Dear Editor:

~ Congratulations an a fine pair of articles on direct democracy (Noy, 8 News}. P believe ther give the most accurate and comprehensive cov- erage of any publication in B.C, during the past wo years.

: The comments of various politica figures indicate that there may be many different opin: ions and prejudices to contend with before the vaice of the people of North Vancouver District is heard on. this critically important matter, Mayor Don Bell’s. comment that “pro- ponents of direct democracy seem to be

- focused more on a tack ef meaningful public input in decision-making at the federal and

provincial government levels tian with coun-

“cil” is somewhat misleading,

We “proponents” are deeply concerned about citizen decision-making at the municipal level. We will talk to anyone who will fisten.

.. Council listened, whereas “senior” government do nots: We observe that senior levels of government listen. to council tittle more than they listen.to citizens. Bur we ask all

_ devels of government not just to listen, but to

& act, when the majority of citizens. speak : fhrough the voice ofa referendum.

"=. We at Canadians for Direet Democracy are seeking public participation’ in’ council deci-

*sion-making through a just, deliberated pede

tiun-referendum’ system, not merely “Public

levels of ”

Wednesday, December 16, 1998 - North Shore News > 3

north shere news

Mam pox Act on direct democracy

input in decision-making.”

Issues at all levels of government need to be decided by referendum.

Local examples could include rental suites, zoning, casinos, and many others. The petition process allows citizens to decide which issues they wish to take to referendum,

At the civic elections in November 1999, we hope the district will hold a referendum to determine the will ofthe people with respeet to citizen-initiated referenda. Since 83% of the populadon of B.C. voted in favour of citizen initiatives in a 1990 referendum, it will be interesting to see if this result is repeated, and if the district will bring forward legislation that is designed to work — unlike the BC Initiatives Act, of 1995, which purports to give citizens the right to citizen-initiated referenda at the provincial level, while in fact making it practi- cally impossible.

To date, Mayor Bell and his council deserve praise for their open approach to re-examining

democracy. We are confident thar council will -

continue to lead the way, Congratulations to Andrew: MeCredie¢ for giving this critical subject a fair and thorough

“treatment.

Colin Stark

Vice-President

Canadians for Direct Democracy Vancouver.

Film succe ess not NDP’s”

. ‘Dea E Editor:

“As a British Columbia film, ‘feehnician’ I was.

flabbergasted to, hear Mr.” Moe’ Sihota claim

“recently, on a television debate chat his govern e ment: has: -benefited. the film industry” by its:

Aggressive pursuit of U.S. producers and ‘film companies. Perhaps Mr. Sihora was not.aware

‘that this industry was built, nurtured and made.

what itis, not by the NDP but by the toil and

dedi cation of the British’ Columbia film techni-~

clins.-It poes without saving that our low dollar

and our, comparatively favourable wages help i in

, bringing i in the U 5S. projects.

it should. be noted, however, that since the government has realized what a gold mine we, the film industry, are, ‘they ‘have: stifled our

“industry by creating a thousand restrictive regu- fations, by creating so-called training programs , at the taxpayers’ expense, when the existing sys-

tem worked quite well, and by actively meddling ina world that they understand litt le: about.”

_ Andrew Mulkani

North Vancouver: .. Amgrip@aol.com

Mailbox policy Letters te the editor must be legible (preferably typewritten) and melude your name, full aditvess and telephone sumbes.

Dae te spice constrtints the North Share News cingot publish all letters. Submissions gan | ie Ted to 983-2104 .

advertorial, December 16/1998

THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT

Shortly before Parliament recessed for the Christmas Break, the Auditor General released his latest report. Chapter 27 of that Report specifically deals with grants and contributions handed out by the Department of Canadian Heritage and leaves no doubt that the Hon. Sheila Copps is presiding over a department riddled with waste.

MULTICULTURALISM

GRANTS In 1997-98 the Department made granis or contributions totalling $19 million

to 1,000 multiculturalism projects under a’.

mandate which is supposed “to strengthen ‘Canada by fostering an inclusive society in which people of all backgrounds, whose identities are respected and recognized as “vital to the evolving Canadian identity, feel ‘a sense of belonging and attachment to this country." Whether or not the funding of multiculturalism really . does © foster “inclusion”. or whether it actually encourages people to remain out of the mainstream, is an argument for another day, but in terms of the above mandate, ‘the Auditor General found plenty to cause him -concern. For example, the sample _ group of 80 grants he audited contained a number. of projects’ which felt within, the mandate ofother federal government departments, and even’. provincial’ agencies. They included: ; ; * An” anti-drug program. adolescents ‘in. a. particular religious group » | * Integration services for immigrants ; : * A proniotional tour for a novelist... *.A, brochure on alternatives to. : physically disciplining children, ’ published’) Vin... 16°: languages including French and English ‘we AL. conference ‘to promoting science.’ ‘and . »_ technology - programs ‘in’ schools « for.a specific racial group.

new

xA conference for: Aboriginals on

adolescent issues.

“This se same Heritage Deparment, in the: Mast year: oF. So, produced a ‘multicultural calender listing various ‘religious holidays

throughout “the . year! but ; making “no —

“reterer eto either Christmas or Easter. « nister, Sheila’ Copps, claimed that: “these: important Christian’ dates: were - inadvertently | missed, but | have heard-no ‘explanation from her for the .gaff-in’ the ‘posters her Department produced for, the ‘visit of "The Prince of Whales". i

a

for .

“discuss — ;

mere years will Canadians have to pay for programs that. have no reason to exist?”

Although the question was directed to the Minister, it- was Hedy Fry, «the Secretary of State for multiculturalism, . who rose to answer. | leave it to you to judge whether her response | was salisfactory: ;

“Mr Speaker, with respect to the multiculturalism program, we. have just finished a complete review. of new program quidelines..We have given it:a three year transition. We. are at the end of our first year and we are very pleased that . the Auditor: General was able to pinpoint exactly what. we wanted. evaluating how we are moving over. the first .year ‘of a ‘three year transition to ensure accountability in the system," :

SPEND, SPEND, SPEND Of course it does: not take very much,

‘ effort to: uncover plenty ‘of other, areas of

questionable Government | -spending.

While. the RCMP: has been pleading for

‘months for an additional $8.5 million in

tunding in BC, .the Government: has"

‘handed out cash for:

x, Professional. - and technical ‘Support for. Czech Municipal authorities - $1.4 million eae

* Reintegration of Malian soldiers - - .$473,000 ps

* A’ grant. for Tocomotives ‘for "Senegal - $14 million :

eA, grant to, promote the. use of “electricity in ‘Brazil.- $2. million

* A grant to ‘establish the Lebanese |

“Parliamentary Institute

_c the above grant total. more than $18 “milion, Would, ‘you have’ placed, these:

$15,510,000. -. ‘enought covered’ the RCMP.

_almost two years.

serious criticism’ from. ‘th «General. The. é