Prrerrreeerirerireererrrrertirerccecererny) David itchell a second opinion THE government should butt vut of the muiticulturalism busi- ness. Earlier this week the her- itage department released a report which says the federal government’s policy of mul- ticulturalism is seen asa political program that lacks focus and ghetto-izes ethnic groups. "The fact that tax dollars were spent on such a report is actually a perfect example of the problem. As if we needed a federally commis- sioned report to tell us that Canadians are confused about the government’s vision of multiculturalism. The truth is that Canada is a multicultural country — always has been. We don’t need the government to be spending our precious tax dollars telling us so. And we certainly don’t need governments at any level spending millions upon millions of dollars each year directly to ethnic groups, encouraging them to pre- tend they’ve never left their ’ . countries of origin. Don’t get me.wrong. P?’'m a strong supporter of multi- culturalism. Not the govern- sment-inspired kind, but the ‘ authentic expressions of the ’ wide variety of ethnic groups who make our coun- try and our communities richer and more interesting. Cultural groups in our community are supported by - individuuls, families, church- ¢s, and private organiza- tions. And that’s the way it should be. The North Shore is sometimes considered to be . the last bastion of WASPishness, But the truth is that even here, in our spe- cial corner of the world, the multiculturalism thar charac- terizes our country is Hlour- ishing. Take a walk down Lonsdale Avenue or along Marine Drive; visit Park Royal shopping centre or any of our North Shore parks. Youre bound to hear a wide variety of languages being spoken. Our ethnic diversity is recognized and celebrated daily. Last week the first-ever multicultural food, drink and music extravaganza was held at the Lonsdale Quay. More than 1,300 people turned out to the successful gathering, which was spon- sored by the North Shore News with proceeds going to the North Shore Multicultural Society. By all accounts it was a joyous evening, demonstrat- ing real pride in our com- munity. Hopefully it will become an annual gathering. But is there a role for government in promoting multiculturalism? My fear is that the direet funding of individual ethnic groups is open to political abuse and should therefore be stapped. Governnients, both fed- eraliy and provincially, will always be tempted to court neweomers tu out coun- try as part of an effort te woo the sa- called ethnic vote, They're try- ing to buy political support with tay dollars. When you think about it, the notion that any ethnic group would vote cn masse for one political party is pre- posterous. In the recent provincial election, for instance, Chinese-Canadians voted for both the NDP and the Liberals in roughly the same proportion as the province as a whole. But the fact that there is diversity within eth- Auto Body Collision Specialist Courtesy Cars “Available: 7 183 Pemberton Ave. TALKING " 985-7195 & Recipes for a cleaner, healthier environrrent Oy Becire id Se” Pour a couple of ounces of beer mto ajar. Place aclear olastic bay ver themouthof the jar witnore comer reaching down nto che yar. Pote a ‘small hole «i the correr of the bag withapenct Secure the vag around the nm of the jar win the mbver bond. The fermenting oeer will at- tract tte trut flea and they willf nd thew way down the tunnel mto the a¢. Tre now ei the bag e too smu ter ther to fird their way out! Fruit Fly Trap YELLOW PAGES 299-9000 LZEPLOLS. Our Green Planet Ingredients —— | rubber band 1 jar amas [plastic bag 2 ounces CLIP & SAVE See AN APOLOGY Royal LePage Pr We, at & oject Marketing Group ‘Nickel Bros. House Moving Ltd., extend our sincerest apologies for the inconveniences experienced by the residents of Apex Avenue, Garibaldi Drive and Roche Point Drive on Tuesday, October 8, 1996 due to the relocation of the Presentation/Sales Centre of the Windsong at Raven VVoods pa TTT Project Marketing Group Pere TT ROYAL LEPAGE x Ef . ‘/ os be of! bis eee Heeaice MY f i nic communities doesn't stop politicians trom trying to endear themselves by spendiag muney where it’s often not needed. Some of the government “Can you think cf another society on the face of-the earth that actually promotes and pays for the principle that immigrants need not adapt to their new country? It’s absurd.” initiatives that help new Canadians settle in our country and become estab- lished are useful and worth saving. Bur the programs that Cleansing Facial Pedicure & Manicure Gel Nails Chez Elle #207 - 1331 Marine Dr., West Vancenver Friday, October 18, 1996 — North Shoie News - 7 te are geared toward encaurag- ing ethnic groups to main- tain their languages and pre- serve their cultures within Canada are counterproduc: tive and should be scrapped. Can you think of another society on the face of the earth promotes the princi- ple thar immigrants need not adapt to their new country? It’s aosurd. Ethnic traditions, values and customs should be nur- tured and celebrated — but they don’t need to be sanc- 199%} 330” 530” Expires Nov. 15/96 ESTHETICS & HAIR RR % 922-1225 CHRONOMAT SWEDISH JEVWELE Park Royal South 922-2255 that actually and pays for tioned and sustained by the state. We can take pride in the numerous private expressions of our cultural diversity without adding to our public debt. And ata time wren so many in our country are concerned about national unity, our governments shouldn’r be creating more barriers among Canadians. Taxpayers shouid insist that: politicians stop interfering and simply get out of the business of multiculturalism. — The North Shore News . believes strongly in freedom af speech and the right of all sides in a debate to be beard. The columnists puolished in the News present differing points of view, but. those views. are not necessarily those of the: newspaper itself. \ REPARED pe INSTRUMENTS FOR PROFESSIONSALS