clarinews@clarinet.com (Jardine/Kelly/Standard Broadcast News, Ottawa) (02/01/90)
(This edition of the special deals with one man's struggle against the system.) (OTTAWA) While the people in Eastern Europe struggle for democracy, a battle of a different sort is being waged in the name of democracy by a lone man on Parliament Hill. ``Bribes taken here. Have no fear, bribe your Tories here. Why waste money on a lobbyist when you can bribe direct. Have no fear, bribe your Tories here.'' Parliament Hill, ten o'clock Wednesday morning. The Progressive Conservative M-P's are gathering for their weekly caucus meeting. As the Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers arrive for the meeting, they can't help but hear the now-familiar diatribes coming from the lips of a slight, grey-haired man with glasses. Forty-eight year old Glen Kealey has braved sub-freezing temperatures, searing summer heat and media indifference to wage a very personal battle against the Mulroney government on Parliament Hill. For the past 14 months Kealey has stood outside the Centre Block on an almost daily basis to deliver his message. The Hull, Quebec businessman claims his plan to develop a small office complex in that community was killed when he refused to pay a bribe to a senior Tory cabinet minister. He says he provided evidence on this to the R-C-M-P and passed a Mountie lie-detector test. Kealey also alleges the corruption extends to the very senior levels of the federal government and that several R-C-M-P officers have covered up his case. Although the battle has forced Kealey into personal bankruptcy, he insists its his democratic responsibility to seek justice from the system. He says ``I want to demonstrate that when we live in a free country we do not only get priveleges, but we have responsibilities and they are not responsibilities that always depend on other people backing us. They are responsibilities that go to the core of democracy that says the individual must do his share.'' As a result of Kealey's efforts, several R-C-M-P officers have been ordered to appear in court later this month to explain why no charges have ever been laid in the case. A judge will then have to decide if there is sufficient evidence for charges to proceed. In the meatime, Kealey has no idea how long his protest will last. He says ``I have no idea at all if I'm to be here another six months or six years or spend the rest of my life. I hope I don't have to spend the rest of my life, but if that need be, that need be.'' Supported by friends who provide food and shelter, Kealey will continue to picket on Parliament Hill, saving his best lines for the prime minister. Such as .... ``Ceaucescu, Noriega, Mulroney. One down, two to go.''
clarinews@clarinet.com (Power/Campbell/Standard Broadcast News, Ottawa) (02/02/90)
(OTTAWA) Two weeks ago Roberta Bondar was chosen to become the next Canadian to go into space. She'll be the first woman to do so from Canada. Bondar says she screamed into the telephone and deafened the man who told her because she says ``I was just so thrilled and so happy.'' Bondar says ``when I was eight or nine years of age, I had plastic models that I put together .... I was always interested in the stars.'' A trip to the stars. A dream come true. On December 6th Roberta Bondar is scheduled to fly into space with six other astronauts aboard the U-S space shuttle Columbia. The 44 year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario with four university degrees under her belt won the seat after a year long contest against her friendly competitor, Ken Money. Bondar says this was a contest between two well-qualified people ... not between a man and a woman. But reflecting on the shootings of 14 female engineering students in Montreal, she hopes her example encourages young women to keep pursuing their dreams. Bondar says ``there are a lot of times when women don't get the regonition because of certain other factors. But in this instance it was the best person and it happened to be a woman.'' Bondar says for the 1990's this should be a good message for all Canadians. We have a report from the flight dynamics officer that the vehicle has exploded, flight director confirms that.'' Roberta Bondar was a member of the Canadian Astronaut Program when the Challenger blew up after take off from Cape Canavral in 1986. She says ``Ken had his little portable radio on and, of course, he gave us the news as soon as we walked in the door, and it was just devastating.'' She says they had to really re-adjust their goals. Doctor Bondar suggests that the accident made everyone a little more realistic about the dangers. But she says going into space is so overwhelming it's too good to pass up. Bondar says ``once I have my partial pressure suit on and I'm walking on the gantry to climb aboard the orbiter, I think of that whole scene ... the solid rockets the external tank, the orbiter, the height above the land itself. But along with all the excitement there are some un-pleasant aspects to space travel. Marc Garneau has warned Roberta Bondar about the down-side of spending a week in a small tube with six other people. She says ``Marc I think used the expression, it was sort of like working with a group of people in an outhouse. You get used to the smells and everything inside and people can't have showers and they look different .... they have puffy faces.'' Roberta Bondar would probably love it if her predecessor could come along for the ride. As a matter of fact she says she'd like to have lots of company. Bondar says ``I would like to take the rest of Canada with me, along on this voyage.''
clarinews@clarinet.com (Jardine/Marshall/Standard Broadcast News Ottawa) (02/03/90)
(OTTAWA) Fears about a rising tide of racism and intolerance in Canadian society set off alarm bells in the House of Commons, prompting a special opposition day debate. A former Liberal solicitor general says he's alarmed at recent developments in the country that point to a rising tide of racism and intolerance. Robert Kaplan cites four examples to back up his claim. He says the recent Donald Marshall inquiry into the jailing of the Micmic Indian for a murder he didn't commit, shows the extent to which racism underlies the criminal justice system in Nova Scotia. Kaplan also points to the rash of racist pins in Alberta. He says that while they don't take away anyone's rights, the pins attack the dignity of those they insult. In addition, the former Liberal cabinet minister focussed attention on the backlash to Quebec's controversial sign law. Kaplan admits Bill 178 limits the rights of anglophones in Quebec. But he says the city of Sault Ste. Marie's recent decision to deny services in French has made things worse. He calls it a mean-minded statement designed to punish Quebec for Bill 178. He says openness and accomodation were essential ingredients in the creation of this country, and if we try to deny our diversity and suppress our differences, we'll destroy ourselves. Kaplan says bluntly that Ottawa has not done enough to fight bigotry, intolerance, discrimination and racism in Canada. He says all Canadians who realize our heritage is in danger have to speak out. Multiculturalism Minister Gerry Weiner insists he's been forceful and vigilant in combating racism. But he admits there are still far too many cases of intolerance. He too points to the racist pins in Alberta. Weiner says he issued a strong condemnation when the pins first appeared, and adds other Canadians swiftly followed suit. But Weiner is more optimistic than Kaplan. He says the reaction to the pin incident, and others like it, shows the true heart of Canada. Weiner insists the government can't solve the problem on its own...it needs the co-operation of citizens. Although many M-P's say they supported it, a resolution condemning intolerance and prejudice in Canada failed to get unanimous approval in the Commons.