al ae —____ ed 2 NEWS photo Terry Peters MINISTER RESPONSIBLE for the Status of Women, Mary Collins says the favorite part of her job is being abie to influence change. ‘BRibcé HOUSE: <1 ate LUNCH AT THE BRIDGE HOUSE... may request an audition. A Splendid Idea! Lunch Served 11:30-3 pm 3650 Capilano Rd., N. Van. 987-3388 INFLUENCE IN HER OWN WORDS SMP MARY COLLINS What are your responsibiities as Associate Minister of Defence? “We divided it, Mr. McKnight and myself. I have the prime responsibity on the people side of the department, like personnel issues...cducation, the day-to-day management in those areas, and policy development...In Question Period, when he's not there, [ am, and vice-versa, so you really have to be involved in everything.”’ What’s your biggest concern for women right now? ‘We just had a federal-provincial meeting of ministers responsible for women in Lake Louise...(May 31). What was really interesting is that ministers across the country, real- ly, our priorities are very similiar: violence against women...Next year, we're going to suggest it be an issue at the First Ministers conference. If you don’t deal with violence against women, you are inhibiting women’s ability for equality. And it’s a serious prob- lem in Canadian society...At the federal level, we had a family vio- lence major $20 million program and we're in the midst of review- ing that and seeing what the next stage is going to be...(When it comes to violence against women) I don’t think we’ve been very suc- cessful in trying to change society so that it is unacceptable.’‘ What are the Tories doing about daycare? ‘‘At the federal level, Perrin Beatty has indicated he'll be coming up with something within the next year, year and a half...The other part of it is en- couraging employers to under- stand the issues and to develop more flexible working oppor- tunities for women.”* What about pay equity? ‘‘It’s re- ally uneven across the coun- try...There’s a lot of problems with it still, like how you compare jobs...At the federal level we have it in the public service...A lot of provinces have something in the public service — Alberta and B.C. don’t. They seem rather reluctant to move towards that. It’s very expensive... would say there are mixed views on the effectiveness . of it. I think it is something that will come...but I would say it’s not universally accepted at this point.”’ Q 21 - Sunday, July 1, 1990 - North Shore News What was your position on the government’s abortion bill? ‘‘We had to (support the bill) as cabinet ministers...I expressed on second treading that it wouldn't have been my first choice...but it was a very fine balance...and any amendment would alter that balance...! guess De ts | “You can’t stay in politics forever I don’t think people should. I’m enjoying it I feel as though I’m making a contribution. ”’ \ i in my own view [ would have preferred no restrictions, other than abortions have to be per- formed by qualified medical prac- tioners...but what we got was a Jot better than I would have ex- pected a few years ago...A lot of the men I talked to in our caucus said...they recognized that they can’t impose the kind of restric- tions that they hoped to be able to."* What are the most pressing con- cerns of people in your own viding? ‘‘It varies depending what's in the newspaper and TV. | would say that over the period of six months, the GST and govern- ment spending... Probably more government spending in this riding...(also) Canadian unity."’ What are you hearing from the province on the GST? ‘I know the province is upset about that. There’s not a lot you can do other than maybe try to encourage them to become involved ultimately in the collection.” How is your relationship with Mulroney? ‘‘Good, always has been. I’m basically quite an op- timistic person...and I know he likes that."” Future plans: ‘‘At this point | would like to (run for office again). You can’t stay in politics forever. I don’t think people should. I’m enjoying it. I feel as though I’m making a contribu- tion.”” QUEEN MARGARET’S SCHOOL IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE Q.M.S. CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC Lessons will be available at all Grade levels in piano, harp, strings, woodwinds and brasses as well as contemporary electronic keyboard. The full range of theory, har- mony, counterpoint, and music history courses will be offered to the A.R.T.C. level. Young people wishing to become founding members of the Q.M.S. Youth Orchestra FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Mrs. Aurelle Biggs, A.R.C.T, L.R.C.T., Director of Q.M.S.C.M., or Mrs. Jeanne MacKenzie-Williams, Headmistress JEEN MARGARET’S SCHOOL “The International School for Girls” 660 Brownsey Avenue, Duncan, B.C. V9L 1C2 Telephone: 746-4185 FAX. 746-5187 A member of 1.S.A. and C.A.1.S.