VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

PASS VACCINE LAW

Despite the fact the machinery of democracy has ground to a halt, we in Nova Scotia are benefiting from the leadership of Stephen Mcneil and Dr. Robert Strang on COVID

19.

Now is not the time to let up. We have to finish the job. We have sacrificed too much financially, physically and mentally to regress or accept half-measures. COVID19 won't take a holiday for Christmas or until the Liberals decide on a new leader.

Here in Nova Scotia, we have listened, obeyed and led by example. We do not want to end up like Alberta, under the leadership of Jason Kenney, where masks are not mandatory and vaccines will be an individual choice. This will lead to field hospitals and calling in the army. Results in Alberta are not acceptable and we need to get our economy back, our mental and physical health back, and to be safe once again.

Let's not prorogue the legislature, but have an emergency session instead to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory. Tim Houston and the Progressive Conservatives' bill to make other vaccinations mandatory needs to be upgraded to include COVID

19. We need all parties to work together to pass this bill. Politicians must make this decision; Dr. Strang should not have to carry the weight of this situation on his shoulders.

Premier Mcneil, you have worked hard on COVID and it is much appreciated, but now is not the time for a lame-duck leader. Let democracy function. Do not let your good legacy go to waste. Carry out the job you were elected to do. Now is the time to let the people speak.

Peggy Smith, Halifax

UNFAIR UBER ADVANTAGE

I've been a taxi driver in Halifax Regional Municipality for about five years. I now own my own taxi and drive for one of the busiest cab companies.

I made a good living up until these past 10 months. COVID-19 came and my income dropped by 50 per cent overnight. Then the city passed a bylaw to allow Uber and other ride-sharing companies to start operating in HRM. This is reducing my income by a further 20 per cent, making it almost impossible to make a living as a cab driver.

I pay approximately $430 a month for taxi insurance, plus I have a car payment and stand rent of over $100 a week. Then there is the cost of gas and repairs. On top of this, I must have my car inspected once a year and pay for a criminal records check and vulnerable sector check. Also, there is $50 a year to license the taxi, plus another $50 for a licence from the city to drive it.

The city now has rules for Uber that make the playing field work in their favour. When someone decides to drive for Uber or any other ride-share company, they don't have to pay for a licence from the city for their car, nor do they have to buy a licence to drive it. They only have to inspect their car every two years and they don't have to purchase taxi insurance.

The mayor and HRM councillors have to take another look at this. They can either remove the fees for taxis or make car-share drivers pay the same fees we have to pay and have commercial insurance. I believe in competition when the playing field is fair.

Michael Whalen, Halifax

THE ART OF CARRYING DEBT

Re: “Expensive luxuries” (Dec. 8 letter). Once again on the letters page, we see the old canard resurface that we should not spend money on such things as the new art gallery, as we cannot afford to pay it back.

Of course, individuals, small businesses and even provinces should be careful about amassing debt. However, a central government with control of a central bank can create money almost out of thin air.

Take the example of the British government and its central bank. It completed paying off debt accumulated by financing the Napoleonic wars and Crimean war, and remainder of debt from the First World War, in February 2015. This was all accumulated in fourper-cent war bonds, which, due to inflation, was a mere drop in the bucket.

The present Canadian economic condition, coupled with the fact interest rates for the government are almost zero, means the central government would be almost negligent if it did not extend funding for long-term projects. I believe — although I am not in that loop — the vast majority of the funding is in place. So get on and build that art gallery, as there will never be a better time.

Dr. Michael Collins, Hubbards

FEEDING GUN CULTURE

Wasn't this an interesting juxtaposition? The announcement of charges against three people connected to the Portapique shooter for supplying him with ammunition was in the same week Basspro Shops advertised a $90-off sale on 1,000 rounds case of bulk ammunition on the front page of their flyer. This is handgun ammunition promoted online as being for selfdefence.

Sunday also was the anniversary of the École Polytechnique shooting.

Time for stronger conversation. Jane Mackay, Dartmouth

MISSPENDING COUNCIL

Re: "Nova Scotia caps rent increases at 2% a year, halts renovictions" (Nov. 26 story). We see that finally a few temporary patches have been sewn across the gaping holes in the homeless and affordable housing situation in HRM.

Finally, a feeble gesture in the direction of the common people, as opposed to catering to the elite. One might ask, “Why make a statement like this?” Well, in reply, here we are, broke and badly bent, and millions are being spent on bike lanes, and penalties incurred over past bad business decisions — that's the wherefore and the why.

But I guess it's worth it if the two per cent of HRM'S population who are cyclists can all sleep soundly, secure in knowing construction is going forward regardless of cost. Meanwhile, people are hungry and homeless in a community that relentlessly boasts about its success and growth rate. My, my, my.

What has happened to voices of reason? Have they, too, been muffled beyond hearing by nonmedical masks? Where is that sense known as “common”? Has it gone out of style like the doublebreasted blazer and hooped skirt?

All we can do is hope that things change now that HRM council is gender-balanced. Maybe now, more attention will be paid to the present — you know, that place between the past and future where we actually live? After all, hope was the only thing that the woman known as Pandora didn't let out of her jar, and perhaps one of these ladies can release it; it's still there. Frankie Foster, Halifax