Alberni Valley Times from Alberni, British Columbia, Canada • 5

"TWTlfi iff i Jli JjiTj RIADILBAG The Alberni Valley Times FRIDAY, Juno 6, 1997 5A COMMUNITY VOICES What is Harbour Day? own "Highland Dancers" will be dancing on die stage in Farmers Square. All boaters should be aware that die Canadian Coast Guard Manne AuxU-lary will provide any boaters (free of charge) with a courtesy boat check" of required equipment. This will be conducted on die water at the float behind die IXmut Strop, CJAV, Shaw Cable and an ambulance van will be on-site, as well, diroughout the day. llaibour Day appears to be "ship-shape" for a really great day. Our 1 lai hour Day Committee hopes you will join us! marine rescue demonstration by a 442 Squadron Rescue helicopter front Comox, Apart from the many exciting events on llie water, a large muiiber of events will be going on simultaneously on die Quay diroughout die day.

Some of diesc will include; Canadian Coast Guard's Search and Rescue van SAR-VAN a must to a large harbour commission display of our new proposed marina and breakwater, Port Alberni Power Squadron's Information-al booth (water safety and new courses); Heritage Marine Society live taiikfdisplay at the Bainfield Lifeboat; bouts and motors displayed from all major suppliers in Port Alberni; major marine displays and clinics Port Boat House and Alberni Industrial Marine; MacMillan Bloedel's Visitors Centre and their "Elementary School Water the water, we think, will be unique a "wink boat" parade. We will have about 20 boats in various shupes and sizes, led by our Ih1 Alhenil fireboat "in Fitch of these boats will be identified with a little of their history, described accurately by our public address, as they pass. Most of us have seen at least some of these boats but do we know what they are and what they do? At 12 noon, vessels break off to their assigned some are open for public such as the 11MCS Edmonton new 170-fL minesweeper, docked near the boat ramp; police boat; fireboat; Harbour Chieftan and possibly die Frances Barkley. This event will be followed on the water during the afternoon by a "boom boat" "log rodeo" (they are wonderful); a number of excellent water demonstrations; a flying tanker's water drop and a By JACK GILBERT Iasi fail, representatives of a number of local orgamzainxis started plan-ning for rt Alliemis first atuiual 'I lar-bour Day" to be held Saturday, June 7th, at Harbour Quay our goal was to initiate an atuiual event which would focus on the importance of our hiubor to both industry and recreation in lort Alberni and as well to reflect on safety on tire water, June 7th also marks the begiiuiing of "National Safe Boating We anticipate a great day on Saturday, which incidentally is a one-day event and although we hope to finally get some good weather, Harbour Day will run ruin or shine! Harbour Day will provide something for a day which should prove to be both fun and educational for all members of die family, and not Just for the boaters, There is no admission charge and all of the events, clinics, demonstrations, boats, etc, will either be at Harbour Quay or on the water and easily seen from I larbour Quay. The general public should be aware that the Quay Itself will be open only to pedestrian traffic, however, there is pay parking near the boat ramp and lots of free narking in front of the new marina site on Harbour Road, as well as on Kingsway and First Avenue.

All of the businesses on Harbour Quay will be open. The day will be officially opened by Acting Mayor Mrs. Donna Brett, at 10:30 a.m., in front of the Clock Tower, following a parade-in by the Port Alberni Sea Cadets and Band. The first scheduled event on Port Alberni Jack Gilbert right, Mr. Gilbert June 7, at Harbour Safety Poster Contest" all posters posted on die plexiglass behind the childrens ship winners to be awarded $21)0 in prizes, at about 3:45 Rotary Club Salmon Festival boat and motor; Search and Rescue van; Crisis Line "celebrity dunk tank" all day, by the chddren's ship; a marine swap meet In Farmers' Square, 2-4 p.m,, run by the Remote Control Club, who will also demonstrate some of their model cars, phuies and bouts, Those wishing to take advantage of the marine swup meet should be aware that it is only marine equipment mid clothing no boats or motors! The Western Industrial Heritage Society will be running the old 7 steam locomotive for family rides, from 1 1 a m.

to 4 p.m., from the train stadon. Their will be a scuba clinic and demonstration, along with a model submarine demonstration in a scuba tank, located on the wharf beyond the Clock Tower, The West Coast Highlanders, our famous Scottish marching band, will march into the Quay at 12:30 p.m., to highlight the beginning of the afternoon's activities. They will also be manning a booth throughout the afternoon and will be seeking financial aid to help pay for their forthcoming trip to Abashiri, Japan. At 2:30 nm nnr -V l''- IX rl .,,1 A I I VV'jfVrf -A Jssu u-H 1 1 "7 a 1 LMW it: 't if -st In Loving Memory of Stuart Bellamy Januiry II, 1969 June 8, 1996 You never uld you were leaving, You never Mid goodbye, You were gone before we knew It, And only Cod knowi why. A million time we've needed you, A million met we've cried.

If love could have Mved you. You never would have died. In life we loved you dearly. And in death wa lova you still, In our hearts you hava a place, No one will ever fill. It broke our hearts to loss you, But you didn't go alona.

For a part of ua went with you, The day Cod called you home. Sadly milled, alwayi loved Mom, Dad, Greg Shannon vif -SJ" 3 Harbour Day received a much-welcome Infusion of cash Tuesday night On left, committee chairman accepts a $250 cheque from Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce President Knox Coupland. On receives $250 from PACES representative Bob Casault. Harbour Day takes place this Saturday, Quay. Shayne Morrow photot.

Disarmament group holds tag day SIIThAUvmiv.i XT rv ner of ABOLITION 2000. As part of Abolition 2000, PGS is ZeVal! fr Nuclear Disarmament is leading the Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear mg a8 Day June 6th, to raise operating funds for Weapons, bv the vear 2000 Weapons, by the year 2000. having a Tag Day June 6th, to raise operating funds for exotic Adventures to Me Down Under SKY PRINCESS Ih-Day ZeaCand m. 13 27, 1998 FEB. 10 24, 1998 MAR.

10 24, 1998 Fares from nm Inside nm Outside Airfare I Taxes not Included 16-Day SoutA Pacific APRIL 7, 1998 SYDNEV TO PAPEETE Fares from nm Inside wo Outside Airfare Taxes not Included 723-8138 B.C. Registration 232-1 lltlJ fcJaOlJO TOTEM TBHIfEL flLJt Johnston Rd. at Gertruda 3.) Campaign to Ban Land Mines: PGS and Mines Action Canada, supported by peace groups and individuals throughout Canada, carried out an extensive educational program about the devastation and death left in the wake of land mine infestation. 4.) Military Low-Level Training Flights over Innu Lands: PGS and Canadian peace groups are opposing the governments agreement to increase low-level flights over Innu land from to with the addition of three more European countries involvement in the training program. PGS is questioning the impact on the health of the Innu people and on the ecosystems on which the people depend.

5.) Closer to home the Abbotsford biennial airshow which is a cover for a very large and disturbing arms trade show, will take place again this August. This trade show brings together military arms manufacturers from Canady the U.S., Britain, France, etc. and potential arms purchasers from the Pacific and Asian countries. End the Arms Race (Vancouver), the Mennonite community at Abbotsford and surrounding communities. Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade (Ottawa) and peace groups from across Canada will protest this gross insult to the principles of peaceful co-existence to which the majority of Canadians adhere.

MERYL OLSEN, wuskx ulshjn I ALBERNI DISTRICT FALL FAIR PARADE Saturday, September 6, 1997 ENTRY CLOSING DATE: August 25, 1997 To guarantee your space In the parade and on Judging sheets your entry must be received before August 25. the coming year, and we respectfully ask for your support People may question the value of supporting a small community peace group, which would appear to be ineffective in the face of the global arms trade. Part of our reason for being, lies in being a part of, and supportive of, a network of national and international peace organizations which collectively are making a difference. For example, citing the accomplishments primarily, of one leading organization: 1.) During the last year, progress was made in the worldwide movement for the abolition of nuclear weapons. The advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice stated The threat or use of nuclear weapons would generally be contrary to international law applicable in armed conflict, and in particular, the principles of humanitarian There exists an obligation to pursue, in good faith, and bring to a conclusion, the negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament In all its aspects under strict and effective international control.

(July 1966). This decision was a result of the four-year campaign of the World Court Project, co-ordinated in Canada by the Physicians for Global Survival (PGS). The work of the Canadian Peace Alliance Project Ploughshares, Coalition to Oppose the Aims Trade, 10s of thousands of signatures and letters from Canadian and indeed, signators of the Declaration of Conscience, from all over the world, contributed to this decision. September 1996, the Canberra Commission (Aus- fralia) outlined steps leading to a nuclear weapon-free world, Alberni Valley Coalition and is continuing its campaign internationally under the ban- for Nuclear Disarmament CLC briefing not on workers compensation contribute to the unfunded liability. The workers compensation boards are in an even better position than you are since they set their own income.

They have the power to set the assessment rates on employers at whatever rate they feel is necessary. If the assessment rates are too lowjhen they can set them higher. Sometimes provincial governments interfere with this process but most boards are free to set their own rates. Employer lobbying has had a downward effect of the assessment rates. WCB average assessment rates are about two per cent to three per cent of assessable payroll throughout the country.

Different industries pay different assessment rates depending on their hazard. The rates may be as low as 0.1 per cent for less hazardous industries and as a high as 12 per cent for more hazardous industries. Canadian workers compensation rates are substantially lower that the U.S. rates even though benefits are at least twice as much even in provinces with the lowest benefit levels. WCB assessments are a cheap form of insurance with low administration costs compared with private sector insurance companies.

Within the larger provinces, the WCB unfunded liabilities are of little importance since these future obligations can be met by future employers assessments. The reason they are of concern is simply that they are being used as a political football by employers who are intent on gutting our workers compensation system. If they were genuinely concerned about the financial viability of the WCBs, they would acknowledge that past employer assessment rates have been too low and would agree to have current assessment rates Part 2 THE ATTACKS Employers groups have been effective and influental by co-ordinating their lobbying throughout the country. Through meeting regularly and assigning full-time people to draft strategies and lobby for them they have achieved reduction of benefit levels, first from 75 of gross to 90 of net a few years ago and now many provinces are moving from 90 of net to 85 or 80. Making entitlement more difficult is another important plank in the employer platform.

Stress claims were first made illegal in Manitoba and are proposed to be in Ontario. Changing the definition of entitlement has made RST (repetitive strain injury) claims almost impossible to get in New Brunswick and in other provinces where the definition of accident has been made more restrictive or where the phrase arising out to and in the course of employment has been changed. Waiting periods, designed to penalize woricers who get hurt on the job, have been introduced in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Many workers suffering from occupational diseases go unrecognized by workers compensation boards and end up seeking financial assistance from other government programs. To rationalize these attacks, a crisis has been created, called the unfunded liability crisis. An unfunded liability occurs whenever a government or private pension fund or a workers compensation fund has a shortfall between current m.u wuum agree to nave current assessment rates fmanrcserva PROV.

POSTAL CODE CITY STREET IPhone Number OTHER AREA CODE HOME NUMBER Contact Person (IF DIFFERENT FROM APPLICANT) Phone Number (IF DIFFERENT FROM APPLICANT) Type of Entry. (FLOAT, COMMERCIAL, NONCOMMERCIAL, MAJORETTE, BANDS. CLOWN, SPORT GROUPS, CAR MOTORCYCLE CLUBS, DECORATED BIKES WAGONS.) Length of Entry Special Requirements Please send completed applications to: Ms. B. Fossen, Parade Marshal 4738 Elizabeth Street, Port Alberni, B.C.

V9Y 6L9 Home (604) 723-8084 TelFax: (604) 723-9313 NOTE: Passing out of any material is strictly prohibited. 1997 FALL MIR PARADEROUTE NO PARKING ON PARADE ROUTE PLEASE. ADSS fUtUre (USU3lly pension) "creased. They would also acknowledge that past UUUxaliUOS. Pmnlnvpf otcpccmsnt miss obligations.

employer assessment FALL FAIR GROUNDS 10TH AVE. An example would be the Ontario WCBs unfunded liability which is the largest in the country at present The Ontario Board is presently about 37 per cent fully funded. The Ontario WCB has a unfunded liability of about $11 billioa It also has about $5 billion in capital reserves. Its a bit like having a mortgage of about $110,000 with about $60,000 in equity built up in the house. You have a house worth $170,000 and a good, steady income which enables you to make the monthly mortgage payments.

You would think you had much of a problem, would you? Canadian workers compensation boards have no debt Some run deficits occasionally which rates have been too low and would agree to have current assessment rates increased. They would also acknowledge that the high cost of workers compensation is due to the poor enforcement of health and safety law, itself caused by employer pressure on rightwing governments. Instead, they lobby for decreased entitlement and benefit levels. Workers compensation is one of the most cost effective forms of social programs. It must be preserved.

Inserted by the Port Alberni and District Labour Council, 3940 Johnston Road, rhoneFax: 724-7966. Manhallng Ibna wl bgln at 8 30 a.1 Iran lha conw of Andaman Ann A Sunk SI Judging beglnt 00 m. SHARP. At 1 1 00 in SHARP Da panda comnanca tom toil Ax and Bunk Stand turn tefl town Roger and dtefrana living al Wt Anna I anyona wkhas any mora htwmallon Ihay can contact Belli Foasm 723-8064. s-r.