Fight back against American imperialism
In the face of new American imperialism, we need to strongly come together. Please, friends of this beloved country, converse with your American friends and extended families that our nation is unique, we do not wish to become another state.
Consider not vacationing in the U.S.; consider not buying from Amazon or any other American monopoly.
Please join a political party of your choice, it costs little, or nothing.
We are facing an abyss. Our country needs all of us now!
Sabine Orlik
Victoria
Trudeau gets his chance to stand up for us
If Vladimir Putin has a wish list for the New Year it must surely be a weakened and divided NATO. How better could his buddy in Washington do that than by threatening to annex both Canada and Greenland?
Given the threats this useful idiot is making even before returning to office, Canada should be recalling our ambassador and making the strongest possible protest regarding this proposed anschluss. Justin Trudeau may be ruling on borrowed time, but he has a golden opportunity to finally speak for the vast majority of his constituents.
David Lowther
Mesachie Lake
Time to reclaim Washington territory
In light of the recent proclamations of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, it may be interesting to look back to December 1861, when James Douglas, then governor of the colonies of British Columbia and 91原创 Island, wrote to the Duke of Newcastle, Secretary of State for the Colonies, suggesting that, in light of the then-existing disagreement between the United States and England regarding the seizure at sea of the British vessel Trent, it might be an opportune time for England to regain the Washington Territory relinquished in the 1846 Oregon Treaty.
The United States was fully engaged in the Civil War and few American troops or warships were on the west coast. A small body of British troops and ships could occupy Puget Sound and the Columbia River. Douglas wrote: “With Puget Sound and the line of the Columbia River in our hands, we should hold the only navigable outlets of the Country, command its trade and soon compel it to submit to Her Majesty’s Rule.”
History reveals that no action was taken but could have been.
An online copy of the full letter can be found at: https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/V61078CO.html
Ken Johnson
Victoria
Ignore him so he will cool the rhetoric
We should ignore the bafflegab from the irritant south of our border.
The president-elect knows no bounds in twisting what he sees as the truth to suit his own agenda. If he gets an audience with his rhetoric, he just continues and ramps up the insanity.
It’s hard to understand that there are so many ignorant people south of our border that believe his BS.
Mike Wilkinson
Duncan
No, Mr. Trump, there is no Canada state
Yes, we 91原创s are generally a quiet and peace-loving nation, but make no mistake, a true patriot love does really burn fiercely in the hearts and minds of all of us who call this country our home.
We are, and will remain, strong and free. Only a single maple leaf forever will flutter over the homes, businesses and places of worship of the sons and daughters of the True North.
We are not, and never will be, a star to pin on your collection and you can keep your old glory on your side of the fence.
Theresa Balak
Victoria
Forget Maye Musk, give keys to Wayne Gretzky
Re: “Let’s get Maye Musk to run the country,” letter, Jan. 8.
If all it takes to be prime minister is to birth a South African-born U.S. citizen billionaire, then I’m supporting Wayne Gretzky.
Scoring 894 goals is definitely a better 91原创 qualification.
Gerald Marantz
Parksville
New Crystal Pool would be a great deal
Do we need a new pool and fitness centre? We sure do.
The Crystal Pool was built in 1971. The engineers’ reports, from as long ago as 2015, said upgrades are needed to keep facility operational in future.
More recent reports cite many of the systems and components are failing; the facility no longer meets the current building and accessibility codes; it is the city’s largest emitter of greenhouse gasses. All things we can’t see when visiting.
If you don’t want to read the reports, or check out the website, crystalpool.ca, ask the beleaguered maintenance staff.
Is a pool and fitness centre a “frill”?
Ask the more than 400,000 annual users, ages a few months to some in their 90s, who go to fitness classes and workouts, on land and in the water; learn to swim, kayak, scuba dive, or to be a lifeguard; train for competition; take classes in dance, yoga, pilates; work with therapy experts; attend camps, road trips, general and special interest events — all for, at most, $6.31 per visit and as little as pennies per day if a child, or with a pass.
Specialized classes and training are, of course, provided for a modest fee.
Can we afford a new pool and wellness centre?
Households (not individuals) don’t have to pay $169 million. They pay only to borrow the money, a cost of, at most, $240 per year, less if the project gets federal and/or provincial grants.
$240 per year equates to buying a $3 cup of coffee, 80 days in a whole year.
A good deal?
You bet!
Pauline McCullagh
Victoria
A new Crystal Pool makes financial sense
I spent more than 40 years in the professional accounting industry and have seen every type of government mismanagement possible.
While there is waste around most corners, the public has rarely regretted big capital projects like a new pool, a new arena, a new bridge, a conference centre and similar projects that create a generational legacy.
These big projects always seem expensive, always seem overpriced, but once they are built, there will be many happy residents for decades to come.
While I’ve read some regrets about the Johnson Street Bridge, it turned out to be an incredible project that is used by thousands of people daily. The city’s new fire hall is spectacular. Every other pool around the region was a successful project.
For this reason, I’m planning to support the new pool. It’s not perfect, but no project ever is. The cost will seem reasonable in the future, and there will be thousands of happy children, seniors and other users.
It’s the responsible thing to get this pool completed for the city.
Terance Glover
Retired CPA, CGA
Victoria
Upgrade option please, not just yes or no
I have been swimming at the Crystal Pool since it opened and my children participated in swim clubs at the pool.
While I understand that the Crystal is aging, I am curious why there is no mention of the feasibility and costs towards upgrading the existing structure. All the writing seems biased toward replacing the current pool, especially using the north location which is our current pool.
They expect the replacement time to be 21 months, but looking at projects around Victoria I wouldn’t be surprised to see this time extended to five or more years. It would be hard to imagine Victoria without a recreation centre for this long.
For many people, not just swimmers, this facility is a lifeline. For many seniors, Crystal Pool provides opportunity for socializing as well as fitness opportunities.
For years, Crystal Pool has supported the only para swim club on South 91原创 Island, as well as the Special Olympic group.
For many of these swimmers, a closure of five years would be devastating, as this may be their only athletic and social outlet. The burden of such a lengthy closure would fall on other fitness centres, which happened during the December closure.
Our city is growing in population but not in amenities, an important one being recreation. I would like to see some information on upgrading the existing facility, rather than being presented with a Yes or No vote.
Marilyn Lapointe
Victoria
Millions of dollars wasted on bike lanes
Re: “Saanich prepares to expropriate land,” Jan. 8.
As usual, the heavy hand of Saanich comes after land owners for their land for these ridiculous bike lanes on Shelbourne.
The mayor and council does whatever they want against the wishes of the people that voted them in. Millions and millions of dollars are wasted on bike lanes that maybe 10 per cent of people use.
This is happening all over Greater Victoria by councils that have no clue what voters want even as they are told every day. Hope these council comes to conclusion one day they ruined Victoria.
But they will probably get on their bikes and wave their magic middle finger at the voters.
Ken McKay
Saanich
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