Give MLAs the freedom to do what’s best for taxpayers
The results of the election provide an opportunity for the two major party leaders to allow their MLAs to vote for what is best for us, the taxpayers. If they do not give them the independence to do so, they will put our legislature at the mercy of a party that only gained three seats with about 17 per cent of the votes — a virtual dictatorship. All through the campaign, we heard wild and wonderful promises about how the parties were going to spend our money. Perhaps now we might hear about how they are going to stop the waste. Wouldn’t that be refreshing? Gordon E. Swanson, Surrey
A coalition of losers
Should the Green party form a coalition government with the New Democratic Party, then they’re both political losers. Robin Gibson, Coquitlam
Don’t change voting system
I find it unfortunate that Andrew Weaver and the Green caucus have so little regard for the “Boss” in a democracy so as to side step the voter’s opinion on how we hire our governments. I oppose the federal Liberal proposal, just as I oppose the B.C. Green’s proposal to change our electoral system without first consulting the bosses of our governments, a.k.a. the voter.
A referendum is a legitimate way to determine this question. Without it, any change becomes illegitimate and will not survive the next provincial government. Dr. Weaver seems to have been in academia too long if he believes that any government could impose its will on the voter on this most fundamental question without consequences.
Andy Yaworski, South Surrey
Closed means closed
Isn’t it time for Metro Vancouver to do its job and fine people for going into a closed area. They’re trying to clear the trails and people are still ignoring that it is closed. Fine them. Pass a bylaw imposing a fine of $500 per person and if there are repeat offenders, double it. Metro Vancouver spends a lot of time to maintain this trail. Get a bylaw officer out there and give scofflaws tickets. It’s time to stop people from breaking the law. Closed means closed.
Arnold Eichhorst, Surrey
Treatment the only solution
Ottawa has announced three more injection sites in B.C. and one in Montreal to combat overdoses. I wonder if these idiot politicians know what’s going on. Throwing money at a problem when people clearly don’t want help is wasteful and honest taxpayers that are going to work everyday to pay for this are fed up. At injection sites in B.C. recently, only five in 100 people who were asked wanted their drugs tested for fentanyl. As this study has confirmed, users don’t want help unless it’s more drugs. If the current approach was working, one would think the number of overdose deaths would go down; instead it keeps climbing. It’s time to go in another direction and start better treatment centres, you know, the ones the mayor has promised in the last few elections, but never delivered. Treatment is the only solution. Giving them a comfy place to do their street drugs does not help. Shawn Storey, Surrey