TUESDAY APRIL 19, 2016
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ILLEGAL DUMPING
BOYS OF SUMMER OPEN SEASON
A3
A41
Parksville Royals split home-opening doubleheader against Nanaimo
RDN says dumping near Qualicum part of larger issue
LOCAL WOMAN SAYS . . .
Bill C-14 falls short Proposed law disappoints couple faced with dementia JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Anne Arial and her husband Norman were looking forward to the day when the federal government would provide some clarity and relief for those looking to end their lives with dignity. The Parksville residents said they were less than pleased when they read details of the Liberal government’s Bill C-14, tabled Thursday in the House of Commons. “We were hoping it would give us a road to how to do it,” Ann said last week. “It was his only hope. It’s so devastating.” Norman has dementia. “He’s in very good physical condition, but his mind is going,” said Ann. She said they had hoped the new legislation would provide them with some peace of mind as Norman’s mind deteriorated. “We thought he could enjoy what life he has now because he would know he wouldn’t have to sit in his own sh** for years.” Bill C-14, if passed into law in its current form, would limit access to medically assisted suicide to “competent adults” whose death is “reasonably foreseeable” and are suffering “intolerably.” It sets out criteria that has to be met for a person to lawfully end their life with the help of a nurse practitioner or doctor. Mental illness alone is not enough for a person to be eligible for assisted death. Ann said she and her 85-year-old husband have discussed the issue “thoroughly.” She said they have a plan. “I would be asking him if it was time and we would go through that several days in a row,” she said. “There were no questions that I was doing it for him.” See I’LL JUST END UP IN JAIL, page A8
J.R. RARDON PHOTO
SOCCER STARS: Kids from both teams stampede after the ball during action on the second week of the Oceanside Youth Soccer spring season on Saturday at Community Park in Parksville.
BEAR CUBS JORDAN AND ATHENA STILL IN ERRINGTON
CO not seeking his old job JOHN MCKINLEY
Black Press
The Vancouver Island conservation officer who became international news last summer for refusing to shoot two bear cubs has abandoned the fight to get his job back. Bryce Casavant launched a grievance after he was first suspended, then transferred out of the CO service and into another department following his actions in defiance of provincial orders.
According to his union, the grievance has now been dropped. “Bryce Casavant is content with his current position with the Ministry of Forests and has chosen not to continue his grievances in the pursuit of a return to his previous position with the Ministry of Environment,” B.C. Government Employees Union president Stephanie Smith said in an emailed statement. “Bryce has decided to focus his energy on attaining a PhD in furtherance of interests in environ-
mental sustainability. The Province of B.C. supports his decision.” Casavant received worldwide attention when he disobeyed an order from his superiors within B.C.’s Ministry of Environment to put the cubs down after their mother was caught ravaging a freezer July 3 in Port Hardy. He shot the mom as being too habituated to humans for rehabilitation, but determined the cubs did not meet the same standard and could be saved. See CUBS OUT, page A4
Daffodil dil Day at Pharmasave Parksville! PARK SV I LL E OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • WE DELIVER Locally Owned Proudly Canadian! WEEKDAYS WEEKENDS
UNTIL UNTIL
9PM 6PM
281 E. ISLAND HWY., PARKSVILLE • 250- 951-0243
On April 21st
Join us to Support a Great Cause!
Join the fight and help support Canadians living with cancer. Purchase a daffodil to spin our prize wheel and support the Canadian Cancer Society. Win a Prize Everytime! On Daffodil Day, Pharmasave Parksville will donate $1 for every daffodil sold. Treats, Prizes, Gift Cards & Much More!
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the points April 21st* *Some exclusions apply - Codeine products, Prescriptions, Ideal Protein, Gift and Phone Cards.