Friday
October 9, 2015 (Vol. 40 No. 81)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Journey into past: A First Nations trading trail for 4,000 years before it was “discovered”, the route retraced in White Rock author Carol Blacklaws’ In The Footsteps of Alexander Mackenzie is steeped in history. i see page 23
Better to call 911 says federal candidate
‘Barbaric cultural’ tip line criticized Alex Browne
and malicious false reporting. In a media release this week, HigginboFederal Liberal candidate Judy Higgin- tham took aim at what she termed the crebotham has fired a volley against ation of a “1-800-Tattle-Tale line.” the Conservatives and South “I’m a Liberal, but first and Surrey-White Rock riding candiforemost a Canadian,” she said date Dianne Watts for a recently in her statement. “These fear and announced tip-line component of scare tactics have no place in our the Zero Tolerance for Barbaric politics. The Conservatives callCultural Practices Act. ing for a citizen-based call centre The act, which received royal to encourage reporting on one assent in June, amends the Refugee another is absurd. Protection Act and the Civil Mar“Is this really a long-term crime riage Act with the avowed intent of Judy Higginbotham solution? Sounds more like a chappreventing polygamy, child marter out of Orwell’s novel, 1984.” riage and taking children or nonThe Conservatives’ announceconsenting adults out of Canada ment of the tip line included a for forced marriages abroad and quote from incumbent MP Kellie removing any defence for so-called Leitch (Simcoe-Grey): ‘honour killings’. “While these may be uncomfortA tip line and an integrated RCMP able topics for (Liberal Leader) task force to step up enforcement Justin Trudeau and (NDP Leader) of the act was announced last FriThomas Mulcair,” Leitch said, day as part of the Conservative Dianne Watts “Conservatives believe that we platform, but has received critishould be clear about our fundacism from political opponents for mental Canadian values. the potential of opening the door to abuses i see page 4 Staff Reporter
BNSF responds to mayor’s ‘laid down the law’ comment
Train blasts to persist Melissa Smalley
required to sound the horn in the event of trespassers on or near the tracks. Burlington Northern Santa Fe is defend“If there is a dangerous situation, then we ing the practices of rail crews travelling will sound the horn 24/7,” Melonas said. along White Rock’s waterfront, after the “There are often situations when there are mayor said last week that people or animals on the ❝If there is a dangerous Transport Canada had railway, and regardless of situation, then we will “laid down the law” on the time, our crews have overnight whistling. sound the horn 24/7.❞ to sound the warning to Spokesperson Gus Meloprotect everyone’s safety.” Gus Melonas nas told Peace Arch News Transport Canada proWednesday that BNSF had a “cordial, pro- vided a similar statement to PAN earlier ductive” discussion with Transport Canada this week, after Mayor Wayne Baldwin Sept. 24 regarding the train-whistle param- announced at council Sept. 28 that the eters and that crews are being reminded of regulating body had threatened to fine the protocol to “ensure compliance.” BNSF if they don’t follow the overnight Melonas pointed out, however, that safety whistling-cessation protocol. along the railway is the company’s numMelonas said the railway is “taking steps ber-one concern, and that engineers are to abide by the requirements.” Staff Reporter
Light show
Ric Wallace (WhiteRockBeach.ca) photo
White Rock’s second Diwali Integration Festival brought a range of multicultural entertainment to the waterfront Saturday in an event that International Community Celebrations Society organizers said attracted tens of thousands of people.
BORDER GOLD CORP.