Dear Editor: Premier Clark is a it again, grandstanding _ against the federal Liberals’ foreign assets dis- closure law. The law may, indeed, be seriously flawed. But Premier Clark’s reasons for pushing for a change “that the law deters investor immigra- tion to Canada” is just another short-sighted, anemic and hopelessly inadsquate response to B.C.’s and Canada’s economic woes. The premise for attracting investor immi- grants is that our economy is weak. Investor immigrants, it is said, provide much-necded capital and entrepreneurial talent to create jobs and prosperity. This shallow reasoning would carn a failing grade for any student of economics. In fact, the Canadian economy is weak from a succession of federal and provincial governments that have crippled it with high taxes, red tape, and general economic mismanagement. Investor immigrant policies can do nothing to offset the ills caused by decades of political bungling. . 4 (Investor immigrants have quickly learned that they face the same repressive taxes and regulations as other Canadians. The « Brigit ones have decuced that the best governance, * environmental Friday, August 7, 1998 - North Shore News - & north shore news MAIL BOX immigrant economics | House costs hijacked by NDP returns car. be gained by bringing to Canada only the minimum required to become landed immigrants, while retaining most of their hold- ings in countries with lower tax rates. Could this be why so many investor immigrants are concerned about disclosing their foreign assets? Worse, investor immigrant policies are not just an ineffective bandaid — they have hurt ordinary Canadians by importing people who outbid locals for our best real estate, assets and businesses because we're comparatively impov- ecisiied atter decades of excessive taxation. The real cure fer this is to reduce taxes anid red tape to make Canada and Canadians more internationally competitive. Selling Canadian passports to foreign entre- prencurs who then buy up our coumry at fire- sale prices is no way to cure the Canada’s fun- damental economic problems. Premicr Clark should take advantage of his government's fixed university tuition rates to learn a little about economics. I, for one, am willing to give him a 10-year sabbatical (v.ith- out pay) to do it. Rick Knowlan North Vancouver rick_knowlan@bc.sympatico.ca Today the Firse Nations Editor: ; ane is unfortunate that Russell C, Shelton so misunderstands the . situation of the First ~: Nations people when the * British first arnved:-on this con- ptinent, and the impacts of white sertlement.on the First. Nations peoples (Natives should hold a thanks to British Day, Friday, uly 24; letter to News editor). “In many ways, the natives on the, west, coast of . British stewardship and a sccicl weifare system when the Europeans arrived. They were not in a “stone age,” though certainly their way of living did nor impact upon the environment as ours does today. As for their embracing guns and knives: if neighboring tribes procure powerful weapons, you are in great peril if you do not do the same. The Europeans prompted the first North American “arms race”! people are sul dealing with the impacts of a horrible situation, notably the removal of children from. their communities and their placement in residential schools where they were forbid- den to speak their language and taught chat their native heritage: was a reason for shame. Thank us? 4 tor ones am repared to apologize for the peins of ae eeeathens” byn Newton North Vancouver Dear Editor: The Glen Clark tax raids continue unabat- ed. The latest salvo across the taxpayer’s bow is the mandatory school site charge on devel- opment. Coupled with the home warranty charge, this will add $3,800 to the price ofa new home. For our young people trying to get into the first home market, particularly in tough economic times, this is a telling blow. A government that doesn’t understand how harmful its policies are continues to dip into an empty pocket. Jeremy Dalton West Vancouver-Capilano, MLA Micro sized but mammoth sounding The Micro 9000 Theatre Speaker System from Boston Acoustics You want incredible sound and speakers you con place in your home without requiring o building permit. The problem is it’s easy to find small speakers, but nearly impossible ‘5 find a system with deep, ample bass ond smooth response. That's because it takes a lot of engineering focused on a tiny amount of space to deliver that kind of performance — a feat that Boston Acoustics has achieved in spaces! WHAT Hil-F} (UK) suid ... “Superb performance ... magnificent build ... easily the most efeciive small package we've encountered.” included are two die-cast Micro¥0z sotellites, the Micro90pv 75-watt powered subwoofer, the Miczo90c centre channel and two of Boston's award-winning VRS Micro surrounds, 4. all for only $1495 : And you can take off another #1 00 when you purchase the Boston Mico system together with a ‘NAD AN rece S For 4O'Vears- Complete Home Entevtaidment Solutions nics ie ' “Dp Camera Hern 1305 Busrard’StraetsYancouver * do watown = free What's more convenient than a bus and less expensive than a taxi? Local Minibus! For just $3.50 a trip, you can now get door to door transportation anywhere on the North Shore. "Instead of having to walk six to ten blocks tu catch a bus, we'll just come and pick you up and take you wherever you want to -go," says Gunter Schlieper, General Manager of Local Minibus. This new transportation concept has proven to be extremely successful in Hong Kong and Los Angeles, says Gunter, who hopes to see the service spread thre Local Minibus Lid. Doo; to Door Service for $3.50 "_ DAILY Commute LecaL Minisus Ltp. 872-8888 " SENIORS — t 4. enviroriment too! “If you pool and leave half dozen cars at home, it's chat much less : pollution,” he adds, With special rates for seniors and children, Local Minibus i is. available 20 hours a der, Monday through Saturday. The white minibus ..”’ identified by its green and gold: logo, shuttles. up to six passengers at a time: For on- | demand service, just give them a call at least ~, 30 minutes prior to when you want tobe picked up. Group rates are also available. la EY Special rates for seniors and children Group egtes available GoINne: SHOPPING -.