Loss of STC harmful to many
Editor:
Women in Saskatchewan will be irreparably harmed by the Wall government’s decision to get rid of STC.
Safe, affordable public transportation is necessary to ensure the unhindered and independent movement of women in this province. When pursuing education, seeking employment, raising children alone, providing caregiver services within their families or escaping abusive relationships, women are in grave danger without it. This is especially true for women living in rural and remote parts of our province.
The “Highway of Tears” in British Columbia has been linked to a lack of safe public transportation. Women and girls resorted to hitch hiking and predators moved in. Which highway in Saskatchewan will become our “Highway of Tears” following the loss of STC? Or will it be all our highways?
Elderly women are placed in desperate situations with the loss if STC. Saskatchewan has a high proportion of seniors living outside of our cities. 35.6 per cent of people over 65 live in rural Saskatchewan (the national average is 16.8 per cent). Our rural population is aging faster than our urban population and women make up a larger proportion of seniors living in rural
STC is providing safe, affordable transportation across Saskatchewan. The safety of solid vehicles on winter roads. Well-maintained, mechanically sound vehicles. Professional drivers with proven safety records, First Aid training and de-escalation training to deal with confrontational situations.
Terminals with safety patrols, clean bathrooms and food services where you can safely wait for transfers.
This is of utmost importance to the independence and freedom of choice for all women in Saskatchewan, but especially women living on low incomes.
We desperately need STC! Lorna Reimer - North Battleford
CTF reacts to federal carbon tax plan
Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Canadian Taxpayers Federation Federal Director Aaron Wudrick released the following statement in response to last week’s announcement by the federal government regarding carbon taxes:
“By signalling its intention to impose the so-called Alberta model of carbon taxes on provinces which fail to impose their own carbon tax, the Trudeau government has abandoned even the pretense of this tax being ‘revenue neutral.’ It also contradicts senior Trudeau minister Ralph Goodale’s previous assertion that all revenue would stay in the hands of provincial governments.
Carbon taxes, whether existing or proposed, mean higher taxes for Canadians and their families, and harm to the Canadian economy, especially if jurisdictions we compete with do not have a carbon tax. Any reduction in emissions would be tiny on a global scale, and have zero impact on global climate change.
The fact is, carbon taxes in Canada will simply not impact global climate change. This is a lesson other countries, such as Australia, have already learned, which is why they have scrapped their own carbon taxes.”