Standing together
I wish to express strong solidarity with the people of Tla’Amin (Sliammon) First Nation in response to the treatment received at the hands of John Weston, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, and his masters in Ottawa [“Chief condemns government for stalling,” March 9].
It is difficult to believe that the MP, a lawyer experienced in constitutional matters, only recently discovered his objections to the final treaty. This fellow is a founding member of the Canadian Constitution Foundation, described by Ontario Health Coalition in an article printed in the Vancouver Sun, October 16, 2008, as an “extremely right-wing” group that “uses the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to promote a conservative agenda, including the end of medicare.” According to this article, the group also helped challenge the constitutionality of the Nisga’a treaty, so the MP is not a neophyte when it comes to undermining major community achievements.
I do hope the Tla’Amin people will take heart in the fact that federal and provincial negotiators came to a handshake agreement which the province signed onto. This in itself is a wonderful achievement and it will help to overcome the ideological roadblocks put in place by stingy detractors who cling to minority government status in Ottawa.
I admire the strength and determination of Canada’s first nations who patiently continue to negotiate in good faith in the face of such discouraging behaviour by elected officials. Our MP ought to uphold basic values of fairness on this issue. If not, he ought to be replaced.
Roger J. M. Lagassé
Halfmoon Bay, BC
Tax increase unjust
We, the residents of Powell River, have had an average tax increase of nine per cent for the last six years [“Flat tax inches down,” February 9]. In 2004 the increase was 7.5 per cent, in 2005 it was 11.5 per cent, 2006 9.5 per cent, 2007 8.5 per cent, 2008 8.7 per cent and 2009 eight per cent. More residents are having to defer their taxes.
We are heading in the same direction as the USA housing collapse. The city fathers voted to keep the flat tax, which has the poor paying for the rich. Municipalities in BC are not allowed to introduce a flat tax, and if our city fathers have any care for the underdog they will renounce the flat tax. What an insult—they dropped it five per cent this year.
Jack Dice
Butedale Street
Ferries cont’d
In my last letter regarding ferries [“Ferry format needs to change,” March 9], all of my main points were left out. I said that I felt that running the ferries to make money is wrong—wrong—wrong. Did I mention that it is wrong? We are literally being taken for a ride. We are being held hostage. The ferries are there to serve the travelling public and all businesses. We are not here to serve BC Ferries.
How many litres of fuel are sold in BC every year anyway? (Ten billion litres would provide one billion dollars, on a 10 cents-per-litre fuel tax, to be used only for running the ferry system.) The ferries are a road link. I also said that a new lottery could be considered. (I do not support lotteries myself, but many, many people do.)
Running the ferries as stated here, in my last letter, would be awesome. Let’s not just keep on accelerating ever-increasing fares. This can be done, this should be done. Let’s stop taking it on the chin. We should demand a ferry system that would allow everyone to move about at will. As I said before, BC Ferries, let us experience a real difference. Let’s just get’er done.
G.L. Bennett
Duncan Street
