - that three or four per cent of the population gets this much power; it’s un- believable,

To allow a five-year periad to

check) to work out the details of how much you'll pay and for how long. Wouldn’t you want some final say on the details?

The native self-government proposal has two areas of ap- plicability; one on reserve, the other off reserve, The former has some support among Canadians whe envision some kind of municipal government in which natives on the reserve run their own affairs like any incorporated area in the rest of the country.

This is a naive assumption. The nalive leadership has been partic- ularly silent on these details. I be- lieve for good reason, because if

They should apologize

Dear Sir: Sixty years old and I was finally able to get hold of a copy of our

constitution. Tam hard pressed to find more than one person in a thousand

who has read it Why didn’tevery home haye afleastone copy. In 1917 when a lot of people ~

could mot read. or write, there were some dramatic changes in the Bank Act and the introduction of the voluntary, temporary, War time income tax act.

These two acts alone created the beginning of a lot of un- derhanded tricks and games to bring Canadians down to the lowest level in history.

People living in this country, the richest in the world, pay out-

rageous prices and interest rates, with very few able to really own anything. ,

Item 92, Section 2 of our con- stitution states exclusive powers of the legislature. Direct taxation within the province in order to the

‘raising of revenue for provincial purposes. —

So where does that leave GST and income tax?

We have the best constitution in the world and it can not be changed by parliament or the Jegislature, unless we do not real- ize our rights,

In 1982 the Trudcau govern- ment made changes that are not valid, We the people did not ask for them nor did we have any say

- in their actual wording.

Under the Referendum Act, any person or group that intends to spend over five thousand dollars during the referendum

Now the Mulroney gov’t has.to make changes in order to legalize GST among a lot of other acts, which do not conform to our con- stitution.

So you are asked to vote away your right to freedom from out- rageous taxes and who knows what else?

Trust me (he says), we'll make sure it comes out right.

Not only will I be voting ‘no’, I will expect every politician in Canada to apologize for allowing this farce to get this far.

Regardless of the vote they will be challenged by a lot of people who have read our constitution.

Lionel Sears Terrace, B.C.

reach agreement on what it means is total nonsense, as it will leave the economy (especially in rural areas) in complete limbo and un- certainty.

Such feelings will cause fear about the future, which, in tum, generates bad feelings between races (something we don’t need).

I have many friends in the na- tive communily as I’ve lived in the north most of my life, and I’m alarmed at the marked deteriora- tlon of relations in many areas.

We don’t need another five years of uncertainty.

Yours trily, Cyril M. Shelford, Victoria, B.C.

Is lacking ~

they elaborated on what I think they really want, it would scare the taxpaying voters to death.

The Jatest amendments say that native self-government docs not convey any new land rights. Does this mean that if you vote ‘yes’ then all the land claims go in the garbage can? Think again! All it means is that natives can’t claim any more than they already have. This is a rather academic point in B.C. as there is not much left which isn’t already claimed.

Richard*McLaren Kitimat, B.C.

SPORT WwW

OPENING SOON

in the new Keith Ave.

period, for the purpose of supporting or

opposing directly the referendum question, —

must register as a committee.

All applications must be sent as soon as possible to Elections Canada at 1595 Telesat Court, Ottawa, Ontario KIA OMS, | or they can be faxed to 1 800 267-8549. | They must be received, at the latest, =. by October 26,1992. - cee The law prohibits all adver

tising

A burning issue

Steve Schmidt said the forest service believes its smoke management policy can be im- proved by including the con- cept in all phases of the cutting planning process and putting additional restrictions on bum- ing activities in areas currently designated smoke sensitive.

The forum will also look at whether present smoke sensi- ~ tive area boundaries need revi- sion,

TERRACE . — Prescribed buming will be top of . the agenda at a forum being put on: by the forest service Tuesday, Nov. 17, a Representatives from local government ‘native. organiza- tions and affected commercial, recreational, environmental and health groups in the region are being. invited to the scs- sion, to be held in Smithers. Regional pratection officer _a

COMMUNITY BASED GRANTS

The Skeena Union Board of Health is pleased to invite funding applications from individuals or groups wishing to develop or implement projects to strengthen Community Health.

A total of $15,000 has been made available to the Board for this purpose. Individual grants are typically in the $500 to $5,000range.

Deadline for applications is November 27, 1992.

Applications forms and information can be obtained from any Union Board of Health Representative. (For the nanie of your representative, contact the Municipal office, Schoo] District, Regioral District, or the Skeena Health Unit.)

Northern Computer

Come in and ask us about

E.S.P.

Extended Support Plan

Unlimited Phone Support, On-Site Service & Extended Warranty Services

4720 Lazelle Ave. Terrace B.C, Ph:638-0321 Fax:638-0442

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inal notice to those who must | register as a referendum committee

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‘or an application form to register as a referendum committee, call this toll-free

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Jean-Pierre Kingsley,

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