Wodnosday, May 28, 1997 = North Shora News ~ cunadda votes _ tC@#RLECTION'7_ A large dose of diversity . dt WAST VANCOUVER do SUNSHINE COAST RESIDENTS in one of the wealthiest municipalities in my : ; Coast, ‘This year’s election marks the first time since 1979 that West Canada will vote for the same candidates as residents ina Vancouver residents do not comprise the majority of votes in the riding. ‘The diverse can be expressed in the socio-econamic cross-section that decidedly blue-collar area next ay. 7 y ext Monday, typifies the riding — from million dollar homes lapping against West The newly formed West VancouverSunshine Coast riding can be Vancouver's waterfront to fledgling logging towns fi hig for sttrvival amid summed up in evo words: big and diverse, the treed wilderness In the northern region of the riding, Bis in both the sheer physical size of the nding (at 8,156 sq. km, just During three days of advance voting -—- on May 23, 24 and 26 -— 3,227 slightly smaller than the ishind of Jamatea), and in the 102,000 people that — ballots were cast by residents of the West Van-Sunshine Coast riding, reside within its boundaries, - Voters will send a roakle Member of Parliament to Ottawa as Incumbent The voter breakdown for the new riding is, roughly, 40% in West Herb Grabel, of the Reform Party, chose not to seek a second term as an Vancouver, 20% in Powell River, 20% in Whistler and 20%'in the Sunshine MP. CLARK BANKS + Place of residence: Powell River Age53. ; ' Occupation: Power engineer Family: Married, Two sons. RESPONSE TO ISSUES: a FEDERAL DEBT AND DEFICIT: “We will pursue policies that put: Canadians to work,iand build mod- "ern, efficient, responsive services, _ ensure wealthy individuals and prof- itable corporations contribute to deficit reduction by paying fair taxes, . and maintain low interest rates.” EMPLOYING YOUTH: “The NOP . would fight to stop the cuts in educa- tion, University, college and jcb taining mus be more affordable and accessible for young people.” QUEBEC SEPARATIST. MOVEMENT: | ; “New Democrats recognize that Quebec is different from the other provinces. We believe in recognizing that difference in the constitution, in a manner that fosters the unity of the country.” PROTECTING FREE SPEECH: “We all. support freedom of speech but that doesn’t mean you have liberty to - spread fear and hatred. This is com- parable to yelling fire in a crowded theatre. The complaint against Mr. Collins is currently before a tribunal _ for decision and t will await the out- LISA SARRETT GREEN PARTY Place of residence: Bowen Island ge37 : © -eupation: Flight attendant, research writer’ Family: Two children, RESPONSE TO ISSUES: FEDERAL DEBT AND DEFICIT: “Now here’s an oversimplified, over-hyped, and underanalysed issue. Gideon Rosenbluth, Professor *,. Emeritus, UBC, and past president of the Canadian Economics Association sums up: “Fear of inflation and of ‘hitting the debt wall’ is rooted in, - mistaken analysis and in antisocial values, and has the effect of ratio- jj nalizing the current attacks on social programs.” The Bank of Canada Is ‘perfectly able, but for lack of politi-. -cal will and an informed public, to put taxpayers dollars back into the domestic economy instead of the hands of foreign investors and pri- vate banks.”: « EMPLOYING YOUTH: “The global push searches out the cheapest labor “standards and zero environmental or human rights codes. fs this the future for our young Canadians? There are, and have to be, alternatives. I’m advocating the immediate withdraw-. al from the Multilateral Apreement on Investment, and every other Free Trade arrangement.” QUEBEC SEPARATIST MOVEMENT: “As far as | can tell, the only people in Canada with a hereditary right to distinct society status are the Indigenous peoples. There are numerous cultures contributing to the social fabric and we have to pro- tect cultural diversity as vigorously as bio-diversity.” PROTECTING FREE SPEECH: “As a carcl-carrying member of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, | support the challenge to legislation which prohibits freedom of speech. Most importantly, in preserving and extending civil liberties for those we may find objectionable, we are securing the domain for our own expression of hope for a rational, inclusive and just society.” PHIL BONAME. BOL iberal Place of residence: West Vancouver Occupation: Economist Family: Married. Four children. Mi RESPONSE TO ISSUES: FEDERAL DEBT AND DEFICIT: "Changing the present economic « course would jeopardize all health and social programs in the long run. This is the third year the Liberal pov- ernment has delivered and bettered its deficit targets while ensiring the long-term viability of sucial pro- grams and encouraging jab growth. The 1996-97 deficit is the lowest in 15 years and by 1997-98 we will have the lowest deficit among the G-7, Our budget provides targeted tax relief and strategic investments chosen to encourage job creation.” — EMPLOYING YOUTH: “Canada’s young people are an underem- ployed resource. A good education must be combined with workiexpe- rience. The Liberal government has established a solid basis with its Youth Employment Strategy which aims to assist young peopie make the transition trom schaol into the work force. | want to see partner- ships with non-profit organizations, community agencies and the private sector increase. Young people should be aware that they can call 1-800-935-5555 or check out the overnment website . (http:/Avww.youth.ge.ca).” QUEBEC SEPARATIST MOVEMENT: - “Lam a strong advocate for a united Canada. We cannot build consensus if we are governed by those who are only concerned with regional priori- ties and grievances nor can we unite this country by providing special favors to some. We need a strong central government that is represen- tative of all the provinces and regions of Canada.” PROTECTING FREE SPEECH: “Due to the fact the constitutionality of the provincial legislation is now being challenged before a public tribunal, | think it inappropriate at this tire to express my opinion.” IOHN REYNOLDS eerone 1 Place of residence: Lions Bay Age: 55 Occupation: Businessman Family: Married, Seven children, RESPONSE TO ISSUES: FEDERAL DEBT AND DEFICIT: “A Reform government will balance the budget by March 1999, relying upon spending cuts, not tax increases. Liberal delay has already cost Canadians billions of dallars in increased debt charges and a lingering deficit makes the problem worse. Once the budget is balanced, we will consti- tutionally entrencli a Balanced Budget and Spending Cap amendment to ensure that future governments cannot put Canadian social programs at risk by running deficits and large debts.” EMPLOYING YOUTH: “Lower taxes and smaller government are the answer to youth unemployment. A Reform gov- ernment will shrink the size of govern. ment by $15 billion and open the door to job creation. In particular, a Reform government will reduce employers’ payroll taxes by 28%, thereby reducing this damaging ‘tax on jobs,’ and also halt the 73% Canada Pension Plan tax hike planned by the Liberals.” QUEBEC SEPARATIST MOVEMENT: We are convinced that if Canadians work together to develop a vision of a new and better federalism, and ratio- nally discuss together the dangers of secession, we will resolve to move together into the New Canada of the 21st Century. It is our conviction that the difficulties and dangers associated with secession must be discussed open- ly and honestly in advance of any negotiations. Quebecers should be aware that the realities of secession ’ would be quite different from the utopian dream propa ereigntists during the campaign.” fated by the sov- ast referendum PROTECTING FREE SPEECH: “I feel strongly that the provincial fegistation infringes on the rights of free speech and should be reversed as quickly as possible.” ki DAVE THOMAS 4 SIPC Place of residence: Horseshoe Bay Age: 35, h : Occupation: Lawyer Family: Married, One son. RESPONSE TO ISSUES: FEDERAL DEBT AND DEFICIT: “Needs to be tackled seriously through spending cuts and better effi- clencies, not through Liberal-style tax. ° increases and sacial transfer cuts. Only the PC party tells vaters now where we intend to make cuts.” YOUTH EMPLOYMENT: “in addition to providing the best education and | training for our youth, we have to ensure there are opportunities for them. Otherwise they will feel disen- franchised, We need to create a bet- ter climate for small business to encourage them to employ more young people. We pian to reduce payroll taxes and to reduce personal income taxes so there is more demand for goods and services.” , QUEBEC SEPARATIST MOVEMENT: “The Bloc and the separatists want nothing mare frem.the West than to see us elect Reformers, The Reform Party validates their existence and 3% “helps justify what they tell the people of Quebec. The answer is notin # ‘Distinct Society,’ but in connecting directly with the people in' Quebec and tetting them know that we in the West have our complaints with Ottawa as well.” PROTECTING FREE SPEECH: “Our forefathers fought in wars to defend the freedom of speech. It is absolute- ly necessary in a democratic society. The provincial government's law should be shot.down as unconstitu- tional. It was very poorly drafted and is far too vague.”