David. Mitchell asecond opinion THE Reform Party . of Canada is rapidly becoming a victim of its own success. Some might ask, “What success?” I'm referring to the fact that the Reformers have actually been driving much of the political agenda in Ottawa since their dra- matic electoral breakthrough in 1993. - Of course, they didn’t quite become the official . Opposition in our parlia- ment. But the irrelevance of that time-honored position is Now proven daily by the “bizarre reality that, ever since Lucien Bouchard retreated to Quebec City, most Canadians cannot even name the Leader of Her : Majesty's Loyal Opposition in our country. Not only is this unprece- dented, but it demonstrates how our parliamentary insti- tutions have degenerated. The Reformers sought to change these institutions, not to fit into them. But their most significant impact to date has been to influence the policy directions of the governing Liberals. Prior to the arrival of Reform in our nation's capi- tal, there was a virtual con- spiracy of silence surround- ing a number of issues that were discussed and debated almost everywhere in the land save for Official Ottawa. However, as the de facia opposition in the House of Commons, Preston Manning's troops have prompted the Chretien gov- ernment to take tougher stands on issues that were previously taboo, including the deficit. law and order. and immigration. The Reform party has been anything but slick: in fact, it's often been down- right unruly. And most Reformers won't be satisfied with the policies the federal government has borrowed from them, arguing the Liberal initiatives don’t go A cross-town traffic crunch Dear Editor: . The problems that North Shore commuters face now with the construction on the ‘Second Narrows’ Bridge is what commuters face all the time during the fall and win- ter. months. . : /[tgavel from the Hamilton area to work in Deep: Cove _ every weekday which means : [too have to struggle through sthe mess. of cars, trying to. _ cross the bridge. this i find annoying as I ’ do not use the bridge. I notice that numerous ‘commuters also ‘travel. this route to Capilano. College and the : Seymour. | area © “from ‘other areas on the North Shore. ~To help us as well as those trying to cross the bridge -, there needs to be a way for. people like me to access the "Seymour area without inter-° fering with the bridge traffic. _ Also I am aware that the.” Riimuge «4 nOW are mt we doing? 8 When we fail short of your . cxpeciation, please tell us. When newspaper story does not seem to teflect fairly what was said, let our editors know. When we are unable * osohe} your complaint, we encourage you fo submit it to the: BC. Pres Conacil Box 5414 Victoria, B.C. V8R 654 Tel: (604) 595-2571 Fax: (604) 595-2573 The A.C. Press Council was ercated in 1983 as an independent review board to protect the public from press inaccuracy or ‘untairness and w promote wale HOV lane will be removed when the bridge construction is finished. 1 find that during the fall ‘and winter months that my bus gets-caught in traffic and IT aniss my connection at Phibbs. This means | have to catch an earlier bus to ensure that I make my connection. : This problem would ‘not happen if there were HOV lanes in-place. So please, please make these lane per- manent. - ; Finally | notice that numerous .. single-occupant ECON “CUSTOM if SLEEP SYSTEM f RINE/RALY OFFER Our Supsior Series (Queen, 1300 cod! with wool) far cnough. But it may soon be time for these same Reformers to take a good look in the looking glass and ask themselves an honest question: “Is that all there is?” Indeed, we may have already scen the height of Reform’s influence. In spite of their recent brave and encouraging Vancouver assembly, support for the Reform party continues to wane. The latest Angus Reid poll shows their national support has dropped to 13% of potential voters. Even here in British Columbia. where the party received 36% of the votes cast in 1993, they've sunk to 23% support. Ironically, the majority of those polled admire the Reformers fer being unafraid tu challenge com- monly held views. Apparently many Canadians also like the Reform party's ideas about changing how we govern ourselves. At the same time, however, most Canadians are taken aback by what often seems like a radical Reform agenda, unrepresentati+: of the mainstream. And herein lies the para- vehicles are stil] using the HOV lanes and tying up those who are trying to help ease the problem. There needs to be more enforcement. Gordon More . North Vancouver artmore @unixg.ubc.ca - GUARANTEE ’ Tat better within 14 days ff ND YOUR MONEY" ‘ "BANK PREFERRED SHARES : ‘e Guorterly Income | © Tax Savings ° Safety of Cepital © Liquid Bank of Nova Scotia. PR.H as of June 20/1996 Minimurn investment $25,000 subject fo change without prior notice “Interest equivalent. Based on current yield MIDLAND \ WALWYN BLUE CHIP THINKING” Chris Carter | Financial Advisor dox. {f Reform moderates its image as well us its pro- gram, how can it be distin- guished from the other polit- ical parties? If it runs ona platform of moderation, won't Reformers simply resemble warmed-over Tories? These are tough ques- tions, made even tougher by the results of the federal byclection earlicr this week in Hamilton, where Sheila Copps was casily reelected. Friday, June 21, 1996 ~ North Shore News ~ 7 SUCCESS If the Reformers are to be victorious in the next federal election, they know they must make a huge break- through in Ontario. But the Reform candidate in the Hamilton byelection fin- ished a distant fourth, trail- ing behind the Liberals, New Democrats and Progressive Conservatives. Can Reformers begin the difficult process of reconcil- ing themselves to the sad fact that they’ ve now become # source of creative ideas for other parties? . Imitation may be the most sincere form of flat- tery, but it’s not casy to be gracious when the rug is being pulled out from under you. Like many other. move- ments of protest before them, Reform has become a victim of its own success. In this sense, it falls into a proud Canadian tradition. Not all Reformers, how- ever, will be consoled by a brand of success measured in influence rather than power. Vancouver Sleep Centre is the place you . come to if you have a snoring problem. 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