What's your issue, Burnaby-New Westminster? 5, sess seis Left to right : Gerry Lenoski, Liberal candidate; Peter Julian, NDP candidate; Sam Rakhra, Con- servative candidate. ie race in the Burnaby-New Westminster riding is beginning to heat up and recently, here at The Other Press, we had an opportunity to speak to the candidates and ask them what their biggest issue was. The scope of the issue could range from one affecting Burnaby-New Westminster alone, or one that the whole nation faces. Peter Julian (NDP incumbent) “The whole issue of affordability for education comes up all the time,” Julian stated. He discussed the fact that many families or students could not afford to pay for post-secondary education. He went on to explain that there have been “$50 billion in corporate tax cuts” that the other parties are okay with, but “the NDP is saying no,” and that the “money has to be redirected.” What he and his party desire is “a Post-Secondary Act,” in which the “funds [the government gives] would have to be tied and would not be there to cover general revenue.” By this, Julian means that the money would have to go into “fixing student aid to lower student debt.” Julian also wants to give “grants on a needs basis,” as well as “low interest loans for the wealthy.” He stated that he understands the demands of a student loan as his own took many years to pay off. Julian also feels that what happened in the 2005 Federal Budget was only a start towards fixing the education system and much more needs to be done. Gerry Lenoski (Liberal candidate) Lenoski replied, “On their doorsteps, voters tell me the economy is the number one issue that will impact their ballot box decision.” “A Liberal government will build a greener Canada by targeting tax cuts to Canadians and businesses to invest in renewable, energy- efficient technologies that create jobs in a new economy for future generations,” he added. He went on to advocate tax cuts for all families and businesses, emphasizing tax relief for families with children. He also lent his support for more benefits to “the disabled, seniors, and families struggling to achieve success.” Sam Rakhra (Conservative candidate) Rakhra’s media relations people were unable to narrow this down to one issue, so what they told The Other Press is that he wants to “prevent serious crimes from being punished by ‘conditional sentencing,’ commonly known as house arrest.” He also would like to help first-time homebuyers with a tax credit for at most $5000. He would also like to give “self- employed... residents the opportunity to access maternity and parental benefits by allowing them to opt-in to the Employment Insurance Program.” As well, he would like to “support families with disabilities by allowing families to split revenue between spouses. ..[and improve] the Registered Disability Savings Program.” Carrie McLaren (Green candidate) She stated that transportation in general is a concern: crime on transportation, the Gateway project, the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge, and the need for better transportation in Vancouver. She believes that we should focus our spending more on public transportation and far less on other proposed projects. Joseph Theriault (Marxist-Leninist candidate) Could not be reached for comment by our deadline. Ismet Yetisen (Libertarian candidate) “The biggest problem is tuition,” stated Yetisen, who believes that most concerns relate to there being no time to do homework and that we must “somehow find a way to let our kids go to school.” He proposed that this be done somehow through a taxable or non-taxable way. NEWS SHORTS Nikalas Kryzanowski Abortion rights group holds rally Two pro-choice events were held in Vancouver, on September 27" and 28". The first was at the YWCA where there was a réception with hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages as well as keynote speakers for the rest of the evening. The list of guest speakers included Libby Davies, NDP MP for Vancouver and Hedy Fry, Liberal MP for Vancouver Centre. The theme of the event is an attack on the Conservatives, whom the group believes are “attacking women’s rights.” The second day of the event was a day of action at the art gallery with a “fun, creative and visual street protest against the Conservative government.” Downtown Eastside holds emergency preparedness forum On September 22", the Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities Committee held a day-long forum at the Carnegie Community Centre Theatre. It included presentations by the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities and the BC Persons with AIDS Society, the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Fire and Rescue. Invited to the event were individuals living in the DTES, as well as service providers, community-based and faith-based programs. The goal was to inform federal, provincial and civic emergency management programs on disability- specific issues and to educate individuals and organizations on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities. New West Secondary School band selling chocolate Starting October 2, New West residents can buy chocolate from the New Westminster School Band. The band is doing its annual fundraiser to generate income for its travel and festival fund, with funds raised divided equally towards offsetting band members’ travel accounts. Band members will be hitting the pavement this year with a door knocking campaign to sell the chocolate, which will cost $2 per bar. In the past, students have traveled to New York, Hawaii and San Francisco. “It’s piles of fun,” said Janice Cottingham, a parent involved with the band. “The community support is greatly appreciated.”