Transferable vote would be better
A past B.C. government had a citizens committee looking into electoral reform.
After much consultation, it strongly recommended proportional representation or the single transferable vote (their preferred option).
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised electoral reform when running for re-election.
Both governments came up with excuses to do nothing as the first-past-the-post system gave them, even than with less than half of voter support, majority governments – a decision that might backfire.
Our votes are split between different parties — sometimes allowing a majority to the least popular party.
As voters, we are often forced to vote strategically — and will be next time. With the single transferable vote, we could vote first for our preferred candidate or party and then for a second or even third that we could live with.
This would better reflect the wishes of the majority and, hopefully, result in a Parliament with members working better together for the good of all of us instead of the constant partisan attacks.
Parties themselves use ranked ballots to elect leaders, etc.
How about allowing voters to do the same?
Stephanie Greer
Victoria
Shelbourne curbs could delay responders
Victoria is going to install concrete curbs along the bike lanes recently installed on Shelbourne Street this fall.
Shelbourne is a major road used heavily by police vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances and the public. Almost all of these emergency vehicles are travelling north along Shelbourne.
What will happen when an emergency vehicle is held up because drivers have nowhere to pull over because of the concrete curbs?
They will sit in the traffic losing many precious minutes and will eventually get held up even more at the bottleneck approaching Hillside Avenue.
When seconds count in an emergency, this blunder could literally cost people their lives.
David Mason
Victoria
Why can’t those ships arrive ‘just in time’?
Re: “Anchorages threaten fishing at Constance Bank,” commentary, Sept. 26.
Thank you for publishing Chief Jerome Thomas’s insightful and important commentary on Constance Bank. His reasonable and thoroughly constructive approach is a call to action for the relevant federal departments to respond in kind.
Handing jurisdiction of this local area to far-flung Vancouver Fraser Port Authority defies comprehension.
Underlying this, and the deleterious and growing anchoring in the Gulf Islands, is a larger question: Why is anchoring needed at all? “Just-in-time” delivery has been the norm in manufacturing and logistics for decades. Nowadays, you need an appointment, in a very narrow window, to deliver to any factory or warehouse. Likewise, we can know, in real time, when to expect arriving flights so we can be there to pick up friends or family members.
So why are massive, GHG-spewing, ocean-going ships burning more fuel than is necessary just to arrive early, and then needing to rip asunder our local sea bottoms with their enormous ground tackle, consisting not only of anchors designed to dig in, but also hundred of metres of huge chain that bounce and drag on the sea floor, which must be even more destructive. Couldn’t they just slow down at sea and arrive “just in time”?
John Thomson
Victoria
Listen to residents before spending money
I am appalled and angry at the irregular behaviour of some members of Victoria city council regarding the amount of money that is planned on, among other projects, a “renewed” Centennial Square.
To have so many taxpayer dollars spent on dubious projects, without their voice being heard, is unpardonable.
A quote from archival material: “In 1962 at the urging of then-mayor Richard Biggerstaff Wilson, Victoria citizens passed a referendum approving a 10-year borrowing tranche of $950,000 to fund the project, which included the fountain as part of the revitalization plan for Centennial Square.”
Where are the citizens’ voices these days?
When is good governance going to be practised?
Sheila C. Hodgson
Victoria
A call to protect fish and wildlife
Calling on outdoor enthusiasts: now is the time to advocate for the future of fish, wildlife and outdoor recreation in our province!
After years of successive governments prioritizing politics over science-based decision making, the decline of wildlife populations and biodiversity threatens to destroy what makes Beautiful British Columbia a world-class destination and place to live.
We must demand the prioritization of science-based wildlife management and habitat conservation to preserve sustainable hunting, fishing and wilderness access for future generations.
The B.C. Wildlife Federation has more than 41,000 members, 13,000 of whom call Vancouver Island home. Did you know that B.C. is home to 300,000 freshwater anglers, 275,000 saltwater anglers, 316,000 firearms licence holders and 110,000 licensed hunters?
Whether you enjoy hiking, camping, mountain biking, boating, hunting or fishing, we have the power as passionate outdoors enthusiasts to make a difference in this election.
Engaging with political leaders on the campaign trail is our best opportunity to advocate for wildlife and the environment, and effect real change in the way our province is governed. If we don’t put wildlife first, our iconic species will disappear forever. Attend all-candidates meetings, engage with candidates from all parties, voice your concerns and ask them: “What are you willing to do to protect fish and wildlife in our province?”
Let politicians know what matters to you and your family, and stay engaged after the election.
Yours for conservation,
Bill Swain
B.C. Wildlife Federation director
Duncan
Ridiculous variances allowed in Victoria
Victoria council’s continuous acquiescence to support variance applications is inflating the value of the land and the cost of housing.
It is reasonable that a multi-unit residential building project might require one or two minor building variances. It is reasonable that supportive public housing projects be allowed leeway to build affordable housing.
It is unreasonable, an abuse of process and an abuse of public participation that seemingly all the projects coming before council demand significant numbers of variances, now with very limited opportunity for public input.
Proponents are fully aware of the limitations of lots and locations when they chose to purchase and pursue development projects. Extensive variances should not be required or expected. They simply enable property sellers to demand more money.
A project for 1042/1044 Richardson St. is coming before council for requiring eight big variances.
It requires a 57% reduction in parking, an average 56% reduction in front, rear and side yard setbacks, 10% reduction in open site space, 12% increase in site coverage and additional 5% increase in height.
In other words, throw a bunch more parking onto nearby streets, jam the building up to the neighbour’s property and don’t leave any space for trees or kids.
Victoria needs strict guidelines to the number and scope of variances any project is allowed to request.
The open-ended system encourages the bureaucratic capture of staff, removes neighbours from input and enables bad development behaviour. Also, the loose standards inflate property prices.
Bob June
Victoria
Battery replacement should be cheaper
In the past governments have set standards for electrical systems to make sure we have interconnectivity and fair competition.
Unfortunately with battery-powered tools they dropped the ball. As a result, consumers have to buy their specific brand of replacement batteries at exorbitant prices.
In an effort to reduce pollution I purchased a battery-powered lawnmower a few years ago. Now I need a new battery and it alone is going to cost $218.
At the same time the vendor is selling a high-end leaf blower, with a battery charger and the same battery, for $198.
Are we to believe producing the leaf blower and battery charger, plus packaging and shipping, saves the company $20? Of course not. Based on cost of production and shipping for all these components, the cost for the battery alone should be around $100, not $218.
Clearly the company is using its monopoly position to overcharge existing customers when they need a replacement battery.
If all batteries were compatible with all similar tools, there would be competition in the replacement battery market. That would put an end to corporations fleecing customers who need a replacement battery for their cordless tools.
S.I. Petersen
Nanaimo
More money needed in health-care system
With all the millions of dollars designated for projects in Victoria, why is none going to fund the Royal Jubilee Hospital?
The seats are held together with duct tape in the waiting room and thousands need a family doctor. Money should be used to find more medical doctors rather than plant more trees.
As Dionne Warwick sang, “Lord, we don’t need another mountain,” we don’t need another bike lane.
Valerie Bellefleur
Victoria
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