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February 18, 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Re February 2002: Board Meeting I must say how enjoyable it was to sit down with board members who recognize the importance of why the Reform Party in British Columbia is still needed. Reform BC, with its objectives, principles and policies, is a party that has laid down a "Foundation for Reform" which has never wavered in its quest to provide solutions that would better represent the citizens of this province. The BC Liberal Party over the years has claimed to have adopted some of Reforms' policies, but has failed miserably in its implementation of them. Some of which were: Reform BC, a strong proponent of electoral reform, was instrumental in getting Initiative and Recall on the ballot in the1991 provincial election, which was supported by over 80% of the voters. After five years the NDP and BC Liberals in 1996 finally brought in an act that rendered direct democracy highly ineffective. Indian Land Claims. Do you remember the promises made by the BC Liberals to hold a referendum on the Nisga agreement? Well they failed on that one as well. Remember the 1992 Charlottetown accord? This was an accord that, although heavily supported by the Politicians, Media and big business was publicly rejected by the people including the Indian people on the Indian Reserves. People neither need nor want a third level of government especially one that will only govern one race of people. The Nisga agreement has become the back door to the rejection of the Charlottetown accord. The provincial and federal Liberal government is an embarrassment in their handling of this issue. Polling British Columbians by asking meaningless questions is not the answer in providing a final solution. In 1871, when the Colony of British Columbia became the sixth province within the Canadian Confederation, it was agreed then that if the province set aside lands reserved for Indians, the federal government would assume the responsibility for Indians. To date BC has lived up to its commitment. Isn't it time for the federal government to live up to theirs and finally settle the Indian issue once and for all? The BC Liberal government promised to reform health care and education. Instead broke their promises by canceling health contracts and legislated a settlement for teachers. Reform BC, policies would have first provided alternatives by implementing a plan, which would have allowed for the privatizing of some health care as well as introducing tax credits of a set amount for the parents of all children to apply against a public or private school of their choice from K to 12. These options would have left some room to maneuver for our nurses and teachers instead of leaving their backs up against a wall with nowhere else to go. On the whole this government is trying to move in the right direction. Unfortunately, since 1991, they have been a terrible opposition. They should have been more aware of what the NDP government was doing. It is unfortunate in the last election we did not elect at least four reformers to become the official opposition. We would have pushed for a full disclosure and a free vote on all capital expenditures before they become final. The question now is who will become the next official opposition. We believe we can earn that trust. Ron Gamble -30- For more information contact: |