Re: “Island mayors welcome higher borrowing limits without needing voter approval,” June 28.
I was going to write a letter redirecting voter outrage over the Alternative Approval Process from Saanich to the province because it was our provincial government that enabled the sneaky, under-handed process in the first place.
Politicians of all stripes love to spend our money in ways they see fit, and it is human nature to yield to temptation (and we know how power corrupts).
However, the doors got blown off that letter when the province made regulatory changes that dispenses with the AAP altogether by giving municipalities the discretion to borrow up to $150 per capita without bothering to get approval from electors.
Yes, I’m sure mayors all over B.C. are squealing in delight. Notably missing in the article, however, is any mention of the financial impact upon ratepayers.
Annual property tax increases of several multiples of the rate of inflation are already unsustainable. For the province to give municipalities the almost unchecked ability to borrow is a slap in the face to electors and a clear path to kill the Golden Goose — us.
Massive borrowing to finance infrastructure to enable growth means current taxpayers are being bled dry for the benefit of future residents.
While some growth is inevitable, this rabid pace is objectively imprudent if not downright foolhardy. And of course, changes of this magnitude were made without consultation. If there is any democracy in this, it is remote if not entirely ephemeral.
A.F. Carlson
Saanich
Re: “As the cliff edge looms, governments hit the accelerator,” column, June 29.
Trevor Hancock claims that Prime Minister Mark Carney is either ignorant or is ignoring fundamental ecological truths in growing Canada’s economy. This is idealistic thinking considering what is happening in the world today, as rockets and warfare increasingly pollute the environment, and Carney knows that.
Like it or not, Premier David Eby, British Columbians and Indigenous peoples must face the reality that for Canada to continue to exist as a country, it must grow its own economy by building east-west corridors to enable provincial marketing of oil and gas, mining, and agricultural products to European and Asian markets.
If Canada cannot do this, U.S. President Donald Trump will. The template exists as Vladimir Putin’s Russia invades Ukraine. Trump has said Canada has no power, the border is an artificial line, and the North American map would look better with the entire continent coloured and labelled “The United States.” He has demonstrated his resolve nationally and internationally since he said he would be dictator on Day 1.
The Trump government’s control of what would be its 51st state’s resources will affect the Earth’s climate and Canadians’ lives far more than Canada’s Carney government.
Carney is astute, not ignorant. Our choice is simple: Mark Carney’s plan or Donald Trump’s plans for Canada. I choose the Carney’s.
Brent Tilson
Mill Bay
Re: “Cowichan Lake camper rescued after bat bite,” June 29.
TheTimes Colonistreports that a camper at Cowichan Lake was bitten by a bat this month. The article included the shocking advice that, if you’ve been bitten by a bat, “it’s recommended that you get a rabies shot.” Just “recommended”? In July of 2019 a young man on Vancouver Island died of rabies after contact with a bat.
Rabies is a fatal disease. It kills everyone who develops symptoms. Once the virus is in your system, the only way to survive is to get the full series of rabies vaccinations, which is four to five intramuscular injections over a period of two to four weeks. There should be no delay after the bite, as the virus is beginning its work.
I am so concerned about the person who was bitten. That person’s life is in immediate danger unless he or she is being vaccinated. Once symptoms develop, it is too late to save that life.
E. Ruth Nicholl
Metchosin
I have been waiting a very long time (15 months) to be connected with a primary care doctor, otherwise known as a general practitioner or family physician. I am a “complex care individual” aged 75, and need my health and medical concerns monitored by a single person, a doctor.
Is there anyone there who knows what this actually means? It does not mean an anonymous doctor who has read a chart. This hit and (mostly) miss scheme of the Ministry of Health is simply bad medicine. No one, and I mean no one, would propose this “system” (such as it is) as any kind of satisfactory health care delivery model.
The ministry has been filling the papers and airwaves with initiatives, plans, promises, programs and other soft political words, none of which have produced any tangible results. It is long past time to actually do something that produces its desired end: Have GPs actually open offices and take on new patients. The citizens of B.C. have been waiting more than 10 years for this to happen. People who cannot access doctors frequently die, so you might not have heard many complaints.
I want to know a simple thing: When will I get a new GP? I need one, and I really don’t care where on the South Island (s)he is. My time is running out; there is no one who cares.
M.D. Hansen
Victoria
While I prepared a 2024 income tax return for a low-income senior, I told her about the $504 in B.C. Climate Action Tax Credit that she would be losing over the next year. Friday, July 4, was the next GST credit payment date. Until now, this credit has been delivered with the B.C. credit. A low-income citizen would be expecting to receive $255. But, because of Premier David Eby’s cancellation of the B.C. credit, your neighbour will receive only $133.25.
For low-income couples, the expected payment was $359; it will now be $170 — a loss of $756 per year.
For low-income seniors, the loss of $504 (or $756 for couples) is real money.
The B.C. sales tax credit of $75 ($150 per couple), which is claimed on the income tax return, has not been increased since 2014.
When one looks globally at the decrease in public support for progressive (sic) parties, it is no surprise that these parties no longer represent the less-well-off.
Fin MacDonald
James Bay
The traffic planning departments of Victoria and Saanich could take a few pointers from Central Saanich, which is (mostly) getting it right.
Lochside Drive is a favourite ride for many cyclists, who (mostly) share the road happily with pedestrians, scooters and automobiles. Why do we all get along so well on a narrow, well-travelled road? Because we (mostly) believe that we all share the road. Most of us can be trusted to give each other a wide berth. Most of us are courteous and respectful of each other. We share the road.
Our respectful roadway behaviour is only possible because we have painted lines instead of bollards and concrete curbs. Single-lane traffic does no favours to anyone. Instead, it reduces traffic flow, causing harmful emissions and frustration that sometimes translates into road rage.
Painted lines are safer than hard barriers for many reasons. Emergency vehicles can make their way because cyclists and drivers have room to pull over safely. Similarly, delivery trucks can briefly stop on the side of road rather than blocking the laneway.
We have our traffic issues, of course, but thank heavens (and the thoughtful minds at Central Saanich) that traffic does not back up unnecessarily due to harmful barriers that prevent respectful road courtesy.
Mary-Anne Neal
Saanichton
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