8 - Friday, September 29, F989 - North Shore News ——— Make ali provinces distinct societies Dear Editor: There are two concepts of Canada. One is a tight federation run from Ottawa with the provinces looking after minor matters and local affairs. The other is a loose confederation of provinces with Ottawa concentrating on matters of common concern like foreign affairs, international trade and defence. I prefer the latter. Confederation, according to the dictionary, is a !oose alfiance of states. The staies (or provinces) have the levers of power. They delegate matters of common inter- est to the centre or nation. They are largely autonomous. They can be ‘‘distinct societies,’ differing culturally, socially and economically from one another. The pro federal model, Canada style, is centrist by comparison. It is a union, not an alliance. The centre runs the show. The pro- vinces have residual powers and overlapping o! authority occurs more often this nut, Ottawa, in ou: national union, has the power of the purse. It con- trols money and banking. It can tax any way and any one it warts to. It can spend revenue on any- thing it wishes. And it can transfer wealth from one province or region to the next. Critics of the Meech Lake amendment to our constitution oppose the ‘‘distinct society” clause for Quebec because it is discriminatory. Quebec can be dif- ferent from the other nine pro- vinces. It can be different in many ways, have more powers and still benefit from the union financially and otherwise. Why discriminate? Why not make all provinces ‘‘distinct societies’??? Why not move awav from the tight federal concept or union and make Canada a true confederation; a loose alliance of provinces, each with its own right to be different in various ways? Meech Lake is a band-aid at best. It is discriminatory, favoring Quebec. It is flawed because it gives one province “special status’’ and binds the rest together in an Ottawa-dominated union. Let’s get back to basics. Let’s go to the people for a decision. Let’s ask Canadians, by plebiscite, whether they want Canada to be pro-federation or con-federation, Lynn Valiey Legion Branch 14 Saturday, Oct. 7 Spmrépm Ham & Turkey Bingo Live Music Hours: Sun-Thurs . Noon-ll p.m. Fri & Sat Noon-i2 AML Drop in for Lunch Members & Guests Only Rikki says... .pleasa recycle, it helps everyone. Thanks. Let’s ask them if they are in favor of a tight no-nonsense union or a loose alliance of distinct societies. Those who favor con- OCTOBER © WILL BE TOO LATE! ea ACCOR Eka sl CANADA § WOST PREFERRED C29" The Accord not only outperforms the competition in resale value but also has ‘The opportunity to buy an “89 Accord, Prelude or Civic at 2 fabulous savings is yours now! The ‘90's are coming and the Why not give a national plebi- scite a try? ‘Jacx Davis, MLA North Vancouver-Seymour decentralization over centraliza- tion. They favor a loose alliance of provinces over a tight Ottawa- dominated union. federation vote ‘Yes.’’ Those in favor of federation vote ‘‘No.” I think the yeas will outnumber the nays. Most Canadians favor EXPERTS LOVE IT woe everything it dces that i's easily the best car athe oun Comparison Test, OCT- js Car and Driver, July 1989. 'STo0 argo pa WHEN THEY'RE GONE. THE. AE GONE FORGOOD' At these prices, your opportunity to buy the ‘89 HONDA ol your dreams at a Sargain price will not last HERE 1S NO DOUBT. NOW IS THE TIME 10 SAVE! UNPARALLELLED EXPEAT APPROVAL. The entire CIVIC line won it's category in Jan89's Car and Oriver TEN BEST CARS AWARDSIGNORE - THE REST, TEST THE BEST ‘Cuz YOU DESERVE TO DRIVE A HONDA SAVE NOW GN ALL ‘89 HONDAS! % Model selection and savings per model vary dealer to Geales based upon Rhats sintt! Onty during the ‘89 CLEAROUT wil! you get these exceptional low prices on proven HONDA quality! Selection of models and colours of “89 HONDAS is good. Now is the time to drive away the RONDA of your dreams at a bargain price! THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE... SHOP YOUR HONDA DEALER TODAY: SURREY: NORTH VA : SUR-DELAUTOIMPORTS —PACIFICH irr 15291 Fraser Hwy. 725 ManeDt oe we §88-7421 MAPLE RIDGE: