AT - Sunday, May 27, 1984 - North Shore News El mailbox [><] Dear Editor: in the extensive country- wide media coverage of the National Citizens’ Coalition landmark court challenge to Bilt C-169, which. stifles freedom of speech during federal elections, three im- portant points have not got- ten across. Firstly, this law does not just threaten five years in jail and a $5000 fine for opposing Or supporting a party or can- didate without permission during an election, in print. If a Canadian spends any of his money to do this, he ts guilty of a corrupt practice. This means he cannot in- dependently rent a hall, mail letters to friends, serve light. refreshments in his own home or run a $100 radio spot to express his support for Ort Opposition to a party or candidate. Secondly, this law infr- inges upon the freedom of the press. The Chief Electoral Officer wrote in a report to Parliament that he wanted the media specifically exemp- ted from the _ legislation because he felt that otherwise it could conflict with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The media were not exempted. As it now stands a news editorial (on which a publisher or broadcaster ILA rebuts charges Dear Editor: I normally don’t bother replying to every letter to the editor but the statements by C.K. Smith (May 11, N.S.N.) do beg a response. Firstly, if Mr. Smith could read, he would know I did not urge the abolishment of the Office of the Om- budsman. I have said that the current Ombudsman, Dr. Friedmann — because of his dabbling in politics and law and interference in the court system, his poor research and his subsequent incorrect ac- cusation against our Minister of Forests, for which he tater was forced to. publicly apologize — should be replaced. Mr. Smith is correct that our government did have consultation on the new Human Rights Code but he ts incorrect when he says the new legislation was brought in ‘‘hours later.’’ He is incor- rect that the committee was ‘totally ignored.’’ He 1s in- correct when he says the money saved during the teachers strike was going to be “‘kept by Victoria.”’ In tact, the Minister of Educa tion did keep the funds in the educational system As tor his statement of the Attorney General’s ‘dump: the mip oot PrOCESs serving function onto theirs Crounitipal) police forces’), what Mr Smith forgets as that the establishment of the shentt s offtees was in facta Socialist caperument by the NDP during them 97> 7% rCupH Before then, local police torces tad the pot that has now been returned to them Mi Smith so sfatements that Pam only teytop Fo pain browne pomtis) with the Premier, coupled with his numerous incorrect and misleading statements only serve to indicate the shallowness of his arguments. He chooses to at- tack me and this provincial government on several! fronts rather than deal with the issue 1 wrote about in the May 4N.S.N. and that is the Canada Health Act, the federal health minister’s refusal to discuss the issue with the provinces, the unanimous opposition by the provinces and the N.W.T. and the Yukon, to the federal meddling. As I said in that May 4 arti- cle, ‘‘If two levels of govern- ment are to be partners in an effort and it is a 50-50 responsibility, then | believe Indians not blamed for accepting Dear Editor: Mrs Blanche Frith of White Rock has Doug © ollins all wrong (News, Apr 22). He castigated white tulers for the pivcawass, not the Indians tor them It Nis about white, why doesn t she change her given harmie move bo Redroats’ In the meantime, keep up the pood work. Doug Your keen ove and unmatched pro- se style ate what we all need fone may you continue fo ornament the News out Peocrving Prathows so scnsitive and Albert Smith West Vancouver it is reasonable that each of the partners have equal responsibility and authority. But Ottawa would rather im- pose its will even while admit- ting that it isn’t even funding SO per cent.’’ The Canadian Health Act will in no way improve ser- vice to the people when they are using our health care system. It will simply create a new army of federal bureaucrats in keeping with the Trudeau philosophy which Mr. Smith supports. Even many good Liberals should think twice about such a blatant waste of our tax dollars. John Reynolds, M.L.A. West Vancouver-Howe Sound Classified 986-6222 must have spent money) pro- bably breaks the law. Thirdly, a critical issue in our society is at stake here. The government must prove under the Charter that Bill C-169 is ‘‘demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society’’. The court, in ruling on this issue, will therefore be defining in part what constitutes a ‘‘free and democratic’’ society in Canada. The Coalition's challenge recently .became an interna- tional issue when the board of the Inter-American Press Association (which groups press associationsIn Canada, the U.S. and South America) condemned Bill C-169 and called for its repeal. In addi- tion, the Coalition has receiv- ed support on this issue from the Canadian, Ontario and Atlantic Chambers of Com- merce, the Civil Liberties Patient praises LGH Dear Editor: Il hope this letter can be published. Lions Gate Hospital gives superb, efficient service to its patients! In a calm, capable and caring way they allayed my fears, explained procedures and gave us_ twenty-four- hour attention. | refer to the emergency staff and third floor nurses and doctors with whom I came _ into contact. Notable, too, were the X-ray staff. Behind the scenes must be an efficient AMBLESIDE HOBBIES & CRAFTS 1425 Marine Dr. West Van 922-3512 open 6 days a week Organization of hundreds of employees. A bouquet to the happy volunteers who also brightened our day by of- fering books, change for phones, going on errands for us, watering and caring for our plants, wheeling us about the hospital and of- fering hairdressing service and lovely handwork to fill Our day. Congratulations thanks. and Monica Caldwell West Vancouver ee tu 9pm . ’ , pose ) 9:30-6 p.m. Mn. Ail SPECIAL BUY j $49 ! WHILE THEY LAST Bill C-169 a threat to. freedom of press Section of the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and scores of media editorials. Colin M. 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