Four provincial parties go beyond left/right
Re: “In this election, Eby should be put to the test,” editorial, April 19.
The editorial was excellent, but B.C. no longer has a two-party system, which the editorial described as centre-left (NDP) and centre-right (United/Conservatives).
This is simply wrong. B.C. has four parties which are best described as progressive (B.C. Greens), mildly progressive (NDP) and not-at-all progressive (United), and regressive (Conservatives).
The old left/right paradigm no longer either works or serves a useful purpose. Yes, some recent NDP policies such as on housing have merit, but Premier David Eby’s gutting of local municipal development control smacks of right-wing authoritarianism. And the environmental policies of the NDP are simply not fit-for-purpose as we move into another summer of wildfires and smoke.
The United and Conservative parties are still driven by climate change deniers.
What all voters want is a group of MLAs who listen to each other and collaborate. We had that for a brief time when two B.C. Green MLAs held the balance of power. Voters would be well advised to consider how such collaboration would be best achieved in the October election.
For some voters, the challenge might be whether voting for the devil or the deep blue sea is the more useful strategy.
And the challenge for progressive voters is whether they want to vote for a bigger NDP majority, or vote B.C. Greens to hold that government to account.
Bob Yates
Saanich
Finally pushed away from the NDP
I come from a family of NDP die-hards, and I traditionally voted NDP until the Greens appeared on the scene with Sonia Furstenau.
Well, it has finally happened, after multiple serious bungles on health-care issues, the ICBC debacles, B.C. Ferries equipment failures, NDP’s part in the criminal element catch-and-release program, the illicit drug decriminalization and approval of drug usage in hospitals.
I now despise the NDP as much as I despised the former Liberal government and its many foul-ups and double-talk. Let’s hope someone will start up a “blue sweater party” or a “yellow car wheels party” or some other nonsensical name. I don’t see any party that deserves my vote.
Mike Wilkinson
Duncan
Two questions about political junk mail
I am an anti-junk mail crusader. In the early 1990s, I led a battle against Canada Post on a national basis and it ended, some two years later, with Canadians being able to say “No” to junk mail.
Canada’s politicians are allowed to send us taxpayer-funded, unaddressed junk mail through Canada Post, but the laws around this say only four times a year and then they have to pay for it.
My questions:
1. Why is Laurel Collins, Victoria MP, sending her “literature” to us far more than four times a year?
2. Is Collins being charged for these “extra” mailouts?
I know the answer to the first question; 2025 is an election year.
Let us hope Collins will answer the second.
It really bothers me — in fact, I find it immoral — that Collins is using extra resources such as trees for paper, trucks for transportation, etc. when she is the NDP’s critic for environment and climate change.
Bothered but not surprised.
Dave Secco
Victoria
Put police on the streets for maximum impact
In my day, there was never a police presence in schools. The school principal and vice-principal were in charge. Unacceptable behaviour had a consequence.
Although there was unacceptable behaviour, of course, police were respected on the streets and anywhere off school grounds. Not feared, respected, and the consequences of illegal behaviour were more certain.
Policing priorities would be better served on the streets, where deadly drug-dealing is rampant today. The B.C. NDP government promotion of public use and providing safe drugs has lead to more addiction and the incentive to deal drugs anywhere, including schools, according to the Victoria police chief. He is likely correct.
So instead of attending class, wandering halls, the police need to enforce the law. They have the responsibility to arrest drug dealers who have more than the legal daily possession limit.
Why are they not doing this job?
Phil Harrison
Comox
Teck is making progress on environmental issues
Re: “With the sale of Teck coal mines, make polluters pay,” commentary, April 22.
The commentary is missing important context regarding the successful work underway to improve water quality in B.C.’s Elk Valley.
Treatment facilities built by Teck as part of the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan are having a significant positive effect, with selenium concentrations having stabilized and beginning to reduce downstream of treatment.
We have invested $1.4 billion in water treatment and expect to invest a further $150 million to $250 million by the end of this year. Looking out further, the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan includes construction of an additional six water treatment facilities by the end of 2027, which will further reduce selenium and protect the health of the watershed for the long term.
Importantly, the fish population in the region is robust and growing, with studies of Westslope cutthroat trout in the Upper Fording River showing an increasing trend since 2019, with an estimated 10,000 adult fish and about 16,000 juveniles as of 2023.
The fact is the steelmaking coal operations in the Elk Valley generate critical economic activity for B.C., and create thousands of jobs for local British Columbians who care deeply about ensuring the environment is maintained for future generations.
They are committed to operating in a responsible manner and to doing the work necessary to support both a healthy environment and a healthy mining sector.
We have a proven track record of successfully reclaiming mine operations in B.C., meet all bonding requirements set out by the provincial government and are committed to protecting water quality in the Elk Valley at no cost to government or taxpayers.
Sheila Risbud, vice-president
Sustainable Development Coal
Teck
Quoting Mark Twain on school boards
Re: “Victoria police chief says board ‘deeply’ underplaying value of school liaison officers,” April 24.
For some odd reason, Mark Twain’s comment comes to mind: “First God made idiots. That was for practice. Then He made school boards.”
Ian Cameron
Brentwood Bay
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