Supreme Court loss is a blow to Clark’s reputation
Re: Class-size ruling a dramatic victory for teachers union, Nov. 11
The Supreme Court ruling shows it is time for a change in government. This government has denied children attending our public schools, special-needs students in particular, the quality of education they and their families so desperately need and deserve. Money has been flowing out of the public school system while it has been flowing in to the private school industry.
Schooling is no longer anchored to the outmoded processes of rote learning, memorization, and regurgitation, so class sizes are vitally important in regards to teachers’ ability to create the kinds of learning environments and opportunities that will effectively prepare their students for success in their subsequent studies and in their adult lives.
Christy Clark needs to sign up for a remedial course in ethics, morality, and responsibility for public servants. It’s just unfortunate that the Supreme Court couldn’t force her to enrol.
Ray Arnold, retired post-secondary educator and curriculum developer, Richmond
Look to China
I remember when “doing Chinese” referred to dining on Chinese cuisine. Today, it could easily refer to jurisdictions that are investing in renewable energy sources. Even though China ranks as the top producer of greenhouse gases, it has also become the global leader in renewable energy expansion. Investment within China accounts for 40 per cent of global growth.
Globally, China is at the head of what has been estimated as a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity. In a report by Carbon Tracker in 2015, it was noted that in Canada, without incentives for investment in renewables, many of the innovations developed here are being manufactured in China and then shipped back to Canada. In a BBC report from October 2016, it was pointed out that between 2008 and 2014 Canada lost 41 per cent of its previous share in clean-tech sales.
The global economy has already begun to transition. The opportunities seem to be there for any jurisdiction that is ready and prepared. Canada, at the moment, does not seem ready to “do Chinese.”
Ron Robinson, Nelson
Liberals seen as elitist
Re: Readers reflect on reality of Trump as president of U.S., Letters, Nov. 15; Liberal myopia led to Donald Trump’s victory, Opinion, Nov. 15
Comments from Cindy Beck and Shauna Snow-Capparelli suggesting that most Trump voters are less civilized and uneducated are exactly why many of them turned out to vote for Trump.
These ladies somehow seem to think that a college education makes their liberal and politically correct view of the world the only one that any intelligent and civilized person could have. I guess, in their view that makes the many skilled and highly trained men and women in the trades and everyone else who works hard for a living incapable of an intelligent vote. Perhaps these “deplorables” just got tired of the self-anointed saviours of society looking down their educated, self-righteous noses and telling everyone else what was good for them. I hope they have been enlightened!
Perry Coleman, Delta
Who cares about Donald Trump? Not me. I think Canadians need to stop obsessing over the U.S. election results and start worrying more about what goes on in their own backyards. After all, life goes on.
M. Brian, Surrey