Metro taxpayers subsidize infrastructure in rest of B.C.
The argument that the entire province will subsidize the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges if the tolls are eliminated doesn’t wash since Lower Mainland taxpayers already contribute the most to general revenue through various forms of taxation. If anything, Vancouverites subsidize roads, health care and other infrastructure in the rest of the province.
But instead of worrying about paying off commuter bridges that already exist, we really ought to asking whether B.C. can afford another proposed multi-billion-dollar bridge to replace the Massey Tunnel.
Charles Leduc, Vancouver
Daycare workers underpaid
I hope the NDP and the Greens are serious about making the $10-a-day child care plan a reality. Families are not the only ones who would benefit.
The low wages for early childhood educators are a big joke. It is no wonder the staff turnover rate is ridiculously high. These educators deserve much better for their hard work, managing large groups of highly energetic children and dealing with parents. Ontario and Quebec raised wages for early childhood educators. Why not B.C.? Michael Brian, Surrey
Return $1.2b to ICBC
I urge all British Columbians to write their MLA, requesting that the government return the $1.2 billion to ICBC transferred into general revenue by the previous provincial government.
Unlike taxes that are collected to meet government budgetary needs, the money that most British Columbians paid to ICBC came from after-tax dollars. These were not tax dollars, they were insurance payments.
The government should ban ICBC funds from being used for public spending. I would be embarrassed to have been involved in the filtering off of people’s hard earned, after-tax dollars. Shame on them all.
David McKinnon, Delta
Liberals could fade to black
It is very interesting to read that all may not be well within the NDP/Green alliance. It sounds like Green leader Andrew Weaver is against many of the plans that NDP Premier John Horgan and company have announced.
While all this rhetoric is going on, where is the B.C. Liberal party. While I realize that Christy Clark is no longer the party leader, there doesn’t seem to be a voice of concern or any comments from any leadership coming out of the Liberals.
Have they just given up and will gradually become a party of the past, much like Social Credit. It sure looks like that.
Tom Duncan, Chilliwack
Kicking guy when he’s down
When I read about how Jas Singh started a farm six years ago, won awards for donating food, etc., I am troubled that people would immediately assume that he had defrauded them with his produce delivery business.
When I read one of his customers make the point of being a single mom, expressing her struggles, I did wonder why nobody stopped to consider that perhaps Singh ran into difficulties, as often can happen to our farmers. Instead, his customer sought sympathy for their plight with no concern for Singh, who started a farm, won awards and donated food to the community.
The complaints are unlikely to do anything but kick someone when they are down.
Scott Henderson, Vancouver