6 — Wednesday, December 2, 1998 — North Shore News north shore news VIEWPOINT Cxail MMIGRATION and _ refugee idiocies continue to abound in Canada. And they continue to underscore the need for changes to how this country deals with those who would be part of Canada. Take the case of Jie Hua Huang. According to a story in the Nov. 24 Globe and Mail, the country’s Immigration and Refugee Board acknowledges the 34-year-old native of China “has a demonstrable capaci- ty for dishonesty.” Sounds like our kind of guy, right? Well, the kind of guy for the Immigration and Refugee Board, anyways. It decided that sending Huang back to China would be bad for his health — he being a suspect in a multi-million-dollar tax fraud in China. Execution, it determined, mighe await Huang. Better to let him loose in Canada. Dishonesty and all. With the country’s number of refugee claimants ballooning from 17,000 in 1994 zo 38,000 in a scant three years, Canada’s reputation as a soft-headed soft touch is world renowned. The Huang decision merely con- firms that reputation. The Immigration and Refugee Board appears to care less about the good health of Canada than it does about those gaining entry to the couniry. Its priorities need an overhaul. Better still, the board itself needs an overhaul. Let’s start with appointing professional qualified people to assess refugee and other claimants rather than a politically appointed immigra- tion appeal board. Canada would be better off for it. mailbox Ae A rer At A ta Parks suffer from recreation expansion Dear Editor: Why must the tourism and recreation industry always Brow at the expense of the natural wonders that make it pos- sible? ‘Tam writing in particular about Cypress Bowl Recreations. The company is plzi ining to log 55 acres of old growth forest in Cypress Provincial Park to add more ski runs, a gondola, and a restaurant on the peak of Mount Strachan. But is that what Lower Mainlanders really want? Another mountain top cafeteria eyesore? More blacktop parking lots? It raises the question: “What is a provincial park, any- way? ‘Since all of the aforementioned development is to be done within Cypress Bowl provincial park boundaries, it would seem that the answer is: “Provincial parks are places that are set aside for their natural beauty, so thar they can be stripped of ancient forest and wildlife habitat for the profit ofa few members of the private sector.” Thousand-year-old trees and esthetics aside, what abour the wildlife that provincial parks are presumed to protect? Among other things, Cypress park has a heal thy black bear population. More summer tourism means that fears of bear-human encounters will push park officials to destroy “troublesome” individuals. Let’s sum this all up, shall we? Parks are obviously not meant to preserve ancient forest Parks are obviously not meant for the wildlife they contain, because they could be a risk to those who might venture away from the parking lots and confeetionaries. Parks are apparently meant to benefit those with enough money to put a glorified sausage stand on the peak of Mount Strachan. As for the rest of us, tough luck. Paul Cordy cordy@unixg.ube.ca ‘Had enoughs’ must LAST WEERK’S overflow rally at Cloverdale Fairgrounds demand- ing the NDP be thrown out had an equally strong — if unspoken —- message for Liberal leader Gordon Campbell. Stop doing political pratfalls, it goes. Swallow your pride, hold vour nose and concentrate 100% on making all anti- socialist groups in BC allies of your official opposition to ensure the NDP never again sneaks to power by default. That's the very least British Columbians ask af you. The 4,000-plus rurnout at Cloverdale — on a rainy November night miles from the metropolitan hub — left no doubr about its message to dictator Glen Clark and his cabinet of bullying bunglers. Media interviews at the scene suggest- ed the angry audience was composed of people of all political persuasions (includ- ing labour union members) and none. Many had never before attended a politi- cal rally. What they told the premier and his socialist stormtroopers was short and blunt: you're ruining this once booming province for us, our children and yrand- children, GET OUT! They echoed thar equally impressive Prince George rally a couple of months ago and the more recent bumper turnout ata similar event in Terrace. The organizers, Concerned Citizens of BC, are said now to be planning carly Fepeat protests in Williams Lake and Vancouver. But while such rallies may be spectacular demonstrations of the public will, the real question is: what happens next? The answer, unless opposition politicians act swiftly, is nothing. Clark's NDP govern- ment still has up to ovo and a half years before it must face the voters. In that time the momentum generated by the “Had Enough?” rallies, even with several more in 1999, could easily fade for lack of concrete results. Whar to do about it? The first and most vital part of the answer, as already indicated, is Liberal leader Gordon Cainpbell. Regardless of personal hang-ups he must form a work- ing coalition with Bill Vander Zalm’s Reformers to ensure only a single Liberal- or-Reform candidate runs next time in each of B.C."s 75 ridings. There'll be ample time later to sort out the coali- tion’s longer-term future. That guarantees the ultimate safety net needed for the year 2000-2001 election. But 30 months are still a daunting time to wait — during which the Clark wreck- ing crew can continue to inflict further untold damage on B.C. Can't anything be done to throw out the rascals much sooner? The only answer: successful recall of just four NDP MLAs, which would make possible the defeat of the government and yon WELL, ALRIGHT, \G iF YALL THINK § iT Keee ME FROM BEING § IMPEACHED-- ; et off butts and an early election. But as the three previous recall attempts have shown, the tough condi- tions of the recall act make the removal of'an MLA mote easily sought than achieved. Above all, it requires a large army of trained and disciplined volunteers to avoid running afoul of the act's labyrinth of hidden traps for the unwary and the careless. A good start was made at Cloverdale where survey forms were distributed throughout th huge audience seeking those willing to participate in recall cam- paigns. Much will depend, however, on the response and the follow-up to it by Concerned Citizens of BC. The faiied recall bids to date have shown raw enthu- siasm by a limited group of organizers is not nearly enough. To kick out the Clark gang before the millennium, many more B.C. citizens must be prepared to put their free hours, talents and smarts where their mouths were at Cloverdale, Terrace and Prince George. In short, it’s time for the thou- sands of “had enoughs” roaring for fast relief in packed stadiums to get off their burts and work for it personally. Q249 MORE THAN 45 artisans from the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast will make the 3rd annual St.Catherine’s, Capilano, Arts & Crafts Fair at 1058 Ridgewood, North Van the best yer — runs 10 am to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dee.5, including well known Festive Foods Booth and coffee/snack room, 343 WRIGHT OR WRONG: Always remember you're unique — just like everyone else. ” a HOW TO REACH US: ‘North Shore Mews, founded in 1969 as an Mdzpendent suburban newspapes 30g quaihed under Schedule 111. 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