June 15 , 2003

If there ever was a time for Provinces to invoke "the notwithstanding clause" this time is certainly now. But you already know, with the possible exception of Alberta, this unfortunately is not going to happen.
Reform BC may not be in government but believe we are the only viable party in this province that would readily do so.

If you can join us in Kamloops we would be happy to see you. We will be releasing a press release that day on another survey done by ROBBIINS/SCE on Treaty Negotiations that was paid for in part by Reform BC.

Ron Gamble
Leader
Reform BC

Survey to Ban Same-Sex Books

ROBBINS-SCE Research
(604) 942-3757

Coquitlam-A survey of 300 respondents in Surrey, BC regarding same-sex books in the classrooms of grades 1,2 and 3, and whether or not Education Minister Christy Clark should become involved after the Surrey School Board voted to ban these books. This survey was conducted on June 14, 2003 and has a margin of error of 3.5%, 19 times out of 20, @ 98% competency rate.

Highlights:

An overwhelmingly majority of respondents in Surrey agrees with the Surrey School Boards decision to ban same-sex books in the classroom.

Surrey residents are divided on whether or not Education Minister Christy Clark should become involved with this issue following the BC Civil Liberties demand that Ms. Clark overturn the Surrey School Boards decision to ban the books.

Over 90% of respondents who do not want the book banned want Ms. Clark involved and over 40% of those who do want the book banned, want the Education Minister to step in.

Question #1
Do you approve or disapprove of the Surrey School Board’s decision to ban same-sex books in the classroom for grades 1, 2 and 3.

Approve        70%
Disapprove   27%
Undecided   03%

Question #2
Should Education Minister Christy Clark become directly involved in the Surrey School Board’s decision to ban same-sex books?

No             51%
Yes           46%
Undecided  03%

Commentary:

The BC Civil Liberties Association has presented Education Minister Christy Clark with a ‘hot’ political potato. The number of residents of Surrey who Do Not want the same-sex books banned has increased in less than two weeks. If this goes to the Supreme Court again who knows what might happen? This issue is not going away, it’s on fire.

Sincerely,
Glen P. Robbins

For More Information contact:

Ron Gamble, Leader
PO Box 466, Surrey Main Surrey, BC V3T 5B7
Phone: 604-980-7779
E-mail: info@reformbc.net
Web site: www.reformbc.net