July 8, 1992 56 pages Classifieds 986-6222 Memorial canoe race UVER Office, Editoria! 985-2131 Weekly dining and entertainment guide N. Shore Now: 17 Display Advertising 980-0511 Distribution 986-1337 25¢ WEWS photo Neil Lvcente SINGLE MEN'S canoes round a turn during the Burrard Indian Band's first annual Moe Guss Memorial Cance Race and Muiticultural Event which was held in Cates Park over the weekend. The event celebrated the memory of band member Moe Guss whe was tragically killed in a Dollarton Highway accident on Sept. 9, 1990. See story page 11. Support call to opt out of Medical Services Plan if prov. gov’t doesn’t reverse Bill 71 NORTH SHORE doctors have thrown their support behind a call from the B.C. Medical Association (BCMA) to opt out of medicare as a last resort to protest a provin- cial government move to impose a cap on doctor’s salaries. BCMA president Dr. Steve ardwicke said almost half of the province’s doctors have agreed to opt out of the Medical Services Plan (MSP) if the government docs not reverse its decision to slap a ceiling on doctor’s wages. North Vancouver general surgeon Dr. Anthony Chan, the BCMA’‘s North Shore repre- sentative, said most of the area’s approximately 200 doctors said they will opt. out of the MSP as a last resort. “We're more inclined to do so By Surj Rattan News Reporter than other doctors. We don't want to do it,’ said Chan, He admitted that some patients may become upset with doctors who decide to opt out of medicare but added that doctors are left with little choice. “Everyone seems to think that all we're concerned about is our income. It’s unfortunate that the public is being snowed by (B.C. Health Minister) Elizabeth Cull. [ think the public will get angry with us,’’ Chan said. He added that North Shore doctors are more frustrated than most other doctors and that is why they have thrown their sup- port behind the BCMA’s call to opt out af the MSP as a last resort, “Ies out of sheer frustration. This government has not moved one inch. They've come out with this big club and we are angry. I’ve never seen my colleagues so angry before,"’ said Chan. While doctors at several B.C. hospitals have been holding rotating strikes to protest the pro- vincial, government's passing of 44 This government has not moved one inch. They've come out with this big club and we are angry. 99 -- North Vancouver generai surgeon Dr. Anthony Chan the controversial Bill 71 which imposes a cap on doctor’s salaries, Chan said Lions Gate Hospital (LGH) doctors have decided to take a different approach. He added that North Shore doctors will mount a_ public awareness campaign aimed at !et- ting the public know what the issues in the dispute with the gov- ernment are. “We had a mecting and the majority did not want job action. We felt’ public information is more useful,’’ Chan said a town hall meeting will be held at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver on July 16 which will feature LGH president Bob Smith, North Van- couver Dr. Warren Mayo, former BCMA president Dr. Hedy Fry, North Vancouver-Lonsdale NDP MLA David Schreck, Vancouver City medical health officer Dr, John Blatherwick and Michael Walker of the Fraser Institute. “*it (meeting) won't be sabre See Opting page 3