Time to exploit Trump plan to get Canada out of NAFTA
What a breath of fresh air! I fully support David Orchard’s position on the free-trade agreements. Both the Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. and the North American Free Trade Agreement are tilted strongly in favour of U.S. corporations, which have benefited massively. Now the U.S. is demanding even more concessions? Enough already! Profits of former Canadian companies now owned by U.S. corporations should remain in Canada to benefit Canadians.
Former Liberal prime minister John Turner called the FTA the “sale of Canada act.” It was more of a giveaway than a sale. Former Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien promised to renegotiate NAFTA or abrogate it. He did neither.
Now is our chance to get rid of the oppressive constraints NAFTA imposes on Canada by letting Donald Trump scrap the deal. Hallelujah! Doug Porter, Burnaby
Orchard tells it like it is
I thoroughly enjoyed David Orchard’s op-ed Sunday concerning the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Orchard is certainly not afraid to tell it like it is. He went in-depth. He stuck to the facts. It’s too bad Prime Minister Justin Trudeau isn’t as aware as Orchard is. Thank you very much for publishing the op-ed.
Tim Garrison, Vancouver
Get out of booze business
Given the recent raid of liquor stores selling whisky not bought from the government, I think its time the government got out of the alcohol business, especially with the upcoming legalization of marijuana. We are all grown-ups and can manage our alcohol purchasing without government input.
Taxes can remain but it’s time for government distribution centres and retail outlets to shut down. This will not only save the government a lot of money, it will open the market for more small businesses and provide (with marijuana legalization) thousands of jobs across B.C.
Nissa Steen, Surrey
‘Selective enforcement?’
Something is wrong when government agents raid a liquor establishment and confiscate $40,000 worth of scotch because it was not purchased through the Liquor Distribution Branch — yet no government agency has closed down the unlicensed market selling marijuana, still an illegal product, in Robson Square.
Selective enforcement? Peter Rose, Delta
Why isn’t pot seized?
It is absolutely ludicrous that a legal, taxpaying employer should be raided and have product seized when illegal, non-tax paying marijuana vendors operate with impunity. Valerie White, Langley
Sick people can’t cycle
What are Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and his Vision team thinking by removing parking and putting in a bike lane in the city’s main medical district?
The people who need to visit the medical specialists who are located on 10th Avenue behind Vancouver General Hospital are not able to do so on bicycles. Where would they suggest we park? The alternative is to forego the medical visit. David Orange, Richmond
Ban on cetaceans is wrong
What’s the point of expanding the Vancouver Aquarium if there won’t be any inhabitants? The most exciting field trips in elementary school were to the aquarium, where we would marvel over the animals on display. I gained knowledge and appreciation for the sea life we saw. I wouldn’t have seen any of these animals if not for the aquarium. The aquarium’s decision to ban cetacean displays is wrong and will result in a new generation without a connection to sea animals.