Keep the march, change it, respect navy veterans
Re: “Esquimalt couple launch petition to keep navy’s marching song,” Dec. 8.
The Royal 91原创 Navy has plans to jettison its march, Heart of Oak. I feel this would be a huge mistake on the part of the navy.
A group’s customs and traditions belong to everyone in that group. Veterans are very much a part of the naval community; were veterans consulted at all on this planned move?
As a veteran of more than 40 years in the navy I know that my now-shelved shipmates and I were not.
What does this say about the RCN’s push for inclusivity?
The navy is totally right to be concerned that its customs and traditions reflect its core values. But don’t throw the baby overboard with the bath water.
If the lyrics of Heart of Oak are somehow “Un-91原创” or overly masculine, then change those lyrics, as has been done to bring our national anthem in line with 91原创 values.
The RCN has an incredible opportunity here; an opportunity to balance historic tradition with forward-thinking principles, to say “This is who we are: proud of our heritage, steadfast in our values.”
It is in fact an opportunity to bring together all the members of the naval family. By keeping Heart of Oak as its march but adopting lyrics it finds more relevant and inclusive, the navy can unite brand new recruits, serving members, and salty long-retired veterans alike.
For the 114 years of its history, sailors of the RCN, both men and women, have sailed from 91原创 ports to the stirring strains of Heart of Oak.
In two world wars, the Korean War, the Cold War, the First Gulf War, the War on Terror, and countless operations around the globe, Heart of Oak was the march that forged our esprit de corps and bolstered our resolve.
In charting its way forward on this issue, the RCN will show whether it truly values the feelings of its veterans.
Michael Erwin
Saanich
Decisions have hurt high school students
Big thanks to Education Minister Lisa Beare for addressing the decisions of the Greater Victoria school board.
Their arrogant, ignorant and incompetent decisions coupled with the fact that they would not respond to anyone until forced to do so shows that they should all be dismissed from the board.
Kasari Govender should be relieved of her duties as B.C.’s human rights commissioner for her unbridled support. Their decisions have hurt high school students. Shame on them.
Paul Martin
Victoria
Lose the weapons when entering a school
It is important that our police officers have a positive and healthy relationship with the community, especially our children.
Gang violence and drugs are serious concerns that need to be monitored and policed.
What seems to intimidate minority groups are police entering schools dressed like military personnel complete with body armour and guns.
Perhaps, if our officers visited the schools in special uniforms without the military hardware, they would be better received and respected by the children and their parents.
Paul Arnold
Saanich
Benefits, also anxiety from police visits
I commend the Greater Victoria school board for thoughtfully considering the impact of the school police liaison officer program.
In my experience, SPL officers from Victoria and Saanich have made positive contributions in my kindergarten classroom by promoting Halloween safety, reading with students, and explaining their roles. However, I’ve also seen how their presence can unintentionally harm vulnerable students, causing fear and anxiety.
Some young children, particularly those with limited language skills, react with distress to uniformed officers, especially when weapons are visible.
Growing up in a context where armed officers were feared, I empathize with this trauma. I recall a hold-and-secure drill when an officer’s actions — rattling kicking, and opening the door — caused panic and tears, even among children with no prior negative experiences.
These visits often focus on officers’ weapons, overshadowing other aspects of safety and learning. Why must officers be armed during these visits?
Wouldn’t it make more sense to bring in professionals like fire prevention officers or counsellors trained in conflict resolution, anti-bullying, and social-emotional learning experts better equipped to support students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds?
Two recent pieces by privileged members of the community fail to acknowledge the impact on disenfranchised youth.
One even suggested that traumatized students needed to “overcome [their] fears.” This dismissive approach is unlikely to be effective without the support of trained mental health professionals, not armed officers.
I urge the board to continue exploring alternatives that prioritize student well-being and support all students.
Ai Linh Trinh
Kindergarten teacher
Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association member-at-large
AI is creating problems in our classrooms
Re: “AI puts education in the crosshairs of history,” commentary, Dec. 7.
I find explanations of AI in the classroom to be rather disingenuous.
Fair disclosure: the author of the commentary makes his living promoting AI. Fair disclosure: I taught high school humanities, including distance education; took doctoral studies in education; and supervised teacher-candidates for UVic.
When he writes that “students were suddenly granted 24/7 access to expert tutors” that’s not quite right. Most students wouldn’t take advantage of having a tutor, but they’d definitely let that tutor write papers or take tests for them, which is actually what teachers are facing.
And I haven’t seen much “dithering over how to grade homework.” Most teachers — in public school and at university — have accepted that they need to have their students do their written work during class time (an awfully inefficient use of class time, but what can you do?).
AI is here, and we have to deal with it, but don’t candy-coat it. Much recent technological advancement hasn’t been good for humanity.
Unfortunately, today if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it might just be an AI-generated duck.
Matthew Webster
Victoria
Respect Esquimalt, Songhees First Nations
Re: “Esquimalt, Songhees chiefs condemn school board stance against police,” Dec. 4.
I write out of concern for the situation cited in Les Leyne’s column.
I am a citizen of Victoria, a grandmother and a former elected representative at both the federal government level and later as a city councillor in Victoria.
I believe reconciliation with First Nations is central to Canada’s search to repair the damage done by colonization and our search for true justice.
Throughout my adult life I have been active in the struggle for human rights locally, nationally and internationally. Since my retirement from the workforce this focus has been on the rights of Indigenous people.
In recent years I have been educating myself on these issues and have immersed myself in attempting to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
It is therefore extremely distressing to me to read excerpts of the Esquimalt and Songhees chiefs letter condemning the Greater Victoria School Board’s ending the school police liaison officer program which then ended the RCMP Indigenous policing unit officer without respectful consultation with First Nations.
I believe many of us are trying to create more respectful ways of relating to each other in the spirit of reconciliation.
I ask all parties to this situation to act honourably in response to the letter from the chiefs by reinstating the school police liaison officer program and the RCMP Indigenous policing unit with the humility and respect Chief Jerome Thomas and Chief Ron Sam request from our elected representatives.
Lynn Hunter
Victoria
Mixed messages on police in schools
The Greater Victoria School Board chair Nicole Duncan has stated that “appropriate qualified school district staff are responsible for managing student behaviour and student discipline.”
The board is sending mixed messages about working collaboratively with First Nations and their concerns.
Sounds to me like they’ve already made up their minds about the liaison-officer program.
Pam Bevan
Victoria
Best action for workers? Fight for a union
Re: “Strikes divide 91原创s into haves and have-nots,” column, Dec. 5.
Gwyn Morgan’s statistical diatribe is informative but pointless regarding trade union effects on the economy and so-called non-union “have-nots.”
Impacts on businesses both large and small are substantial and the point of collective bargaining and strikes. Leverage hopefully brings results for both unions and employers.
Negotiated settlements which encompass the great majority of disputes work.
Morgan states “I guess the only action left for beleaguered ‘have-nots’ is to wage a personal protest campaign expressing our outrage to those who are supposed to be representing our interests.”
Is Morgan a “have-not”? Hardly!
However, there is a better action for workers. Fight for and join a union. I did and it works!
I emailed this missive even though I support the postal workers. The letter is from a union-oriented perspective of course.
Max Miller
Saanich
Don’t blame unions for loss of competitiveness
Re: “Strikes divide 91原创s into haves and have-nots,” column, Dec. 5.
Gwyn Morgan suggests that union members in Canada are a privileged part of the work force, and a contributor to Canada’s loss of competitiveness.
While it is true that Canada has a higher level of union membership than the U.S., our unionization level is lower than many other industrial countries such as Norway, Denmark, Belgium and Italy.
It is also completely false to suggest that unions are a major factor behind Canada’s productivity decline.
Studies by a variety of organizations and think tanks have linked our drop in productivity to a lack of investment in research and development by both the public and private sectors, as well as a lack of innovation, and uptake in new technology, by many 91原创 companies.
This is a reflection of a lack of strategic leadership by both our political and business leaders, not obstructionism from unions.
Morgan also ignores the role played by unions in improving our general working conditions and advocating for causes such as better pensions and healthcare.
Unions are not members of a privileged class, as much as the non-union sector of the economy, especially the new gig workers, are members of an disadvantaged and often exploited underclass.
One-sided and biased views from people like Morgan do little to contribute to the thoughtful discussion that we need to have about the future shape of the 91原创 economy.
John Cotton
Sidney
Union of disenchanted is gaining its voice
Re: “Strikes divide 91原创s into haves and have-nots,” column, Dec. 5.
Gwyn Morgan’s very polite dissection of the unions’ monopolizing of our essential services was very informative.
In truth, we are all subservient to these unionized elites who confiscate a massive slice of the “Tax Pie” in exchange for questionable goods.
This phenomenon is worldwide where wealth and privilege attracts abuse. We have an aristocracy of elites operating on a double standard. They avoid accountability like vampires who hate daylight.
As Morgan outlines, unions don’t often yield to the public good, brinkmanship is their game no matter how damaging or costly.
It is no wonder that capitulations have resulted in divide and mistrust. Our institutions seem more intent on protecting their own before honouring the codes of those they serve.
Luckily, voter intolerance is being demonstrated worldwide. The great union of the “disenchanted” is gaining voice.
Solidarity in the ballot box is a strike for all workers.
Russell Thompson
Victoria
Amalgamation talk lasts for decades
The recent “balkanization” editorial reminds me of the day I was hired as a Saanich police constable in 1967.
Chief Bert Pearson handed me my badge and commented “young man, within six months you’ll be walking a beat downtown,” meaning amalgamation was on the horizon.
Makes me wonder if 60 years from now there will be another editorial suggesting it’s time for amalgamation.
Rick Gonder
Victoria
Taking us all back to the horse and buggy
I can only assume that the goal of City of Victoria staff, or for that matter, all Greater Victoria municipal staff is to ban the automobile and move us all to bicycles and perhaps horse and buggy.
Zero harm may be an admirable goal, but whatever happened to personal responsibility?
Traffic congestion is already beyond belief and the simple concept of flow dynamics dictates that further reducing speed limits will increase it exponentially.
I cannot help but envision frustrated drivers causing more safety issues than fewer as well as side streets becoming more dangerous as drivers try to find better ways to go about their daily business.
In the meantime, I need to find out if Saanich will give me a building permit for my stables.
A.A. (Tony) Pollard
Saanich
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