AE LACK ARMBAND time, sports fans. For now approacheth the winter sports season of absolute discontent. Major Of investing previously allotted sports- watching time in family pursuits. Of pondering a sports-reduced diet. Canada Ta MRE DONTE AT needs tax reform now Dear Editor: The average Canadian would like to think of our nation as one of compassion and generosity, a kinder and gentler place to live. Yet the proportion of Canadians living in poverty in Canada showed an increase from 14.2% in 1980 to 16.0% in 1991. This represents 4,227.G00, an increase of 877,000 since 1980. The last layer of the income safety net (welfare) now exceeds two mil- lion. The crisis can only continue with the present economic policy with which the Canadian govern- ment has become infatuated. The fortunate people who have employment have reason to gripe, too, The longitudinal Statistics Canada labor market survey (1986- 87) showed that even during rela- tively goad times (1986-87), 22% of jobs paid less than $5 an hour. 40% paid less than $7, and only 17% of low wage workers moved to higher paying jobs in that period, So much for greater exports cre- ating wealth as portrayed by certain members of the business clite. The only way out of the deficit, constitutional crisis and poverty in Canada is to build a new economic state. To paraphrase that great Canadian Tommy Douglas, “we must reach for a new Jerusalem.” This means all Canada’s people must construct a new identity — one based on mixed economic prin- ciples that include labor, govern- ment and business. The most vital component is real tax reform. C'est la vie, mon ami! Sidney A. Waite North Vancouver Don't forget socks, Jacques Dear Editor: Re: Parizeau’s deluded vision. The little would-be-Napoleons a la Quebec (or modern-day freedom fighters?), Monsieurs Parizeau and Bouchard —- whining and threaten- ing the country and beyond of secession from the rest of Canada in deluded peacock-mentality — gMOLSS “We’re committing a crime against our young people.” North Vancouver District Coun. Ernie Crist, pushing for a ban on violence piped into homes via television sets, on its impact may very well find themselves in the great outdoors of their self- inflicted “Little St. Helena” one of these days. So, have that knapsack ready and don’t forget to pack a pair of warm socks, you may get cold feet. G, Fernandes North Vancouver of the week the North Shore and Vancouver. (From an Oct. 9 North Shore News story.) “We challenge our kids at 2 much earlier age to take on The stubborn greedheads on either side of the NHL contract dispute have driven each other into a narrow alley with few exits. The longer they remain at loggerheads the more damage will be done to Canada’s national sport and the less interested will be the public, who will learn to live without The Game. Fer all its hype and heated action, profes- sional sport is only a game —~ a highly com- petitive, big-money affair — but only a game. Those who will really be hurt by the NHi. stalemate are the regular wage-slaves and businesses directly involved in servicing and marketing hockey. Everyone else can take a deep breath and get on with getting a life. responsibility than is dome at a traditional high school and they love it.” Warren Hicks, principal of West.Vancouver's Hillside mid- dle school, on presenting chal- lenges to students in his school. (From an Oct. 12 North Shore News story.) on youth. (From an Oct. 14 league baseball is but a fond memory; North Shore News story.) National Hockey League action has hit the showers early. The stream of national sports blood, sweat and tears is slowing to a trickle. But there is light at the end of the television tunnel. - The respite from viewing the.contests of millionaires gives ail fams and former fans a chance to reflect on life beyond the stands and the Lazy-Boy recliner rocker. With apologies to Lewis Carroll: The time has come, the walrus said, to think of many things. Of taking in the wide range of local ama- teur sports events pinyed every week all over the North Shore, as previcusly advised in this space. “Politicians and bureau- crats are locked in their own tunnel vision. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out we have a car problem but it won’t change until the public demand a new direction. You can get more votes if you build more roads, more bridges to accom- modate more cars and this is killing us.” North Vancouver District Coun. Ernie Crisi, arguing in support of a proposal to build a light rail transit link connecting “Et feels good to break the egg against these guys.” CP Rebels team baseball coach Mike Schemmer, on beat- ing their rival, the North Shore Twins. (From an Oct, 12 North Shore News sports story.) Valerie Stephenson Classified Manager 986-6222 (202) MEMBER Trixi Agrios Promotions Manager 985-2131 (137) Linda Stewart Sales & Marketing Director 980-0514 (319) Poter Kvamstrom Display Manager 980-0511 (103) Chris Johnson Timothy Renshaw Operations Manager Managing Editor 985-2131 (141) 985-2131(116) North Shore News, founded in 1969 as an independent suburban newspaper and qualified under Schedule 111, Faragraph 111 of the Excise Tax Act, is > “lished each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday by North Shore Free Press Lid. and distributed to every door on the North Shore. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No, 0087238. Mailing tates available on request, Submissions are Subseripti weloome but we cannot accept responsibility for SUbscriptions unsolicited material including manuscripts and = Fay pictures which should be accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. Doug Foot Comptrotier 985-2131 (133) Petor Spock Publisher 985-2131 (101) Of NORTH AND WUT VANCOUVER Display Advertising 980-0511 =4 Real Estate Advertising 985-6982 Classified Advertising 986-6222 985-2131 986-1337 986-1337 985.3227 985-2131 tens = = . 2 a. Newsroom 197 4 SUND, BDAY * FRIDAY 1139 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver B.C. V7M 2H4 North Shore Managed Distribution 61,582 (average circulation, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday) Administration Entira contents © 1994 North Shore Free Press Ltd. All rights reserved.