Update from the 'Front', Capital Regional District (CRD), Vancouver Island, B.C.11 February 1999 The CRD meeting held on Wednesday, February 10th, had 100 people in attendance to protest the smoking ban that went into effect in that Region on January 01st. The room legally holds 50 - there were many more protesters outside. A motion to reopen the issue and poll the municipalities to see what the people want was defeated. Democracy is not held in high esteem in that area. Non-elected health officials have lobbied elected representatives into accepting their agenda. Let's hope that the public remembers who voted for the bylaw when the next election is called. The Mayor of Central Saanich, Wayne Hunter, said, "...we have made a decision of this Board, and I, for one, am sick and tired of having it back for more discussion at every meeting." A young woman in attendance retorted, "You don't care, it's not you!" She's losing 16 hours a week of bar employment because of the cutbacks caused by the bylaw. "Gestapo" and "Hitler" were terms of reference hurled during the debate. The police were called when some protesters seemed "unwilling to leave". The good news is that the Capital Health Region has cancelled the 'celebration' scheduled for next Monday, February 15th. Obedience Certificates Issued A smoke-in was planned to protest the coffee party scheduled for businesses complying with the new 'Clean Air' bylaw, and the threat of disruption & dissent surrounding it was too much for the antis. Guess issuing those Obedience Certificates will just have to wait. Please remember to send a donation to help the Freedom of Choice Coalition (FOCC) with the legal battle to overturn this disgusting bylaw and restore freedom to not only the adults in that Region, but help preserve it for the rest of us. Victoria
Freedom of Choice Coalition in Trust or send directly to: The Esquimalt Inn For further information contact: Tel: (250) 386-2152 Fax: (250) 386-4313 Email: focc@mcdpri.com The next fundraising Benefit will be held on February 28th at the Ingraham Hotel. **** |
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