Proposed system is not that confusing
Re: “Careful which system we use for voting,” letter, Oct. 25.
I’m confused by the letters regarding voting systems, too. Yes, the results of this election (so far) for the two main parties are very close to what a proportional representation system might give (except for the Greens, who won 2% of the seats with 8% of the votes).
However, this isn’t always so, since it depends on how the parties’ votes are spread out and concentrated in the different ridings.
Look at 2020: the NDP had 48% of the votes and won 66% of the seats. This would not have been the result using a simple form of proportional representation.
The single transferable vote is not a form of proportional representation. It uses our current riding system but gives more options for voter choice.
I agree that it was rejected because people found it confusing, but I fail to see what’s confusing about it.
Voters just need to rank their preferences on the ballot, and Elections B.C. does the rest. If you want to understand how the tabulation is done, it’s not rocket science!
David McIntosh
Saanich
Eby is at the helm of a truly centrist party
With the B.C. right-wing party now having changed its name again, this time to B.C. Conservative, the political landscape is starting to settle out.
John Rustad has taken this newest version of the B.C. right-wing coalition party further right while the B.C. Greens have staked out a position on a rather unrealistic outpost on the political left.
Former Green leader Andrew Weaver refers to his old party as “eco-socialists.” The Greens will have no truck nor trade with a reasonable timetable and transition to an environmentally friendly economy and would abandon LNG production (a much preferable alternative to coal and heavy fossil fuels) while Rustad’s Conservatives prefer the equally unreasonable, unfettered, “drill baby, drill” philosophy.
Meanwhile, it is the social democratic, NDP which shows itself to be the truly centrist (or more correctly, centre-left) alternative, balancing progressive environmental initiatives with practical economic ones.
Rustad has taken to announcing that his is the first Conservative Party in B.C. since 1978 but really, it is just the latest right-wing coalition that has operated in British Columbia since the 1941–1951 iteration.
Then it was Social Credit. Then it was B.C. Liberal. Then it was BC United. Now it is B.C. Conservative. Different names, same coalition, but even further right-wing this time.
Now will be Premier David Eby’s chance to show that he can govern from the centre, where most of B.C.’s citizens politically abide. I wish him luck.
Dan Rowe
Sidney
Rustad should examine climate facts
A recent editorial stated that Conservative leader John Rustad was “politically incorrect.” One reason was that he doesn’t believe that climate change is human caused.
He stands very isolated in this position. Almost all scientists around the world believe that it is. The change is happening far faster than our climate has ever changed before, from all the evidence gathered.
Humanity is the new factor. This and much other evidence points to our ability to reduce and mitigate the potentially deadly effects of our carbon emissions.
I have never seen any evidence that some other non-human factors are playing a role in our potential demise. I would love to see some.
Meanwhile, I would say Rustad is someone who doesn’t believe in examining the facts before acting on his preferred view of things.
This doesn’t bode well if there are actually things that can be done to help the situation.
This doesn’t sound like “political correctness” to me but a very dangerous way to conduct our affairs.
Sheila Drew
Victoria
Talk to Weaver about the Conservatives
B.C. Green Leader Sonia Furstenau should speak to former leader Andrew Weaver to find out why he supports the Conservative Party of British Columbia.
What’s good for the goose may be good for the gander.
Dr. Robin Richardson
Esquimalt
Where will the cars be parked?
Re: “$300M proposal for Mayfair Lanes site wins council backing,” Oct. 30.
An impressive artist’s rendering of the project proposed for 760 Tolmie Avenue.
But I could see no access to parking for the many customers of Superstore, or for the car owners of the 550 rental units.
Outside parking for the hundreds of car owners shopping at our local Duncan Superstore are in front of the store, and cover a huge area.
Parking is a major component in a large development plan. What are Saanich’s requirements for parking?
Just curious.
Malcolm Oakes
Duncan
Affordable housing should be essential
Re: “$300M proposal for Mayfair Lanes site wins council backing,” Oct. 30.
Congratulations Saanich council on moving ahead on the Mayfair Lanes development proposal, including 555 rental residential units.
I did not see “affordable” in the TC report. Any development such as this seeking council (citizen) approval today must include affordable rental as component of project.
Judy Curran
Saanich
Simple solution to unwanted mail
A very simple solution to a small problem. With regard to the letter on recycling boxes at community mailboxes, I have a very simple solution that has been working ever since I started it.
Inside my mailbox I have taped down a simple notice that reads, “No Junk (unaddressed) Mail Please”, and since placing that sign we have not received one piece of unaddressed mail.
Simple and it works, no more recycling of unwanted ads.
Antony Merry
Sidney
Willows Camp was not at the beach
Re: “Don’t blame China for the 1918 pandemic,” letter, Oct. 30.
The writer incorrectly assumes that Willows Camp, one of several First World War camps in Victoria, was at Willows Beach.
The Willows Camp was sited in the Victoria Agricultural Grounds (aka Willows Fairgrounds), which were used as a military training base between 1915 and 1919.
The Fairgrounds entrance was near the corner of Fair Street and Eastdowne Road and covered the Lansdowne slope area between Foul Bay and Cadboro Bay roads.
The complex included large agricultural buildings and a race track with grandstand located on what is now Carnarvon Park.
Willows camp has been documented and photographs can be found in several local archives for historians unfamiliar with the area.
Jean Sparks
Oak Bay
Expand MAID with advance choice
I am pleased the federal government will launch consultations about expanding MAID (medical assistance in dying) to include advance requests.
However, they may well be out of power soon and the MAID program either shelved or reduced if Pierre Poilievre with his socially conservative base gains power.
I hope the feds do this quickly despite the Tories and Bloc Quebecois stalling the work of Parliament.
As most people know, Alzheimer’s, dementia and others are neurological diseases, thus not a mental health issue. Many of us know people who have or had such a disease.
I have a relative who recently died from Alzheimer’s. She was diagnosed 10 years ago, and was not able to recognize family for the last five-plus years.
She was a very bright, cheerful and helpful soul in all her capacities, from mother, elementary teacher and principal, and active church-goer.
Choosing MAID is a choice and a right for people with terminal diseases.
I hope the feds from all parties get moving on this.
Barry Rolston
Victoria
With the right to vote, we need to learn
Awaiting the final results of B.C.’s election, I was thinking about how voting is as much a responsibility as a right.
While we have the right to vote for a government we think will best represent us, we also have the responsibility to vote for a government that we believe will support everyone.
We have a responsibility to vote for a government that threatens neither the safety nor the rights of other members of our society. With our right to vote comes the responsibility to educate ourselves about the candidates and issues. I was gobsmacked this past week when several acquaintances didn’t know who I was talking about when I mentioned David Eby.
There were videos of voters saying they thought they were voting against Justin Trudeau.
It seems people are receiving their civics lessons through social media memes that are designed solely to trigger emotional reactions.
We seem to lack both curiosity and critical thinking skills, and yet we have the right to vote, not realizing the impact our ballot might have on others within our community.
We’re due to have a federal election next year. I hope that voters will consider the wider community when considering their ballots.
I hope they will consider whose rights and safety are under threat, as well as who might benefit from how they cast their vote.
It is our responsibility to take the time to learn about the candidates and issues and not have our votes informed by inflammatory social media memes.
Jessica Duncan
Victoria
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