Local opinions needed in housing matters
I have been an outspoken housing advocate for over 20 years. In fact, I am sure that my championing some of the large projects that are underway in View Royal cost me the mayor’s chair last October.
I am aware we are in a crisis and new housing is absolutely necessary.
However, what the province is in the process of doing is unconscionable, in my view. The short-term rental legislation has stripped law-abiding property owners who were following all the rules of their livelihood and income.
How is this acceptable? Does father really know best?
The decision to override local governments on land use has the potential to be catastrophic to our communities, and I don’t understand the relative silence from mayors and local governments.
Banning public hearings? Banning parking requirements? How dare they?
This overreach shows no regard for the communities that people call home, in many cases having worked long and hard to be able to buy their own home in a community of their choosing.
Land use is a local government matter, the province must not take that away. Setting targets is one thing but this latest step is completely another. It shows a blatant disregard for local government and for the residents of our communities.
Can you imagine finding out in your single family neighbourhood that a sixplex is going in next door? And you didn’t even receive an invitation to comment on how that might impact your property?
Everyone should speak up and voice your concerns to your council and to the province. We can do this a better way. We can make sure new housing is built in a comprehensive and collaborative way that involves everyone.
After 20 years in local government, I know that localized input is essential to good projects and to building community.
Our provincial government has lost its way.
David Screech
View Royal
Stop allowing camping in Irving Park
Re: “Police seek witnesses in stabbing in James Bay,” Nov. 4.
It was reported that a 67-year-old man was stabbed twice with a large knife when he refused a request for money in the 400 block of Michigan Street in James Bay. The 400 block of Michigan Street is the location of Irving Park, a popular outing for preschool groups, with a playground, washroom, and a growing entrenchment of campers who the city consistently allows to defy the rules regarding camping in city parks.
It should also be noted that Victoria Coun. Marg Gardiner, a resident of James Bay, has repeatedly asked that Irving Park be added to the list of parks in which camping is forbidden; this request has always been voted down as it was again a few days ago.
Well done, city council.
Ian MacDonell
Victoria
God still has a place in public functions
This Liberal government is a joke. They have to be voted out, or recalled, ASAP.
The Canadian Armed Forces has issued a directive that prohibits chaplains from reciting religious prayers and mentioning God during official public functions and ceremonies, including Remembrance Day.
This will have a serious impact on the traditions and values that many veterans hold dear. But perhaps that is exactly what Justin Trudeau desires in his altruistic vision for Canada.
My father, a veteran of the Second World War, is rolling in his grave.
As for me? Is this why I served for 37 years in the Royal Canadian Navy?
John Morrison
Lieutenant Commander (retired)
Mill Bay
Remember those who put their lives on the line
I always buy my poppy and do my best to support the Salvation Army. My father, Alfred Leigh Murdock, always did the same.
He told me he did so because, during his service in the Second World, they helped anyone who was in need. They did not discriminate, and that stayed with me over the years. It is also an important lesson that we need, especially today.
My father was a man of integrity and compassion and that compelled him to join the Royal Canadian Air Force to do his part during the war. He did not fly planes or bear arms, as that was not his objective.
He was an ambulance driver and was on the ground, helping where he could.
While he was serving in North Africa, in 1943, I was born. Happily, he was able to return to us in 1945 and once I stopped wondering who this strange person was, I got to know and appreciate this amazing man.
He went on to become a Warrant Officer in the RCAF Mobile Equipment Unit where his men often referred to him as “Dad Murdock”. That says everything about the man he was!
This is a loving tribute to my father and all those who put their lives on the line for their fellow man. It is imperative that we do not forget the past so it is not repeated!
Dawn Devereaux
Victoria
Thanks for Nanaimo video honouring veterans
I have many happy memories of visiting my grandma Bertha Tolmie in Comox when I was a child.
She often spoke fondly of her eldest brother, Private Reginald Edgar Emblem, who died serving overseas in 1918. His influence and subsequent death greatly impacted my grandmother, who was nine at the time.
She carried that pain and loss for the next 74 years of her life.
I would like to thank all of those who participated in creating the Nanaimo Remembers video in honour of those Nanaimo residents who gave their lives so many years ago, so that we can all enjoy the quality of life we have today.
Lest we forget.
Derek Tolmie
Saanich
Wear two poppies in recognition of goodness
With some apprehension we await a government-imposed sanction on God’s name this Remembrance Day.
Somehow this misplaced multiculturalism has disunited Canadians of every faith, another example of theoretical idealism gone astray.
I’m not a formal Christian but know the moral authority of the church is nothing like this ugly imperative in this land of the free.
Our traditional Remembrance ceremony sans God’s name will be tragically hollow.
The soldiers who wear the uniform know it is imbued with a totally inclusive spirit. We don’t need more petty officialdom apologizing and imposing their wokist dogma …what next, more of their authoritarianism?
Isn’t a Godless petty dictatorship what caused the conflict that led to crosses in the fields of Flanders?
Can I suggest that those who are affronted by this indignity show it by wearing two poppies: One lest we forget, and a second that recognizes some Godliness and goodness is essential to all humanity.
Russell Thompson
Victoria
Consider facts on alcohol as well as cannabis
Re: “Facts matter in analysis of cannabis legalization,” editorial, Nov. 3.
Where to start.
Facts do matter, however all parameters must be examined when citing a conclusion about the facts. The editor has missed the mark on this.
Cannabis was cited to rival alcohol with regards to road related accidents, but yet no further recommendations to reducing or limiting alcohol promotion, no suggestions on limiting strong alcohol beverages, or further limiting the sales of it. Why are there no stats about hospitalizations related to alcohol?
The editorial goes on to associate marijuana smoking having higher toxin levels that lead to liver damage, and cancer, but yet doesn’t cite the stats for tobacco smokers, which we know have a high risk for disease, and the same goes for alcohol.
I agree that we cannot support a policy of ignorance, but we also have to look at all the facts related to cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco.
How many overdose deaths have been attributed to cannabis? Now compare this to deaths related to overdosing on alcohol.
Let us report facts fully.
Francy Pesek
Saanich
Lack of housing does not create homelessness
It was disheartening to read that Victoria councillors Krista Loughton and Dave Thompson are perpetuating the myth that homelessness is caused by a lack of housing. People only need to consider their experience to know this is a fallacy.
The overwhelming majority of homeless are there because of mental illness and/or substance abuse, so claiming that housing is the issue that prevents them from being housed keeps solutions at bay.
One only need spend a little time at any homeless encampment to see the addiction and/or mental illness on full display. In fact, they refuse housing because it always comes with the caveat that they abstain from alcohol/drug use which addicts find impossible.
What’s more, look around downtown at all the housing that’s been created, it’s hard to go two blocks without seeing a new building or one under construction, so if housing were the issue that would have solved it. There are more homeless now than ever, so housing is clearly not the problem.
Councillors would do well to listen to Our Place as they deal with the homeless more than anyone. If Our Place opposes the building of public washrooms because it will just make homelessness easier and more attractive (which it will), the city should listen.
Carew Martin
Victoria
Turns out, CRD has plenty of money
Re: “CRD purchases former Royal Oak Golf Course,” Nov. 3.
Ok, let me get this straight: the Capital Regional District wanted to install parking meters in most of the parks in the Western Communities because they are supposedly short of funds. This was only prevented by the combined outrage of our regional representatives.
So then I read this announcement. Huh? What shortage?
Christene Rafuse
Sooke
Dog population is losing small pleasures
The recent ban on retractable leashes by Saanich council is just one more nail in the coffin for dogs and dog lovers in our community.
I agree that the only way to ensure all dogs are under control in many child- and people-friendly areas is to have a leash bylaw.
However, dogs are an essential and growing part of our social lives and contribute so much to our well-being. Large dogs especially, need to run free regularly and people need neighbourhood spaces to meet and socialize with their pets.
My small dog likes to chase sticks, so I have adapted to the bylaw by getting a retractable leash so she can still have some healthy play time at the park and beach.
Now it appears even that small pleasure will be taken away from her.
Cate ONeill
Victoria
In Murdock’s own words, let dogs enjoy parks
I was cleaning out my emails and found one from Dean Murdock when he was petitioning to become the mayor of Saanich in 2022.
Here is what he said. And this is a direct quote:
“I have heard a lot of people tell me how frustrated they are by Fred Haynes’s attempt to have all dogs on leash in the park. A lot of people have adopted dogs during the pandemic and they need a place to run with their dogs.
“For some, a dog park is a solution. But for others, they want to take their dogs on the trails. I understand that there are conflicts with dogs and that dogs can get into sensitive ecosystems.
“In my view, we had a pretty good balance going before Fred decided to make his motion to restrict dogs.
“Let’s let people and their dogs enjoy our parks. They are amazing natural assets and we should be able to explore them.”
Sign me one very unhappy dog owner of three well-behaved, under control, old dogs.
Christina Truscott
Saanich
Penalize dog owners who are not responsible
It appears that most members of Saanich council have nothing better to do than to hassle responsible pet owners. The banning of retractable leashes in Saanich is atrocious.
We own a small dog, and choose to walk her on a retractable leash, in order to maintain control of her, but to give her some freedom to sniff the pee-mail (so to speak), and roam around, enjoying nature.
We have walked her in several public areas, where we have run into off-leash dogs that look rather intimidating and that are not under their owner’s control.
Why don’t council members tackle important issues rather than hassling responsible pet owners? It is the irresponsible pet owners that need the rules and need them enforced.
On our walks in the Interurban college area, we have come across dog feces strewn along roads. Where are the bylaw enforcement officers when we need them?
We have also been at public beaches where we have seen dogs roaming freely, harassing wildlife near the beaches, etc. I don’t see bylaw officers stopping them.
We have been asked to leave a public beach when we were sitting on a blanket, far away from the beach area, enjoying a picnic with our small dog, who was leashed and lying quietly on a blanket beside us.
I suggest the money we pay these councillors be better used to hire bylaw enforcement officers that tackle the problematic dogs (and their irresponsible owners), those that are causing trouble and hassling wildlife, as well as those owners that don’t pick up after their pets.
Allow the responsible owners to use retractable leashes, but require that the leashes be retracted when their dogs are close to people, other dogs, sensitive natural environments and wildlife.
I see no reason for our retractable leashes to end up in the landfill, and to have to spend more money on replacement leashes. Allow responsible owners to walk their dogs responsibly, and penalize those that don’t.
Noelle Davis
Saanich
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