4-—- Wednesday, March 26. 1997 — North Shore News News sets free speech fund THE North Shore News has official- ly established a fund to help in its fight to protect the fundamental democratic right of free speech cur- rently under attack by the New Democratic Party. Undl now, effers of financial assistance from the public have been gratefuily declined by the newspaper. However, over the past three years, the News has waged a legal batzle with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunai over a complaint laid against the newspaper and its columnist Doug Collins by the Canadian Jewish Congress. A hearing into the matter has been set for May 12 of this year, almost three years after the complaint was originally lodged on May 26, 1994. The News maintains that section 2 of the NDP-authored Human Rights Code violates Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms by infringing upon the newspaper's right of free expression and by extension infringes upon the right of free expression of all British Cotumbians. The B.C. Press Council, a self-regulating body for 5.C.'s newspaper industry, was recent- ly granted permission to intervene on behalf of the industry in the hearing. Jn doing sc, the press council is also seeking to defend the constitutional principle of press freedom. Thus far the News’ Icgal costs to defend it and Mr. Collins in the lead-up to the Human Rights Tribunal hearing have been substantial: almost $70,000. The hearing will cost the newspaper much more. And a case challenging the constitutionality of the Human Rights Code betore the Supreme Court could cost up tu $200,000. The News has therefore decided to establish a fund to help it defend the fundamenta! right of free expression in British Columbia. Donations to the North Shore News Free Speech Defence Fund can be sent to the News offices, 1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, V7M 2H4. Cheques should be made out to the North Shore News Free Speech Defence Fund. News publisher Peter Speck said the news- paper was extremely grateful for the continuing offers of support from the North Shore com- munity for the News’ free speech cause. “We are very gratefully accepting contribu- tions,” he said. “Every drop helps. Pm moved by the expressions of support from our North Shore community.” Provincial budget issued {SHOPPING FINANCE Minister Andrew Petter deliv- ered the 1997-98 provincial budget in the legislature Tuesday afternoon amongst cheers and jeers. Petter said his govern- ment’s main objective in this ; budget is to create jobs, pro- tect health care and educa- - tion, and to make it easier for 1997-98 is $185 million; @ the NDP wants to create 40,000 new jobs through the new budget, with 21,000 jobs to be created in the forest sec- tor by 2001; @ health care funding is increased by more than $300 million, while hospital funding is increased to $80 million; @& education spending for kindergarten to Grade 12 goes up by $63 million while post- secondary tuition fees remain frozen; @ B.C. Hydro and ICBC fees also remain frozen; gaming revenuc is expected to reap the government $50 million; @ a 2% reduction in income tax combined with other mea- sures will save the average fam- . ily $700 a year. Watch for local reaction to the budget in Friday’s News. HOLIDAY HOURS GOOD FRIDAY MARCH 28 NOON - 5 PM EASTER SUNDAY gee Se Rahat "the working family. MARCH 30 Here are some of the high- lights: y A . a CLOSED ~ @ the deficit for 1996-97 is. i ie Moke your next move : s $395 million, not the $85 mil- an. informed one. Get the results you deserve... § ‘ lion supplus the NDP boasted .Please give me a call! (da during last May’s election; @ the projected deficit for ions oe a “You'll be [SQED] on my service!” . Som ore Seen Peatot vinta gle es | 226-6233 Don't miss our Easter Giveaway Contest. Win one RRA al Saggy Pore Masters Reaity of 51 Easter baskets. Entry forms in March’ 9 and & ~D. Brent Eilers Vest Vancouver March 16, North Shore News OO on a oO Draw Date — March 29/97. Winners will be notified Tree : FIND . Find a past of yourself you never knew existed in the Army Reserve. That's : 7 . where you work selected evenings and Sa ENGTH weekends, meeting challenges, learning ot ‘ > with hands-on experience and earning ‘| in RFSERUE extra income. Find the strength to do something Tae “ a exciting and different. 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