a second opinion TORIES travelling to Winnipeg for last 4 weekend’s policy con- ention didn’t, know what te expect. They were prepared for Feither an exercise in nostalgia, Ma an acrimonious meeting o @ dispirited party activists or a political wake. Instead, the Progressive Conservatives, almost obliterated in the last federal election, came away from Winnipeg. reinvigorated, Shopefil that their once-great tional party is poised to eturn to respectability. _ Will McMartin, who in 41993 ran unsuccessfully for 4 the: Tories in North y Vancouver, says: “What amazed me was the enthusi- asm _of the delegates. It was Bre ally a a very dynamic conven- tion.” McMartin was especially impressed by the {Conservative party’s youth wing, which made ‘up a full ird of the 1,500 D registered sense view (eae Wed. ‘Aug. 1) shiotld be acted on imme- diately.; If he or concerned officials, care :to write to my friend’ the- president of. The Australian. {nstitute |. {Hospital Engineers, Brice Noseda, 2. ourt, : Templestowe, Mr. crated at delegates at the meeting. He says that the vouth delegates were well organized and clearly to the political right of those in attendance. “But there was no attempt to stile debate,” says McMartin. “And that differentiates us from the Reform Party which doesn’t tolerate dissent and doesn’t have many young party members.” He says that party leader Jean Charest was extremely well received by the assem- bled Tories: “He’s a genera- tion younger than the other party leaders he'll face in the election campaign and that’s a powerful message for us and for young, people as we head toward the next century.” Will McMartin was so pumped up upon his return trom Winnipeg I couldn’t resist asking him if he’s tempted to run again as 3 Progressive Conservative can- didate in the upcoming elec- tion. “I hope to ke actively involved in the campaign,” he says, “but not as a candi- date.” Mary Collins also attended the policy conference. The former Tory cabinet minister and MP for Capilano-Howe Sound who was unseated in the last election met with almost a hundred of her for- mer elected colleagues at Winnipeg. But she was more , impressed by the many new of Cipora *. Melbourne, Victoria, 2106-—. - fic would supply 4 Mhelipad ‘at Melbourn’s largest hs hat y ssentation on his proj ‘Hospital’ Engineers Gonference in Edmonton, a tought off ail the “naysayers?” — NIM- tails of the., . BYS, politicos, fire officers, financiers, Greenies ete. The landing pad straddles a. busy thoroughfare with double track streetcars, The deck level is at the operating . rooms “whose sraff meet the “chop- per? with a trolley headed straight for the OLR. table, coat faces at the meeting, especial- ly the youth delegates. She also says that Jean Charest's leadership was unquestioned. “Thank God for Jean!” was the most common refrain she heard at the conference — along with: “We can hardly wait for the campaign and the leaders’ debates!” Collins says that Charest studiously avoided even men- tioning the word Reform ‘uring the weekend. “Reformers believe that gov- ernment is bad and must be minimized,” she says. “Progressive Conservatives believe there is a cole for gov- ernment, but it must be defined.” By steering a moderate course under Jean Charest’s leadership, the Tories seem closer to the governing Liberals than to the Reform Party of Canada. Yet Charest saved his barbs and attacks for the Chretien Liberals, whom he one day hopes to rival again as a national force. Right now the best prospects for the Tories to win seats in the next election are in Ontario and Adiantic Canada. The chances tor the party’s revival in British Columbia, however, appear remote. When I asked Mary Collins if she would consider running again, she responded with a laugh: “Pia not a masochist!” At the policy convention, own Under The Aussies have their share of mad drivers but the medical people are adamant that their cnances of saving _ accident lives are high, if they can land them at the O.R. by any means within 20 minutes before they go into shock: The model for Lions Gate Hospital is already in place, in a country where private hospi- tals and “the nwo tier system” works to everyone’s satisfac- tion, For 1). years prior to my retirement in 1987, TE was the medical products representa- tive of the company serving Lions Gate Hospital with oxy- gen and medical gases. Prior to thar TP served the Alfred Hospital Melbourne, with the saree multi-national company. Russell C. Shelton West Vancouver ncouraging the Leader in Your Daughiter the Tories renewed their commitment to declaring Quebee a distinct society, It has been suggested that this will hart them in B.C, But the Liberals are equally com- mitted to the same principle and they're currently the run- away leaders in opinion polls in our province, positioned for their biggest break- through on the west coast since Trudeaumania in 1968, Perhaps more important for the Tories is the commit- ment made in Winnipeg to a reduction in taxes. This policy plank may have a strong appeal in many regions of the country and could allow them to rival Reform in west- ern Canada. The one certainty in the altermath of the recent con- vention is that there won’t be any union of the Tories and Reformers to take on the dominant Liberals. In fact, with all political parties seem- ingly moving to the centre, competing for roughly the same policy turf, there’s no longer a right to unite in our country. The North Shore News believes strongly in freedom of speech and the right of all sides ina debate to be heard. The colterninists published in ‘the News present differing points of view, but those views are nor necessarily those of the newspa- per itself. ‘The Sund undowner| RESTAURANT { "on spectacular Howe Sound” } SUNDAY BRUNCH from 1 1am-2pm, SUNDECL from 1lam-Sunset DAILY DINNER Daily from Spm FOR RESERVATIONS CALL Individually custom designed sleep systems FLEXWOOD SS CUS FOR St. ¥ SYS TIIM g Our systems will give y you the best sleep of a your life, meen fram '740 complete if q King from ‘950 complete SAVINGS... Special homeowner premium discount up to 40% . For ano obligation quote, call us 7 DAYS A WEEK A 1705 Marine Drive S yee Ne FREE... Norih Vancouver 990-0808 Chris Carter “Financial Advisor. cue CHIP VRIN RINGS Marnber. of cire Call Chris Carter 925- 5565 (24 HRS) ™ Blue Chip Thinking i isa trademark of MWC : Looking ‘for controversy . BOUGS SOLLING every Wednesday & Sunday ACQUM.S. we, like you, strongly believe that every girl deserves the opportunity to realize her many potentials. It’s a life long process ard it begins carly. We aim to provide: * an oppartunity for students to thrive in a school which delights in their unique suenpths, nilents and abilities. © a stimulating and safe environment for both boarding and day students, set ap twenty-seven wooded acres. * 4 solid academic foundation leading to a rigorous preparation for . university. oa unique equestrian progsin GH CAM pus for the recreatconal beginner and the more serious rider. _¢ $0 National and Regional Scholarships from $3,000 to bal - tuition from Grades 6-12. The Head of School, Dr. Stephen M. Johnsen, welcomes you to “Come Join Us” QUEE N MARGARET’S SCHOOL Treasure . | “K-3 éo-ed, 4-12 girls, Day and Boarding *80 PRIZES TO BE WOR! 660 Brownsey Avenue, Duncan, B.C. V9L 1C2 10 entry Fee i te, (100% Entry Fee to Charity); ‘ALL US TO REGISTE! Sunday, Sept, 1