And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Return-path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Thursday's Canada News Briefs Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1999 22:21:48 EST Thursday's Canada News Briefs .c The Associated Press Note: All dollars are Canadian unless otherwise noted United Right Test-Markets New Structure OTTAWA (AP) -- Supporters of a revamped political right are test-marketing a new look for their proposed alternative to the federal Liberals -- a national party headed by one leader with five regional deputies. The idea of a ``confederal'' party was floated Thursday by the organizing committee for a United Alternative, which hopes to attract more than 1,000 delegates to a convention Feb. 19-21 in Ottawa. Rick Anderson, a senior adviser to Reform Leader Preston Manning, billed the proposal as an example of the non-traditional thinking that has gone into the unite-the-right movement. ``We encouraged people to be creative, come up with ideas and think of new approaches,'' Anderson said in an interview. ``It's a way of structuring a party to give more freedom to regional expression, and to reverse the current situation where the so-called regional lieutenants of the national leader are actually servants of the leader, rather than representatives of the members or voters in the region.'' Under the proposal, to be debated along with several others at the convention, the national movement would build on existing party bases -- notably Reform in British Columbia and the Prairies and the Conservatives in Atlantic Canada. Indian Affairs Applauds Its Record OTTAWA (AP) -- Ottawa is patting itself on the back for a year of progress in First Nations relations and improved economic and social conditions for aboriginals. On Thursday, the first anniversary of announcing a long-term strategy, the federal government released an eight-page report card summing up 1998 milestones. The action plan was announced last January in response to a royal commission report tabled in 1996. The report card indicated progress in self-government, economic development and redefining relationships with aboriginal communities. Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart acknowledged there is still much work to be done. Aboriginal communities still lag far behind non-aboriginal centers in social, economic and health issues. The problem is exacerbated by a population growth rate that's double that of the Canadian population, which increases demand for jobs, social services and housing. Gays Claim Discrimination in Lawsuit TORONTO (AP) -- A Canadian gay and lesbian rights group launched an ``omnibus'' lawsuit Thursday against dozens of federal laws it says discriminate against same-sex couples. The move comes after the federal government failed to change 58 statutes voluntarily after previous court rulings upheld the rights of same-sex couples. ``It is high time for the government to ensure that all its laws protect all its people,'' Michelle Douglas, president of the Foundation for Equal Families, told a news conference. If the foundation wins its case, it could make it more politically palatable for Ottawa to change its laws, said lawyer David Corbett, who's representing the group. ``It's simpler for them, from a political point of view, to have the courts force them to do this rather than to comply with the principles that have been established,'' he said. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice said the department wouldn't comment on the case since it affects legislation under a number of different federal departments. The Supreme Court of Canada has already affirmed that the rights of gays and lesbians are protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but the federal government hasn't changed its laws to reflect that ruling, Douglas said. Shooting Triggers Debate Over Property Rights FREDERICTON, New Brunswick (AP) -- A shopkeeper's decision to take the law into his own hands has triggered renewed debate over the right to bear and use arms to protect property. George MacFarlane, the owner of a convenience store on the outskirts of the New Brunswick capital, said Thursday he was at wit's end when he pulled out a shotgun and fired at the rear of a van peeling away from his store after an attempted robbery earlier this week. MacFarlane said there had been a series of break-ins at the store and he figured it was time to take matters into his own hands to protect his property. But the two unidentified thieves got away, the police have yet to nab them and MacFarlane finds himself in the uncomfortable position of possibly facing firearms charges. ``They arrested me,'' MacFarlane said, still bewildered at being taken into custody after reporting the incident early Wednesday morning. ``It didn't make any sense.'' Police and Crown prosecutors have repeatedly warned shop owners not to arm themselves, but MacFarlane says merchants should have the right to self- protection. In Short MONTREAL (AP) -- Contract negotiations got off to a rough start Thursday between Bell Canada and the union representing 12,000 operators and technicians, according to a union official. ``There are major problems,'' said Michel Ouimet of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union. He said Bell wants a salary rollback from its Quebec and Ontario workers, while the union's main demand is a 4 percent wage increase for each of the next three years. OTTAWA (AP) -- Canada is contributing $8 million to help countries devastated by Hurricane Mitch keep up payments on their international debts. The money will go to a World Bank fund set up for Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador, International Co-operation Minister Diane Marleau announced Thursday. AP-NY-01-07-99 2221EST Copyright 1998 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press. <<<<=-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-=>>>> If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito.... African Proverb <<<<=-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-=>>>> IF it says: "PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW...." 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