A chance for another apology
The recent travel chaos on our roads, trains, ferries, airlines has been horrendous! Like so many events in the past there is but one truly Canadian solution: Justin Trudeau must apologize!
Michael Faulkner
View Royal
We need to learn how to deal with snow
During the recent snow period, I happened to be walking along a street when the snow plow came through.
After it had passed I crossed the street. There was about three inches of packed snow left, so it was of limited value but understandable given the lack of practice.
My son who was visiting from Antigonish, Nova Scotia noted that this would not be paid for there as the roads should be properly cleared. I think some learning from other places that deal regularly with snow is needed.
Mike Wyeth
Victoria
Hire Amazon to clear those roads
While Saanich has failed miserably when it comes to plowing the streets including the street in front of a seniors residence and care home on the corner of McKenzie and the Pat Bay Highway, I have a suggestion.
I live on an unplowed street and watched an Amazon delivery truck not only make it down our road, but also up a long driveway to our neighbour’s house.
Perhaps Saanich and/or Victoria might want to look at paying Amazon to add a plow blade to their delivery fleet.
Louise Beinhauer
Victoria
Hey, Victoria, get better equipment
I did a couple of errands for a good friend who is under the weather (pun intended). I am amazed at the stupidity of the City of Victoria for not having proper snow removal equipment. It’s dangerous, frustrating and financially impacts businesses. What gives!?
Julia Pollard
Victoria
Why not shovel your neighbour’s sidewalk?
Never fails to amaze me how sanctimonious folks get, when a little bit of snow falls here in the Hawaii of Canada. And sidewalk snow removal is always one of the biggest gripes.
As one reader pointed out, this was an extraordinary weather event and there is a shortage of equipment to deal with such events. They still found the state of the city appalling. Another reader noted the sidewalk by a park was a mess. Um, 30-40 centimetres of snow came down in one day. We don’t do snow here.
If a couple or three days of home alone is too much, get bundled up and perform some random acts of kindness by shovelling your neighbour’s sidewalks, or take your shovel for a road trip downtown and help out there.
Jay Bowles
Esquimalt
To be inclusive, change is needed
Re: “Stop harassing pilots for their traditions,” letter, Dec. 23.
The letter on the use of call signs between fighter pilots appears to miss the point. The use of abusive language, even in restricted context, reflects aspects of a military culture in need of change. This need is now well documented in the press. Does the promotion of esprit-de-corps really require abusive language? I think not.
Calling out inappropriate behaviour or language today does not dishonour heroes like Billy Bishop, whose honour is rooted in deeds. The culture was different 100 years ago and has changed over time.
If the Armed Forces is to be truly inclusive it needs to continue to change. In no way does a change today affect the regard that we have for our past heroes.
Sid Jorna Cdr. (Ret’d)
Sooke
Military must leave old traditions behind
Re: “Stop harassing pilots for their traditions,” letter, Dec. 23.
This was a disappointing letter to read. Essentially it argues that because the military has been sexist, racist and homophobic in the past, they should be able to continue being sexist, racist and homophobic.
Surely now that society has progressed to a point where such behaviour is unacceptable, the military can too. Good judgment should be an essential trait for all members of the military and using this “call sign” in 2022 fails that test.
S.I. Petersen
Nanaimo
A Christmas thanks to our carriers
I’ve just given a Christmas thank-you to my reliable and friendly Times Colonist carrier.
I’m retired, so the cash gift was modest, but I would like to take a moment to send a huge thank-you to all the dedicated TC carriers out there who despite all the difficulties during the past three years, manage to deliver our local “window to the world” on time and, in the case of my TC carrier, with a smile and a friendly wave.
Carolyn M. Brady
Brentwood Bay
Maybe a water main is what we need
Re: “Unusual dry spell threatens reservoir levels in B.C.,” Dec. 11.
So, we face water issues in winter as well as in summer. Maybe the time has come to consider a water main along the east coast of Vancouver Island, fed by our huge inland lakes.
Expensive, yes, but adequate potable water supply is essential to support and sustain the ongoing residential developments up and down the Island.
Tony Eastham
Nanoose Bay
A partial solution for retention of CAF personnel
B.C. has a doctor shortage, which is affecting the retention of Canadian Armed Forces personnel.
For example, a sailor serving in Halifax who is posted to Esquimalt needs to give serious consideration about staying in the Navy, especially if he or she has dependents with medical issues that are being handled by a family doctor in Halifax, because 25 per cent of the population in B.C. is without a family doctor.
A partial solution is to revert to the policy in place when I joined the RCN in 1967. At that time Navy doctors cared for dependents of RCN personnel, so that when a family was transferred they could be sure of having medical care.
Sometimes the old ways are better than the new ways.
Patrick Hunt, president
Submariners Association of Canada, West
Victoria
Strong support for amalgamation
Re: “Amalgamation statement is not correct,” letter, Dec. 6.
The letter-writer is quite right to question the accuracy of a 70 per cent vote across Greater Victoria for governance reform.
In fact, in 2014 the voter affirmation was much higher at 75.3 per cent average across the region. The individual municipal results were as follows: Saanich 88.5 per cent, Esquimalt 86.6 per cent and 67.4 per cent (two questions), Victoria 80 per cent, Central Saanich 70.7 per cent, Sidney 67.6 per cent, North Saanich 62.5 per cent, Langford 50.1 per cent, Oak Bay 37.8 per cent.
The municipalities of View Royal, Colwood, Highlands, Sooke and Metchosin refused to allow their residents to vote on the matter, thus depriving them of the democratic opportunity to voice their preference in a non-binding ballot.
Again in 2018 a question to study amalgamation was put to voters in Victoria and Saanich. They responded “Yes” with an affirming 66 per cent and 56 per cent respectively.
These results are publicly available on the Elections B.C. website.
Lesley Ewing
Oak Bay
SEND US YOUR LETTERS
• 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.
