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News item. Part of MLA Dave Barrett's address on ICBC and the Social Credit government. As of 31-Dec-1976, ICBC had $272 million in the bank, as tabled in the legislature by Health Minister Dennis Cocke. Then the newly-elected Socreds claimed that ICBC was "broke," so they loaned the corporation ". . . $181 million on a Wednesday and then borrowed it back on a Friday." He also talks about B.C. subsidizing the U.S. with cheaper natural gas for them, which will raise the price of it here.

News item. Dave Barrett speaks at a dinner. He says he will return to the BC Legislature as NDP leader after June 3rd byelection in Vancouver East. He accuses Kaiser Coal and oil companies of being able to take money out of BC's primary resources without having to pay any taxes, and without returning any of the profits to BC, thanks to the Socred administration. He says: "It's the same old giveaway gang, giving again." On ICBC: "Socred Government loaned ICBC $181 million on Wednesday and borrowed it back on Friday." Barrett hits out hard against Socreds's policy of not raising gas and coal prices "when everything else is going up." Challenges Premier Bennett to call an election.

Stock shots. Footage of strikes and demonstrations in Victoria and vicinity. 1. Camosun College support staff - CUPE Local 2081 - picketer. 2. Picket line at Administrative Centre, Greater Victoria School Board. CUPE Local 2081, Camosun College. 3. Pickets - re: Bill 46, labour rally. 4. Handicapped people demonstrating at Legislature. 5. Anti-Trident protesters on zodiacs in the Inner Harbour. Colour Guard. 6. "Save the whales - foil the hydrofoil." 7. Anti-nuclear demonstration. 8. "ICBC rates unfair." 9. Anti-sealing demonstration. 10. Demonstration against use of 2,4-D. 11. Boaters demonstrating re: moorage rates. 12. "Save Youth Services" demonstration. 13. Premier W.R. Bennett with protesters and media. 14. Rally protesting Ministry of Health [Bob McClelland?]. 15. Pro-choice rally. 16. Pro-life rally. 17. Environmentalists rally. 18. Demonstration against sewage dumping. 19. Pro-lifers. 20. Unemployed rally. 21. "Kids want a bus" rally. 22. Demonstration against Raven Lumber. 23. Pro-life demonstration. 24. Native rights/housing march and demonstration. 25. Rally against Bill 15.

News item. Premier Bill Bennett and Pat McGeer at press conference on Safe Driving Program. Bennett says government had to come up with a new program to encourage safer driving among males under 25. ICBC says the program will cost $12 million, but Bennett says cost will be worth it in terms of saving lives. McGeer says Group 4 (males under 25) will be charged very high premiums.

News item. ICBC strike. Brief interview with a shop steward. Other background footage shows pickets and placards -- e.g., "This firm is one of Strachans' strike-breakers", referring to use of non-union workers by ICBC management.

News item. ICBC protest rally outside B.C. Legislature. Speaker Jack Heinrich condemns Socred government's action of raising insurance rates by 130-200 percent, when the Socreds themselves had criticized the NDP for raising the rates by 19 perecent. Slogans include: "Free enterprise is very expensive"; "Stick it in your ear McGeer"; and "The new ICBC blues -- Record by Cameron Molloy on sale here!"

News item. ICBC workers had obtained a settlement with management. However, says spokesman at protest: "There was a political decision on the part of the NDP through Bob Strachan, Dennis Cooke and Ernie Hall to turn down the negotiated proposals and and offer us the original proposal that had been turned down four months ago." Picketers carry placards saying, e.g., "ICBC=NDP hires scab adjusters" and "No! Damn! Principles!" Protest being held outside NDP office on Blanshard Street. Newspaper headline with photo of Dave Barrett reads, "Strike will help cut ICBC losses."

News item. Unidentified woman says she would support a strike against ICBC rates, and suggests that people not pay them. Good close-up shots of some protesters at Legislature. Sound is poor.

News item. Mass rally and march on 15-Jan-1976, presumably to protest ICBC rate increases. Some placards read: "McGeer is a secret agent for Allstate Insurance!"; "How do I get to Jordan River???"; Why should we suffer for ICBC mismanagment???"; "200% is too much"; "Well at least we'll save on gas!" One placard shows Superman wearing United States flag as a cloak with the slogan "Buy American" above it. Unidentified speaker. More placard slogans.

News item. Pat McGeer and Premier Bill Bennett at press conference to announce 25-percent reduction in ICBC rates for senior citizens and handicapped drivers. McGeer says others can pay by installment. Bennett announces that ICBC was $181 million in the red when Socreds took over from NDP. McGeer talks about gas prices.