BRITISH COLUMBIA

Weighing
choices
im W. Van

BY JAN NOBLE
News Reporter

ONLY ONE of a sextet of
Ambleside: amblers has
decided who will get his or
her vote.

But Lyall Powers’ decision won't
have any provincial politicos dancing
_ ajig. His vote is going to Bill Clinton.

The response from the Ann Arbor,
Michigan, resident came in stark con-
trast to that of local voters enjoying a

bs Aerie
NEWS photos Brad Ledwkige ~

RESIDENTS WALKING in the Ambleside areg Monday remain in a holding pattern. None of those ;
interviewed by the News were ready to commit to a party or candidate in the May 28 election.

hotline
THE NORTH Shore News
“wants your input in the current
election campaign.
_, The newspaper has set up a
special I Election ‘96 hotline to
find out what North Shore resi-
derits think are the real issues
facing British Columbians. : :
Call 985-213! and select the
political hotline option. Then tell
us what issue is of most impor-
tance to you in the current elec-

ing any of the candidates.

Sandra Richardson, a 27-year resident of West
Vancouver, said the way the party leaders are acting
is depressing.

“J had hoped for a higher standard of behavior.”
she said. “I’m really disappointed in Glen Clark's
party. I was just hoping for something better. I don’t
know why.”

Richardson said she's studying party platforms ;
and has not been captivated by any politician so far.

Alexandra Young, fike Bull, is still on a fact-
finding mission.

“I'm going to read up about it and sec what |

“For ine, it will
be Ddetween the
three main nartics
because I don’t
think the others

Monday afternoon walk in the area of Ambleside
Landing.

"Most remain firmly perched on the fence, wait-
ing for more information before they commit them-
selves to a party or candidate.

_. North Vancouver retiree Juan Benitez, however, are any good.” she
certainly knows who won’t be getting his vote. sitid.

“I’m not going to vote for the NDP, that’s for But — Gloria
sure,” he said, The 17-year B.C. Hydro employee Maquignaz, also
said the province has historically made a lot of of West Vancou-
progress under the Socreds, but he realizes they are ver, likes the
a tong shot. leader of one of

“It’s too bad the Socreds are almost dead, but the small parties

maybe they can come back,” he said.

Benitez expects the New Democrats to win the

election as the numerous opposition parties split the
vote.
: -< West Vancouver resident Marion Ball puts her-
self firmly in the undecided category. She's read-
ing, watching and thinking, but still hasn't decided
between the Liberals, NDP and Reform Party.

most of all — Progressive Democratic Alliance
leader Gordon Wilson.

She'd like a change from the NDP because
Premier Glen Clark’s offered too many giveaways,
but she hasn't decided who will get her vote: “Our
choices aren't great. As much as -+2'd like to vote
for the Liberals I'm not sold on Campbeli.”

Maquignaz added she’s having trouble believ-

think.” said Young. who will be voting for the first

time in Canada.

She recently returned from four months of tray-
el and has yet to see anything that would get her to
lean toward a specific party.

Meanwhile, Powers suid, “Bob Dole scares the
life out of me. I'd vote for the NDP if they were

down there.”

BY TIMOTHY RENSHAW
Managing Editor

ELECTION ‘96 is as much about your

basic democratic right. of free expression as
it is about the economy, the environment,
health care, education; responsibie govern-
ment or any other issue.

And free expression is not what the NDP government is
about.

Mis all about Big Government knowing what is best for
you.

And that is bad.

Free speech should be on the top of every voter's list of
priorities, because from free expression flows all other
aspects of an open and democratic society.

Unfortunately for B.C. the NDP socialists have consis-
tently instituted legislation that undermines basic principles
of free expression.

Too often it gets in the way of NDP socialist dogma and
the phoney potitics of pleasantness.

Free speech is a damned annoying thing.

it aliows everyone to have a say. It allows people to say
things that other people find upsetting.

And for chronic do-gooders that is offensive. Better to
limit the field of discussion chan to risk offending someone
with an idea or opinion.’

One small catch, however: free expression is an all or
nothing affair.

There is no partial option.

You either have it or you don't.

“'Fdeas cannot be legislated out of existence. They live
and die under the bright light of public scrutiny.

.:-That concept continues to elude the NDP.

- Three bills in particular instituted during its reign under-
line that unsettling ideological outlook:
@ Bill 28, the Election Act. which restricts to $5,000 the
umount of money individuals or groups other than regis-
‘tered political partics can spend supporting or opposing

candidates or expressing their views during
provincial elections. The arbitrary spending ceil-
ing represents a drop in the bucket province-
wise and, in effect. is a gag Jaw. The legislation
seriously impairs the public's right to know and
its right to express opin.”

ion during a most criti-

cal period jn the democ-

ratic process.

W Bill 33. the 1993

Human Rights Act.

which restricts the publi-

sation or open discussion of material that “indi-
cates discrimination” or is “likely lo expose a
person or group of persons to hatred or con-
tempt.” The vaguely worded legislation is
policed by a non-elected Human Rights Council
empowered to apply hefty penalties upon those
tuled to have violated the legisiation. The North
Shore News, for example, has waited with the Sword of
Damocles hanging over its neck for the past 18 months as
the council ponders 4 complaint lodged against the newspa-

NOP’s

per. ;
@ Bill 32, the new Human Rights Amendment Act, which
empowers an odious Human Rights Commission to harass
the press and other media by seeking out alleged Human
Rights vivlations or complaints about discrimination, be
they rea! or perceived. without 4 complainant.
Investigations can be Jaunched by the Commissioner of
Investigation and Mediation against a newspaper without
“reasonable and probable cause” and news media can be
required to turn over ail documents retatiag to any investi-
gation Jaunched by the non-elected cormmissioner.
The bill provides for no trial by impartial judge or jury. All
three members of the Human Rights Commission are parti-
san political appointments by the provincial Cabinet. The
commission, in effect, becomes an arm of the govermient
empowered to censor public discussion.

Though they deal with separate issues, the three bills are
really slices of the same rank political cheese.

And though their supporters would argue the bills are
aimed at creating a better overall good they alt miss s the

THE ELECTION Act and other
islation passed during the

term. of offica have
applied gags to free expreasicn.

tion campaign.
Be as brief as possible, and

leave your name, phone number,
age and area of residence.

Also leave us a question
you'd like asked of the various
North Shore candidates. We'll
ask them for answers and publish
the results in upcoming issues of
the News. Your questions will
alse be posed as the News joins
Shaw Cable to cover the election.,

| mark by a wide margin.) |

They all devalue the worth of
open discussion.

They all subvert the public” s
right to know. 2

The Election Act, for ex mple:
is restricting the right of citizens to
bring issues to public attention dur-.
ing this ciestion campaign. :

Tt has given established political .
parties an election campaign
monopoly on public discussion.

‘Their agendas alone dictate pub-
lic debate. .

And that is bad.

The amendments to the Human
Rights Act, meanwhile, limit the
field of public discussion any time.

And that is bad.

Bills 28, 33, 32 constitute a trio of bad bills that should
never have become law.

And they are not just the work of the NDP.

MLAs from other political parties voted in favor of all
three bills. On the North Shore, for example. West
Vancouves-Capijano Libera} MLA Jeremy Dalton voted for
Bilt 32. as did Liberal leader Gordon Campbell.

North Vancouver-Lonsdale NDP MLA David Schreck.
of course, voted for all three bills.

Bills 28, 33 and 32 are offensive infringements on the
right of free expression for the North Shore News, the
North Shore, the Lower Mainland and the rest ef B.C.

The North Shore News has therefore embarked on an
outspoken advertising campaign to draw attention to this
badly flawed legislation.

With apologies to Paddy Chayevsky and bis movie
Network, the North Shore News is mad as hell and is not
going to take it any more. j

Anyone else interested in his or her democratic right to
free expression should also be mad as hell. “

And they should express their anger where t will hive

the most impact.

At the bailot box. °