_by Jim Smith It’sa The official name is Social Insurance Number. And the official name is misleading. Maybe in its original form, around 1965, the name came closer to the truth. In the beginning, everyone -who contributed to the Canada Pension Plan was assigned a lifetime identification number which ensured that the owner would bé credited with contributions to _the plan. Se far, so good: the number was a means of insuring the contributor against being short-changed for pension benefits. . But the govérnment did not stop there, S.I.N.s had to be supplied with income tax returns, Employers demanded the numbers to verify their payroll with the government auditors. And, gradually, the circle widened. The S.I.N. has reached a stage where- identification for social security purposes is only a tiny aspect of its function. Every institution from banks to department stores asks for the customer's S.I.N. Chargex wants to know your S.I.N. So does the provincial government when you apply for a driver's license. They want to know your S.I.N. for medicare coverage. And they want your S.I.N. when you apply for a passport. Sr. lady curlers in action Playdowns in District seven Senior Ladies’ curling competition begins Monday, January 22 at Vancouver's Arbutus) Club and runs through January 25. District seven its Lower Mainland area. First draw Monday begins at 9 a.m. with the 2nd draw at 1 p.m. all taking place at Arbutus. Eventual winner of the competition will represent District Seven at the Provincial Championships, February 11 - 16, at Prince Rupert. Defending champion in District seven is the Vt Tappella rink of Burnaby, who won the Canadian championship in) 1877, but failed to advance beyond Provincial status last year The S.I.N. has reached the stage where _ iden- tification for sqcial security . insurance is only a miniscule aspect of its function. , The insurance aspect has all but vanished. Instead, the S.ILN. is- enabling govern- ment and private _in- ‘formation agencies to keep | closer tabs on Canadians than anyone this side of George Orwell ever believed possible. = = ~ We are five years from 1984; will Orwell's predictions of total Bi Brother control by that yea — become reality? Obviously, there are some valid aspects to the -use of the S.I.N. Government is required to collect taxes on a basis which our elected representatives define as “fair”. Unless everyone's income is reported completely, however, it isn’t possible to assess taxes fairly; individuals who do not report some income escape part of their rightful tax burden. The universal use of S.I.N.s makes tax evasion more difficult. But the liabilities of universal S.I.N. use may make it more difficult to avoid reporting cash income to the government, it doesn’t get at the problem of an underground barter economy. Too much personal in- 1978 PACER 6Cyl Automatic Trans Power Brakes Radio Electronic Ignition Heavy Duty Undercoating inside Hood Release Folding Rear Seat Front Disk Brakes High Level Ventilation Bumper Nerfing Strips Cargo Load Skid Strips Was *7210 BC stLARGEST AMC eBUYER PROTECTION PLAN! *BUYER ee . those. Last chance to buy a new Pacer at this Price! Full New Car Warranty Trades Accepted V EMOUNTVI 1600 Marine Drive NORTH VANCOUVER 980-3431 JEEP DEALER DILGMO6A eBUYER PROTECTION PLANI! ‘opening of combined Old. formation in the wrong private computers violates every individual's right to some privacy. And, in the final analysis, '_there’s always the matter of human dignity. ; Somehow a number strips away the last vestiges of_ personal pride and sense of worth. A number isn't a human identity; it’s a sin. “Think small" is an editorial inessage- from the Canadian ‘Federation of Independent Business © ..Oe@Ccause every child has the right to smile 1979 International Year of the Child jot exactly as tllustrated Radial Tires * Power Steering Rear Window Defogges Styled Wheels Vinyl Root Reclinifig Seats Colour Keyed Carpeting Scuff Mouldings Light Group Dual Horna Rocker Panot Mouldings Wood Instrument Panel Now *5491 os - province ~ iINV1d NOILOSLOYd Y3SANG? iiNV1Id NOILO3LOYd- Page 29, January 21, 1979. Sunday News © One-stop service at Health _ and Welfare Minister Monique Begin announced the official Age Security, Family Allowances and Canada Pension Plan offices in the of British Columbia. The Canada Pension Plan District Offices.in Van- couver, Victoria, New Westminster, Prince George and Penticton, have been renamed Income Security _ Programs District Offices. In addition a new district office located at Suite 410,- 5021 Kingsway, serving Burnaby and = surrounding area, opened on January 15, 1979, at4 p.m. Canada’s first combined Family Allowances, Old Age Security and Canada ._Pension Plan Offices went into operation: in the province of New Brunswick in January 1978. These offices were the forerunners of a nation-wide network of eo ‘income security office integrated Income Security Programs District Offices, At these “one stop ser- vice” offices. British Columbia residents will be able to obtain information and assistance concerning the folowing Income Security Programs: Canada Pension Plan (retirement pensions, disability benefits, survivor's benefits); Old Age Security pensions, Guaranteed” Income Sup- plement (Spouse’s Allowance), Family Allowances, and the new Child Tax Credit. BIRKS SAVE UP TO 50% PLUM SALE | SALESTARTS TUESDAY . PARK RCYAL STORE ONLY - , SALE ENDS SATURDAY, JAN 20th ~ Look for outstanding items in these departments: -ON SALE TUES., JAN. 23rd eGOLD JEWELLERY WATCHES eHANDBAGS eSILVERWARE FASHION JEWELLERY eCHINA & GLASSWARE MEN'S, LADIES’ GIFTS Remember, the sale will be over on Saturday, Jan. 27th Sorry, ALL SALES FINAL NO C.0.D.‘S — NO PHONE ORDERS — NO BLUE BOXES NO EXCHANGES « NO REFUNDS PARK ROYAL STORE ONLY VISA Park Royal South BIRKS J E—&€ W E kL k E R S al