August 16, 1999
Thoughts for a Monday - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
Now that I’m back after two weeks of a break of sorts, I’m going to depart from The Commentary’s format, as if there was one to begin with, and throw out a number of subjects for my comment and your thoughts. Before we get to that, my compliments to Michael Kwan, among others who filled in splendidly last week.
First, I want to look at The Carrier Lumber decision. If you don’t know already, Carrier Lumber, a B.C. company was given tenders to log exclusively in a certain part of the province. That area had been infested with bugs of a sort that endangered the future of the forest. The government of the day handed to Carrier Lumber this license to forest in that region, with conditions that the process they undertook would somehow revitalize the tress. They did, and a few years ago, the NDP government under former Premier Mike Harcourt and then-Forest minister Dan Miller, revoked the tenders and stripped Carrier of the right to log in the area. The right was said to belong to an Indian tribe, and thus given to the tribe. Carrier sued, uncovered an amazing cover-up and about two weeks ago, Justice Parrish handed down a devastatingly stinging decision. The government has once again been hit by another scandal. This decision which accuses the government with harsh charges is tip of yet another iceberg, with which this administration is hit with. The judge handed down a verdict that awards punitive damages to Carrier Lumber for their loss of income as well as other costs. In a legal system where punitive damages are rare, this has got to mean something is brewing, and British Columbians have to foot a bill that’ll go into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Glen Clark, or someone in the Forest ministry must answer. And at the same time someone has got to resign. The deceit and cover-ups have to end.
Number two, I have to revisit my stance on the Chinese migrants who appeared on B.C. shores three weeks ago, while another load of people and another ship is being sorted through. At the first ship’s arrival, I said the moment a ship like that crept into Canadian waters, they should have been sent back. The law of our country, states that people within our land must have status. (Status in terms of being a citizen, an immigrant, a refugee or a visitor.) I have no doubt in my mind that they were to slip into the cracks and disappear without the slightest trace within our society. But these people were caught, taken to Esquimalt and once there applied for refugee status and Canada accepted them, because that’s the law. People within The Reform Party called for these people to be thrown out, and were called racists and or bigots. The people of Canada need laws that deal with situations like these and at the same time repair our system, but there is a system in place and we have to honor that. These people are entitled to a hearing if they so apply for refugee status, and that’s that. I know it stinks, it costs a hell of a lot, but that’s the rule of law and it must be upheld.
Thirdly, I was on hiatus during The Benson and Hedges Symphony of Fire. I have to first state that fireworks have never that much interested me, and unless I’m right there at The Boathouse at English Bay I wouldn’t go. (I did get tickets twice, but still didn’t go.) During the event, Vancouver Police searched for and seized alcohol from people going to the fireworks. It has never been illegal to carry alcohol and why these buggers at the Police Department are illegally searching peoples backpacks and bags, is beyond me. The Police Department should not have been doing this. Public events, like these, run the risk of attracting drunks and or rowdy behavior. I know some idiots will bring drink and booze while watching the exhibition, but searching and seizing alcohol is absolutely abhorrent to this democratic society, where possesion of alcohol is completley legal. The Police Department has been doing something illegal. There have been many people, mostly from the Police Department, who have said they are doing this so people won’t be compelled to raise hell during the festivities. They want to prevent another Stanley Cup riot, well that is a half-ass answer and I do not buy that. Upholding the law does not include breaking it. I just hope our A-G will do something about this and punish the Police Board and Mayor Owen for condoning such reprehensible and illegal conduct, by the people supposedly upholding our laws.
Number four, I had planned to revisit the topic of Nanoose Bay on The Commentary and placed a request at the PMO for the Federal Government’s stand on the expropriation. I got a letter Friday from Mr. Chretien’s assistant who has said my request has been forwarded to the Department of National Defense. Once Mr. Eggelton’s people have sent me those materials and once I’ve had time to consume them, you can expect another look at Nanoose. The hearings here in Vancouver are wrapping up as we speak, I would have liked to do a commentary now, but I’ve got to wait for Eggelton to cough up.
Number five, I would be remiss not to discuss the recent Chretien cabinet shuffle and the announcement of Senate appointments. Anyone who reads The Commentary regularly will know of my utter dislike of the Liberal government. The cabinet shuffle was a signal from the PM that he intends to run in the next election. Mr. Chretien promised us when Canadians gave him a mandate in 1997, that this mandate would be his last, he has once again lied and refused to live up to his promises. On the subject of the Senate, the appointments of people like Sheila Finestone have the word ‘Patronage’ all over it. Mr. Chretien has once again demonstrated his contempt for the people, by giving his own people, his own supporters, his own Liberals a most comfortable gift.
And before I sign off, into the mailbag: I’ve gotten positive feedback on Mr. DeMaio’s stint here and am pleased to say I’ve arranged to have him on board as a regular contributor. Paul’s material will be on the page in the coming weeks. Also, you’ll notice that in your respective subject lines, is the title of the day’s commentary. We’ll do that from now on, as some of you have requested that. Gee, I gave into public pressure, now a fruitful political career isn’t possible! Tomorrow, a look at Tina Brown’s new baby, Talk. Wednesday, “Screams or Sex”, why do we condone violence in pop culture, but when it comes to sex, we seem to want it censored. That, in the wake of the shootings in California and in the past of Taber and Littleton.
Questions and comments may be sent to: editor@thecommentary.ca
An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .