The heart of a school? Maybe music or library
Re: “Legendary Oak Bay, UVic basketball coach Taylor to be remembered in celebration of life,” April 23.
Gary Taylor was obviously a much-loved vice-principal and principal, and an excellent and caring coach, but I must gently disagree with his statement that the gymnasium is the heart of a school.
As an introvert, at my English all-girls high school in the 1950s, I would have loved a physical education program where I and my friends could run, walk or swim every day instead of team sports, which we hated.
For me, the heart of my school was the music program. We had two choirs, two orchestras, instrumental teaching, and theory and history of music as good as any conservatory, all free.
Group music making is obviously a team activity, but it is co-operative, not competitive. Because I was not good at them, team sports made me feel bad. Music made me feel good.
Also, there is a good argument that in spite of the fact that we live in a digital age, or indeed, because of it, the library should be the heart of a school.
And yes, I do glance at the sports page sometimes, because I watch soccer and golf.
Andrea Ashton
Victoria
New Democrat MPs are clowns for the Liberals
The federal Liberal budget continues to rack up deficit spending on programs and giveaways that many 91原创s do not need or want, and the country cannot afford.
Another detrimental piece in this budget is the increased taxation on charitable donations. The result will be less funds flowing to charities. Do the Liberals and NDP feel this is good policy? I suspect charities do not.
The damage of deficit spending to our economy is being compounded by tax changes to capital gains that will hit middle-class 91原创s’ retirement savings.
Many are professionals such as doctors and engineers who have other options. Options that some will avail themselves of such as simply leaving Canada for lower tax jurisdictions in the U.S. Our loss.
However, our MPs had no hesitation increasing their own basic salaries to $203,000 with another pay raise on April 1.
The damage being done to the 91原创 economy during the past nine years of Liberal rule has been immense. It will take a generation or longer to repair and it will be painful.
Ottawa has turned into a two-ring circus with the Liberal clowns in one tent and the NDP clowns in the other tent cheering them on.
Do our retiring NDP MPs want to be forever remembered as clowns in this Liberal circus?
Tim Garrish
Victoria
We all pay school taxes, and all students benefit
Regarding comments in a recent letter promoting discontinuing payment of school tax funds to private schools, all B.C. students are entitled to receive a school tax-paid education, irrespective of which school, private or public, they attend.
School taxes are paid out at a per-capita student rate. If private schools ceased to exist, then students’ education would take place in public schools, at no greater net cost to the taxpayer than before.
Many private schools are parochial, and, while fully meeting B.C. educational requirements, include classes based on social heritage and/or religious beliefs.
Not all private school students are from wealthy families, yet their families contribute to their schools through fees beyond public support.
All drivers pay road taxes and are accorded the benefit of driving on public roads. All property owners pay school taxes, so that all students, whether attending private schools or public schools, are entitled to an equal share of taxpayer funds toward the cost of their education.
If parents wish to pay fees to a private school which are beyond the provided per-capita student rate, then that’s on them, but the basic pro-rated entitlement to school tax funds remains.
Michael Rice
North Saanich
Tax church properties, consider capital gains
As a developer involved in construction of affordable senior rental housing projects over the past several years, it is alarming to see how many seniors with limited pensions are struggling to find affordable rental accommodation.
The general population is also challenged to find affordable rental housing.
Monthly rentals for apartments have almost doubled in Victoria during the last six years. $1,080 per month for a one-bedroom apartment is now $2,100 per month.
The tsunami of retirees and others finding themselves in housing predicaments will increase homelessness and further pressure governments at all levels on housing availability and affordability.
The result may be for governments to introduce more “quick fix” solutions.
Two that seem obvious to me are both tax-policy changes:
1. Property tax to apply to all faith-based organizations. These institutions are tax-exempt, sitting on property that can accommodate housing. Result, additional well-located housing sites listed for sale.
2. Sale of residential housing to be subject to capital gains tax. Currently, capital gains are not taxed on home sales. Simply announcing that this is coming and will apply to sales over a threshold price (say $1,500,000) in one to two years, would result in many properties being listed for sale in that time frame.
Result, lower prices as supply exceeds demand.
A third solution to reduce housing price is long-term land lease. Stay tuned for more on this solution.
Peter Daniel
Woodburn Management (2010) Ltd.
Victoria
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