Look to the sky for more electricity
Where is the extra electricity we need? Right in front of us!
If governments of all levels offered grants and rebates like they do in getting citizens to buy electric cars, bikes and heat pumps, B.C. Hydro could easily find enough electricity on B.C. roofs such that they could stop buying it from coal-fired Washington and Alberta.
Just look at Germany. It produces more electricity from solar panels on houses and commercial buildings than 10 Site C Dams. The Germans are even putting solar on balconies.
What is stopping us from pursuing such a plan? The suspicious side of me wonders if B.C. Hydro and The Fossils are blocking progress with their bogus green-natural-gas program.
If nothing else, every new government building — schools, hospitals, detention centres, social housing, etc. — should either have solar panels installed on the roof during the construction phase or have the roofs built so they are solar ready.
Also, as a letter writer said Monday: “B.C. Hydro should eliminate Tier Two rates as they are unfair to those who want to reduce their fossil fuel consumption. Going green should not cost more.”
Dave Secco
Saanich
How will MLA handle the bullying of Sooke?
The new MLA for Sooke is an NDP member. It will be interesting to see how this former District of Sooke council member stands up to his party, given that Sooke does not want to be forced to supply more housing.
Will he represent residents or is he a party chess piece? Will the NDP continue to bully its municipal playmates into a checkmate?
The traffic SNAFUs are old news, but are not disappearing. The NDP’s work on the Sooke slither has done little to address volume. Until there are meaningful measures to fix the Highway 14 traffic problems, a moratorium on development in Sooke should prevail. And contrary to Minister Kahlon’s comments about improved transit options, service has worsened.
As well, Richmond-based developer Farrell Estates wants to rezone a precious piece of Sooke’s Broom Hill, to build more homes. Most likely they won’t be affordable, but they will sit on land much loved by hikers, mountain bikers and the same people who move here from far and wide, seeking “nature.” Ironic, isn’t it?
I wonder how Metchosin, Oak Bay and Central Saanich have managed to keep profligate development out of their lovely communities? Why is Sooke, farther from Victoria, having to pick up the pieces?
Shannon Moneo
Sooke
Sooke stands up to NDP dictators
Bravo Sooke council! You’ve made a welcome strike against the dictatorial no-zoning edict from the NDP.
Most municipalities would have welcomed government support for a voluntary move to permit secondary suites and duplexes in single family zones, but the extension to compulsory allowance of much denser, bigger buildings was just plain ridiculous.
I wish that a few other councils had the guts to do the same. The NDP edict won’t make a hoot of difference to housing affordability but will destroy dozens of stable family districts.
We’re supposed to be a democracy. Let local councils decide where and how they want to approve development.
Alec Mitchell
Victoria
When Canada Post was great with parcels
As Canada Post struggles to restructure itself into a competitive, affordable, dependable parcel delivery service, I recall a time when it was.
In 1980, my widowed mother decided to return to her hometown of Dorval, Quebec, after almost 20 years in Newfoundland.
I flew from Victoria to help; rented a car in St. John’s and drove the 150 kilometres to Dunville. Upon arrival the packing was well underway.
My job was to take carloads of her belongings to the local post office. Yes, my mother was moving by mail. After costing her move with a moving company and CN Rail, Canada Post was the best deal.
A week later, we were now in Dorval; a Canada Post parcel truck arrived — only a few dozen of her boxes arrived that day. The next day the truck was full.
She was pleased, Canada Post delivery was puzzled and I left for home before any more arrived!
Arnie Campbell
Saanich
Look at management at the post office
I worked for Canada Post for a total of about 30 years on different occasions in three different cities as a postal clerk and as a letter carrier. I am now retired.
Every time postal workers go on strike they take the brunt of the blame for the state of the post office and of the poor state of labour relations.
Indeed this time we are being told that the post office is in dismal trouble financially with an uncertain future.
Rarely is the management of the corporation and the results of their actions, past and present, examined in detail. Who has been and is responsible for running the show and what part have they played in the current situation?
In 1912, Captain Edward John Smith disregarded numerous warnings of icebergs and rammed an iceberg with his ship, the Titanic. Were the stewards and the stokers held responsible for the sinking of the ship?
Ian MacDonell
Victoria
Think about outcomes in postal strike
The postal strike obviously causes disruption, and distress, to many, on both sides of the debate.
Canada Post is essentially a bankrupt corporation. Its business model needs to change and drastically in order to survive in some form. Is one response to bring it back in to the core public service, and disband a Crown corporation? Probably not.
From a union point of view, it risks forcing a corporation to fold its business, with a huge loss of jobs.
Both sides need to put a little water with their wine. Postal workers are well-paid 91原创s with huge benefits compared to the average worker.
Perhaps they should think about what happens if they force Canada Post into bankruptcy.
David Collins
Victoria
Make a better choice in the federal election
Justin Trudeau’s visit to Donald Trump brought to my mind the poem that starts “’will you step into my parlour?’ said the spider to the fly.”
In this case, the parlour being Mar-a-Lago, the spider Trump and Trudeau the fly.
Trump is not known for telling jokes nor even understanding one, according to his many critics.
There was little reason for Trudeau to make that trip, his deputy could have served as well. All Trump would have had to say to Trudeau is “Gosh you are good looking and I just love your cool socks” and the web would have Trudeau caught.
With Trump voicing that maybe the U.S. should annex Canada, we 91原创s should be very concerned.
There is about 300 million of them and only about 40 million of us and they have a lot more guns.
Our next federal election, like the last U.S. one, will be very decisive but let’s hope we make a better choice.
David Smith
Victoria
Make Canada grow again
We should reciprocate Donald Trump’s offer by offering to include the United States as our 11th province. Only polite!
David Vernon
Oak Bay
Scammers, hackers could cost you money
A warning to everyone, the scammers are hard at work.
I received an email from a friend asking me to buy an Apple gift card. The phraseology was so plausible that I had no reason to question the content. After purchasing the gift card I phoned her, only to discover that the email had not come from her. She had been hacked.
Fortunately, I had not sent the number on the Apple gift card as she had requested, to have done so would mean the hackers would have access to it.
These sophisticated scammers/hackers possibly used AI to impersonate her.
If you have any doubt, take action. Do not respond immediately. Verify the source of the email or phone call.
Failure to do so could cost you money.
Sue Mackinnon
Crofton
Corvair Monza vs. the classic Jaguar
As a former owner of a 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza, I was amused to read that the boss of B.C. Ferries still referred to its reputation as the “sexiest car on the market.”
I am afraid the car’s reputation was greatly inflated. Ask anyone who drove the competition — an E-type Jaguar!
Christopher Causton
Victoria
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