ICBG takes issue with union’s ad Dear Editor: The large ad placed in your March 23 edition by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIUV) is filled with mis- information on the auto insurance options Mr. Douglas Alien presented to the government car- lier this month. The union ad says changes being contemplat- ed would make ICBC the “judge, jury, and pay- master” for injured people who would be forced to accept the corporation’s decisions. This is not so, and those in the union who approved the ad were cither not paying attention to what the cor- poration or the Allen Report has been saying, or they were demonstrating a shocking lack of respect for their own members. If there are to be any changes to our current auto insurance system, there are a number of Liberal voters Dear Editor: principles that will be fundamental. One stated many times by ICBC and set out clearly in Mr. Allen’s report is that a new system must allow people to appeal any decision made by ICBC to an independent body with the authority to change that decision. There are many types of appeals system, but the one ICBC is on record as supporting would see individuals retain the right to hire a lawyer and have their day in court. The union claims about the wage-loss bene- fits presented in Mr. Allen’s report are just plain wrong. He recommends that every innocent vic- tim receive 100% of their net lost income — that is, their normal “take home pay.” In one option, his position is that those at fault should recover only a maximum of $400 per week in net lost wages. Reader’s attack on the Post Office unfounded postal employees not caring for In the other option, Allen puts a limit of $650 per week on wage-loss benefits, which would cover about 90% of wage-carners in B.C. Those earning more would be able to buy additional coverage. In either option, income replacement is paid for as long as it is needed. And income replacement payments in both options are supplemented by other benefits such as unlimited medical and rehabilitation care. Both of the Allen Report recommendations would put an end to “pain and suffering” amounts for minor, temporary injuries, which are costing us in the hundreds of millions of dollars every year. His first option would sce those with serious, permanent injuries still have the choice of suing the at-fault driver for all damages, including pain and suffering. The second uption would receive lump sum payments for “loss of function,” which would be similar to “pain and suffering” benefits. The savings from this move alone would allow ICBC to provide all seriously injured peo- ple with greatly umproved benefits, spare all good B.C. drivers from rate increases of 40% by the year 2000 and invest in the measures needed to drive down the crashes and crimes that drive up your cost of insurance. Saskatchewan Government Insurance refarmed their system more than two years ago. Their union backed them all the way, saying that the reforms provided fairer treatment to crash victims and fairer rates for the motoring public. That union was the OPEIU. Ken Hardie ICBC African connection Dear Editor: who will deliver a letter from one coast of Canada to anoth- in particular to N ¢ This was the only way I could familiarize myself with the people there. My overall impression was that is is truly a car-- I have been reading your newspaper with great interest. Why? You sec we were about to immigrate to Vancouver and r, orth Vancouver in the next month or so. Dear Editor: Anyone who was at the Ted White-organized meeting with the Block Quebecois MP or saw the replays on Rodgers Channel 4 of that meet- ing would realize that Warren Kinsella’s ques- sion at that meeting was self-serving, politically motivated and most of all out of order, as he did not address himself to the topic of the mecting. - Ted White had the perfect right to silence _him, particularly with the audience backing him up. __ Kinsella’s action at that. meeting belies his statement, that only after that meeting he decided to run for the Liberal party. His arrogant past public behavior clearly mirrors the _ federal .Liberal party in state- ments and actions; voters beware. I also found it odious to sce the swastika draped over our Maple Leaf on Kinsella’s book. Do we need this kind of fear-mongering intro- duced into the coming election campaign? With his statements he has already alienated the Jargest part of this North Shore federal riding. Again, voters beware! Hans Gawenda fstcan@axionet.com Ma CORRECTION NOTICE In our 82-5 Easter Baby Week flyer, Wide body terry sleeper on front cover is not exactly as shown. Wide body terry sleeper on page 4 should have read “Save 30%. Our feg. 7.99. Saie 5.59 each” Osh Kosh coordinates on page 4 should have read “Save 20%. Our after sale prices $18 & $44. Sale 14.32 & 35.19 each.” Leather fanny pack on page 26 will be late - rainchecks will be available at the store. Red Sole rainboots on page 32 should have raad “Save 20%. Our reg. 9.99 to 14.99. Sale, pair 7.99 to 11.99" Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. I wish to reply to the letter Buying Times Waiting for a Bit of Cash” (March 23 News). I am greatly annoyed at the attack on nad Post em es by Mr. Wilson. Tandon tand Mr. Wilson is needing money to pay his rent but what proof docs he have that this is the fault of Canada Post? Just because Unemployment Insurance says that it issued a cheque on Feb 1, does not mean that this cheque was mailed. ere are many reasons he may not have received his cheque. His address could have been entered wrongly in the UI computer, he may have moved after making his initial claim or the cheque could have been issued and be sat on someone’s desk and never mailed. His comment regarding his predicament is_ totally unfounded. How does he know how a person unknown to hin thinks and feels? Canada Post employces are people just like you and me and have their mail delivered too. To state that there would be a walkout if a cheque was not delivered to a Canada Post employee is an absolutely ridiculous thing to say. Canada Post fetter carriers deliver thousands of welfare cheques every month without any problems. As for his last comment “Why do we as Canadians have to send our first class mail through the past office? There are plenty of efficient private companies that are more than capable of fulfilling the role of delivering first class mail on time and in great shape.” ~ Perhaps Mr. Wilson can let me know of a private company Sheers from 519° per pleated fi. Valance Labour 30% off Drapery Labour 30% off (our fabrics only) order before March 31/97 er for 45 cents. Gail Cooke North Vancouver MAILBOX POLICY LETTERS to the editor must be legible (preferably type- written) and include your name, full address and tele- phone number. if ing country with wonderful people. My husband has spent some time there and could not believe what wonderful peo- — ple you have in Vancouver. How well-mannered everyone is. and you look after your environment. Unfortunately: my husband feil il! with a brain tumor and is currently receiving therapy. We hope that one day wil still be able to get‘our visas. We were so close yet so far! oe Thank you for a lovely paper. 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