We are fortunate to live in Canada
In Canada, possibly with one or two exceptions, and in British Columbia generally, health-care professionals and political leaders have demonstrated common cause in dealing with the virus: the health and safety of our citizens. Because these leaders have been scientific and unambiguous in their messages, they come across as genuine, so people have responded well. How lucky we are.
In less fortunate jurisdictions, we have seen sound health-care recommendations tainted and twisted by political considerations of self-interested leaders eyeing not the good health of their citizens, but how to cling to power despite their hopelessly incompetent leadership.
If we must endure this pandemic, we鈥檙e in the right place for it.
Terry Huntington
Victoria
Thanks for leadership in difficult times
Let us all say thank you to Premier John Horgan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for their leadership in these most difficult times. We are blessed to have them at the helm. It is time for the opposition parties to end the carping and come onboard.
Rickie Boothman
Saanich
Allow people to cash in RRSPs tax free
In about 1986 Prime Minister Brian Mulroney created a $500,000 lifetime tax exemption for capital gains. Yes, you could cash in those IBM stocks you bought for $10, or that summer cabin you bought for $100 and not pay any income tax on the first half million.
This was such a deal that wealthy folks immediately pressed the sell button. Meanwhile most 91原创s in 1986 were either trying to keep up with child care, mortgage payments (at 9%) or were trying to scrape up enough savings to feed their RRSPs 鈥� so the benefit was not widespread.
The catch with RRSPs and RRIFs is that there is no way of pulling money out of them as capital gain, so you must pay the full income tax hit. Just think of the tens of billions of dollars that therefore remain tied up and locked in for fear of income tax. 91原创s may soon need that money liberated and free to spend.
Why not borrow a page from Brian Mulroney and just consider the first $500,000 pulled out of an RRSP or RIFF as capital gains income eligible for Brian鈥檚 exemption? Then families can use their own money to pull themselves out of trouble.
Stephen Bowker
Victoria
Why is Saanich鈥檚 compost facility closed?
We are Saanich residents and really can鈥檛 understand the criteria that has caused the Saanich compost facility to close.
With the stay-at-home isolation directives, the people of Saanich have more time than ever to spruce up their yard and gardens. Alas, there is no convenient way to rid ourselves of compostable yard waste. The compost facility in the Saanich yard would be the perfect self-isolation procedure. There is room to be at least two metres from other users, and the staff almost never have to come near the participants.
Oak Bay and Esquimalt have figured out a way to keep their compost facilities open. It is a mystery why Saanich can not.
Greg Buchan
Saanich
Face-mask joke gave much needed laughs
Re: 鈥淗ey! Raeside stole my face-mask idea,鈥� letter, April 21.
Obviously, sir, you are a man with a peculiar sense of humour. Let鈥檚 leave it at that and be proud this underwear idea was famously illustrated and gave the Times 91原创 readers a good laugh while we most need it.
Solange Valiquette
Sidney
Help for the needy was long overdue
We are fortunate to live in a forward-looking country that has initiated a guaranteed annual income to help those in need. It鈥檚 long overdue. A 10% levy on online purchases would level the playing field and help local businesses weather a drop-off in sales. The grumpy old taxpayers will complain. The value they get for their tax dollars never occurs to them.
All health-care workers and first responders should receive a hazard allowance just like they do in the military and other occupations where people routinely put their life on the line. They鈥檙e heroes. They keep us alive in trying times. They deserve be payed accordingly.
Doug Poole
Courtenay
Golf courses great for socially distanced stroll
Re: 鈥淕reater Victoria golf courses open with many restrictions,鈥� April 22.
You cannot be faulted for wanting to get back to the business of providing recreation for the small population of privileged Victorians by opening your courses.
Did you consider those who do not have single-family home gardens, those with home-bound children whose playgrounds and parks are shuttered, those who are confined to outdoor spaces in the form of sidewalks?
It would have been a humanitarian gesture to create socially distanced walking pathways throughout the luxurious golf courses. Imagine that. Welcoming those that are longing for fresh air and open space. Welcoming them to walk through the rough.
It isn鈥檛 that you should have been prevented from carrying on business as usual for members only during the pandemic, it is that it would have shown generosity and community spirit if you had considered the needs of the many 鈥� especially the young families.
Sandra Slobodian
Esquimalt
Use city hall to house the homeless
Re: 鈥淗elps wants B.C. to seize hotel rooms,鈥� April 16.
Before Victoria city council gets too frisky with other people鈥檚 property, they should take a look at what they can do with their own.
There is really no need for a bricks-and-mortar city hall anymore. Councillors can stay home (as they should) and all council meetings can happen via Zoom and administrative work be done remotely. Plus, the city saves on transportation, parking and council lunches. That way, city hall can be used to house the homeless and, for those who prefer to tent, there is the square right outside.
That would be even more in-your-face than all the tents on Pandora Avenue right now and it can be permanent because there is no need to continue to use the old building for the city鈥檚 administration. Win-win-win!
Geoffrey Robards
Victoria
Why not use parkades for a tent city?
What in the world is the City of Victoria thinking?
Why would they not create a tent city in one of the city鈥檚 parkades?
The parkades have roofs on almost all levels, and hard surfaces that can be power-washed at the end of the pandemic. They are close to services.
Instead, they created it on the opposite end of town close to residential areas, and next to a playground and fields that will have to be dug up at the end of the day.
I pity the residents within a large radius of this park. It appears a councillor and mayor have gotten their wish on a perfect location for a tent city.
Raj Sundher
Victoria
Business needs to lead way to 鈥榥ew normal鈥�
Thanks for the coverage on businesses trying to get back to normal. I聽see this here in the Comox Valley and it is uplifting.
B.C. has taken a human approach and people are allowed outside 鈥� distancing.
The human costs and mental heath impacts have not yet been measured. Certainly the elderly, immune-system- compromised need to be distanced. Travellers need to be quarantined.This virus came from outside our border and we can鈥檛 stand a second or third wave. Governments need to do their job.
While being cautious and innovative, our business community needs to lead the way back to a new normal, soon.
Phil Harrison
Comox
Tougher punishment for speeding rider
Re: 鈥淒river fined, motorcycle seized after 140 km/h ride on Blanshard Street,鈥� April 21.
Surely the reckless disregard of public safety shown by the motorcyclist speeding in an urban area without a licence or insurance deserves a more significant punishment than a $1,300 fine and impounding the bike for a week.
At the very least, the vehicle should be seized, sold and the proceeds donated to B.C.鈥檚 Crime Victim Assistance Program.
Cathy Stephenson
Victoria
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鈥� Mail: Letters to the editor, Times 91原创, 2621聽Douglas St., Victoria, B.C. V8T 4M2.
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