NV teachers appl

Dear Editor:

Reporter Ian Noble, in his article, “Teacher money pact trouble for North Vancouver,”

reported that North Vancou- . &

ver teachers were pleased with the tentative provincial contract, but he did not pro- vide the reasons why.

First, teachers are relieved that this contract was achieved without job action or any other disruption to our students’ education, and that this stability will continue for at least two more years as a result of this collective agree- ment.

Second,. teachers are

pleased that the‘ provincial .

government will provide the money necessary to cover the 2% salary increase over the four years of this agreement. This means that. our school board will not have to cut any

services as a result of this salary settlement.

Third, teachers are grate- ful that the tentative contract, by continuing current class size provisions, acknowl- edges that class size is the

-most important learning con-

dition. that teachers have obtained for their students.

At the same time this con- tract provides boards and teachers with a mechanisin by which the impact of class size on student cducation and bourd budgets can be objec- tively measured. This tenta- tive agreement also provides an avenue by which those school boards, who claim fis- cal pressures because of class size requirements, can apply for relief.

Fourth. teachers are pleased that local contract provisions developed over three rounds of bargaining with our school board will continue in effect.

We have experienced the disastrous effects in North Vancouver of a centralized fiscal framework, so we understand the dangers of imposing “one size fits all”

solutions on districts, If this -

Bill undermines the family unit

Dear Editor: I. congratulate Vancouver MP Ted White for his “advertorial” on the sub- ject of Bill C-33. Our federal government is - pandering to the homosexual lobby groups who want noth- ing less than an acceptance of " their lifestyle as normal and a ‘legitimate alternative to het-

, erosexual relationships.

“\ It-is appalling that the majority. of MPs_ voted against inclusion of a defini- ~ tion of “sexual orientation”

- well as “family”. and ‘ ‘mar. riage". in Bill C-33. ‘This

‘North .

clearly points to the fact that

Mir. Allan Rock lied about the,

intent of this bill and that the Liberal government is bent on

further eroding morality in

this country and on weaken- ing the family, which is the basic unit of society.

J.M. White

West Vancouver

Complete Mechanical

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advertorial al, May 29/96

‘SENATORS; ‘STUDENTS & IMMIGRANTS. |

oe

A‘number of updates and short top-

‘beginning: with ‘the, patronage’ ‘appoint- ° mont’ by Jean Chretien of Liberal Jean Forest to the vacant Alberta seat in the Senste. The Prime Minister’ ignored Premier‘ Ralph: Klein's ‘announcement ‘that. an‘ election would be held for the position. under. Alberta's Senate Election Act, stying “I will name a Senator who I will choose and who

will represent my Party in, the House of: Commons”. Is the Prime Minister ‘any different'to Brian Mulroney in this blatant -use ‘of patronage to stack the, Senate?

ASTRONAUT FAMILIES.

A couple of weeks ago | showed the Minister of. National Revenue, Hon . Jane Stewart, information about an innovative new method being used in New Zealand to help detect possible’ tax evasion by “Astronaut Families”. it wasn’t very long ago that people were called racists for even sug- gesting that some “Astronaut Families” might not be paying taxes, so | was pleased ‘to discover that the Minister now recognizes that’ there is a problem. She. was quite impressed with the NZ solution, and has alveady asked her staff to investigate whether a similar system can be introduced in Canada.

. The new method works by giving immi- gration officials the power to ask landed immigrants, and people on residency per- mits, who have been out of the country for extended periods, to prove that they have filed a tax return BEFORE RE-ENTRY iS PERMITTED. Initial results in NZ are report- ed to be better than expected, indicating perhaps that the problem was larger than originally estimated. .

_ MORE ON IMMIGRATION |

Also in New Zealand, new immigrants must now pass a standard English test at the time of entry or lodge a $12,000 bond

‘with. the Government. The bond is refund-

‘ Minister,

_ unteer

“able on passing the English test within threa i =: “months of. fanding, otherwise: ‘the money

“goes to campensate the NZ Treasury for the costs of ESL training and other services for

* Immigrants whio do not speak Eng ish

Meanwhile, our new immigration _Hon_ Lusienne - Robillard, has announced $7 mitlion in funding for four “Centres of Excellence”, one of which will be in Vancouver, to study societal problems and tensions asscciated with the intearation of immigrants. This has all of the appearances of shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted. Expensive studies on how to encour- age integration and reduce tensions would not have been necessary if new immigrants had been assessed for their ability to inte- grate BEFORE being granted landed status.

STUDENT SUMMER EMPLOYMENT

The Canada Employment Centre for stu- dents is now open at 101-260 West Esplanade in North Vancouver, Te! 666- 9192. The Centre provides an employment registry tor employers, casual labour service for home owners, and a variety of services to help students with their job search.

INDIAN LAND CLAIMS

Finally, after lengthy administrative delays that would be completely unaccept- able in the private sector, my “Nisga’a Householder” has been printed by The House of Commons and is ready for distrib- ution. It should arrive in your mail slot or apartment lobby in the next few days.

CANADA DAY VOLUNTEERS

There appears to be a shortage of vol- unteers to assist with the local organiza-

‘thon and running of Canada Day celebra-

tions this year. If you have enjoyed the various Canada Day events in past years, why not take this opportunity to show your pride in Car.ida by becoming a vol- to hel» the Canada Day Committee: with its work. Please call Pat

‘Johnson during business hours on

683- 7271.

experience has taught us any- thing, it is that when control is taken away from local hoards and centralized in Victoria more problems ate created than solved.

This has also proven to be the cuse in provincial burgain- ing. Our problems won't be solved by the provincial gov- ernment imposing solutions on local districts, Local prob- lems will only be resolved

when true local autonomy is regained and elected trustees are once again given the right to negotiate with teachers, Hopefully the inclusion of local apreements as part of the first provincial collective agreement is a step in that direction.

C, Dixon

President

North Vancouver Teachers’ Association

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Basic Education

The Adult Basic Education Program is offering courses for students wishing to upgrade their G.PA., obtain their grade 12, or prepare for university transfer or college career programs. Classes start July 2 or September 3. For more information, call 984-4971.

Music ! Lessons | for Children

; Are yiinaking plans * _ _ for your child to starr:

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F parents and sample the : " courses offered by the.

Capilano College

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School in Kovaly- Or Guitar, Strings for.”

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Information meetings - have been set up : throughout the suinmer for people interested in: the Office Assiseant ESL Program. The program

is full-time for nine

: ‘months from September | to May. Graduates will * be job-ready with

general office skilts, computer applications, English grammar and compcsition skills. For more information, . contact. the Department of Applied Business Technology at 984-4959,

CAPILANO ‘COLLEGE.

. 2055 Purcell Way North Vancouver: . * British Columbia -