Sequoia not as bad as English ivy, Scotch broom
Re: “Non-native plants are not all equal,” letter, Aug. 30.
The letter refers to sequoia as an invasive species, like Scotch broom.
I would suggest that although sequoia are not a native tree species, they are far from invasive, albeit individual specimens do grow very large.
To the best of my knowledge, they do not proliferate like Scotch broom, English Ivy, et al, and do not spread vigorously to outcompete native trees.
Judy Spearing
Saanich
Report on salmon was not scientific
Re: “Orcas, poachers and our threatened salmon industry,” commentary, Aug. 29.
Gwyn Morgan’s commentary relies on a Fisheries and Oceans Canada report that was found to be so fundamentally flawed that it can reasonably be regarded as a deception for the benefit of the salmon farming industry.
A 2023 letter to then-Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray from 16 professors and research scientists characterized the report as follows:
1. The reporting of methods and results appears to be selective … such that not all analyses were reported and statistically significant results were omitted.
2. The contributors to the report are almost all aquaculture-focused DFO staff with the mandate to “support aquaculture development,” and no external, industry-unaffiliated scientists were involved, such that the report’s approval via a “National Peer Review Process” clearly violated any reasonable standards of independent peer review.
3. The report downplays a large body of peer-reviewed research — both B.C.-focused and international — that has repeatedly demonstrated the relationship between salmon farms and sea lice on wild juvenile salmon.
4. The report lacks a power analysis to place in context the real possibility that negative results in each region resulted from weak analysis, even if effects of salmon farms truly exist.
5. The analyses cannot be validated because the underlying data were not provided.
6. The claims rely on an unvalidated infestation model that is inconsistent with the state of scientific knowledge on the topic.
7. The statistical analyses were inappropriate (in terms of data manipulation, analysis type, and underlying assumptions), and analysis of the results in the report produces the opposite conclusions.
Any one of the above seven criticisms would be sufficient by itself to disqualify the report as scientific.
Neil Frazer
Professor of Earth Sciences, Emeritus
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Honolulu, Hawaii
James Bay project should be a bridge
Re: “Monstrous building proposed for James Bay,” letter, Aug. 31.
The letter rightly warns that a change of zoning for the proposed tower on the parking lot at Quebec and Montreal streets would set a dangerous precedent.
James Bay is unique. It is the oldest and best preserved colonial residential area on the Pacific coast north of San Francisco and is a beloved part of Victoria’s character.
This prime development site borders the heritage area and provides an unparalleled opportunity for sensitive modern architecture, acting as a bridge between the historic homes of James Bay and our iconic Inner Harbour.
This is something the great historic cities of Europe excel at. We need something which could provide that elusive “missing middle” of family housing while setting new environmental and architectural standards.
I envisage innovative use of permaculture with plant cover on vertical surfaces controlling temperature and water drainage. What do you envisage? How would you like our beautiful city to evolve?
This is an opportunity for both the city council and Geric, the developers, to shine and show that our capital, while justly proud of its illustrious history, is leading B.C. in exciting, livable design.
It is vital to defeat the proposed zoning change, which would allow yet more bland condos for rich speculators and the elderly, driving families further into the suburbs.
Diana Clift
Victoria
Community ways to measure success
Re: “Two die in suspected overdoses at beach,” Aug. 31.
The four people who were doing drugs at Taylor Beach in Metchosin would not have benefited from a safe supply site. There is a lot more to our drug crisis than the government’s safe supply.
Those four people never imagined themselves homeless on Pandora Avenue reporting for safe drugs. They never imagined themselves dead in a parking lot, either.
I do not know what they did imagine.
The government did not encourage them to use drugs so they could become homeless addicts asking for free drugs. That is certainly not anyone’s plan for their future.
The paper also has letters to the editor where writers blame the government for the chaos on Pandora.
How did we get to where a mob attacks first responders? I think because people are looking for who to blame instead of how to fix the problems.
I would blame those who don’t believe that government or public services can do any good. Spreading the idea that private enterprise and private initiatives will solve social problems encourages the entrepreneurs who are selling contaminated drugs to addicts.
Where success is measured in dollars and possessions, healthy communities are at risk. Success should be measured in trust and the investment in community.
Heather Phillips
Sooke
Not enough traffic to pay for itself
Re: “First campaign promise: Restore the E&N line,” letter, Sept. 3.
The writer of that letter, who claims that restored rail service will “pay for itself,” must explain how expenditure of $800 million will pay for itself when only carrying fewer than 4,000 passengers daily.
The proposal on the table hardly “pays for itself” even if one totally ignores the funding cost.
Roger Love
Saanich
Looking for the Greens to hold the balance
With the ill-advised collapse of the BC United party a unique opportunity is in sight.
It is possible that there may be such a close number of seats won on Oct. 19 that a small party may hold the balance of power. Or, as retiring Green Party MLA Adam Olsen puts it, “the balance of responsibility.”
There is no doubt that if we continue to emit CO2 and NO2 by fracking, exporting coal, cutting down old growth, and allowing mature forests to be pelletized to heat homes, we will continue to be the great laggard in the G7 by failing to meet our vital climate goals.
Neither the NDP nor the Conservatives have any intention of doing what is certainly necessary to get us to a less unsafe place in the medium to long run.
Preserving as much of bearable climate, supportive ecosystems, and coastal lands as possible is more likely if a party such as the B.C. Greens is in a position to both modify government action towards better climate and therefore better social outcomes, and let government and business know we are serious about wanting better than misdirection, comfortable lies, and Band Aids for a terminal failure of guts.
We need a new economy of modesty, equity, climate resilient farming, and sustainable energy.
Let’s stop this ultimately self-destructive voting for the slightly slower road to suicide and vote Green.
Glynne Evans
Saanich
Sadly, pickleball won’t go away
Re: “Don’t think pickleball is a passing fad,” letter, Aug. 28.
Yes, the annoying game seems to be here to stay. And yes, I’m amazed as much as you are that four pickleball courts can fit into the space of one tennis court.
Goes to show you how little running around there is with pickleball. Basically it’s stand-smash-scream in a phone booth.
Pickleball players have made it clear in this Times Colonist space that they will continue to play with hard plastic balls.
Sound attenuation panels will not be effective in most cases unless they create a sealed bubble.
Shared use of tennis/pickleball courts is not the solution either because self-entitled pickleball players tend to hog the courts.
The pickleball mania will fizzle out if there aren’t enough courts to play on. It’s not surprising, then, that the private sector has begun to put courts in converted warehouses and shopping mall spaces.
This is where new facilities should be built.
Of course people will have to pay to use them. If pickleball players feel the pinch they could always save their receipts and try to claim court fees as a medical expense under primal screaming therapy.
Rob Harvey
Saanich
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