inquiring NORTH SHORE DEMCGRAPHICS Horseshoe Ba Dundarave/Ambleside British Properties Nergate/Pemberton Heights YET another government v. government court case that you, the taxpayer, will be paying for looms large — and this one will likely go all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada unless the federal govern- ment has an unexpected change of heart. Our B.C, government has decided to mount a challenge to the federal Jaw banning same-sex marriages on the basis that it contravenes Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The province’s refusal to provide a mar- riage licence to one male couple is being challenged through the B.C. Human Rights Commission. Attorney-General Andrew Petter has said the province cannot simply defy the fed- eral law, hence the chaice to let the courts decide the discrimination issues. The fed- eral Liberals handed a variety of rights to same-sex couples fast year but marriage was specifically excluded by Parliament. Fraser Valley Liberal MLA Barry Penner has labelled the NDP initiative “a political ploy to scrounge up a few more votes.” NO 36% 31% 1% 43% 45% YES 27% 20% 21% 40% 26% ON’T NO D OPINION KNOW 13% 19% 8% 17% 19% 4% 10% O% 0% 10% Hamid Nasri North Vancouver Tam new in Canada but it is common in Sweden = and Denmark. It’s very hard to answer. It’s a private issue Capilano/Delbrook Highiands Lower Lonsdale Central and Upper Lonsdale Lynn Valley 37% 55% 38% 30% 29% 23% 16% 8% 6% 11% 8% 13% Blueridge/Deep Cove 41% 27% 20% 12% COMBINED AVERAGE THE following people have appeared in North Vancouver provincial courtr Before Judge —Bill Rodgers on. May 15: ~~ Ala Rahman Juman, 52, of Burnaby, was fined $500 ‘after he pleaded guilty to: . & catching and. retaining “undersized Dungeness crabs - 28% 48% on April 6 in North Vancouver; * @ fishing without a licence. Before Judge Doug Moss on March 14: Mark Steven Washburn, 36, of North Vancouver, received nine months’ proba- tion after he was found guilty of assaulting a male on Sept. 29,1959 in North Van City. Before Judge Reginald Grandison on March 13: David Patrick Rodgers, of Squamish, was fined $300 after he pleaded not guilty to impaired driving, but instead pleaded guilty to the lesser or included: offence of driving without consideration. The original charge stemmed from a March 10, 1999 incident in West Vancouver, Before Judge William Diebolt on March 3:- Ryan Bryce Campbell, 33, of Vancouver, was jailed 10 days ard received six months’ 16% 8% probation after he pleaded guilty to: @ causing a disturbance by shouting at Capers in the 2400-biock of West Vancouver on July 25, 1999, B commiting mischief by damaging flowers belonging to Capers market. He was found guilty of assaulting a male. Before Judge Doug Moss on March 1: Roy Chiatram Singh, 54, of North Vancouver, received 12 months’ probation after he pleaded guilty to obstructing North Vancouver RCMP Const. Donovan Tait on Oct. 24, 1999 in North Van City. oe @ Craig A. Wakelin, 23, of Whistler, — receiv nine months’ probation after he pleaded guilty to possessing more than 30 grams of mari- juana on Dec. 16, 1999 in West Vancouver. not a government Is Susan Ewing North Vancouver Speaking personal! do. It’s none of our business to legislate otherwise. It’s a contentious issue that my Anglican church continues Jaimie Baker (formerly) West Vancouver No. I am opposed to same- sex marriages. The alterna- tive to a same-sex relation- ship is a life-changing rela- donship with Jesus Christ. to grapple with. Thar goes for anyone. Crisis society hopes first labour contract is ago Bob Mackin News Reporter bmackin@nsnews.com THE North Shore Crisis Services Society has reached a tentative first contract with its unionized employees. “We did not have a diffi- cult) time,” said executive director Maureen Gabriel. “We're very happy as the employer and trust that the employees will be happy.” That won't be known until the employees, members of the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union, have voted. The ratification te has nut been scheduled. NSCSS was not among the 122 community social service agencies hit by job action around the province last year. Gabriel said there was never any threat of job action during collective bargaining. NSCSS employs 20 people in 30 full-, part-time and relief positions. Terms of the agree- ment aren’t being made pub- lic, but Gabriel said support employees will earn up to $16.83 an hour by the con- tract’s expiry on March 31, 2003. Gabriel said the organiza- tion’s . annual —_ operating expenses are $1,040,000. The provincially and municipally funded organization operates a 24-hour women’s crisis hot- line, the Sage Transition Huuse and the Good. Stuff Connection donation pro- gram and thrift store. “This tentative ‘agreement provides for improvements in wages and benefits, including a pension plan and job evalua- tion plan, job security and working conditions,” said BCGEU negotiator Keith Graham in a news release Gabriel said the transition” house alone serves 290 adult women. and their -childzen. ° She said a similar number are turned away. from the emer-" - gency shelter - each’ year because of limited space. °°.