30 - Friday, May 30, 1007 = North Shore Nows Reynolds rapped on pension Prune page 4 In faet, the ‘Tories asked Reno to pur it iy writing in trout of the standing room only crowd of more than 400 peuple AL the meetligs, truce Pollock, a PC volun teer, took the (laor and made the request. When Reynolds declined and Pollock refised to step away frond the micros phone, a Reform supporter in the front row walked over and shoved fin iy the shoulder, Pollock lefi the gym and nothing more became of te However, another Tory: trled unsuccessfully to get Reynolds 10 put his name an the dotted line before the end of the question petiod. This leaves St. Germain with some questions about why Reynolds won't sign the letter, he isa trie Reformer and not fuse in it for the maney, then what's the big deal “This is just a moral com- ee ee ee mitment,” said St, Gerntain, Not so says Reynolds, The former radio talk show host who fives in Lions Bay says signing any written promise will violate the Elections Act, “It’s illegal and [ would lose my. seat,” said Reynolds calling for St. Geemain's sen- “ae resignation for encourag- ifg Tones to break the law, No stranger to the Jaw is Dave Thomas, the PC candi- date and attorney since 1988, Although he would normally be paid quite handsomely for his counselling; Thomas gen- crously offers some free advice to Reynolds, “He doesn’t have to cash the cheques,” Thomas said, “Or he could give them to charity.” ‘Tf the Tories pull off an upset in this riding, which looks like a head-to-head horse race between the Reform and Liberals, would he collect the pension? “I don’t think I would, no,” said Thomas, “l’m 35, I’ve never even heard the sword pension.” " Phil Boname, the Liberal challenger, agrees the pension plan in its current form is sim- ply too lucrative and enticing for people in politics for the money, ' footw aa wy eevee ts PNA ae ba o ‘Y ; ' NEWS photo Cindy Goodman: WHO says epathy characterizes the 1997 election? A full house greeted West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast politiclans at Irwin Park elamentary. Candidates draw a crowd By Steve Braverman Contributing Writer A standing room-only crowd in a poorly ventilated venue wasn’t the only reason why a West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast all-candidates meeting on Tuesday became a heated affair, Audience members in the tepid gym of Irwin Park elementary school grilled the candidates on a wide range of issues. As for solutions to the country’s problems, they nearly ran the alphabet from accountability to yoga, (That one, of course, came from David Grayson of the Natural Law Parry.) Not nearly as preposterous, but almost as unpop- ular, are the plans Clark Banks has for the country if his New Democratic Party forms government. But give him credit for having the guts to endorse an excess profits tax to large companies at this meeting, sponsored by the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. ; ‘ The evening didn’t get truly interesting until the speech making and puftball questions from the mod- erator were complete. That’s when candidates were tested to think on their feet fielding questions from Most Reformers opt out , JOHN Reynolds, the Reform party candidate for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast, is being pressured by the Progressive Conservatives to forfeit federal pension benefits if he’s elected. Nearly all Reform MPs — 50 of 51 to be exact — have opted cut of the pension plan they say is too rich. ‘ But Reynolds says it’s the law for him to make pension con- tributions in return for benefits. So how would Reynolds quali- Aang how much would he be entitled to in benefits? Holly Thompsoa, a communications director for the Progressive Conservatives, had researchers in Ottawa look up the requirements, She says an MP needs co make pension con- tributions for at least six years of service. This leaves the former Social Credit cabinet minister 13 months short after serving in the House of Commons from Oct. 30, 1972, to Sept. 4, 1977, for the Tories in Burnaby-Delta- Richmond. ~ “Reynolds would also have to repay pension contributions he cashed in to the tune of nearly $30,000 in order to be eligible, Thompson says. In return, he would receive a $15,000 annual pension that will accrue by 4% annually, Pensions are payable in fullto MPs no later than age 55, They cs arg fully indexe pensions in the private sector, AYLORMOTIV SERVICE LT0. - B.C.A.A. - A.R.A. & GOVT. APPROVE against inflation and grow at twice the rate of “EROS et i 5 NSA SW EA pte ba 4 " x i Bi Savrbhiny aal aiyct melee ats the floor. ; Most were directed at the Reform party’s John Reynolds and Liberal Phil Borame. A Progressive Conservative supporter wanted Reform candidate John Reynolds to sign a document, promising not to collect the pension. Reynolds refused, This North Shore News feature keeps you continuously updated on COOLING TECHNICIANS iR CONDITIONING & COOLING GOVT. AIR COW. LICENSE OUR 39TH YEAR 176 PSMBERTON AVE. N.VAN, TALK YELLOW PAGES. 299-9900 L7L41S15.. ESTIMATES CONSULTATION 985-7455 local golf trends and tips to improve your game or keep you at par. Boname also took his share of lumps when some- one brought up the subject of Bill C-91. This legis- lation passed by the the Liberals to restrict the sale of generic drugs affects many retired people in the rid- ing. Name brand prescriptions cost more.” But the microscope shifted back to! Reynolds where it stayed most of the night because he’s the only candidate with a past political record to dissect. Part of that past includes a man named Richard Moore who was at the meeting, Moore accused Reynolds of evicting him from his property. Reynolds responded saying Moore was living on | the land illegally and ignored multiple ‘warnings to leave the area from local authorities.” But does anything raised at the meeting change the way constituents may vote? : “No,” said Don Walzak who will vote Reform. “Tm already familiar with most of the parties’ plat-. forms, but | wanted to hear what they had to say.” Maurice Bourke, a retired small businessman, was . ° teetering between Reynolds and Dave Thomas, the Progressive Conservative candidate. But what: he heard moved him over to one side permanently. “Dm leaning toward Thomas,” said Bourke. “I don’t believe the long-term solution will be Reform. Across Canada if the Conservatives get a foothold, they'll have a better chance in the next election.” This feature will highlight the celebration of caring for our pianet, country and neighbourhood. June 2nd to 8th is a week to be aware of your surroundings.