Re: “Auditor general finds F-35 costs soared due to project delays, pilot shortages,” June 10.
Why are we spending billions on American-made stealth fighters? This money would be better spent on Canadian-made water bombers to fight the increasing number of wildfires, an enemy we know we will face every summer.
Glen Rogers
Victoria
It’s a remarkable point of pride that our region consistently produces and hosts some of the country’s top athletes, including swimmers. Their dedication and excellence have brought national recognition to our community. Yet, at the same time, we are closing three public pools (University of Victoria has already closed, Crystal Pool soon, downtown YMCA/YWCA soon) that serve as training grounds not just for elite athletes, but for children learning to swim, seniors staying active, people with disabilities and injuries, and families enjoying recreation.
This contradiction is hard to ignore. How can we champion world-class talent while draining the very foundations that support it? Public pools are not luxuries — they are essential spaces for health, safety and community connection. We must re-examine our priorities and ensure access to aquatic facilities remains a cornerstone of our region’s identity.
Carolyn Burke
Victoria
Regarding the doctors’ fee schedule and the ophthalmologists who bill the Medical Services Plan $1 million a year, yes, something needs to be fixed.
In fairness to eye doctors, they do have more staff to support than most specialists do. As well as the office administration staff, there are the technicians who run tests, take pictures of your retina or put drops in your eyes.
But some ophthalmologists insist on patients coming for separate visits for each test prior to the consultation with the specialist. They get to charge extra for each patient visit to their clinic.
The doctor who requires a patient to make two or more visits per consultation bills more than the doctor who schedules tests and consultation in one patient visit.
One front-desk person told my husband the plan forces doctors to require separate visits for each test.
My husband, having multiple issues and seeing several specialists, knew that not all eye doctors make patients jump through so many hoops, so he called the Medical Services Commission and was told that some ophthalmologists have figured out how to milk the system.
As well as being an imposition on taxpayers, this is an imposition on patients who are visually impaired, often elderly and usually require a relative or friend to drive them to appointments.
Instead of feasibility studies, perhaps we need a citizens’ committee to work out what’s fair to doctors, to patients and to taxpayers.
Liz Pogue
West Shore
This letter is in regard to the extreme late-hour noise (of masses of people and very loud recorded music) by the legislative building in downtown Victoria on both Saturday night, June 7 and Sunday night, June 15 from 11:30 p.m. to after 1 a.m. It was obvious that both of these events were political demonstrations.
Why were these events permitted and not stopped as a public disturbance after 10 p.m.? I addressed my concerns to the Victoria Police Department following the June 7 disturbance. I was told they knew nothing of it and was directed to contact the city.
Are we residents to fear every weekend late night? Sleep was impossible once this terrible disturbance began. June 7’s event ended with a series of extremely loud firecrackers. Why does Victoria ignore its own “after 10 p.m.” noise ordinance? This disregard of such law is totally unacceptable.
Rosemary Peikoff
Victoria
I am amazed at the ridiculous idea that saving money is the only criterion to enabling China to build four B.C. ferries. Instead of supporting workers and fair wages, we are allowing low wages and little protections for workers. Instead of supporting a democracy, we are supporting a regime that does not enable free speech and discourse.
We are supporting a country that has been alleged to have numerous human rights violations and repression of ethnic and religious minorities. The government of Canada has a travel advisory that states “exercise a high degree of caution in China due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Chinese authorities are increasingly detaining ethnic and Muslim minorities.
What was the B.C. Ferry Corporation thinking? Is there no moral compass in decision-making?
Yes, it would cost more to have ships built in other countries, but our money would go to improve and support those with similar moral values and support our allies.
The corporation needs to think outside the money box and take other factors into account.
For example, it could have been in B.C.’s best interest to have the hulls built in a European country and then have our shipyards complete the work. I wonder if that was even a consideration.
As a B.C. resident and taxpayer, I am saddened and disappointed by the B.C. Ferries’ board decision.
I would like to see the province step in and come up with a plan that suits B.C. interests beyond a monetary one.
Mona Sykes
North Saanich
I’m deeply troubled by the attitude of many fellow Canadians who fail to take the current conflict with our southern neighbour seriously.
Yes, they talk the talk, but they don’t walk the walk.
As a 1940 war baby in England, I personally observed, and/or had related to me by my parents, the sacrifices the British made to support the war effort against Hitler.
Sadly, we Canadians show no inclination to act in a similar manner in the face of the existential threat against us from the U.S.
I have questioned people in grocery stores buying Yankee produce. “Oh yes,” they say, “I support my country but, right now, I need a lettuce.”
My own acquaintances refuse to cancel their plans to visit the United States because “we’ve already booked it, and it’s warm there.”
Even worse than that, the B.C. Lions, despite the plethora of Canadian talent available, such as Bryan Adams, Nickelback, Shania Twain and how about the Canadian Brass, chose to perform at its home opener a no-talent, noisy rapper from the U.S., the lowest common denominator, whose so-called “music” is in no way superior to that of a caveman banging a rock with a stick and shouting.
Come on Canadians: We’re at war; we must sacrifice and do without to win.
John C. Simpson
Victoria
I’m a parent in Victoria, and I’m writing to express deep concern — and frankly, outrage — about the current state of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessments for children in our region.
As of now, pediatricians in Victoria have closed off referrals for ADHD assessments, and there are no publicly funded (MSP-covered) options locally available. Even before this, access wasn’t much better — wait times for assessments through MSP were upwards of two years.
Now, the only option left for families is to pay out of pocket for a private assessment, which costs between $2,500 and $3,500.
This isn’t a small inconvenience — it’s a crisis.
For many families, this cost is simply out of reach. That means countless children will go undiagnosed, unsupported and misunderstood at school and at home. This is unacceptable.
ADHD is not a niche issue — it affects five to 10 per cent of children, and early intervention can completely change the trajectory of a child’s life. But only if they can access it.
I am fortunate to have the means to pay for an assessment — but that should not determine whether my child receives care.
Are we really saying help is available only to those who can afford it?
That’s not OK. Victoria is now operating under a two-tiered mental health system for kids.
Families with resources get timely support. Everyone else waits — indefinitely — or goes without.
How did we allow this to happen? And more importantly, what is being done to fix it?
This is an urgent call for the ministry of health and local health authorities to reinvest in early childhood mental-health care — including timely, accessible ADHD assessments through the public system.
Our kids deserve better.
Jen Kakoske
Victoria
Trees are so different from humans and, unless moved by humans, trees stay in one place for their entire lives.
They set down roots. They grow. They create stability. They are grounded.
Can you imagine being rooted in one place for your entire life and never moving about?
What will happen to the energy in Centennial Square and Victoria City Hall when the magnificent sequoia is cut down?
She is a visual reminder of stability, consistency, balance and being grounded. Will all that energy leave when she is cut down? Can a splash pad replace her magnificence?
Do humans need to be more stable? More consistent? More balanced? More grounded? Especially in these challenging times?
Given the situation downtown, I think Victoria City Hall needs the energy that the sequoia tree provides.
I wouldn’t risk eliminating her magnificence, strength, resilience and balance for anything.
Energetically, she is helping the downtown core more than we realize. She has a life. She has a purpose. And she shares herself unconditionally with us.
Perhaps she is trying to teach humans something important.
Are we open to hearing and listening to her message?
Lia Fraser
Victoria
• Email letters to:[email protected]
• Mail: Letters to the editor, Times Colonist, 201-655 Tyee Rd., Victoria, B.C. V9A 6X5
• Submissions should be no more than 250 words; subject to editing for length and clarity. Provide your contact information; it will not be published. Avoid sending your letter as an email attachment.