. Every palicy

Rich south is getting richer because of gov’t tax policy

Dear Sir: No tax po- licy is neutral.

CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD

this region, and that hurt, al- though perhaps not maliciously

favours some group of peaple. or re- gion. Premier Gordon Camp- bell : presents ~his'25 per cent cut as fair and . equal for all; but we know that is not true. His tax cuts "favour the wealthy far more than the poor. You could argue that is simply because the rich have more money to save in taxes, and in that you would be absolutely true, but that does not counter the argument “that the tax cuts favour the wealthy. _. Another “natural” product of Mr. Campbell’s tax po- licy that is less often discussed is how his tax cuts fa- vour the populous south. Mr. Campbell’s tax cuts stimu- late: economic activity by giving individual British Co- Jumbian’s more money to spend. » It is inevitable and, importantly, predictable that the more populous regions where there are more lax payers will receive the greatest benefit from this tax policy-in- ‘duced stimulation. In this region where there are less tax payers, the sti-

_. mulation provided by this tax reduction is minimal. In

fact, combined with reductions in government spending, the ‘result to this region is a net decrease in economic activity.

Significantly, reductions in government spending is an important part of Mr. Campbell’s tax policy. We need

ta be clear about this. Mr. Campbell’s tax policies hurt

The Mail Bag

intentional, is in- evitable and pre- dictable.

Alcan wants to sell power. Ap- parently there is an agreement in place that Alcan can sell excess power to industry in this area. 1f Mr. Campbell wants to make Alcan happy by allowing them to sell power, it is conceivable that he could create a tax policy that would provide an incentive for the growth of industry in this region.

There are those who would argue that such a tax po- licy might provide an unfair economic benefit to this area. To those [ would say that the gift of $6 billion in largely government spending to Whistler and area, com- bined with a tax policy that favours growth in populous areas, provides an unfair economic benefit to the south.

These benefits to the south are the direct result of this government’s economic policies. To argue that the cur- tent depopulation of the north is just a natural result of economics is to undervalue the role that government po- licy plays in either stimulating or squelching growth. It is close to making the absurd argument that government policy has no impact on economic activity. It is to argue that there is no authority or value greater than the dollar. It is to argue that the rich should rule, and the rest of us just toe the line

It’s all government policy.

Thomas Boston, Terrace, B.C.

Imposing a belief system is not a city councillor’s job

Dear Sir: _ This is regarding the recent letter by city councillor Lynne Christiansen explaining her opposition to having city council declare a gay pride day.

The elected officials of Terrace should not have been

“7 So reluctant to proclaim a gay pride day. The Human Rights Cammission would not have then become in- " Volved.

~ Lynne accuses the homosexual community of crea- ting their own prejudice by forcing everyone else to ac- “cept their lifestyle choices.

~ First, they did not choose their sexual orientatian. It _Was hard wired into their brain in the womb and some- “Himes the hard wiring does not agree with the outward

-: appearance of the person.

.] have seen statistics that would show that 10 per cent of the population is gay or lesbian. Let us assume that this is an overstatement and that it is one in one hundred or one in two hundred. oo

NALS. coureacrime tro wishes fo thank their customers and inform them that due to circumstances

beyond their contral, they will be closed until further notice.

MEETING NOTICE s Tsimshian Nation

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING October 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11, 2002

This is notice to all members of the Tsimshian Nation that the 15th Annual General Assembly will be held at the Jim Ciccone Memarial Gymnasium in Prince Rupert on October 7, 8, 9,

10 & 11, 2002. The morning of October 7th is IN-CAMERA and only Tsimshion members may attend. Some topics for discussion include Health, Education, Oil & Gas, Treaty and Fisheries. Please note that it is an election year for President and Secretary-Treasurer. Voting will take place Thursday, October 10, 2002 between 9 am, and 1:00 p.m. A second ballot will take place immediately following, if necessary. Registration begins at 8 a.m. daily, For more information, please call the Tsimshian Tribal Council (250) 627-8782.

They are definitely part of our community and they have every right to be proud of who they are.

Some of the greatest writers, artists and musicians as well as lawyers, doctors, dentists, athletes and people in all walks of life have these sexual orientations, which is different than outward appearances.

Surely you would not deny our community their crea- live output.

If we couid help some young male or female growing up in our community to accept their sexuality rather than ridicule them, we may prevent a suicide and thus retain a creative member to our society.

Lynne Christiansen, as a councillor for the City of Terrace should see her job, in my opinion, as enabling Terrace ta be a more livable community, both physically and economically. It is not her job to impose her belief system and prejudices on its citizens.

Norman C, Read, Terrace, B.C,

| OPEN HOUSE for the ~ PROPOSED SKI SMITHERS __ MASTERPLAN AMENDMENT

B Daler Salurday, October 5, 2002

Time: Sam. to& pin.

Location: St. Joseph's Elementary Schao! Gymnast ; 4054 Broadway Avenus Smilbers, BC

mm Land and Water British Columbia inc. {LW8C) and Canadian Rocky Holdings,

m Lid. wil be holding an Open House te discuss proposed amendments tothe Ski Smithers Master Plan for Hudson Bay Mountain. The Open House will provide

a an opportunity for members of the community ta review the proposal and

i direct any questions ta the propenent and LWEC.

m Agends: 9:00 am. - 76.00 a.m: 10:08 am. - 17:00 am: 17:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m: 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m: 100 p.m. - 2:00 p.m:

2.00 p.m. - S08 p.m.

Welcome and Open House Oval Presentation of Master Plan >, Question Period luncheon — . Presentation by the Office of the ’ Wet'suwet'en The Proponent and LWEG staf wil be ‘available to answer quesifons and record comments.

The dratt Master Plan Amendment can also be viewed on the LW&C website: iw iwbe.be.ca. Cllek on Crawa Land Applications and search by “Ski mithers".

Orat: Land and Water British Columbia tne” PO Box 5000 9726 Alfed Avenue, Smithers, BC

B And: Ski Sutiihers Ofttce 3768 Second Avenue, Smithers, BC

Mm Comments regarding the dratt Master Plan should be submitted to Tarry Prat Of tha LWBC Smithers OHice by November S, 2002. .

m Please contact Terry Pratt at (250) 847-7296 far mare informailon.

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. The Terrace Standard, Wednesda

y, September 25, 2002 - A?

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