Dear Editor:

~ Congratulations an a fine pair of articles on
direct democracy (Noy, 8 News}. P believe ther
give the most accurate and comprehensive cov-
erage of any publication in B.C, during the past
wo years.

: The comments of various politica figures
indicate that there may be many different opin:
ions and prejudices to contend with before the
vaice of the people of North Vancouver
District is heard on. this critically important
matter, Mayor Don Bell’s. comment that “pro-
ponents of direct democracy seem to be

- focused more on a tack ef meaningful public
input in decision-making at the federal and

provincial government levels tian with coun-

“cil” is somewhat misleading,

We “proponents” are deeply concerned
about citizen decision-making at the municipal
level. We will talk to anyone who will fisten.

.. Council listened, whereas “senior”
government do nots: We observe that senior
levels of government listen. to council tittle
more than they listen.to citizens. Bur we ask all

_ devels of government not just to listen, but to

& act, when the majority of citizens. speak
: fhrough the voice ofa referendum.

"=. We at Canadians for Direet Democracy are
seeking public participation’ in’ council deci-

*sion-making through a just, deliberated pede

tiun-referendum’ system, not merely “Public

levels of ”

Wednesday, December 16, 1998 - North Shore News > 3

north shere news

Mam pox
Act on direct democracy

input in decision-making.”

Issues at all levels of government need to be
decided by referendum.

Local examples could include rental suites,
zoning, casinos, and many others. The petition
process allows citizens to decide which issues
they wish to take to referendum,

At the civic elections in November 1999,
we hope the district will hold a referendum to
determine the will ofthe people with respeet to
citizen-initiated referenda. Since 83% of the
populadon of B.C. voted in favour of citizen
initiatives in a 1990 referendum, it will be
interesting to see if this result is repeated, and
if the district will bring forward legislation that
is designed to work — unlike the BC Initiatives
Act, of 1995, which purports to give citizens
the right to citizen-initiated referenda at the
provincial level, while in fact making it practi-
cally impossible.

To date, Mayor Bell and his council deserve
praise for their open approach to re-examining

democracy. We are confident thar council will -

continue to lead the way,
Congratulations to Andrew: MeCredie¢ for
giving this critical subject a fair and thorough

“treatment.

Colin Stark

Vice-President

Canadians for Direct Democracy
Vancouver.

Film succe ess not NDP’s”

. ‘Dea E Editor:

“As a British Columbia film, ‘feehnician’ I was.

flabbergasted to, hear Mr.” Moe’ Sihota claim

“recently, on a television debate chat his govern e
ment: has: -benefited. the film industry” by its:

Aggressive pursuit of U.S. producers and ‘film
companies. Perhaps Mr. Sihora was not.aware

‘that this industry was built, nurtured and made.

what itis, not by the NDP but by the toil and

dedi cation of the British’ Columbia film techni-~

clins.-It poes without saving that our low dollar

and our, comparatively favourable wages help i in

, bringing i in the U 5S. projects.

it should. be noted, however, that since the
government has realized what a gold mine we,
the film industry, are, ‘they ‘have: stifled our

“industry by creating a thousand restrictive regu-
fations, by creating so-called training programs
, at the taxpayers’ expense, when the existing sys-

tem worked quite well, and by actively meddling
ina world that they understand litt le: about.”

_ Andrew Mulkani

North Vancouver: ..
Amgrip@aol.com

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advertorial, December 16/1998

THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT

Shortly before Parliament recessed
for the Christmas Break, the Auditor
General released his latest report.
Chapter 27 of that Report specifically
deals with grants and contributions
handed out by the Department of
Canadian Heritage and leaves no doubt
that the Hon. Sheila Copps is presiding
over a department riddled with waste.

MULTICULTURALISM

GRANTS
In 1997-98 the Department made
granis or contributions totalling $19 million

to 1,000 multiculturalism projects under a’.

mandate which is supposed “to strengthen
‘Canada by fostering an inclusive society in
which people of all backgrounds, whose
identities are respected and recognized as
“vital to the evolving Canadian identity, feel
‘a sense of belonging and attachment to
this country." Whether or not the funding of
multiculturalism really . does © foster
“inclusion”. or whether it actually
encourages people to remain out of the
mainstream, is an argument for another
day, but in terms of the above mandate,
‘the Auditor General found plenty to cause
him -concern. For example, the sample
_ group of 80 grants he audited contained a
number. of projects’ which felt within, the
mandate ofother federal government
departments, and even’. provincial’
agencies. They included: ; ;
* An” anti-drug program.
adolescents ‘in. a. particular
religious group » |
* Integration services for
immigrants ; :
* A proniotional tour for a novelist...
*.A, brochure on alternatives to.
: physically disciplining children,
’ published’) Vin... 16°: languages
including French and English
‘we AL. conference ‘to
promoting science.’ ‘and .
»_ technology - programs ‘in’ schools
« for.a specific racial group.

new

xA conference for: Aboriginals on

adolescent issues.

“This se same Heritage Deparment, in the:
Mast year: oF. So, produced a ‘multicultural
calender listing various ‘religious holidays

throughout “the . year! but ; making “no —

“reterer eto either Christmas or Easter. «
nister, Sheila’ Copps, claimed that:
“these: important Christian’ dates: were -
inadvertently | missed, but | have heard-no
‘explanation from her for the .gaff-in’ the
‘posters her Department produced for, the
‘visit of "The Prince of Whales". i

a

for .

“discuss — ;

mere years will Canadians have to
pay for programs that. have no
reason to exist?”

Although the question was directed to
the Minister, it- was Hedy Fry, «the
Secretary of State for multiculturalism, .
who rose to answer. | leave it to you to
judge whether her response | was
salisfactory: ;

“Mr Speaker, with respect to the
multiculturalism program, we. have
just finished a complete review. of
new program quidelines..We have
given it:a three year transition. We.
are at the end of our first year and
we are very pleased that . the
Auditor: General was able to
pinpoint exactly what. we wanted.
evaluating how we are moving over.
the first .year ‘of a ‘three year
transition to ensure accountability
in the system," :

SPEND, SPEND, SPEND
Of course it does: not take very much,

‘ effort to: uncover plenty ‘of other, areas of

questionable Government | -spending.

While. the RCMP: has been pleading for

‘months for an additional $8.5 million in

tunding in BC, .the Government: has"

‘handed out cash for:

x, Professional. - and technical
‘Support for. Czech Municipal
authorities - $1.4 million eae

* Reintegration of Malian soldiers - -
.$473,000 ps

* A’ grant. for Tocomotives ‘for
"Senegal - $14 million :

eA, grant to, promote the. use of
“electricity in ‘Brazil.- $2. million

* A grant to ‘establish the Lebanese |

“Parliamentary Institute

_c the above grant total. more than $18
“milion, Would, ‘you have’ placed, these:

$15,510,000. -. ‘enought
covered’ the RCMP.

_almost two years.

serious criticism’ from. ‘th
«General. The. é