Our sma town heroes CANADA’S smaller communities have provided nearly all the men and women that Canadians identified as their heroes in a recent Internet poil. Most of the top 20 heroes chosen were not from the big city. The roll call includes former Prime Minister Lester Pearson, born in rural Ontario; Metis visionary Louis Ric!, born in Manizoba’s Red River Settiement; and feminist pioneer Nellie McClung, born in Ontario’s Grey County. The poil was conducted beoween May 19 and June 19 by the Dominion Institute and the Council for Canadian Unity. Nominees had to be Canadian by birth or choice and no fonger living. Nearly 30,000 people visited the site. Nominees included political leaders, soldiers, artists, athletes and feminists. One major exception to the small town rule was Terry Fox who placed first. He came from Pore Coquitlam, British Columbia, part of the Greater Vancouver area, and was born in Winnipeg. The young cancer victim died in 198], but his Marathon of Hope and the image of Terry running across Canada on one good leg and an artificial limb is burned into the national con- sciousness. Second place went to Frederick Banting, the discoverer of Insulin, who was born in Alliston, Ontario in 1891. Lester Pearson came third. The fist includes former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, born in Neustadt Ontario, but known as th man from Prince Alberz in recognition of the Saskatchewan town in which he lived. Separatist and former Quebec Premier Rene Levesque made the list. He was raised in New Carlisle. in the Gaspe Peninsula. 7 Military heroes included First World War fighter ace Billy © “west. Vancouver Fire Department members got wet end wild in the Capilano River recently when they were _ Bishop, born in Owen Sound Onrario, and General Sir Arthur ‘practising Swift water rescues. The river, which runs especielly high during rainy North Shore spring weath- — Curric, born in Strathroy, Ontario. Currie commanded the er, has claimed many fives over the years. . Canadian Corps in the First Worid War and led the Canadian First Division in the victorious attack on Vimy Ridge. Jocy Smallwood, born in Gambo, Newfoundland, led the fight to make Newfoundland part of Canada. in: 1949, he became the province’s first premier and the self-styled “last Father of Confederation.” . Other heroes include Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables, born at Clifton in Prince Edward si we ba ool . Island; Sir Samuel Steele, born in Purbrook; Canada West, who How ta Sez Fatrles Gilt Box, served with the North West Mounted . Police and” was and failioatens Calendar... Superintendent for the force in Dawson City during the Yukon He will alsa be signing booka- 3. ‘ : ac Gold Rush. There were some: ‘born outside Canada: Sir Isaac Brock, a hero of the War of 1812; Brock’s Indian‘ ally, Tecumseh; | Tommy Douglas, the former CCF Saskatchewan Premier who. is viewed by many as the father of Canadian medicare and’ - Canada’s first Prime Minister, | Sir John A. MacDonald. . As a rule, however, when it comes to producing domestic. heroes, small-town and rural Canada- seem to have: cornered: . the market. vited to participate ina “ -. We encourage you to attend and participate i in this Public Forum. Councillor Darrell Mu ' 5) . -- For further. information please contact: Kevan Delaney at 985 F76t Coameior Barbara Perrault First Memorial Funeral Services 1505 Lillooet Road North Vancouver . 980-3451