ee TIAN DOX Notes on a royal dog's life Dear Editor: Bob Hunter's Dec. 31 column really struck home. When { was 13 I saw a show on TV about the ancient breed, the greyhound, a spiritual idol in Egypt at the time of King Tut, and begged and pleaded my parents to allow me to adopt a dog from Washington. It took a lot of work on my mother, but it finally paid off. We adopted a beautiful brindle lady, named Carrie, who everyone adored at all times. Bowen ferry Dear Editor: The next time J do 200 grand worth of damage and then split the scene I’d also like my name with- held. Hey, if that’s how if works for the ted white, m.p. OFFICIAL OPPOSITION STATUS Ever since the Quebec Referendum my office has been recelving a steady stream of fatters and phone calls asking when and how Reform can become the Official Opposition In Ottawa. Some callers have suggested that one or two Liberal or NDP MPs should be asked to Join Reform to Increase our numbers, while others have taken _ the position that, regardicss of numbers, a separatist party should fot be allowed to be the Official Opposition. THE GOVERRMENT i POSITION Under our parliamentary system, the Speaker of The House decides which Party becomes the Official Opposition, and will usually award the status to the Party which holds the second largest number of seats. However, there is no jaw requiring the decision to be based solely on. numbers, and there are several ‘parliamentary precedents on record, some in Canada, which have resulted in third parties becoming the Official Opposition. (For example, in treland in 1918, the separatist Sinn Fein were not made the Official Opposition even though they had the second highast number of seats.) Unfortunately, the present Liberal Government prefers to have the “Trojen Horse” Bloc Quebecois as Oppesition, and routinely argues ‘against Reform taking over that role. They know that the Bloc Qusdecois is noi a “Government in Waiting’, while. Reform has clearly stated that it intends to become a_ future Government of Canada. This makes ‘Reform the political enamy and § / motivates the Liberals to deny us ihe ‘additional research funding, more questions in the House, and greater attention from the media, that comes with Official Opposition status. - REFORM’'S POSITION On December 14, 1995, Reform asked the Speaker to recognize us as the Official Opposition because, (a) Untike the Bloc, Reform is a “Government in Waiting’, (b) Reform has MPs from five provinces, (c) Reform received a higher percentage of the vote than did the Bloc, (d) Reform has been actively tepresenting a broad range of Canadian interests in Parliament, while the Bloc has been representing supporters in only one Province, (e) It would be in Canada's best interests to remove the separatist party from the Official Opposition benches, and She was cuddled, walked, run, tickled, pampered ~—- you name it, she got it. Now, after 1 have left my par- ents’ home, they have adopted another. And then my mother, the one who didn't even want a dog in the first place, let alone a second, weakened, and bought herself a top-bred whippet (a smaller version of a greyhound), and named him Figaro. The power of royal animals is laughed at, made fun of, and joked crash costs skipper of the Bowen ferry it should work for the rest of us. Right? Gee, 1 wonder who'll pick up the tab? B. Moore Bowen Island advertorial dan, 10/96 (f) There is growing public pressure that Reform be made the Official Opposition. It is interesting to note that Michel Gauthier of the Bloc Quebecois gave a speech lasting less than one minute in opposition to our initiative, while the Liberal Whip, Don Boudria, and the Liberal House Leader, Peter Milliken, intervened with lengthy speeches against making Reform the Offictal Opposition. Their “submissions” fill almost three pages of Hansard, making it clear that the Liberal Government itself is the single biggest roadblock to Aeform becoming Official Opposition. A strange position indeed tor a Party which claims to be federalist. At the conclusion of the speeches, the Speaker said there was no decision for him to make, so we are not expecting any change in status when we return to Parliament in February. However, a bi-election will be coming up soon in Labrador, and we have been working hard ‘o encourage the election of a Reform MP as a way of ousting the Bloc from their position as the Official Opposition. Hopefully, Labrador voters will recognize the important role they could play in altering the balance of power in Ottawa, and will give Reform that critical extra seat, oven if they traditionally vote Liberal. TOPPING UP THE CAUCUS - (tis untikely that we can increase our numbers by asking existing Liberal, PC, or NDP MPs to join our Caucus, mainly because we have made it clear that they would first have to receive the approval of their constituents to switch to Reform. To put this in perspective, imagine how Reform voters in North Vancouver would feel if | arbitrarily decided to change parties after | was elected as a Reformer. Besides, we don't want to end up with a PC, NDP or Libaral sitting in our Caucus meetings - they would have to make a full and irreversible conversion. In summary then, there is no easy route to becoming the Official Opposition, especially while the Liveral Government is actively trying to prevent it from happening. We will probably have to continue to be patient, waiting for a bi-election we can win, while the Bloc maintains its hold on the Official Opposition benches. at ite, MP #202-1200 Lynn Valley Rd. _ North Vancouver, B.C. V2 2A2. Tel.: 666-0585 Faxt 666-0509 about by all of those who have never owned one, or spent any time with one. These dogs definitely know who they are, and that you and I are all there for one purpose — to feed, scratch, tickle and pamper them for the rest of their lives! Heather Ferguson North Vancouver nze Sd ety Ne Monday-Wednesday Dr. SAM BitrnuN would like to introduce Dr. Mark JONES, who has recently taken over his pediatric practise, Dr. Jones specialized in London, England and Children’s Hospital, Vancouver. He has special expertise in infectious diseases and excellent general pecliatric training. tie is a North Shore resident, well Known and respected by my pediatrics colleagues, 1 would like to thank all niy patients anc their parents, They have provided me wiih much joy and satisfaction, | am sure that Mark will continue to provide excellent service in the tradition of [Dr. Jamie Mashal and myself. Sam Bitnun rt: of the North Shore Wint a ont Re cet hursday: Saturday 9:30°ain-§:30°pimirStindaye ' Located at Taylor Way and Marine Drive in West Vancouver.