Universities must remain non-political
A Sept. 29 report said that Vancouver Island University has created a vice-presidency for “diversity, equity and human rights amidst increasing calls for the institution to take stances on current issues and geopolitics.”
VIU president Deborah Saucier is quoted as stating that taking partisan positions on “political matters and world events” can have unintended consequences and stifle dialogue.
But a B.C. university president (and, one hopes, vice-president) hardly needs reminding that provincial universities dependent on the public purse are in fact forbidden from taking political positions.
Article 66 (1) of the University Act (B.C.) (1996), stipulates that “a university must be non-sectarian and non-political in principle.” One imagines a national emergency the only circumstantial and temporary exemption.
In May 2024, the new president of the University of British Columbia belatedly stated that the administration must stay neutral on Gaza, a sectarian and geopolitical issue. I believe the alternative to neutrality is an existential threat to institutions of higher learning.
John Wilson Foster
Professor Emeritus, UBC
Sidney
Safe nuclear energy is the only cure
Re: “Let’s talk real common sense on global warming,” commentary, Oct. 2.
Thomas F. Pedersen makes a strong case that there are vast consequences of climate change — both economic and human. However, it has become painfully clear that all of our best efforts and sacrifices will do nothing to mitigate these costs.
For all our carbon taxes, EVs, bike lanes and solar panels, we haven’t even moved the needle. CO2 has not been appreciably reduced, nor are we on track to do so. There has been no effect whatsoever on global temperature, nor is there likely to be.
Why then apply a massive economic brake in the form of a carbon tax that will cost the developed world trillions of dollars, inflate the cost of almost everything, make Canada even less competitive — and make everyone poorer?
The only realistic solution is rapid development of safe nuclear energy.
Richard Brunt
Victoria
Four different ideas about common sense
Re: “What does a ‘common sense’ approach to climate change look like?” commentary, Sept 28.
There have been several interesting letters on this topic, so let me add what I consider to be my common sense approach to climate change.
Not being concerned about ruffling feathers and always eager to throw a spanner (wrench?) into the works, let me start by stating there is absolutely nothing Canada can do that will have any impact on a changing climate.
If Times Colonist readers want to self flagellate by paying ever increasing carbon taxes, by paying more for goods and services because of the tax, to pour more money into governments to be wasted away, to cripple our natural resource industries, to continue lowering our standard of living, and to generate less and less wealth for Canadians to share, then sure, go ahead and think you can contribute to reducing climate change.
What would I do?
No. 1 is scrap the carbon tax and any other costs being imposed such as environmental impacts that have anything to do with carbon emissions.
No. 2 is ensure that all government employees involved in such programs be laid off because their jobs have become redundant.
No. 3 is remove all restrictions associated with carbon on our natural resource industries.
No. 4 is prepare for climate change. As a start we would prepare by raising the level of dykes on areas susceptible to flooding and cease all residential construction in flood plain areas such as Richmond and Delta.
We have earthquake standards for new home construction so doubtless other improvements could be made. Not to be overlooked is adequate funding and resources for emergency services.
Better to be prepared than drive ourselves into penury by thinking like King Canute and demand the incoming tide retract.
Brian Summers
Victoria
Let’s not simply add to the debt
Both federal and provincial promises are made during campaigns to attract voters. With the exception of the B.C. Green Party, the important issue of how these promises would be funded is not fully explained.
The result of these promises are likely to be higher deficits, which will eventually mean higher income taxes or less funds available for future endeavours.
Increased debt can only lead to immediate higher financing costs which will eventually have to be paid by the citizens.
If we create these debts today, any financial plan should include how to pay them off over a specific period of time, so that we do not continue to pass our problems on to future generations.
Larry Ware
Saanich
High-income earners are paying their share
Re: “Stop giving away taxpayers’ money,” letter, Oct. 2.
The letter asks why lower and middle middle earners pay all the taxes and upper earners pay little or none.
A 2024 study by the Fraser Institute concluded the top 20% of income earners paid more than 62% of all taxes while earning less than half of total income.
Comparatively, the lowest 20% of income earners paid 0.8% of all income taxes.
Rick Pepper
Saanich
Thanks to firefighters for their support
I would like to express my gratitude, appreciation and pride for the many, many firefighters who showed their support for our community and our neighbourhood, on their personal time, at the North Park community meeting regarding 2155 Dowler Pl.
Walking in and seeing that we were literally surrounded with support. No words were necessary, yet the message was clear — we stand by you and we care. There are times when we must step up and step forward, while others passively stand to the side.
To me that is the definition of first responders and that message was delivered loud and clear. Our firefighters knew what was needed to support our neighbourhood, and that the effective silencing of their colleague and friend was the result of ill-considered political pressure.
This is the opposite of the experience our community has had from Mayor Marianne Alto, the person elected to care for the city and its residents.
The mayor has charged forward with this ill-conceived plan of spreading the chaos and decay of Pandora Avenue to the neighbourhoods of this once beautiful city — to what end? She funds with public money the operators of SOLID, with no plans or apparent agreements or accountability in place.
Dowler Place is just the start, she says, so if you support this hub, think how you might feel if there were one beside your house or your neighbour’s.
Why was money that has been spent over the years not directed toward building out proper treatment and rehab centres? Where did it all go, did it really help and who profited from it?
Chuck Downie
Princess Avenue
Dogs don’t belong in retail outlets
The recent trend of shopping with your dogs is posing huge problems with service dogs.
A pet is not trained to ignore service dogs and many unfortunate circumstances can result. All businesses should restrict admittance to certified service dogs only.
I’ve seen large pitbulls in shopping carts, an elderly lady with two small dogs on long leashes, dogs’ deposits on aisles and even a dog lifting his leg on furniture.
Leave your dogs at home and please let service dogs do their remarkable work unimpeded.
Joan McMillan
Lantzville
In an institution without permission
Several letters have asked why people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are institutionalized without their permission and request clarification on this.
People with these diseases are, at some point in the disease’s trajectory, declared by law mentally incompetent to make decisions due to their deteriorating cognitive abilities that are permanent.
If an adult person becomes mentally “incapable,” that person may require assistance in handling their financial and legal affairs and/or their personal care. For financial, legal, personal care and heath care decision-making concerning mental incompetency, we can hope people have done pre-planning with a power of attorney and a representation agreement; some people also still use a living will.
If no pre-planning has been done, then steps may be taken to appoint a substitute decision maker for the incapable person. British Columbia, like most jurisdictions, has a government department responsible for investigating, monitoring and, often, handling the affairs of incapable people.
This office is known as the Public Trustee.
Lorna Hillman
Victoria
Strangers helped this 91-year-old
Re: “They came to the aid of a 93-year-old,” letter, Oct. 1.
At 91 years old, I also received help after a fall. But I don’t know who helped me.
I was put in a bus that took me to the hospital. From there my community took over my care.
I think we can all be grateful we live in a city where people are so kind and helpful to those in need.
Sheila M. Moss
Sister of St. Ann
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