December 3, 1993 96 pages Office, Editorial 985-2131 Liberals putting worst face on figures, Reformers claim THE NEW Liberal government is making the last federal budget of the Progressive Conservative government ‘‘look as bad as possible,’’ Capilano-Howe Sound Reform MP Herb Grubel said Monday. Grubel, who sits on the Reform party’s finance committee, responded to an announcement by Finance Minister Paul Martin that the projected federal deficit for the current fiscal year will reach between $44 bdillion und $46 billion, not the $32.5 biltion pro- jected earlier by the former Tory government. “1 don't know how it (deficit) became so large."’ said Grubel, Simon Fraser University econom- ics professor. But he praised a government pledge to cut between $12 million and $15 million from the federal deficit within the next three years. Ottawa will also consult’ with fi- nancial groups on the deficit. “Wf the potitieal will is there, it (cutting $12 miflien to $tS million} can be done,” said Grubel. ‘But if it’s not done in a dramatic fashion, then it (deficit) might even get worse.” He said there were rumors cir- culating during the ¢lection cam- paign that the federal deficit would be much Jarger than what the former Tory government: had said it was “They (fortes) Rad to make ao assumption of gconomic grawtte aud tha economic growth Has not taken place,’ North Vancouver Reform MP Ted White said he is not surprised that the federat deficit for tbe 1993-94 fiscal year is larger than what the former Tory govermnent By Surj Rattan News Reporter had estimated it to be. White said he had predicted the deficit for the current fiscal year would be in the $42 billion range. But White said increased taxes are not the answer to solving the deficit problem. “My prediction is that those increased taxes won't raise any more mone said White. He suid that if Martin and the Liberals do not get a handle on reducing the deficit, the figure could grow te between S48 billion and $90 billion by the next fiseal year. “Every year you delay (reducing deficit) it puts us further out of control. Poor Paul Martian bas to find $10 billion just to get down to where it (deficit) should have been. “| odomt cavy him. They'll (Liberals) fee the debt monster now," said White. The Reforn party wilh offer an “vireraative budget’ to the gov. ernment when Martin mvtrodaces his first Seclersl budpet, White said. The Noth Vorneauver MPO ithe predicted that pire peaple will turn to the anderpiound eeananty if the peverament cheoses fo ine crate faves in res upcoming budget. Concerns renewed over Cypress Ridge forest FRIENDS OF Cypress are raising concern about the -ide- quate protection Gf 273 acres (85 hectares) of forested land at Cypress Rides. The municipally owned site was the sub- ject of a referendum during the recent municipal elections in West Vancouver. The zoning in) place on the parcel does not protect it from future development, aceording to Friends of Cypress chairman Don Graham. The referendum involved two questions about the Cypress Ridge “triangle,” once a contentious, goif course site. The land is located immediately to the west of the Cypress Bowl Ski Area maintenance yard, In November, residents voted 86% in favor of dedicating as park 134 acres (54 hectares) of the eee A aac real vse! By Anna Marie D'Angelo News Reporter triangle. Phat land tocludes most, if not all, of the old-growth trees in the area. AN second referendunt question concerning continued studies for future park dedication of the tri- angle’s remaining 293 acres (8S Neerares) was approved by BE %e Said Grahain, ‘Clearty the way See Council pase 2 — MAZDA MIATA Sports car sees HOME GROWN Consider buying a first major changes hee Xmas tree to is debut, ivht up the season. sane NEWS photo Cindy Gooden Festival of Lights A CHRISTMAS Festival of Lights graces the seawalk and park area near Pep- pi’s Restaurant on Dundarave Pier. Opening ceremonies for this annual cele- bration of the season were held on Sunday, Nov. 28. SRD ceeti at Dos 5 ee ARR ON RR a REC es ORE SINCE 1969