~ 62 ~

Tuesday, April 20th Victoria, BC

It was the first time they had all been in the same room; it was the first time there had been an opportunity for that to happen. Hank, Elliot, Gloria, Ted, Adam, David, Wilma and Helen. This was Adam’s first chance to meet some of the others, so they decided he would have the pleasure of going first.

"Oh, thanks guys." Adam began with the new network control centre. "First, Nanaimo is ready, we can paint the offices later. The last of the staff and crew were hired two weeks ago and we have some great people. There’s more technical skill-set on this island than I realised so that worked out. The SmartCard Readers have been distributed to warehouses throughout the island so, when it’s time, vendors will be able to pick one up to replace their older debit/credit card readers. The system has been tested and it’s ready to go."

Helen interrupted, "It’s all on these cards, yes?"

"Yes." Wilma interjected and handed her one of the SmartCard prototypes. "Your card will be your access to the central data system when you are away from your home or office computer system. With it, from any Reader, you can access all information about yourself, your medical records and history, your banking information and account balances, everything. Adam’s program has the information compartmentalised – so that ‘you’ can access all your information, but others can only access the information that pertains to their needs. This way, if you are up in Port Hardy and need medical attention, the staff there would put your card in their Reader – and have your full medical history. The card also functions as an island-wide debit card, so after you get your treatment – they can swipe the card – you enter your PIN – and the bill is paid."

"But not from your account." Gloria clarified. "All health care and pharmacy needs will be paid by the National Treasury. When your card is swiped for payment, the amount is automatically deducted from the Treasury – and deposited into the medical facilities account. There would be a record of the transaction on your file – a checks and balances – against over-billing by any vendor and, it gives you the opportunity to see exactly how much was paid for those band-aids."

"You’ve got the band-aid market cornered already, don’t you Gloria?"

"Not yet, Hank," she laughed. "I’m waiting until I only have to pay 10% for the pleasure." The CTF concept had been Gloria’s ultimate contribution to the Plan. Gone were the days of GST and PST and tax report forms, and U.S. tourists having to file for refunds, and merchants encumbered with piles of paperwork.

The CTF – Canadian Transaction Fee – would be instantly deducted from the vendor’s account and deposited into the Central Treasury. Every transaction that occurred on the island, whether a visit to the dentist in Gold River or a tourist buying souvenirs in Victoria, would be subject to the CTF. Their calculations had shown that, with the net revenues from the oil exports, a CTF rate of 10% would cover the needs of the Nation. This meant the days of income taxes, property taxes and corporate taxes were also gone. As local governments use property taxes as a source of revenue, Wilma and Gloria had calculated the amount from each municipality’s most recent annual budget; those amounts would be deposited from the National Treasury directly into the local government’s operating funds account.

"Harry likes the CTF concept," Wilma told them.

Elliot smiled at her. "We all do. This should free up a lot of disposable income for people – and give them the chance to build their own empires. Speaking of empires, has your grandfather made a decision yet?"

She laughed. "He has, yes. He asked that I express his apologies for taking so long to decide, but he needed the time to give it full consideration. He accepts your request, and is honoured to do so."

"Wonderful," Helen was pleased. "I look forward to working with him." She rose from the chair and walked over to the small fireplace on the long wall of Gloria’s living room. The others sensed there was something bothering her, so they took a few minutes to refresh their drinks and stretch. When they all gathered back in the room, she began.

"I have some disturbing news. A CP wire this morning reported that George Balderson committed suicide."

She told them the former Premier of Saskatchewan had been found by his wife, hanging from a barn rafter, on the Balderson family farm.

"He should not have assumed the responsibility for something he had no control over. What happened to Canada was nobody’s fault. Sometimes one person, or a few people can build something great. You – here – are proof of that. And yes, we know that one person or a few people can do great destruction, but it has to be intentional. George tried to do the right thing, he did the best he could. That’s all we can ask of each other and of ourselves." She looked at each of them.

"I will try to live up to the expectations you may have of me, but, what I will deliver, is the best that I can do."