8 - The Prince George Citizen - Friday, March 23,1990 National MEECH LAKE COMPROMISE Mulroney’s decision wins friends and foes by ROBERT RUSSO OTTAWA (CP) — Prime Minister Brian Mulroney won rare praise from a constitutional foe Thursday, but his decision to consider New Brunswick’s plan to clear the Meech Lake impasse may have irritated Quebec. Premier Clyde Wells, who introduced a motion to rescind Newfoundland’s support of Meech Lake, praised Mulroney’s decision to hold public hearings on New Brunswick’s plan for a companion agreement. “I think it’s the first step towards flexibility and I welcome it. But Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa, who has worked closely with Mulroney to promote Meech Lake for three years, was less enthusiastic. “I think we should wait to see the outcome of those public hearings,” a dour Bourassa said during a television interview. The accord is designed to win Quebec’s support for the 1981 constitutional agreement. It designates Quebec as a distinct society and gives all provinces more powers in such areas as judicial and Senate appointments. During a nationally televised speech, Mulroney said he would introduce New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna’s proposal for a companion accord to Meech Lake in the House of Commons and submit the proposal to a parliamentary committee. Bourassa was clearly annoyed by the prospect that Meech Lake’s future could hinge on proposals from the three provinces who have not ratified Meech Lake. “I cannot concentrate all my dme (on) studying proposals.” McKenna, whose idea for a package of amendments to Meech Lake breathed new life into what appeared to be dead constitutional discussions, was also buoyed by Mulroney’s decision. “Public participation will be required before any changes are made,” said McKenna. “I think that in itself is a fantastic step forward.” While Wells supported the idea of a public discussion of McKenna’s companion accord, he served notice he still rejects Meech Lake as is and he said he wants Mulroney and Bourassa to show more flexibility. “All we’ve gotten from them is *No. Meech Lake as is.’” Wells also played down the possibility that a so-called sunset clause might be a way to break the constitutional logjam. Such a clause would allow Meech Lake to be passed and expire after two or three years if changes weren’t made. “Frankly, I think it’s a very difficult and cumbersome thing and I don’t know if others would agree with it or not.” The premiers of Ontario, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island also voiced approval for Mulroney’s decision to invite Canadi- ans to participate in the discussion via the parliamentary committee. But two Western premiers, Alberta’s Don Getty and British Columbia’s Bill Vander Zalm, said Mulroney did not go far enough when it came to Senate reform. “That’s just not acceptable to me as a premier of British Columbia and as a westerner,” said Vander Zalm. I don’t want to in any way detract from the initiative. But in my initial assessment, it in itself is positive but it will need more in the way of Senate reform.” Vancouver homes least affordable OTTAWA (CP) — Middle-in-come families in Toronto and Vancouver had to spend more than 60 per cent of their income last year on mortgages and other costs for an average bungalow, Royal Bank of Canada economists say. And Vancouver vaulted ahead of Toronto as the country’s least affordable metropolitan area for first-time homebuyers in the final quarter of 1989, the bank said Thursday in a national survey on housing affordability. “This marks the first time since 1986 that Toronto has been unseated from the top spot,” said Michele Borque, a spokesman for the bank, Canada’s largest mortgage lender. During the fourth quarter, average house prices in the Vancouver area reached $212,000 while Toronto’s average price declined to $256,000 from a first-quarter peak of $264,000. This produced a jump in the Royal’s affordability index for metropolitan Vancouver to 67 per cent in the fourth quarter compared to the Toronto region’s 64 per cent. The index measures the percentage of median pre-tax household income needed to service the cost Gold price * TORONTO (CP) — Gold was quoted at $460 bid Cdn ($391 US) and $461 asked Cdn ($392 US) in mid-moming trading today by Deak International, a major gold .and foreign exchange dealer. of mortgage payments, property taxes and utilities on a detached bungalow. The calculations are based on a 25 per cent down payment and a 25-year mortgage at a five-year fixed rate. A sudden surge in Vancouver prices and a slight drop in Toronto prices late last year accounted for the change, Borque explained. The index for the Atlantic provinces averaged 40 per cent last year and improved during the last three quarters because of stable house prices and a slight decline in mortgage interest rates. The average price for a bungalow rose to $101,000 at the start of 1989 but stayed flat the rest of the year. The Quebec index remained stable at 45 per cent as the average price was $111,000. Montreal, with an index of 48 per cent, is the most affordable of the country’s three largest cities. In Manitoba, the index improved to 42 per cent from 44 per cent in 1988 as prices dropped by three per cent to an average of $101,500. Last year’s average house prices in Saskatchewan remained stable at $88,000 and the index remained one of the lowest in the country at 39 per cent. The average house price in Alberta reached $113,000 by the fourth quarter of 1989 but the province still enjoys the country’s lowest index. The average Bridsh Columbia price accelerated by as much as 30 per cent last year, hitting $180,000 in the final quarter and bringing the index to 58 per cent. SASKATOON (CP) — Native Indian RCMP officers will not be allowed to wear braids unless they can prove it’s a religious requirement, an RCMP spokesman said Thursday. Exceptions to the force’s dress code are granted only for religious reasons, Sgt. Pierre Belanger said in an interview from Ottawa. An individual of any faith may apply to the RCMP commissioner for a variance to the uniform, but the onus is on the member to prove it’s a religious requirement, Belanger said. “If it was determined to be a religious requirement, it would be allowed. But if it was only a tradition, it would be no,” he said. No aboriginal member of the force has sought permission to wear braids, he said. Solicitor General Pierre Cadieux announced last week that Sikh Mounties will be able to wear the turban required by their religion if they have permission from the RCMP commissioner. Some Indian leaders have called for the exemption to extend to braids for native officers. In Calgary, a native city policeman has asked his superiors for permission to wear braids. Trudeau a hit with students by MIKE TRICKEY Southam News TORONTO — Yesterday’s man was a smash hit with tomorrow’s leaders when former prime minister Pierre Trudeau took his book promotion tour to a Toronto high school Thursday. Wearing his trademark red rose and standing in front of a massive Canadian flag, the 70-year-old Trudeau received repeated applause from 1,000 students from five downtown schools as he urged them to compare the values of the fathers of ConfederaUon or his own generaUon of “yesterday’s men” to the values of today’s governments. While cautioning the students that the book Towards a Just Society: the Trudeau Years, co-editcd by Trudeau and Tom Axworthy, was not about the Meech Lake controversy, the former prime minister spent most of the hour-long quesdon-and-answer period discussing the accord. Repeating his arguments that Quebec will not be saUsfied with the terms of Meech Lake and will instead continue to push for more, Trudeau compared the situadon to the Baldc crisis facing the Soviet Union and asked how long the United States would tolerate secession talk from a state. “In 1987, Quebec said we need five new things. Prime Minister (Brian) Mulroney gave them seven,” he said of Quebec’s bid to bccomc a constitudonal signator after refusing to the sign the 1982 pact negodated during Trudeau’s final term. “Premier (Robert) Bourassa will ask for more. He said so Wednesday night, he’s said it in the past.” With the familiar shrug of the shoulders and upraised palms, Trudeau said: "It is time to say to Quebec, ‘Make up your mind.’ ” He warned that die biggest flaw in the accord is that nobody knows what the distinct society clause means. “It’s fooling the people to tell them that if we sign Meech Lake, we’ll have peace in our time.” Trudeau professed to be confused by the recent spate of Ontario communities declaring themselves unilingual English, but suggested Quebec brought on the episode by rejecting the Supreme Court decision on signs. “I guess the values we were promoting have not been supported. There have always been people who hated our bilingual policies, but now we have given them a reason. And then Quebcc stands -up and says you don’t like us any more.” Trudeau told the students he has avoided national stage since his 1984 retirement bccause “I was more interested in international affairs than Canadian ones.” And he denied the timing of his book tour was designed to cause the government problems as it scrambles to find a soludon to the Meech Lake impasse. “We’re not riding to a shootout with the Meech Lake gang.” IS easy my an JJ/llWiCUZCS onotttns Prince George and Vanderhoof MARKETING BOARDS BLAMED Lower farm prices urged by ALEX BINKLEY OTTAWA (CP) — Food processors planning to build new plants are likely to move to the United States if they can’t get lower-priced farm products in Canada, a lobby group told the Commons agriculture committee Thursday. In a brief to the committee, the Grocery Products Manufacturers of Canada said the cost of dairy, poultry and vegetables produced under marketing boards in Canada could force companies to head south of the border. “These companies are anticipating major long-term decisions in the next 90 to 120 days that could affect thousands of jobs and several hundreds of millions of dollars in capital investment in Canada,” the associadon said. “The opportunities available to Canadians to supply the lucrative U.S. market are astounding. But only if we get our cost structures and quality in line with the U.S.” The associadon said Canadian food processors pay an average of 10 to 15 per cent more for poultry, milk and vegetables than their U.S. counterparts do. In the United States, such farm products are not controlled by marketing boards, which set prices and control producdon. The associadon said the difference in prices between the two countries is "significant when you consider that these regulated commodities account for about two-thirds of all ingredient costs and these ingredient costs make up approximately 50 per cent of the finished product cost.” The government should order markedng boards to “adopt the goal of working toward competi- dvcness in each link of the food chain,” said the brief. It added that rcprcsentadves of consumers, processors and retailers should be appointed to the boards of the farm markedng agencies. The associadon said Canadian farmers, who face higher costs than their U.S. counterparts, are not solely responsible for the price differences. But it said all paits of the food industry should work toward lower prices. Cruise test goes Saturday OTTAWA (CP) — The United States air force will conduct a cruise missile test over Canada on Saturday, the Canadian Forces announced today. It is the third U.S. cruise missile test over Canada this year. The cigar-shaped AGM-129 cruise missile will remain attached to a U.S. B-52 bomber throughout the flight over the Beaufort Sea, down the Mackenzie River valley and to the Primose Evaluadon Range near Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, Alta. The tests are carried out as part of Canada’s participation in the western military alliance, the North Adantic Treaty Organization. Cruise missiles can hug the terrain in a low flight path, helping them evade enemy radar. The United States tests some of its cruise missiles in northern Canada because the terrain resembles that found in parts of the Soviet Union. NEED A CAR? • NO MONEY DOWN • LOW PAYMENTS • PREVIOUS BAD LUCK? Call and give us your applicaiton by phone. In most cases, we can have your answer in 2 hours. No matter what your past credit experience, give mo a call. Credit Manager 562-1341. CONNAUGHT AUTO 562-1341 1795 Victoria St., - Prince George ANNOUNCEMENT CARL C. WIKJORD Leonard R. Zirnhelt, Managing Partner, is pleased to announce that Carl C. Wikjord, Trustee in Bankruptcy, has joined us as Senior Manager. Carl Wikjord has been active in the Insolvency field for several years in the Prince George area and the Northwest section of the province. In addition to Insolvency services, Peat Marwick Thorne provides services in Auditing, Accounting, Personal Income Tax, Corporate Taxation, Business Valuations, financing acquisitions, diverstitures, micro and mini computer installation and instruction. We are dedicated to excellence in serving the special needs of a growing business community. US-1 Peat Marwick Thorne Chartered Accountants 100 Passes Will Be Drawn For From All The Entries Received And These Passes Will Be Good For A Day Of Fabulous Spring Skiing At Powder King Ski Village. ENTRY DEADLINE MONDAY, APRIL 2,1990 12:00 NOON RULES 1. Winner will be selected by a random draw from all entries received. 2. Enter as often as you like, no mechanically reproduced entries will be accepted. Hand drawn facsimilies will be accepted. 3. Only one pass per person will be issued. 4. Passes expire at the end of the current ski season and must be accepted as awarded. 5. Employees of The Prince George Citizen and BobSports and their immediate families are not eligible to enter. 6. Entry deadline is April 2,1990 12:00 noon. 7. The decision of the judges is final. To enter fill out the coupon below and drop off at: The Prince George Citizen __ BobSports 150 Brunswick Street OH 680 Victoria Street Entriet may also be mailed to Powder King Draw P.0.Box 5700 Prince George, V2L 5K9 DRAW COUPON Name. Address. Postal Code. Telephone No.