Robinson’s claims don’t stand up to reality
In her letter to members of the NDP legislative caucus, former post-secondary education minister Selina Robinson has claimed that in B.C. “Jewish students are being terrorized on campus.”
My personal experience at the University of Victoria campus makes me doubt this highly inflammatory allegation.
Twice within the past six weeks, I’ve been among some 250 UVic students, faculty and staff who have gathered in rallies on campus to demand a permanent ceasefire and a just end to Israel’s war on Gaza, which the International Court of Justice has ruled to be plausible genocide.
In each case, a dozen pro-Israeli students protested at the larger rally. Waving Israeli flags and carrying signs, the hecklers stood less than two metres behind speakers who were calling for a ceasefire. The Israeli supporters shouted constantly, attempting to overpower the speakers.
Pro-Palestinian organizers successfully prevented these provocations from turning into an altercation by urging the larger rally goers to ignore the taunts and insults.
The only Jewish students at these events who were subjected to abuse were those who spoke against Israel’s slaughter of Palestinians. They had to endure screams from the pro-Israeli demonstrators, who claimed “you’re a disgrace to Jews.” Apparently, Jews in support of Israel are the only Jews who have the right to freedom of speech.
I wonder whether Ms. Robinson’s notion of “terrorism” and “anti-semitism” in B.C. reveals as much bias and ignorance as her depiction of Palestine before the 1948 Zionist occupation as “a crappy piece of land with nothing on it.”
Larry Hannant
Victoria
Shame on the NDP’s patriarchy in action
“When they show you who they are, believe them” is a truism to follow.
Just look at how the NDP reacted to Selina Robinson’s complaint.
Ravi Kahlon’s response was stereotypical patriarchy in action.
Deny the woman’s expressed reality and accuse her of not complaining the way they want.
David Eby did the same. No acceptance of any possible culpability, just deny, deny, deny.
Are there no women in the NDP caucus? Silence speaks volumes.
The facts in question are not what expose the NDP for their falsehoods, it is their reaction to a woman who complained.
Shame on them.
Bill Williamson
Saanich
Hoping Robinson has learned from experience
I find it wild that a person who said Palestine was a “crappy piece of land” would think she could promote dialogue between the Muslim and Jewish communities. She insulted a predominantly Muslim country and culture; of course Premier Eby wouldn’t let her lead the complex discussions that would arise between the Muslim and Jewish communities.
I hope Selina is happier now as an Independent and that she’s learned from her disgusting comments. Palestine is a beautiful place with amazing culture. Israel does not represent Judaism, and criticism against it isn’t antisemitic.
Char Johnston-Carter
Victoria
A seasonal reminder for the East
At this time in 1972 I was the seismic network clerk at the Seismology Division in Ottawa. Each month, the network stations across Canada, including from Little Saanich Mountain, sent the month’s worth of seismograms, in leather mailing tubes, to us.
When the one from the Saanich Peninsula arrived, in early February, it contained not only the records but also a branch of pussy willows! Just a cheeky reminder to us Easterners, as we looked out at mountains of snow, that it was spring-time in Victoria.
Fin MacDonald
James Bay
It’s time to cap property tax increases
Re: “Langford property-tax hike rises to 15.6%,” March 7.
Another ludicrous property-tax increase in Greater Victoria, the second this week, with more likely to come. Why would anyone consider it reasonable for homes and businesses to be held hostage by local governments’ insatiable appetite to spend more than anyone can afford?
It is time for senior government to put a cap on what property-tax increases can be. What taxpayer has managed to increase their earnings by anywhere close to the rate of inflation? None. So why are they putting up with this?
A.A. (Tony) Pollard
Saanich
That’s not what ‘amenity funds’ are for
I wonder how the developers working in Langford feel about their dollars, destined for the amenity fund, being redirected to reduce annual municipal taxes? The definition of amenity is “a desirable or useful feature or facility of a building or place”; it is not a “slush fund to offset tax increases.”
The residents and businesses should have enjoyed lower tax increases over the years and retained the purpose of the “fund,” not the horrendous catch-up amount they are saddled with because of the jiggery-pokery financial gymnastics of previous councils.
John Stevenson
Victoria
A musician’s many accomplishments
Re: “Wally Firth left a legacy of music,” March 5.
Wally Firth lived a full life of accomplishment and adventure.
I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I knew he was a special soul from my vantage point on the periphery. The story of his life would make for a fascinating read and would be inspirational for all.
As a regular patron of the Long & McQuade store in Victoria, and more recently the new Langford outlet, I believe some kudos are in order for their staff members who stayed connected with Wally in such a soulful and respectful manner. In fact, my own experiences with every L&M employees has been nothing but excellent. No wonder Wally smiled so much.
Rest in peace, gentle soul.
Brett Smyth (musician)
North Saanich
Systemic problems and the drug crisis
As one of those people who have been convinced that the city has become less safe due to the drug crisis, many questions come to mind for which policy-makers must surely have answers.
1. Why is so much money being spent at the back end of the problem and so little on prevention efforts? (Liaison officers in schools comes to mind as only one of many.)
2. When one provides a free, safe drug supply, what motivation is there for getting off drugs?
3. In the face of a labour shortage, why would there not be a way for drug-addicted people to do work under supervision so they could earn money to pay for safe drugs and necessities?
4. Is there a way to differentiate the people who really want to get off drugs from those who would rather just keep on using?
5. Are there sufficient treatment programs for those who truly want to quit? If not, why is there not more effort to create them?
S.A. McBride
Cordova Bay
Retinal surgery improves people’s lives
Re: “Fee dispute by B.C.’s eye doctors could threaten treatment for 20,000 seniors,” March 2.
I read with alarm the article on the proposed reduction of payment to retinal specialists because of their billing costs. Last Monday, I had a epiretinal peel done by a specialist in Victoria. With layers of unwanted tissue covering my retina, my vision was distorted and uncorrectable by anything other than surgery. Left untreated, blindness in the affected eye can occur.
The surgery was quick and painless. Recovery is happening. Already there is a very noticeable improvement in my vision. All distortion has disappeared.
I need my second eye done. If my specialist is unable to do it after March 31 I am doomed to the loss of vision in that eye. The medical condition requiring this procedure is not life-threatening, but it is life-supporting. Retinal specialists need the expensive equipment and office technicians to diagnose and ultimately treat this condition, and I fully support that continuing of allowing them to bill the province for the work they do.
B.H. Watson
Nanoose Bay
Falcon could use shopping lessons
Challenged to purchase the most food for $100, Kevin Falcon was only able to buy a few cucumbers, a dozen eggs, a head of lettuce, strawberries, a tomato and a couple of miscellaneous items.
Really, Kevin? I can feed a couple three healthy meals a day for a week on a hundred dollars. Kevin, I could probably teach you how to deal with a household budget, but I think British Columbia’s finances are far beyond your capabilities.
Brian Rosval
Langford
A family doctor’s final words
As a 70-year-old but still very capable family doctor, I finally gave up my B.C. medical licence last week.
Decades of MSP underpayment, increasing complexity of (unpaid) paperwork, “easy” cases being given away to pharmacists, semi-retired tele-med doctors such as myself being left out of the February 2023 family doctors’ pay increase, increasing medical college obligations … all have been a soul-crushing experience.
No wonder family-doctor numbers continue to decline, with the majority of new grads phobic to join the toxicity that is contemporary family medicine.
Control of ever-spiralling medical costs by squeezing doctors, nurses and other medical services is not sustainable. The true cure will be for all of medicine and its regulators to finally turn its primary focus to prevention/longevity medicine and addiction medicine.
The only question now is how much preventable public suffering, and how many health practitioners burn out/are spit out, until the system transitions to this inevitable evolution?
Dr. Ron Aspinall (ret.)
Chemainus
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