S TANDARD TERRACE
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VOL. 26 NO. 1
www.terracestandard.com
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Pot smoke-in happening here By JOSH MASSEY CANNABIS ADVOCATES are gathering at the courthouse Saturday afternoon to smoke a little (or maybe a lot of) pot and take in events financed by local lottery millionaire and weed legalization activist Bob Erb. The origin of the name 4/20 varies depending on who you talk to, but the date of April 20 has taken hold around the world in recent years as the day for marijuana legalization rallies. Usually held in larger urban centres, this is the first time a 4/20 rally has been held in Terrace and it is one of many across the country being financially supported by Erb. “This wouldn’t happen if there wasn’t somebody who won a great deal of money and is being able to afford to bring people into town to speak,” said Skeena MLA Robin Austin. Erb donated more than $100,000 dollars to 4/20 events around Canada this year, drawn from his $25 million Lotto Max winnings from last November. As per the 4/20 tradition, there will be many joints passed around at the courthouse, Erb said. The local RCMP will be notified in advance about the over-18 event and Erb does
staff PHOTO
bob erb uses a smartphone to keep tabs on radio commercials and newscasts relating to his financing of marijuana legalization rallies that are taking place across the country April 20. One of those rallies is taking place in Terrace. not foresee arrests being a problem, partly because the British Columbia Union of Municipalities voted last September to support decriminalization.
Erb’s legalization push, including efforts to have marijuana pulled from Canada’s Controlled Drug and Substances Act are carried out under the advocacy
group name Erb4Herb. Erb4Herb merchandise will be on display Saturday – which will include mugs, t-shirts, signs and other accessories. The group posted an in-
vite online last week calling Terrace residents to meet at the hill outside the Terrace Sportsplex shortly before 4 p.m. and to join a march to the courthouse.
“This doesn’t have to be a street-stopping event the first time,” Erb said, stressing that he also wants the rally to be alcohol-free.
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Kitsumkalum says ‘yes’ to agreement THE KITSUMKALUM First Nation may have approved a land claims agreement in principle but the number of ‘no’ votes sends a strong message in advance of negotiations leading to a final treaty, says its chief councillor. “As we go further, we’re going to have to work with the ones who have concerns,” said Don Roberts
in commenting on the 190 ‘yes’ to 108 ‘no’ ballots case April 10. “We will have that opportunity as we go into the next stage.” The agreement in principle sets out the amount of cash, land and details on self government taking in matters such as taxation and resource development. But the details in those
provisions aren’t binding and there could be changes leading up to a final agreement which will also go to a vote. Based on the agreement in principle the Tsimshian, for example, will own no fewer than 45,406 hectares and receive at least $44.2 million. Roberts, who voted for the agreement in principle,
repeated past statements that final treaty provisions for what will happen outside of Kitsumkalum core lands is just as important as what will happen within the core lands. “We have places down the Skeena River, others have as well, down to the marine coast. They must be part of it,” he said. Those locations include Grenville Channel and Cha-
tham Sound and even to the former townsite of Port Essington. Roberts said the emphasis on the Kitsumkalum connection to the marine environment means fishery and marine life allocations must be contained in a final agreement. “If not, there’s not going to be a ‘yes’ vote,” he said. Fishery details also need
to set out a commercial fishery that is sustainable and recognizes Kitsumkalum values along with the values of others, Roberts said. Roberts said his own support of the agreement in principle is the realization that after many years of negotiation preceded by preparation work, it was time to work toward a final treaty.
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Play Back
Daycare debate
Raising the bar
Local band set to play rugby fundraiser and release first CD \COMMUNITY A20
Childcare was one topic at last week’s NWCC all candidates debate \NEWS A9
Terrace gymnasts return from provincials pleased with their results \SPORTS A30