B4 - Sunday, December 26, 1982 - North Shore News OTTAWA (UPC) - The federal government will proceed with plans for the long promised natural gas pipeline in the Maritimes, but the gas may ‘not come from western Canada as had been’ planned, Energy Minister Jean Chretien said. “There’s no sense in shipping. the gas from western Canada if they have gas in. Nova Scotia,” the minister said trecently following a House of Commons energy committee meeting. Chretien added that the Maritime. pipeline could be “reversable”, that is, able to ship gas from the Maritimes to points west. In other matters, Chretien said any agreement with Newfoundland concerning ownership of offshore resources would not have to be permanent. “Perhaps the problem is that we've wanted a per- manent system,” Chretien said. “My view is that we should not try to solve the problem for 100 years.” “Nothing is forever,” he added. “Maybe we could have an agreement that could be reviewed in 20 years.” Chretien said he would be willing to try again to settle the long running dispute with Newfoundland over control of offshore resources, but only if there were no preconditions set down for negotiations. “It's important fer Canada and even more important for ‘Newfoundland that we solve the problem,” he said. “We should find a _ reasonable solution, and I'm willing to find a common ground.” When asked by reporters whether the federal government could override Newfoundland’s objections over an offshore agreement, Chretien replied: “Con- stitutionally speaking, we have the right to disavow any law by any province. But we never use it.” Later New Democratic Party MP Ian Waddell suggested that Chretien was threatening Newfoundland. “The minister said today... that Ottawa could use its constitutional powers to solve the dispute,” he said. “That's the wrong approach; he shouldn't be making threats.” Waddell also called for joint management of Newfoundland’s resources ‘with a neutral arbirator should any dispute occur between both parties. Chretien also told the committee that the federal government has lowered its’ sights in planning. massive energy projects such as the Alsands heavy oil project in Alberta, which was scuttled earlier this year. “We've reduced our ambitions somewhat,” he said. “There are a lot of projects on hand - not mega- products but big projects - and they'd be worth billions if they come on-line.” Chretien was optimistic about the state of Canada’s energy industry next year. Things are not perfect, but we're moving in the right direction,” he said. “The oil and gas industry will be avant-garde in economic recovery in Cana The minister said that on Nov. 24 (the latest available data) 379 of the 489 oil rigs available in Western Canada were operating. “And my bias will be to use as much Canadian oil as possible.” Building Your Tax Shelter (annual Prod for small business About 25 percent of 10,000 businesses surveyed by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said major lending institutions demand the right to claim too many assets as security for loans. The results were released . in five cities across Canada. They indicated that the major complaints by small and medium sized businesses was a lack of knowledge about small business needs ‘and demands for “excessive” loan collateral. “We have long believed that small business deserves a better break from our financial institutions, and this new information strongly supports this view,” CFIB president John Bulloch said in Toronto. In Vancouver, CFIB legislative affairs officer Barbara Morrison said the average collateral pledged on business loans was 279 id, compounded quarterly, 11.46%) Start buildng your tax shelter today with a credit union RHOSP. The plan that saves on taxes while you save for your own home. Deduct up to $1,000 a year from your taxable income and get a competitive rate of interest on your deposit. Call your credit union today and get the facts you need to know. We have the answers. A credit union RHOSP — The Plan of 9 Lifetime. Deadline December 31 No Lonsdale Branch 986-4321 Five branches serving North Vancouver Lynn Valley Branch Marine Dr. Branch Village Branch 1100 Lonsdale Ave. 1247 Rosas Road 1080 Marine Dr. 0-6556 | 986-1116 North Shore Community Credit Union Dollar Branch 3131 Edgemont Blvd. 399 Dollarton Hwy. North 985-8221 929-8 AMI the. amount borrowed. Some new compani have pledged four times the value of a loan. “The study shows these excessive collateral requirements are a function of bank loan officers having insufficient training in business finance relative to the training of foreign percent of banking Officers,” Morrison said. “Excessive collateral requirements are used to paper over the fundamental structural problems in Canadian banking,”’ Morrison said. “The major problems for the small businesses with the banking system lies in the lack of 1982. well prepared below. dinner guests. A New Look toa Familiar Place The Westlake Lodge, now called Cypress Park Resorts is under new ownership 8 of Nov. 4, The new management invites you ito sample the strong emphasis on warm service and fresh food The resort has 11 guest rooms, a restaurant, lounge & bar, couched In a massive cedar log building with impressive fireplaces. The lodge view Is of the Vancouver inner harbor 3,000 ft. Situated on Hollyburn Mtn., and from the highway and to downhill and X- country ski areas provided gratis to lodge and intimate evenings the house speciality. Dinner by reservation only. OPEN FOR NEW YEAR'S LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE continuity with a bank manager due to transfers’and his lack of training about the specific problems of the small businessman.” Since 1977 the use of collateral has increased for smaller loans, while its use has declined for larger borrowers, Morrison added. The survey found the level of satisfaction across the country by small businessmen was greatest at the Royal Bank, where 60.6 percent of the respondents were pleased with services rendered. The Bank of Montreal received the lowest rating of the five major banks with satisfaction expressed by 54 percent. transportation to