In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1982. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: In the early 1980s, the antinuclear peace movement inspired large protests across Canada, many focusing on the testing of American Cruise missiles in Canada. Around 30,000 people marched in Vancouver to call for the end of nuclear arms build-up in April 1982, the first Annual Peace March in Vancouver. By 1986, the Vancouver Walk for Peace was the largest annual peace event in North America and Vancouver’s city council approved a policy designating Vancouver as a “nuclear weapon-free zone” in 1983.
Question: Do you think the nuclear disarmament movement is realistic?
Cindy Wilding – Unemployed – White Gold Estates
It doesn’t matter whether it’s realistic or not because it’s a step in the right direction.
The whole question of reality in Whistler is up in the air anyway. I think they should have a little march here. But people in this valley don’t really care one way or the other – except perhaps to argue over a beer.
Mark Petriw – Businessman – High Forest
No, I don’t. Because you can be guaranteed that the other major powers on earth will not realistically disarm their nuclear weapons.
As long as the Americans represent a legitimate threat, then the equilibrium of power will be maintained.
Frans Carpay – Project Manager – Whistler Cay
I think the movement is realistic – and the objective is one I’d like to believe in.
There’s no question it’s realistic in the western world – I think we’ve already agreed on disarmament in North America. Now we have to work on the other two superpowers.
Ted Pryce-Jones – Surveyor – Alpine Meadows
I think it’s important that people speak out against the nuclear arms race – but whether it has any effect on governments remain to be seen.
Letisha Greene – Vegetarian Guru – Alpine Meadows
I am being living near nuclear power plants all my life and I have come to the great realization that radiation has no harmful effects on people. It is the way of the cosmos.
Ivan Dubinsky – Unemployed Packer Driver – Alta Vista
Yes, I believe it is. The building of nuclear arms will never end until pressure is brought to bear on politicians from every sector of government. That includes municipal governments.
WHISTORICAL 