26 — Sunday, eo 31, 1999 — North Shore News

NV Gil

Liam Lahey
Contributing Writer

UNITING Canada to
prevent another possi-

ble Quebec separation .

referendum is the focus
of a new program
embraced by North
Vancouver City coun-

; cil.

Coun: Rarbara_ Perrault
and«Mayor Jack Loucks will
bejoining members of the
North Shore’s..Chamber of
Commerce to forge an eco-

nomic partnership with a city .

in, Quebec.
i In May:1998, city council
adopted a series of resolutions

‘relating to the Federation of :

. Canadian ..- Municipalities*

., (FCM)* Community. Leaders
/ Partnership Program. :
“The FCM selected the city’
of: Salaberry-de-Vallevfield: as

“as good match for North

inning with Quebec pc

Vancouver.

At their meeting at city
hall on Jan. 11, council voted
5-2 in favour of sending
Loucks and = Perrault to
Vallevfield for a cultural
exchange to take place in the
spring.

“This is a glorious oppar-
tunity for the city of North

Vancouver and the people of

Canada to get involved and
not rely on this nation’s fed-
eral politicians to save us from
another referendum,”
Perrault told council.

“We left it in their (the
federal government’s) hands
the last time and we watched
in agony at just how close we

~ ame to losing this country.”

‘Coun. Stella Jo Dean and
Coun: Bob Fearnley

new rogram | from: ‘Natural Resources
‘anada offers an independent evaluation of
yo home's energy performance. . :

or $125, an evaluator will survey house.
‘dimensions, construction details, heating...
quipment; and measure the airtightness of...
our,home.’ In about two hours, you get a’: -
omputerized profile showing how much heat
ur home loses through windows, walls, .-
lings; and natural drafts. The evaluator’s

were -
Opposed to sending Loucks

and Perraule to La Belle

’ Province, citing the economic

impact of such a venture.
“I've been against this: all
along,” . Fearnley argued.

“We're having trouble meet-

ing our budget.”

Bur Perrault argued the
FCM will cover the North
Shore delegation’s travel
expenses, while Ottawa was

mulling over the possibility of
covering part of the cost of”
the program as well. Two city’
‘staff members are also expect-

ed to be named to the
entourage heading cast in the
spring.

“This is not about poli-
ticking, this is about forging
new. friendships,” Perrault
remarked.

“This is also a great oppor-

tunity for familics to twin
with other families ... there’s
also a possible benefit: for
businesses, trade and educa-
tion.”

A delegation from
Valleytield, a port town simi-
lar to North Vancouver, con-

. sisting of municipal and busi-

ness officials will’ visit the
North Shore possibly, as carly
as mid-February.

Loucks, Perrault and a cast
of others .will travel
Quebee ara later. date.
Perrault said the program will
de more to preserve Canada
and expand Canadian and
Francophone culture than any
other federal initiative.

“We have French immer-
sion schools, 30 to 40 RCMP
officers who are French, seven

with (V

city. staff members who are
either Francophone or bilin-
gual,” Perrault - continued.
“We have more'in common
Jalleyficld) than’ you'd
expect.” ;

Even with the FCM?’s
assistance, there will be a
financial impact for North
Vancouver. The city
responsible for the accommo-
dation of the Valleytield dele-
gation, meals and incidental
costs such as any tour costs,

The city’s staff anticipated
the tocal budget for six per-

sons visiting for a three day

period would be approxi-
mately $3,000. The same
costs Will be incurred by
Vallevtield when the North
Shore delegation - travels
there.

rt town

will be’

“It's no different than
playing host to someone in
your home,” Perrault said of
the costs.

The Valleyvticld delegation °
told North Vancouver's staff
its objectives are “to compare
and exchange on the adminis- |
tration of both our cities and
know better the challenges of
the municipal administration
of the west coast. Because of
the structural similarities: of
both cities, cultural and busi-
ness exchanges will no doubt’ °
enrich both communities and
promote a better comprehen- 7
sion among ourselves.” :

North Vancouver also. has

a sister city in. Japan” thar va

members of ‘council will travel |
to-in April for a cultural’
exchange there. et