In 1897, New York Sun writer Francis P. Church assured
an 8-year-old named Virginia that there was, indeed, a
Santa Claus. One century later, many people may ask

whether there is, indeed, a Christ:

as. So as not to leave

out those who don’t celebrate Christmas, we are encour-
aged to use vague words like “holiday” or “season” to
describe the period around December 25. Schools have

inquiring
reporter

“Winter Solstice”

concerts. North Vancouver Mayor
Barbara Sharp sent the News a “Happy Ramadhan”
greeting, but we have yet to receive a “Merry Christmas.”
Does downplaying a Christian holiday bring unity

toa

diverse population? Or does it say that certain religious expression is not acceptable? A
holiday that, to many, celebrates hope, iove, and good will, that brings families together,
is nothing to be ashamed of. Merry Christmas.

NORTH SHORE DEMOGRAPHICS

Horseshoe Bay
Dundarave/Ambicside
British Properties
Norgatc/Pemberton Heights

~ Capilano/Delbrook Highlands
Lower Lonsdale
Central and Upper Lonsdale
*: Lynn Valley - .

- Blucridge/Deep Cove

YES

59%
61%
86%

61%

NO DONT

NO opinION KNOW

Lynne Belvedere

North Vancouver

I think more and more peo-
ple are appreciating that
everybody is celebrating in a
difterent way. I think it’s a
good thing to be aware that
we don’t have to follow one
thing. We don’t have to just
ge on the path of Christmas

North Vancouver

People feel a need to bring
every nationality into
Christmas. But 1 think: it’s
(the Christmas spirit) long
lost because of commercial-
ism. I don’t think it has as
much to do with the politi-
cally correct part.

North Vancouver

All you have todo is walk
down Lonsdale and how many
different nationalities. do. you.”
sec? We get along, that’s what
Canada is about. But to stop
and change the whole society, <
you shoot yourself in the foot...

TOTAL

68%

new elections act; which could
make it. possible for federal -

eaicaly to be conducted elec-

Jean- pierre Kingsley, the
bureaucrat responsible for

“federal ‘élections, will be free O.

and Christianity.

mittee of MPs for adoption.
Clause 18.1 reads: “The

Chief Electoral Officer: may .

carry out studies ‘on voting,

: including respecting alternative

voting means, and may devise
and test an electronic voting
process for future use in a gen-

- eral election or a by-election, .
provided: that ;

net be used for an cfficial vote
without the prior approval of
the committee of the House of
Commons that normally con-
siders electoral matters.”

White believes the move

_ will allow voters to use the

Internet, telephone or a device
similar to
teller machine to vote within

) Skt Clothing

40%

‘bank’s automated -

the next decade, White tested a

touch-tone ‘voting . system -in
1994 for referendum ‘on the :

accepted Dec. 1. after a com-

studying Bill C-2 delil
erated for a month. The’ bill’s
return to the House of

Commons was delayed by as

week’s marathon voting 6

’ Reform-proposed amendment
to‘ the . Nisga’
- Reforms: amendmeiats ‘were

Treaty.

defeated by. members of: othe!
parties in a : round rahe dock

Conk