Sp 4- Wednesday, January 10, 1990 - North Shore News __ BoB HUNTER THE BATTLE to save the Carmanah Valley is down to the crunch. The decision whether the valley will be spared or clear-cut now rests in the hands of one man. That one man is Premier William Vander Zalm. The issue has been thoroughly aired in cabinet, with the voracious cries for destruction of the valley echoed repeatedly by various ministers who are mouthpicces for the logging industry. My sources advise me that the premier, however, is not convinced that smashing the priceless valley is a legacy he wants to leave behind. For all [ know, by the time this column is published, he may have made up his mind. C inadians like to think of themselves as nature lovers, but the fact is that we only rank 20th among the world’s nations when it comes to protecting wilderness from industrial exploitation...”’ I hope the fact that there are other pressing matters for him to consider — his political future, for instance — will not distract him from doing something monumen- tal for which he will be remembered fondly by countless future generations of peopie seek- ing peace and inspiration among the tallest remaining trees in Canada. It was Vander Zalm, after all, who made the final decision to save South Moresby — albeit under enormous pressure. But never mind that. He did come through on the side of the angels in that situation. Maybe he'll come through again. In the meantime, it is worth noting that the World Wildlife Fund’s plan to ensure the protec- tion of a network of protected wilderness areas amounting to 12 per cent of the country by the year 2000 — including Carmanah — has been endorsed by another poli- tician I don’t normally praise: fed- eral Environment Minister Lucien Bouchard. Shortly before Christmas, Bouchard endorsed the WWF’s plan to bring the amount of pro- tected areas up from the dismal 2.6 per cent that is legally covered now : to the 12 per cent recommended for every country by the Uniied Nation's Brundtland Commission. Canadians like to think of themselves as nature lovers, but the fact is that we only rank 20th among the world’s nations when it comes to protecting wilderness from industrial exploitation — this, despite the fact that we have the second largest land mass of any country in the worid. The opportunity to complete a network of parks has to be grasped within the next 10 years or it will simply be too late. The corpora- tions will have moved in and stak- ed out their turf. The minimum goal of 12 per cent represents 120 million hectares of land. At the moment, between them, federal, provincial and ter- ritorial governments have reserved only 63 million hectares and pro- tected a mere 23 million hectares. The national park system is only 54 per cent completed, with 21 of 39 natural regions covered. We have 45 national wildlife areas. Some 99 other areas have been identified as candidates for pro- tected status but remain un- protected, Monty Hummel, president of the WWF Canada, tells me that the surprising early success in con- vincing Bouchard to support the parkland means that the heat is now on the provinces to start tak- ing their responsibilities seriously to do their share. ““We have a clear mandate in terms of public opinion,’’ he observes. ‘tA Gallup Poll showed that 95 per cent of Canadians ap- prove of government spending to preserve wilderness areas. This level of support showed up across all regions of the country and among all socio-ecenamic groups. “*In addition, 93 per cent of the population say that we shouldn’t relax environmental laws for eco- nomic reasons, and 88 per cent say protecting the environment is more important than keeping prices down.”’ The success of the WWF's plan depends, he adds, on getting a highly specific park-system plan in place in every jurisdiction by the end of this year, with clear deadlines and unequivocal com- mitment of financial resouces. At least 75 per cent of the system should be in place by 1995, with 100 per cent completion by the year 2000. Interesting, Hummel notes thai while the WWF has pulled together a coalition of over 300 groups to back the plan, including repre- sentatives from industry, the only really strident, unrelenting opposi- tion they have run into — the real hardcore redneck element, if you will — are my friends in the Share B.C. organization, who were so delighted with one of my recent columns. This is not to say that outfits like the Mining Association of Canada are tickled pink — they are ‘‘dismayed’’ — but even the likes of Noranda’s Adam Zim- merman admit grudgingly to the need to preserve some areas. Zimmertnan, it should be added, offers up, by way of an excuse to delay, the transparently untrue claim that the forest companies are doing a great job of reforestation. But it is the Share B.C. people, out of all the people in Canada, who are the mosi adamant about preserving their right to exploit our natural resources in the unfettered, mindless and totally destructive fashion they have grown so ac- customed to. In the meantime, Premier Vander Zalm has the fate of the Carmanah Valley in his hands. I hope he appreciates that it is a fate far more important than his own® 20-50% OFF All work guaranteed. Expertly done tn any colour in your awn home Specialists in bathtubs. sinks, tites and major appliance reglazing Mr. Bathtub Fixer 635 47096 (12 outlets to serve you) NORTH SHORE BURNS DINNER & DANCE Everyone Welcome Call 988-8803, 683-2270 or 733-5302 For tickets & information NORTH VANCOUVER 986 0364 Wet ST VANCOUVER aq S54 Get pard while working and learning in this exciting new Co- 0p Education pregram Through direct, hands-on experience in our modern facilities and on the job you will fearn now to repair today's technologically advanced vehicles. Your skills will be in much demand by industry. Choose from two ceptions: Auto Refinishing or Auto Repair. Spaces still available until Jan. 26/90. Don't miss this opportunity! Apply today by calling 434-3304 uto Collision Repair/Refinishing Come on in! It’s Showtime! The British Columbia Buildings Corporation owns or leases almost 800 buildings from Hope to Pemberton. Every one of them, ona regular or emergency basis requires service - exactly the kind of service you may be able to provide. BCBC is looking for qualified tradespeople - companies and individuals - who can serve the Corporation, welcome the 10,000 purchase orders we issue every year and share in the budget of $40 million that is spent annually to keep these important buildings in top condition. (And we pay our bills in 30 days!) if you’ re in the business of adjusting finicky air conditioning, bringing new life to landscaping, fixing the fuses, perking up the plumbing, pouring on the paint, revitalizing the roofing, keeping your cool when the alarms go crazy in the middle of the night, you could be at the beginning of a spectacular new business opportunity. To learn more about how BCBC conducts its business, you are invited to come to the locations listed below with your resume, a summary of your rates and any other information you think might help convince us that you can cut-the-mustard as a proud BCBC Contractor. Address to write to for those not attending: Mr. Ron Campbell Manager - Regional Trades #115 - 4946 Canada Way Burnaby, B.C. V5G 4H7 su British Columbia Pg] Buildings Corporation Drop in anytime between noon and 8:00 p.m. at any of the locations listed below: JANUARY 17 Robson Square 800 Smythe Street Vancouver Meeting Room J, Third Floor JANUARY 17 Best Western Bakerview Motor Inn 1821 Sumas Way Abbotsford JANUARY 18 Best Western Rainbow Country Inn 43971 Industrial Way Sardis JANUARY 19 Coquitlam Best Western 319 North Road Coquitlam Salon A