^THE REAL NEWS

The R.E.A.L. WOMEN of BC Newsletter

JULY 1998 BOX 39068,
Point Grey RPO, Vancouver, BC V6R 4P1 Tel:463-1611
Fax:463-1601 http//.www.getset.com/realwomen

For the last several years in Maple Ridge, Linda Meyer, a self-confessed marxist-feminist, has been waging war for equality of the sexes at the expense of traditional morality and cultural norms of decency. She is challenging the constitutionality of s.173 and s.174 of the Criminal Code.

Recent years have seen her become bolder as she stifles her natural modesty and bares her breasts in more and more populous places. Now, she can be seen pedaling her bicycle topless down a busy highway or disrobing during outdoor Canada Day Celebrations.

Last year, because of her persistence in entering the public indoor pool bare breasted, Mayor Carl Durksen and council drafted a bylaw to deal with this behavior.

Meyer has almost no support in the local community. (No pun intended.) But the community is divided as to how to deal with its problem. Some say she should be ignored and she will go away. Others say something has to be done! Everyone is tired of her and her crusade.

In April, Doris Darvasi, President of REAL Women was invited to debate Linda Meyer on a talkshow aired on the local cable station. A reporter who contacted REAL Women regarding this issue mentioned that he had contacted the offices of the Attorney General and at that time was told that this issue was not a problem to British Columbians as the Attorney General had received very few complaints from the public. It was claimed that "the public had spoken through its silence".

Then in May or June the RCMP made a public statement that they would no longer be treating this act as a prosecutable offense. The community was almost immediately galvanized into action after a warning appeared on the front page of the local paper saying "Topless Sunbathers Beware" A man was caught viewing them while fondling himself! Many letters were written to the Attorney General asking him to take a stand on this issue, and many petitions were signed.

On the first of July the local MLA, Bill Hartley, passed along verbal assurances to Mayor Carl Durksen of Maple Ridge that the AG would support bylaws drafted by the Municipality to keep abreast of this behavior.

REAL Women of BC has been contacted by members and non-members alike from communities around the province inquiring what REAL Women was doing about this issue. At the REAL Women Annual General Meeting in May, members passed a resolution (see it on page 5 this newsletter) and the provincial Attorney General and the Federal Minister of Justice have since then been contacted to advise them about the concerns that REAL Women has. Laurie Geschke, Vice-president of REAL Women of BC who resides in Maple Ridge, headed a delegation which made a presentation to the Maple Ridge City Council.

Mayor Durksen and Council have appropriate, working bylaws in place for municipal (Parks and Recreation) property. However, only the Crown Council, as directed by the Attorney General has the authority to act when the offense happens on property under provincial jurisdiction (Roads & Highways).

If British Columbians do not want to see women parading around topless down main streets, shopping malls, public markets and beaches more letters and petitions are needed to the Attorney General of BC calling for action on this issue. The deluge of mail in June and July perhaps is the reason that verbal assurances were given to local officials, however, the verbal assurances have yet to translate into written promises and concrete action.

Please write to Honorable Ujjal Dosanjh, Attorney General of BC, Room 232, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, V8V 1X4, fax: 387-6411. Request a response, and cc your letter to Mayor Carl Durksen and Council, your MLA, and the Liberal Caucus (fax: 356-6171).

Also write to Honorable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice, Room 707, Confederation Bldg., Ottawa, Ont., K1A 0A6 requesting that the Criminal Code be amended to ensure that it prohibits the baring of women’s breasts in public places (with the exception of breastfeeding of course) and treat such actions as a prosecutable offense under S. 173 and S. 174 of the Code. Request a response and cc your letter to your MP and the Reform Leader.

REAL Women of BC has Petitions available regarding this matter. Please contact Doris at tel. (604) 576-3068, fax: (604) 576-3069 to request copies. Have your friends, neighbors, family members, co-workers sign it.

The CRTC held a series of informal public hearings throughout the month of June.

In the CRTC notice the public was asked to

respond to the following questions: "How important is Canadian television programming to you? Do you agree that Canadian television programming should reflect your views and values as Canadian citizens? Do you think it does? What kind of Canadian programming interests you?"

The Vancouver forum was held at the Robson Square Conference Centre on June 22, l998. Doris Rankin, one of REAL Women of BC’s board member attended the forum with another member of REAL Women.

In her presentation Mrs. Rankin pointed out that it was widely accepted that the impact of the media on the public was overwhelming and powerful. She added that she believed that presently the CRTC was granting licenses in a discriminatory manner. Mrs. Rankin pointed out that this was evidenced by the CRTC granting a license to the Playboy Channel and refusing licenses for religious channels or programs. It was further pointed out by Mrs. Rankin that the CRTC repeatedly grants licenses to individuals or companies that create programs which consistently insult and offend the majority of the Canadian people. Mrs. Rankin also objected strongly against tax payers money being used for such biased licensing and programming.

The summer is finally upon us. After the initial "monsoon" we have scorching temperatures. Of course, now we complain that it is too hot! I trust that you are all having a wonderful summer and are spending a lot of time with your family.

I came across an interesting article regarding a referendum being brought before the people of Switzerland. The Swiss are heavily involved in genetic engineering. A group concerned about the abuse in this area started an initiative which was brought to the people on June 7.

Before the day of casting their votes, the opinions

among the Swiss regarding regulations for genetic engineering were greatly divided.

However, when June 7 came, the Swiss showed their trust in their Government to not abuse the knowledge in genetic engineering by voting "no" to the initiative. It remains to be seen whether or not the Swiss Government will live up to the trust that it has been given.

In Switzerland any individual or group can bring an issue to the people by collecting 100,000 signatures ti initiate a National referendum. What struck me was the simplicity of the system and how well it works. Sure, some things might take a little longer to be accomplished, however, the people of Switzerland have a true part in running their country. It is the Swiss people who so far have voted "no" to join the European Community despite the Government’s desperate attempts to change people’s minds.

What would Canada look like if we had a system like that here? If we as Canadians had a true say in what is happening in this beautiful country of ours, I am sure things would be quite different, and I would venture to say, for the better.

REAL Women of BC (for the Coalition for the Protection of Parental Rights) did two French interviews early in July on CBC Radio Canada regarding the Surrey Schoolboard issue.

The first one was a 6 minute long live phone interview for the 6 p.m. national news commentary out of Montréal.

The second one was three days later, and again for CBC Radio Canada, but for the local Vancouver station. This time the on-air interview was 12 minutes long and very fairly explained the position of the Coalition for the Protection of Parental Rights and REAL Women of BC with regards to the proposed teaching of homosexuality as an acceptable alternative to heterosexual family life.

At the end of the interview for a closing comment, the reporter asked REAL Women of BC representative, Laurie Geschke, what would happen if the case was ruled against the Surrey School Board. After replying that future plans for appeal, should they be needed, have not been discussed officially by any organization involved, Laurie said that she felt it would signal the end of parental authority, and mean the death of the public education system and of democracy in our province.

Anthony Longoz, the newly elected President of the Association of Christian Churches and Ministries of Greater Vancouver (ACCMGV) has a great vision. He wants to bring together the Christian Churches (and through that the Christians) in an effort to become a voice to be reckoned with when it comes to dealing with the Government regarding social issues.

Part of the Faith Statement of the ACCMGV says that we are called to care for children, the vulnerable, the hungry, the imprisoned; the impoverished, it challenges us to speak out for the oppressed, take risks, and be leaders in the search for social justice.

The Association will monitor issues relevant to Christians and be a provocative voice on behalf of our faith and believes to government, business, media and society at large.

Educating the public plays a big role in bringing about changes and getting individuals involved. More information about ACCMGV can be obtained by writing to ACCMGV c/o suite #303, 1110 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2S2.

The Lilith Fair will be back in Vancouver on August 31^st Under the disguise of a concert with the motto "celebration of women" there is something more going on. Planned Parenthood is invited and there will be a push for abortion and birth control. Abortion information, condoms and other birth control information are being distributed to young women and girls.

In the name of promoting the teenagers’ right to express their sexuality, women are being used, exploited and promoted as sexual objects.

Be aware of what is going on in your teenager’s life and know what kind of concerts your teens are attending. Be aware that Lilith Fair is not just a "nice" concert.

The Canadian Alliance for Social Justice and Family Values Association held a Forum on Saturday, July 4, l998, with invited guest Dr. John Goyeche, a psychologist in Kelowna. Dr. Goyeche conducts psychological evaluations regarding parental fitness in child protection and child custody/access situation. He has been an expert witness on these matters in the Courts of BC, Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick and has many published articles in a variety of areas.

The Association also invited Ross Dawson, Director of Child Protection, Children and Families Ministry. Mr. Dawson however claimed that he was unable to attend and did not send another representative.

K-John Cheung of the Association started the meeting with some comments. He stated that for children growing up and going through adolescence it is nothing unusual to experience depression, have mood swings and show aggressive behavior. All of this does not automatically constitute abuse. Mr. Cheung mentioned the effort on behalf of some people to amend the Criminal Code so that parents are no longer allowed "reasonable corporal punishment" for their children and Reform MP’s Gary Breutkreuz’s effort to include parental rights into the Canadian Human Rights Act (which motion was opposed by the Liberals and Conservatives and defeated), giving parents a clear message that they no longer had any rights but only responsibilities.

Dr. Goyeche shared with the audience of about 40 people that he became interested in the "over apprehension syndrome" through the Quesnel cases. He realized that a similar case that had happened in Kelowna did not seem to be an isolated case so he began to study these situations, using the Ministry’s own materials. The Vancouver Sun published Dr. Goyeche’s commentary entitled "Child protection in BC plagued by ‘Over-Apprehension Syndrome’" followed by a second commentary.

Mr. Ross Dawson promptly responded with his own commentary stating that Dr. Goyeche’s concerns were unfounded and questioning Dr. Goyeche’s credibility and expertise. Shortly thereafter, in a letter to the Editor, Mr. Dawson apologized to Dr. Goyeche for questioning his expertise!

Dr. Goyeche pointed out that between October l995 and Mach l997 there has been an increase of 18% in child apprehension (in the Kelowna area 53% increase). He has great concern regarding the Child, Family & Community Service Act (introduced to the BC legislature on May l7, l994) as, for example, there is no definition of "child abuse". There are also what Dr. Goyeche terms the "likely to be" clauses which mean something undefined that might happen in the future which is not measurable. Other terms that are not defined are "reasonable time" or "child’s needs". The Act also lists support services for the parents, however, as well meaning as these sound, they can backfire. If the parents do not appropriately utilize these services it can be used against them.

Another problem is that once a parent has involved a social worker to help with a problem child, the government now has a foot in the door. Dr. Goyeche stated that he had seen instances where a family asked for help from social services and then had the person who was paid to "help" testify against the parent.

The Adoption Act plays an important role as well. Apparently when a child who was placed in temporary custody is placed into continuing custody, the Director of the Ministry becomes the sole guardian of the child and may consent to the child’s adoption without the parents’ consent. Also, the parent has to prove that he or she is fit to be a parent and has to undergo medical and psychological evaluations the costs of which have to be carried by the parent.

Dr. Goyeche was asked what he would do if the social worker showed up at his door. His response was that he would lock all the doors and call a lawyer. He suggested that those who do not have the financial means for a lawyer contact the Citizens Research Institute or the Canadian Alliance for Social Justice and Family Values Association.

Anyone who wants to consult Dr. Goyeche regarding child apprehension can reach him at 1-800-755-7722.

So far this year in Italy 13 babies, most of them dead, were found abandoned: some in bins, others buried among garbage in Milan and Rome and another, still alive, stashed away in a cardboard box. A children’s welfare organization has now launched a poster campaign across Italy. The posters, that are being pasted on public garbage cans, depict a winsome baby looking out from a garbage can. The message on the poster is "I’m a baby! Take me to a hospital or to a safe place". Thousands of posters have already been attached to garbage cans and the organization is hoping to extend its campaign throughout Europe.

The members attending this years Annual General Meeting of REAL Women of BC had the pleasure of listening to Cindy Silver, a lawyer and the legal analyst for Focus on the Family. Ms. Silver lives in North Vancouver, is married and the mother of three children. She talked about the rights parents still have in this province and country.

Ms. Silver pointed out that it is essential that parents be aware of their rights because many of those rights are being eroded. Ms. Silver’s message was greatly enjoyed by all who attended and many approached her at the end of the meeting to ask more questions.

At the AGM the following boardmembers were elected: Doris Darvasi, President; Laurie Geschke, Vice-President; Irene Burrell, Treasurer; Janice Westlund, Secretary; Lillian Middleton, Membership Secretary; Doris Rankin, Mail Liaison; Mary Anna Kaiser, was appointed Provincial Representative to the national board. Additionally, the following resolution was passed by the members:

We extend a warm WELCOME to all our new members. Thank you so much for giving us your voice and allowing us to speak on your behalf. We also thank all those members that have renewed their membership. A special thank you to those members that have sent us special donations, above their regular membership fee. As you know we do not get (or want) any government funding and our existence depends on you. REMEMBER: check your label on the REALITY to see when your membership expires.

GIFTS NEEDED? This might sound a bit early but are you thinking of what to get for Christmas for that special person that already has everything? How about giving them a membership in REAL Women? If you give a membership gift to someone, send in the form (or drop us a line) and we will send the recipient a Christmas card advising her (or him) of your gift. It is a gift that will last all year. For a more frugal gift may we suggest a copy of one of the following books:

The Feminist Takeover (Patriarchy to Matriarchy in Two Decades) by Betty Steele

This book examines the rapid growth of the women’s movement with its many government funded organizations, their mandates and the resulting destructive influences on our traditional family. This is a well researched and well written book, you’ll enjoy it.

The Disarming of Canada by John Hasek

A look at Canada’s defense scene, past, present and future. "A devastating criticism of how our military has been undermined—and solutions to the problem"-----Peter Worthington. If you are interested in an inside look at our defense and security arrangements this book is for you.

Each book is available for $8.00 (incl. Shipping) and available through REAL Women. Please send us a note with your cheque and we will forward you as many copies as you want. These books make great gifts and the price is excellent.

MOVING????? PLEASE LET US KNOW!!! Unfortunately we still get too much mail returned because we did not receive an address change. THANK YOU.

HOT ISSUES!! GET ON OUR EMAIL LIST: REAL Women of BC has established an email list for members and interested parties. Your provincial board wishes to use this list responsibly to get word out on important issues in a timely fashion. If you would like to receive information in this manner, please contact us through our site at http://www.getset.com/realwomen

Internationally renowned artist, Bruce Dall, has commemorated our beloved Canada in celebration of the Year 2000 by creating a truly magnificent collection of 12 original silk-screened serigraphs created by hand on acid-free, museum quality paper, which are individually signed and numbered. The collection can be removed individually for display in your home or office or kept encased in its fine-grained leather, hand stitched, embossed portfolio. This limited-edition collection depicts nature in all her

amazing beauty while displaying some of the tremendous diversity of the many regions of Canada.

Bruce Dall is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and his work is eagerly sought after. It can be found in many corporate and private collections world-wide such as those belonging to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, the late Lady Diana, former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, British Petroleum and The National Bank of Switzerland.

For further information and/or a flyer on this Limited Edition Portfolio to be sent to you please write or call REAL Women Member Carolyn Wharton at PO Box 113, 1657 -- 128^th Street, Surrey, BC, V4A 3V2. Telephone 1 (604) 538-2533. Cost is $2000 plus GST. Payment can be made by Visa, Mastercard, or post-dated cheques made out to Willow Creek Industries (with a 50% down payment). This purchase is a tax write-off for businesses. A generous donation will be made to REAL Women of BC or REAL Women of Canada (UN NGO delegate expenses) by the artist for each portfolio purchased.

REAL Women of Canada has an excellent Website up on the Internet. It can be reached at http://www.realwomenca.com or via the link on our provincial page. A special feature of the National site is the Alert page, which contains breaking stories and researched background information to help you write timely, effective letters on the issue of the day. Check it out!

The state of Louisiana is going hi-tech with their abstinence program. Apparently there is a website where people can browse to find out what material is available in the area of teen sexuality and how the teens can be led into healthier lifestyle choices.

The state is contributing $300,000. The rest of the money comes from federal funding and, in-kind contributions cash from participating groups. The total cost of the program might be as high as $2.8 million.

The program includes community projects, and individual volunteers. The plan is to promote abstinence through education, government, health care, business and media. Hopefully the media campaign will eventually extend across the nation.

Recently, a group of computer scientists (all male) announced that computers should always be referred to as being female. Their reasons for drawing this conclusion follow:

Five Reasons to believe computers are female:

However, another group of computer scientists (all female) think that computers should be referred to as being male. Their reasons follow:

Five reasons to believe computers are male:

In a recent article in The Province on the Special
Report on HIV, Hepatitis and Injection Drug Use in British Columbia -- Pay Now or Pay Later, written by Dr. John Millar, the Chief Provincial Medical Officer, recommendations from the major anti-drug strategy included the following:

a major expansion in the use of the heroin substitute methadone to treat addicts;

more tax resources to provide care for children of addicts who suffer from drug-related illnesses;

the implementation of a "super-committee" to
co-ordinate a province-wide approach to drug addiction;

and consideration of the huge economic drain drug addicts with or without any related illnesses impose on taxpayers.

There are millions of Canadians suffering from alcohol and cigarette addictions -- are there free, drop-in clinics to provide them with their daily fix? What mixed up message will our children understand,

when we tell them to "just say no!" and then pay for the habits of wayward individuals who don't?

If you are able to, you could also attend a "Community Partners Forum" on Crime Prevention and Drug Treatment on Thursday, October 29, 1998 from 8:30 am to 12:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Simon Fraser University City Program Steering Committee, Vancouver's Coalition for Crime Prevention and Drug Treatment, the City of Vancouver, and the Vancouver City Police, the Forum will focus on strategies which community organizations are using to address the pressing issues of drug treatment, crime prevention, urban safety, housing and their inter-relationship.

Following a plenary session,
participants will have the opportunity to discuss
specific issues in smaller groups. For reservations
call (604) 291-5100, fax 291-5098 or email at
City@sfu.ca The Forum is free, but seating is extremely limited, so call early to register.

The mother of a seven year old daughter in Victoria was outraged when a Family Court judge ruled in favour of the girl's grandmother regarding visiting rights.

The mother of the girl refused to allow her daughter to see the grandmother who was running an escort service. The mother of the seven year old, who had briefly worked as a prostitute for the escort service, felt that her daughter would be damaged by a relationship with the grandmother, a woman who apparently said in court that she thought prostitution was an honorable profession.

The grandmother went to court to seek access the girl. On December 4 Judge Judith Kay ruled that the mother's argument her daughter could be harmed through exposure to the grandmother was irrational. The ruling was appealed and the Supreme Court of BC overruled Judge Kay in stating that parents were the primary moral guardians of their children and therefore are allowed to restrict access to them for moral reasons.

The two rulings are amazingly different. While Judge Kay ruled that considering the grandmother's capabilities a relationship between the girl and the grandmother could only be beneficial Supreme Court Justice Dermod Owen-Flood disagreed strongly. In his July 3 decision Justice Owen-Flood wrote that parents have a responsibility, duty and interest to decide on moral grounds what is best for their children. He also stated that parents have a right to bring up their children as they wish and decide for the children what is right for them.

The grandmother's lawyer, Odette Coccola stated that she believed the right of the parent to make moral decisions for the child was not paramount. She further says that ..."parents don't have rights, they have responsibilities and obligations."

It is not certain at this point if the grandmother will appeal the decision.

After a botched abortion attempt in Bellingham twelve years ago, Ximena Renaerts' biological mother went to the Vancouver General Hospital to have the abortion completed. Instead a baby girl was born alive. The baby girl was put into a room with the remains of other aborted babies and left to die.

Having been abandoned for approximately 43 minutes without medical attention, Ximena suffered brain damaged and was left with cerebral palsy. Ximena Renaerts and her adoptive parents, Margaet and Bert Renaerts, sued the biological parents, two doctors, four nurses and the Vancouver General Hospital for gross negligence. In June the case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

In spite of the settlement, the Vancouver General Hospital stated that it still thinks it did nothing wrong as it is the hospital's policy to withhold treatment from abortion survivors if the parents want the child to die.

This practice has been questioned by many from a legal, medical and ethical viewpoint. Under Canadian law a child is entitled to "personhood" from the moment of birth. Observers say they had assumed that the medical profession felt compelled to give medical treatment to children born alive even if they are abortion survivors.

The hospital is not commenting on possible disciplinary actions against hospital staff. The BC College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Registered Nurses Association of BC are looking into the matter. The Vancouver Police Department is also looking into the case to establish if criminal charges would be warranted.

The following question begs to be asked: How many other abortion survivors were left to die at the Vancouver General Hospital? What is the legal right of the abortion survivor?

Some members in the Surrey area have expressed the desire to start a prayer chain dealing in particular with social issues. If you would like to be a part of this please let us know or call directly to Janice at 574-9232.