Fashion designer launches vegan collection 10
The Hope
Standard Office: 604.869.2421
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2012
w w w. h o p e s t a n d a r d . c o m n e w s @ h o p e s t a n d a r d . c o m
PROPERTY TAXES ON THE RISE Homeowners can expect to pay an additional $120
2 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PARK PATROLS
Crime prevention team combats vehicle break-ins at Othello
3
KERRIE-ANN SCHOENIT / THE STANDARD
B.C. Conservative candidate John Martin (left) and the NDP’s Gwen O’Mahony listen to Liberal hopeful Laurie Throness answer a question at the allcandidates meeting on Monday, hosted by the Hope and District Chamber of Commerce. Libertarian Lewis Clarke Dahlby was not in attendance.
HOPE CELEBRATES ARTS AND CULTURE
Candidates debate local issues
Several events are planned for the coming week
With provincial byelection looming, hopefuls try to score political points
16
Kerrie-Ann Schoenit Hope Standard
INSIDE
The carbon tax, raw log exports and the teachers’ dispute were among the hot topics at Monday’s all-candidates meeting. About 80 people turned out to the Hope & District Recreation Centre to hear the ChilliwackHope byelection contenders weigh in on pressing issues. BC Conservative candidate John Martin said his top priority is eliminating the carbon tax, which he believes is “extremely punitive” to rural residents in the riding. “We don’t have transit going back
Opinion . .. . . . . . . . . . 8 Community . . . . . 10 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Classifieds . . . . . . .19 $
1.10 (HST INCL.)
OIL CHANGE AND CAR WASH
and forth. We have to drive,” he said. “The carbon tax makes absolutely everything more expensive. It has solved nothing. We want to make life more affordable. We can lower taxes and be more efficient.” BC Liberal candidate Laurie Throness defended the carbon tax, pointing out that it’s revenue-neutral and provides about one billion dollars in personal and business tax relief. If the carbon tax were scrapped, he said the government would have to raise taxes in other areas or go into a deficit. Gwen O’Mahony said an NDP government would keep the tax, but invest it in transit and alterna-
39
$
*+ enviro fee & taxes
*up to 5L
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY FREE TOUCHLESS CARWASH WITH OIL CHANGE.
®
tive forms of transportation. She also noted her party supports rolling back corporate income tax rates to 2008 levels rather than subsiding the cuts through the carbon tax. When it comes to economy, Martin believes B.C. needs to make itself more financially attractive for investors to “take chances, risk capital, put in the effort and spend resources.” He also said the lack of jobs due to raw log exports needs to be addressed. “When you have mills closing in this province where forestry has always been a very significant lifeline for smaller communities, there’s been such a mismanagement and
TM
Continued on 2
SAVE 25 Get a $100 wash card
%
for $75 + tax. OPEN 24/7
COIN BAYS, TOUCHLESS, VACUUMS & PET WASH, RVs WELCOME.
We accept all valid competitors coupons. ARI PHH SPRING HOURS: Weekdays: 99am-5pm, 5 SSat: 99am-4pm, 4 SSun. & HHolidays-CLOSED lid CLO r
negligent overview of looking long term down the road,” said Martin, noting that exports aren’t leaving enough logs for value-added operations. O’Mahony pointed out the priority should be ensuring B.C. mills receive the tempered products they need, while Throness stressed the importance of log exports in sustaining thousands of forestry jobs. When asked about the teachers’ dispute, both Martin and O’Mahony accused the government of a creating a “political wedge issue.” Martin said the Lib-
751 Water Ave.
Wash your car at a Professional Car Wash cbosch1@telus.net