WHEN MR. E. Preston Manning ruined the Reform Par- ty’s chances in Capilano-Howe Sound by acting like some tin-pot dictator, he did so, he claimed, because there was ‘‘a perception’’ that I am a racist. As I told the great nomination meeting that threw his decision back in his face, the word “‘rac- ism’’ has become the most cheap- ened in the English language. It is also the weapon that sends politi- cians scurrying for cover, and en- sures there is little or no discussion on the most important issue facing Canadians. By an act of political cowardice, Mr. Manning has guaranteed that “Shouldn’t Canadians have a say as to the makeup of the popu- lation? What is the percentage of persons coming into Canada from Third World countries? Do we wish to have our culture and ethnic balance changed?” And again: ‘‘We are angered by Canada’s lunatic immigration policies, which reward lying and cheating and discriminate against legitimate applications from tradi- tional immigration sources." ‘«...the word ‘racism’ has been cheapened. A few years ago, Pierre Trudeau was calling anyone a racist who opposed bilingualism. Today, Brian Mulroney and his fellow- Quebeckers who are running this country raise the same cry.”’ things will stay that way. For you can be sure that if the politicians have had little to say about the immigration russs in the past, they will have even less to say now. Have any of the establishment candidates even mentioned this burning bomb? The Reform Party had given the appearance of being willing to face the immigration issue. That was one of the reasons I was willing to carry its banner, Here are some of the statements it made: “The Reform Party stands for complete revamping of national immigration policy to make it more suitable to Canada’s needs....”’ French school name to change A NAME change is in the works for the North Shore’s only French School, currently known as North Star School. Originally referred to as the Larson Annex, at its inception 10 years ago, the school is the loca- tion of Programme Cadre, where French is taught as a first lan- guage. “The school’s name_ has, therefore, never reflected the uniqueness that differentiates it from other schools on the North Shore,’’ submitted Claudia Crosbie, of North Star’s parents association school naming com- mittee in a letter received by School District No. 44 Tuesday. Crosbie requested permission to ho: a school naming contest. The School Naming Committee will screen the names presented and submit a potential list of names to the board for approval. School name changes are an un- common occurrence, and usually occur when a school is being phas- ed out of the system. TM Poy oben fo tal Couldn't all that give a ‘‘percep- tion’’ of racism? Just askin’. I particularly like this one, which is taken from the party’s comprehensive election platform. Mr. Manning himself signed the introductory letter. “‘There is perhaps no area of public policy where the views of Canadians have been more systematically ignored through the undemocratic structuring of politi- cal debate than the area of im- migration. Despite the cries of ‘racism,’ political change can oc- cur where political will exists....”’ Despite the cries of ‘‘racism.”’ Play it again, Sam! The program does state that immigration should not be based on race or creed. In the same breath, it adds that it should not be designed to ‘‘radically or sud- denly alter the ethnic makeup of Canada, as it increasingly seems to be. The difference between Mr. Manning and me is that I actually mean what I say about immigra- tion, while he doesn’t. He was willing to use immigration as an issue here in B.C., but took shelter behind ‘‘perceptions”’ when he had a candidate who was serious about it. His cynicism is gilt-edged. On Sept. 28 he was one of the speakers at an Immigration Association of Canada mecting in Vancouver. 1 am a member of the association, which vigorously opposes the ex- isting immigration system and de- mands that immigration should not be permitted to change this country’s cultural ethnic balance. Mr. Manning gave every ap- pearance of supporting the association’s aims. In the words of one of the organizers of the meeting, ‘‘He lapped it all up.”” All politics, | guess. And hypoc- risy. As I say, the word “racism’’ has been cheapened. A few years ago, Pierre Trudeau was calling anyone a racist who opposed bilingualism. Today, Brian Mulroney and his fellow-Quebeckers who are runn- ing this country raise the same cry. But it is not racist to back Bill 101, Quebec’s unilingual language law. What is racism? ! gave the good people of Capilano-Howe Sound a dictionary definition. Briefly, it was that a racist is a person who believes his race is superior to others. As | pointed out, [ have no such illusions. Who could imagine that we are superior to the Japanese? If anything, they are superior to us. But we have a right to maintain our ways and not to flood the country with alien cultures that will destroy social cohesion. Our rulers disagree. So does Mr. E. Preston Manning, Jeader of the Reform Party. Written briefs and oral submissions from individuals and organizations are welcome. Submissions can be made either at a public meeting or (prior to November 15/88) by writing to: Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste, c/o Ministry of Environment, Legislative Buildings, Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4. Telephone 387-9970. Z Ministry of Environment Hon. Bruce Strachan, Minister 9 - Friday, October 28, 1988 - North Shore News Come See Us at the Capilano Salmon Hatchery OCT. 29-OCT. 30 GIFT SHOP 4502 CAPILANO PARK RD. 980-FISH PROFITS FROM YOUR PURCHASES OF GIFTS & SOUVENIRS WILL GO TO _ THE ENHANCEMENT AND PRESERVATION OF SALMON & THEIR HABITAT. ste ) PACIFIC SALMON LINDATION FREE Caesar Salad or Soup of the Day | plus Our Chef’s Special Dessert Selection | with every entree ordered Between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. we offer an additional 20% OFF your tatal food bill (excluding liquor) La Paledde | Cuisine Francaise <= 774 Denman St. 681-6844 | 3 DAYS ONLY! YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MiSS IT Containers just unloaded from England & Belgium. DINING ROOM SUITES, BEDROOM SUITES, TABLES, SIDEBOARDS, WARDROBES, DRESSERS, CHINA CABINETS, JOIN OUR TASK FORCE - Garbage isa M.L.A. James Rabbitt is chairing a task force, appointed by the Minister of Environment, to review a wide range of alter- natives for the management of municipal solid waste— including recycling, litter control, energy and resource recovery and funding requirements. Recommendations will be made by the end of this year. We want your views The task force will meet with municipal and regional governments, industry, organizations and individuals to develop a provincial strategy for municipal solic waste. Meeting Locations: October 31, 1988 Abbotsford - Davy Crockett Motel November 1, 1988 North Vancouver - Lonsdale Quay Hotel - Robson Square - Best Western Coquitlam'inn - Surrey Inn Monday, Tueselay, Wednesday, November 2, 1988 Vancouver Thursday, November 4, 1988 Port Coquitlam Friday, November -i, JO88 Surrey Time: Open House at 7 p.m. Public Meeting at 8 p.m.