TODAY’S LETTERS

Time for Canada to abandon monarchy, become a republic

Re: A fairy tale ending for patient Camilla, May 22; and Prince Charles shows his hockey skills, May 22

The visit of Charles and Camilla ( a. k. a. the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall) has once again demonstrated how inappropriate our constitutional arrangements are. What kind of country has another country’s queen as its head of state with the person who actually acts as head of state maintaining the fiction that he is the Queen’s representative? This makes no sense for a modern multi- ethnic, multicultural nation. We should become a republic with the role of head of state filled by a president elected for one five- year term, who would have the powers and function of the governorgeneral. Out of deference to Queen Elizabeth, I am willing to wait until she completes her reign, but we should be ready to move quickly thereafter. The problem is Canada’s complicated and restrictive constitutional amendment formula, which will delay the process. However the first step should be a national referendum. I assume that if an overwhelming majority of the population wants change, those in control of the process will be motivated to see that it takes place. GARTH M. EVANS Vancouver

Consolidation of coast guard bases makes sense

Re: Kitsilano coast guard station shuttered by budget cuts, May 18

If it’s a good idea to keep a small, locally focused coast guard base in Kitsilano, why only there?

Shouldn’t there be one at Ambleside? Another at Deep Cove and/ or Lonsdale Quay?

How about at Science World for the east end of False Creek? Shouldn’t Port Moody have a coast guard base? What about Howe Sound? We could have little coast guard bases at Porteau Cove, Gambier Island, Gibsons, Squamish, Powell River. Don’t even get me started on the number of small coast guard bases needed to cover the Gulf Islands.

I heard a union representative Tuesday pointing to the pleasure boat that caught fire off Stanley Park a few months ago.

He said it would have taken twice as long for Coast Guard help to come from Sea Island than to come from Kitsilano. Just think how quick the response would have been had there been a base in Stanley Park. So let’s add one there, too.

I’m not opposed to the base on Kits Point, but we need to look at the global picture, determine how best to provide a coast guard service throughout the region, by using the latest communications and rescue technologies ( not outdated ones). Let’s see if we can provide better and more efficient service from a consolidated site. This, I believe, is what the government is proposing. DAVID A. RODGER North Vancouver

High praise for Hansen

Re: Steep climb still no problem for Rick Hansen, May 19

Rick Hansen is one Canadian who never lets his head grow out of his hat. Rick and I go back a long, long way — some 25 years ago before the Hansen pledge to go around the world in a wheelchair — and I can say he is truly an outstanding individual who has done much to establish himself worldwide as an ambassador to the Canadian ethic. His work for the disabled is as honourable as his attitude to family and friends.

Rick, you personally deserve all of the recognition you’ve received ( although you won’t admit it!), as does your fine organization.

Congratulations on your latest triumph in celebration of a quarter century of great service. RON MARCOUX Past president and CEO Mcdonald’s Restaurants of Canada

Engagement of first nations goes back to mid- 1990s

Re: Failure to engage first nations snags mining plans, Issues and Ideas, May 15

Had Doug Donaldson talked with us before writing his recent article, he would have learned that our effort to engage first nations regarding the New Prosperity Project spans 17 years and includes the direct provision of more than $ 1 million in funding. He would have also heard that since 1995, our records show that we engaged, contacted, and consulted the first nations affected by this project on hundreds of occasions and we continue to work with them whenever possible.

We understand the significance of having successful mutually beneficial relationships, like those we have with our suppliers, community members and governments, and with other first nation groups as evidenced by our recent exploration agreement with the Tsay Keh Dene First Nation at our Aley Niobium Project in northeastern British Columbia.

New Prosperity presents a significant opportunity for the Cariboo- Chilcotin, including for first nations, for the province of British Columbia, and for the country as a whole. For this reason it has received widespread support and enthusiasm among a diverse and large number of Canadians who recognize the value that New Prosperity will generate. BRIAN BATTISON Taseko, VP of corporate affairs

Number- crunching on fare evasion

Re: Scofflaws rack up millions in fare evasion tickets, May 14

Translink reported $ 7 million in losses due to unpaid fines last year, while there was a reported revenue of $ 1.2 billion for the same period. This puts the “loss” at about 0.5 per cent.

Dividing the $ 7 million “loss” by the fine amount of $ 173 results in 40,462 — the number of evaded fares. Multiply this by the fare of $ 2.50 per zone, which shows the true revenue loss is $ 101,156.06. The real loss is less than 0.1 per cent. This level of loss to shoplifting would be the envy of any retailer.

Fines of $ 173 are ridiculously inflated. If Translink wishes to further mislead the public so as to justify future fare rate, fuel and property tax increases, they could always increase the fine to $ 500 or even $ 1,000, thereby increasing their supposed revenue “losses.” ROBERT LOBLAW Vancouver