HERE’S a skill-testing question: can you name British Columbia’s four largest cities?

On the face of it, this shouldn't be such a tough challenge. But I've stumped a number of friends and family members with the question, so the answers are neither obvi- ous nor casy,

First — and most everyone gets this one— is Vancouver. But I’m not referring to Greater Vancouver, which: is made up of more than 20 municipalities, with a com- bined population of more than 1.8 million peuple. Nevertheless, the City of Vancouver is still the province's Sargest, with more than half'a miltion residents.

’ B.C.'s second biggest city —and fewer get this one cor- rect — is Surrey, with a popu- lation of more than 300,000. Some demogyaphers are even suggesting that, with its phe- nomenal rate of growth,

“+ Surrey will one day eclipse

Vancouver as the province’s largest municipality.

‘In third spot — and I

“haven't met anyone who guesses this one correctly — is Burnaby. This low-profile but powerful suburban municipali- ty wins these bragging rights

- because of its population base of 179,000.

“3 Now, let me give you the "answer to number four — which I'm confident no one

" will guess correctly. No, it’s . not Victoria. The Capital

The 6000 Series

a second opinion

Regional District (or Greater Victoria) does have a popula- tion of well over 300,000, but it’s comprised of a dozen sepa- rate municipalities. The largest of these is actually Saanich, with more than 100,000 resi- dents, The City of Victoria has onty about 78,000.

Neither does number four go to fast-growing Kelowna, which hasn’t quite reached the 100,000 mark yet. Some may have incorrectly guessed Kamloops or Prince George ~~ but both of these interior cen- tres have populations of abour 80,000. The newly-amalga- mated City of Abbotsford counts an impressive 107,000 inhabitants, but it doesn’t make number four spot either, If you wondered about Richmond — with a burgeon-

ete

ing population of 148,000 — you'd be much closer to the mark,

But here’s my answer (drum roll please!): the fourth largest city in the province of British Columbia ts actually the North Shore. That’s right: the North Shore.

Of course, some will say that there’s no such city — and technically, they’re right. But try for a moment to imag- ine the North Shore as a single municipality.

Ifyou combine the current population of North Vancouver District (83,302) with North Vancouver City (41,918) and West Vancouver (42,252) and throw in tiny Lions Bay (1,417) as well, the total population of the North Shore is an impressive 168,889,

This would rival Burnaby as the province's third-largest municipality. And I believe it would give North Shore resi- dents « much better ability to manage their affairs in a cost- effective fashion, while provid- ing greater clout when dealing with senior levels of govern- ment.

When you think about it, a

danagin —— laa ip Rea eles |

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united North Shore would have a larger population than the province of Prince Edward Island. With only aboui 130,000 citizens, that ny island province has recently reduced its legislature to only 27 MLAs. Transposed onto our side of the continent, that would mean one MLA for Deep Cove, one for Blueridge, another for Lynn Valley, another for Delbrook, proba- bly two for the British Properties, another couple of MLAs for Ambleside, one for Dundarave, certainly one for Horseshoe Bay ... You get the idea. It’s a ludicrous example of our hopelessly over-gov- ered country.

But right here on the North Shore we have an opportunity to consider amal- garnating our local govern- ments, making a united municipality more affordable, and at the same time more powerful.

As one of the largest cities in British Columbia, it would

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be extremely difficult for Victoria or Ottawa to ignore the legitimate concerns of North Shore residents. And a united approach to dealing with cuts to municipal grants and off-loading of responsibili- ties from the provincial gov- ernment would obviously be more effective than the often haphazard and fragmented efforts of the past.

Can we reaily justify the expensive charade of separate municipal councils and sepa- rate civic bureaucracies that serve simply to divide the North Shore? Do our newly- elected focal representatives have the courage and the vision to start the process of

_ looking beyond their own little

bailiwicks to a new and bolder cra of cooperation?

I'm the first to agree that bigger isn’t always better. But . I'm also convinced that the North Shore — an increasing- ly integrated community — is

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Author of Book "AFFIRMATIONS ~

not always well served by our patch-work system of local government.

In any future process of amalgamation, the logical first step will likely take place between the District of North Vancouver and North Vancouver City. Who will lead the charge? _

— The North Shore News

believes strongly in freedom of

Speech and the right of all sides tn a debate to be heard. The

’ columnists published in the

News present differing points of view, but those views are not necessarily those of the newspa-

per itself.

YOUR PASSPORT TO HAPPINESS"

Saturday, November 30/96 / 1-5pm

Serenity Books: °

228 Lonsdale North Vancouver

ALL THE BEST to the new West Vancouver Council: oa and THANK YOU “to my loyal’supporters. —

The campaign for open government begun in. , 1988 will continue. !

922-4406 _ Carolanne Reynolds.

Saying No to Pesticides

How would you like to make the g environment a Hcde healthier without even leaving your backyard? A great way to start is by climinating the use of pesticides on your lawn and garcen. After all, these chemicals can be poisonous to humans and wildlife, and they pollute our soil, water, and air. Pesticide residues can accumulate In the food-chain and - eventually cause harm to birds, fish, and other wildlife. For instance, birds that eat pesticide-treated insects are known to lay

abnormal eggs.

Hluatration by Phytits Lodren

when it rains or when you water your lawn, pesticide residucs seep into the soil and pollute the groundwater. Or they enter sewer systems and eventually make their way inte lakes and rivers, where they pose a threat to fish and other aquatic

wildlife.

‘Sy uot using pesticides, you may have to work a littic harder (te avoid infestations. But you'll be helping to reduce the risk of | aumians anc wildlife being exposed to these dangerous chemi-

cals.

without using pesticides: © Pick infested leaves off trees and shrubs by hand and dispose

of them. ‘

Mere are a Few ways to maintain a healthy lawn and garden

* Using a garden hose, spray a strong, stream of water on trees and shrubs to dislodge insects,

© If necessary, use biodegradabic insecticides derived from natural sources. These are available at most organic nurseries.

@ Put. bird feeders in your yard. Birds are a natural form of insect

control.

atti

Canadian Wildlife Feceration

fi fla, Pe, Communications Department 2740 Queensview Drive : . Ottawa. Ontario K2B 1A2