Doug Collins @ get this straight © IF MARY Collins the Capilano MP disapproves of something that the government of British Columbia does, she should at least show a bit of local loyalty and keep her mouth shut about it in parliament. But no, she barges on regardless. She is Tugboat Annie of North Shore politics and the Brian Baloney toady of the year. Recently, she roasted the pro- vincial government for having tried to get a few tax bencfils for people who invested in SkyTrain. Why her statement didn’t make headlines [ don’t know. But it didn’t. However, my scaly cye has fallen upon the relevant issuc of Hansard, and it is clear from what she said that she cares as much about local and provincial interests as a dog cares about kit- tens. Here is her statement: “Mr. Speaker, it is inappro- priate when companies or in- dividuals try to manipulate the tax system and take advantage of f tax provisions that are clearly in- § tended for a different purpose. It is particuarly reprehensible when other levels of government at- A .xcanpt to use the tax system so i inappropriately. , ‘Thus it was with a great sense of disappointment that we learn- ed last weekend that the province of British Columbia had under- taken a public financing of their SkyTrain project, making unintended use of a special pro- vision in the tax system and thereby striking at the very integ- § rity of the tax system. “I was also amazed to learn that the province of British Col- umbia had not followed normal procedures of consultation with the federal finance minister be- fore proceeding. Certainly this leaves the impression of a pro- vincial government trying te pull a fast one, and demeans gov- ernment in the eyes of the public. | applaud the minister of finance for his quick, decisive action in f closing down this blatant misuse 1 of the tax system.”’ She docs, does she? Well, I call the Collins” pronunciamento a blatant example of sucking up to i the prime minister at the expense of British Columbians. . Would. Quebec have been stamped on by Ottawa so promptly if it had thought up a similar plan? Would the Capilano MP have oon Li. any if ee : i ‘| WHEN ONLY THE BEST WILL DO... NDERSTANDING. ' tee 0/ off all drapery taken Quebec to task? Has she ever had a word to say about Baloney’s bare-faced plot to build a prison on his home territory, to mention only one of his little scams? She has not. But she rises in wrath when some Western pea- sants stand to make a buck. What she doesn’t know or doesn’t want to know about is that tax “‘loopholes’’ are there to be used. There is nothing wrong or ‘“‘demeaning’’ about them. So if provincial Finance Minister Me) Couveiier was smart enough to detect one that could be used by the people of this province via SkyTrain, more power to him. Two columnists down East took leave of their senses a few weeks ago and rated Collins as being among the !0 best backbenchers. What they didn’t explain was that what she is best for is the East. But take heart. One of these days you'll have a chance to tell Tugboat Annie to take a train back to Toronto. nat Here is a bit of Ottawa gossip I get from a chap I trust. The § item is unconfirmei, but is too good to pass up. Remember those stories about the Baloneyites’ taking blood plasma with them on their trip to Southern Africa? The idea was | that if they had an accident and needed a blood transfusion, they § wouldn’t run any risk of catching an African AIDS virus. The prime minister’s office denied the story. But an Ottawa contact told me the other day there was even more to it than that. Three guys from the depart- J ment of external affairs had been assigned to the trip, he said, only } because they were of the same blood types as Brian, Mila, and a third party. How did my man know? Because he had dinner with one of the three, and was told about it. That’s what they call blood on | the hoof. an Vand upholstery zs f fabrics. 3 1060's of designer + fabrics to choose | Vertical Blinds “Minis - Micros - Pleated Shades WHY WAIT G WEEKS! Locally made in 2 weeks _\s:——-— with lifetime warranty 926-8819 "West Vancouver © IMPAIRED House limits ‘unlawful’ 1987 Autop Banner Barrymore Bentley Burlington COUNTER ATTACK PROGRAM DRIVING KILLS jy — DON’T BE 9 - Wednesday, February 25,1987 - North Shore News TAKE THE fong way not the wrong way was the theme of a conference on drinking and driving organized by Sutherland Secondary School’s Counter Attack program recently. Panelists included, from left to right, Irwin Oostindie from the Canadian Federation of Students, Joan Stephens, ICBC manager of community programs, and North Vancouver RCMP Cst. Rick Brown. NORTH VANCOUVER District solicitors have advised council that @ proposal to restrict house size via a restrictive covenant on a parcel of land located on Ramsay Road would be unlawful. Neighboring property owners are opposed to the proposed down-zoning of the parcel from RS3 to RS4. District’s legal counsel advised SAM-9PM AUTOPLAN REMINDER Coverage has changed for equipment in recreational vehicles and for sound and communication equipment and some other permanently attached items. Please refer to the an Motorist Kit for details and check with your Autoplan agent to be sure you have the coverage you need. JOIN OUR FLOCK OF SATISFIED CLIENTS imperial Hardings Kobefab Northwest Bremworth Coronet Cavco Domcor A SILLY GOOSE — REMEMBER TO RENEW YOUR Qluftopllan "AT YOUR FRIENDLY AND EFFICIENT INSURANCE AGENCY £3. Irwin & Billings Insurance Agency ae 1900 Lonsdale Ave. 988-1148 SPECIAL HOURS EWws phote Stuart Davis that council had no authority to impose house size restrictions on specific parcels of land and discriminate between lots within the same zone. Mayor Marilyn Baker instructed staff Monday to ask for the solici- tors’ opinion regarding municipal act amendments regarding differ- ing siting circumstances within RS4 zoning. Olympia Princo Sterling ’ Venture “Before you buy, give us a try” BRADSHAW CARPETS LIMITED 926-0413 907-15th Street, West Vancouver, B.C. pay