Paying for too much with the carbon tax
How many people thought that the B.C. carbon tax was applied against the amount of gas used? Not so. There’s a much bigger gouge to be had.
From Nov. 22 to Dec. 24, I used $50.18 worth of natural gas. (There are seven additional taxes and fees added to this, bringing my bill up to $334.68!)
The carbon tax on my $50.18 worth of natural gas was $90.48 — and the government wants to increase that.
Only a few years ago, I was encouraged and assisted by government grants to switch from oil heat to natural gas. Now, I am increasingly being made to feel like a criminal for having accepted their help.
The B.C. government already owns the record for bringing in more new taxes than any other in our history. When will they think enough is enough?
Bob Wheaton
Victoria
We have already seen the Conservative movie
Re: “Poilievre outlines goals, strategy and key players,” Jan. 4.
As an American ex-pat looking forward to voting in my first 91原创 federal election, I was interested in seeing Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s “goals.” Especially after reports of emergency rooms in Victoria and Quebec overwhelmed with patients, and homeless people filling Montreal’s ERs, to avoid the cold. After all, as a Member of Parliament, Poilievre has had 20 years to study the issues.
Alas, no mention of health care among his priorities. But on affordable housing, Poilievre seems to want homes built in the hinterlands: “It should be dirt cheap, because we have the most dirt.”
Poilievre attacked “wokeism” and called the Liberals “socialist,” because, “they’ve learned that (government) help is the sunny side of control.” He called for cutting government “bureaucracy” and taxes. (It’s interesting that the politicians who seem to disdain government the most, can’t wait to run the government.)
It’s no surprise Poilievre’s main economic plan appears to be turbocharging 91原创 resource extraction, including oil production. With no mention of CO2 pollution and the intensifying climate crisis.
But I worry that by selling and sending 91原创 oil around the globe, we are like the opioid dealers in 91原创 cities, hawking deadly drugs.
I’ve seen this conservative show before, in the U.S. — from Ronald Reagan, to George W. Bush, to Donald Trump. They all cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans and corporations, and the result was higher budget deficits, and increasing social ills.
I’m glad that Justin Trudeau has finally stepped aside, to allow for new leadership. Let’s hope that the federal election is focused on the issues, and the facts. No name calling, please.
Ira Shorr
Victoria
The ever-evolving English language
I realize that language is a living entity and changes over time, but is “misspoke” a new word for lying?
Roy Summerhayes
Chemainus
Why is the rioter allowed in Canada?
In various media is a story about a young man who was convicted in a U.S. court for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot against the U.S. Capitol.
He has been sentenced to nine months in prison. Instead of facing his sentence, this young man has crossed the border and is snowboarding at Whistler. He said he found a road that led across the border into Canada. So he is here illegally.
According to various reports, he hopes to claim asylum in Canada in the event President-elect Donald Trump does not pardon him. He also tried claiming asylum in Argentina, Mexico, El Salvador, Vietnam, Belarus and Russia without success.
The person, identified in reports, is not denying his participation in the riot, which saw death and serious injury to innocent people, and is counting on a pardon so he does not have to experience prison.
Am I missing something here? Can someone please explain to me how it is that this person is snowboarding in Whistler and not being escorted by the Canada Border Security Agency back to the United States where he belongs?
Linda Carlson
Victoria
Canada is ahead with underground observatory
A Jan. 5 article from The Associated Press indicates China appears to be leading in establishing an Underground Neutrino Observatory, with two similar ones being built in Japan and the United States.
A fact check would reveal that Canada has had such an observatory in Sudbury, Ont., that has been operational since May 1999.
Canada wasn’t even mentioned in the article.
Bob Moore
Victoria
Keep that sequoia, and give it a name
I’m still annoyed that the beautiful sequoia tree outside Victoria City Hall is going to be chopped down.
Our city and province are known for its beautiful trees.
The carbon dioxide that humans exhale is drawn up by our trees and converted into oxygen that the trees then breathe out into the atmosphere — not only for humans but for all life forms.
All brains and bodies need oxygen.
Trees are connected to the Earth — some more deeply than others.
They can have a calming, steady influence on all of us, whether we are aware of it or not.
Given the current city council, I would like to gently suggest that they keep the sequoia tree.
We could even call it Marianne.
Lia Fraser
Victoria
Ground floor, basement are different things
From my perspective, there is a major flaw in the methodology that B.C. uses to evaluate residential properties.
Two-storey homes that have a ground floor that is partially a garage escape having the lower floor considered as living space, rather it is evaluated as a basement and thereby is not taxed.
Even though at least half of the ground floor could be used as part of the liveable space. A ground floor bears no resemblance to a basement which logically should be below ground level.
Chris Sheldon
Saanich
Inspiring words about reconciliation
Re “Regina non-profit aims to open ribbon skirt regalia library,” Jan. 5.
The recent story on the revival of traditional ribbon skirt regalia in a Regina Indigenous community in addition to highlighting a positive cultural tradition for youth had a deep and hopeful message expressed in the words of its Metis-Cree coordinator:
“I really like this idea that as Indigenous people, we’re not going to be contributing to that intergenerational trauma. It’s creating this intergenerational love through teaching, through being there and having accessible wear.”
Those are courageous and inspiring words which support the efforts of non-Indigenous and Indigenous persons alike for reconciliation on the one hand, and forgiveness on the other.
Tim McGee, KC
Victoria
Praise for Sooke for pushing back
I applaud Sooke council for their recent vote to reject the zoning bylaw changes mandated by the provincial government in Bill 44 to allow for increased density in areas currently zoned for single families.
The provincial government will step in to force the required zoning changes, but it’s important that Sooke sent the message that they want local autonomy over how their community grows and develops.
I have seen the effects of this legislation in Saanich, where I live. Perhaps the most concerning effect of this legislation is the speed at which municipalities are forced to build new housing in order to meet their housing quotas.
These quotas seem arbitrary and are likely calculated using a formula that can’t possibly account for the particular needs and desires of each community.
There are currently so many development proposals in the pipeline in Saanich that I wonder if each is receiving the scrutiny and consideration from district staff and the public that they deserve or require.
To add to my frustration, Bill 44 also eliminates public hearings for most small-scale housing developments.
I think most of us can agree that there is a shortage of housing, particularly affordable housing.
I know developers were often frustrated by long delays in processing their applications and differing application processes from one local government to the other, but there has to be a middle ground where local governments can, with community input, make timely, thoughtful development decisions.
The provincial government was well-intentioned but heavy-handed when it enacted Bill 44.
Murray Goode
Saanich
Consultation needed on police in schools
Re: “Setting the record straight on police in schools,” commentary, Jan. 3.
Years ago I had a buddy who was a police officer in Riverside County, California. He had been the high school resource officer and was back on regular duty.
I did a ride-along with him, and he pulled over a unregistered driver: A female Hispanic that he knew as a student from the school. He followed her home and she was let off with just a warning.
According to our human rights commissioner, he must have arrested her and thrown the book at her. Apparently stereotyping is OK when you are the commissioner, but in their school district, police are welcomed in the school.
I had two kids in this school district and they told me the kids have no issue with the police.
What bothers me the most is at no time ever were we as parents asked or consulted.
Apparently, their only consulting was with First Nations, which make up less than five per cent of students. This consultation took place after they made the decision.
The local First Nations have been forced to speak out against the police liaison officer decision and are on board with police in schools. I am thankful they spoke out against this nonsense.
If my kids were starting school again, I would put them in a private school. Unfortunately, special interest groups — I can’t find anyone they represent — are destroying our school system. It’s time we introduce charter schools to provide choices for parents and get away from this wokeness.
For the record, my kids aren’t white.
Tim Grey
Saanich
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