ARS AAAHRAC et, Man, Willlbararny » , re C7 6 - Wednesday, February 27, 1991 — North Shore News Ce. ~- “A LILI LLL LALLA TU mammal WO Shaking confidences HERE’S NOTHING like a little earth tremor to. get preparedness plans off the iocal back burner. Last week’s earthquake, which measured 4.0 on the Richter scale, was a jolting reminder that Vancouver is still due for a major earthquake in the next 50 to 100 years, experts say. In the aftermath of the devastating San Francisco earthquake, which measured 7.0, North Shore residents were clamoring for studies on the stability of old buildings. the safety of their People Methers doubted children’s schools. disaster by windows quavering and tea cups rattl- ing all over the Lower Mainland. Disaster preparedness planning is an in- tegral part of a community plan. But apart of dollars, from reactive measures, there also necds to be a proactive approach. Although rein- forcing old structures could cost millions new regulations governiag buildings most vulncrable to earthquake living in highrises considered moving. But as the media hoopla waned, so did interest in earthquake-proofing. Enthusiasts who continued te push for municipal action were soon looked upon as doom-sayers. They were vindicated Feb. 19 ‘LETTER OF THE DAY The North must community. damage should be considered. Emergency response plans should be reviewed regular- ly to assure that they reflect the current community’s needs. And a disaster plan is useless if the public is not educated on the procedures to make it work smoothly. Shore’s three municipalities publicize outlines of emergency response plans and approprizie procedures PM while the taste of disaster stiki fingers in the Dual nature will assert itself Dear Editor: I see the dance around the con- stitutional mulberry bush has started again. I wonder how much Canadians will have to cough up this time to pay for the show? Canada is not a one-nation state but a two-nation state with one nation inhabiting Quebec and the English nation inhabiting the other nine provinces. To have more than one nation within the confines of one state is NOT detrimental: it can be an ascot and cultural advantage. But, unles, Canada’s Constitution is based on this scientific premise, Canada will surely come to grief. The definition of a nation, ac- cording to social science, is a large and stable community of peoples sharing a common territory, lan- guage, culture, psychological makeup, history and the same economic system or economic base. This makes the people of Quebec a distinct nation, while my two German friends living on Robson Street are not and never laid claim to be, although they are distinct and appreciate that they can promote their own cultural heritage for the enrichment of Canada. The dual makeup of Canada and the national aspiration of both French and English Canada will assert itself one way or another, either within a duai na- tion state or separately. So how should we resolve this problem on a principled basis? To begin with we should abolish the Senate in its present form and replace it wits an Upper House which could be either a National Chamber or an elected Senate, comprised of an equal number of representatives from toth English and French Canada. Any issue affecting both na- tions, in addition to being passed by the House of Commons, would also have to be passed by this Upper House. If, for instance, Quebec wanted municipalities in English Canada to provide French language services, they would have to do the same for the English in Quebec. This is the only fair and sound solution. Unless Canada’s con- stitution reflects this basic premise all resolutions and constitutionai conferences are doomed to failure. Ernie Crist Alderman District of North Vancouver Stepping down not in Zalm’s vocabulary WHY DOESN’T Premier Bill Vander Zalm step down un- til the conflict-of-interest probe into his sale of Fantasy Gardens is completed, as seven of his ministers have done in similar circumstances? It’s a dumb question, really. Reasons why the words ‘‘step down’’ are not in his vocabulary should be crystal clear. First, Bill is hanging in there because it’s what he’s always promised to do in his ‘‘not-a-quit- ter’’ speeches. There’s also the in- teresting question of how — once you step down —- you resume be- ing premier if declared innocent. Cabinet appointments are the gift of the premier. So several of the ministers who withdrew in the past while being investigated were in due course invited back. But how can a stepped-down premier — at that point not even a member of the cabinet — invite HIMSELF back? The key factor, however, is that Vander Zalm was the one who re- quested the inquiry. This unique aspect cf the case means that even a ‘‘guilty’’ finding would ap- parently involve no penalties. It would simply state the conclusions reached by Commissioner Ted Hughes. If the verdict held the Premier to have been in a conflict, he could either quit or ignore it. The choice is his. Meanwhile, everything -— in- cluding the budget sessions of the Legislature needed to keep the government in money — is on hold until Hughes reports by mid or late March. That would still leave time for a May or early June election !f Vander Zalm stays on, but not otherwise. A leadership convention takes around 60 days to set up, soa new leader could hardly get to work before July, just as B.C. switched — in mind, body or both — to vacation mode for two months. Come Labor Day and the party would have at most eight weeks to win back the votes Vander Zalm is said to have cost it. Just how big that problem is remains unclear, despite the polls. Surprisingly few ‘‘step down’’ questions to date have come from the general public, which shows signs of being increasingly bored by the media’s obsession with Fantasy Gardens. There are even pointers to some backlash of sympathy for the victim. New Democrats still feign outrage, of course, but would likely be horrified if the Premier took their advice — having con- vinced themselves he is the best thing they have going for them. And now, nervous Socred can- didates are echoing the NDP by asking why ine doesn’t step down. HITHER AND YON But unless they’re ready, like tear- ‘ful Nicole Parton, to step down themselves over the issue, they’d be smart to forget it — and remember, instead, Susan Brice. She, you’!] recall, was Mayor of the rock-solid Socred stronghold of Oak Bay and the party’s ideal candidate in the 1989 byelection there — ideal, that is, except for _ openly disowning Bill Vander Zalm. Against all odds the NDP won, Voters are a selfish fot. Regardless of party leanings, they know they’ll get nothing done for them by a backbench MLA the party leader will hardly speak to — and who’s therefore perma- nently shut out from the corridors of power. ees WRAP-UP: Only 10 more days left te the March 9 North Van District election replay caused by former alderman Bill Rodgers’ elevation to Provincial Court. Fighting for his vacant seat are long-time aldermanic poll-topper Joan Gadsby (who lost the 1990 mayoral race to Murray Dykeman), Bruce Edwards and Tim Jones who finished 8th and 7th respectively last November, and newcomer Authony Jasich ... Happy ‘‘second birthday”? (his first was Feb. 8) to the Ambleside Inn’s Willy Brueckel who tomor- row, Feb. 28, celebrates the third anniversary of his 1988 heart transplant ... And a special ““five-zero’’ birthday bouquet to News classified manager Vai Stephenson who'll start learning tomorrow that the second half- century is the best! @eeae WRIGHT OR WRONG: Everyone pays — either attention or dearly. Publisher . : Peter Speck Display Advertising 980-0511 Distrinution 986-1337 Nortn Shore Managing Editor Timothy Renshaw Real Estate Advertising 985-6982 Subscriptions 986-1337 managed Assoc ising Dives ' Lin eetceugnt Classified Aavertising 986-6222 Fax 985-3227 Or inda Stewart News ini 5. Comptroller. Doug Foot wSTOOM 985-2131 Administration 985-2131 North Shors News, founced in 1969 a5 an Dat enct. ov more wo enet acon MEMBER —————- independent suburban newspaper and qualitied under Schedule 111, Paragraph Itt of the Excise Tax Act, 1S published each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday by North Shore Free Press ttd and distributed to every door on the North Shore. Second Class Mail Regisiration Number 3885. Subseriptions North and West Vancouver, $25 per year. Mailing rates avaiable on request Submissions are wetcome but we cannol accept responsitiity for unsolicited matenal including manuscripts and piciures which should be accompanied by a stamped. addressed enveloze. ‘north shore SUNDAY » WEDNESDAY - emDAY 1139 Lonsdale Avenue. North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4 61,582 (average circulation, V/ednesday, Friday & Sunday) JOAN GADSBY... hitting the comeback trail. VAL STEPHENSON... best half Estire contenis © 1991 North Shore Free Press Lid. Alt rights reserved. century ahead!