by Karina Thygesen | Jun 20, 2017 | Letters to the Editor
I was surprised to read that, according to the Denman Island beach clean-up people, the biggest source of plastics in the Sound is from the shellfish industry itself tossing its plastic waste in to the water (three to four tons annually). I would have thought and industry would not contaminate its own product, but especially an industry that calls itself ‘sustainable’.
by Pieter Vorster | Sep 21, 2015 | Letters to the Editor
Printed in the Comox Valley Echo, September 2015 When I was in high school my very wise Law teacher advised us on our responsibility when we would go out to vote. He said we would need to decide the criteria for selecting for whom we would vote. Would it be for the candidate that was the best in our riding, had the best leader, belonged to the party that was most in line with our principles? Well, the best candidate would be one that can represent the wishes of our community. It is the one who goes to the people and finds out what it is like to be a small business, live on a reserve, be a senior who is unable to find the services needed, be someone who supplies these or other services, live on the street. It is one that will do her homework, familiarizing herself with the issue at hand rather than doing as she is told by the party. It is the one who will stand up in parliament and calmly, but pointedly, make his position known and fight for what he believes is best for his riding. It is the one who works for all the people of Canada and works to protect Canada for today and the future. The best leader is the one who always does her homework before making a decision. It is the one that does not believe in smear campaigns, but would rather state for what he stands. It is the one who uses reason—not rhetoric. The best party is the one that puts the health of our...
by Pieter Vorster | Sep 9, 2015 | Letters to the Editor
Printed in the Powell River Peak, September 9th, 2015 Three bears: Papa, Mama and Baby, were all of voting age. They all wanted Stephen Harper to be retired, the environment to be restored and the economy to again be vibrant and resilient [“Party games,” August 19]. Still, they had differences. Papa said, “I’ve read that ‘history is destiny.’ I’ll vote for the non-Conservative party that performed best in the last election.” Papa didn’t know that several Green Party victories (federal, provincial and municipal) had overturned the voting precedents of their preceding elections. Papa voted Liberal. Mama said, “I’ve heard that pollsters are smarter than Oprah. I’ll vote for the non-Conservative party that ranks best in the polls.” Mama didn’t know that pollsters had dramatically failed to anticipate either the 2013 defeat of BC New Democratic Party or the 2015 victory of the Alberta NDP. Mama voted NDP. Baby said, “I trust my values, principals and beliefs: ecological wisdom, social justice, sustainability, respect for diversity, participatory democracy and non-violence. As a bear, I also value trustworthiness, integrity and reliability.” Then Canada (bears included) voted. Harper and his Conservative government were defeated. Both Liberals and the NDP increased their seats in Parliament. Yet, Papa and Mama felt disappointed and disheartened. As the elder bears saw it, campaign promises and policies of both Liberal and NDP parties seemed watered down even before election day. Neither party displayed a deep understanding of the environment. Neither party convincingly wove solutions connecting the environment with concerns for a green economy. Both parties were notably skimpy in their identification of measurable environmental targets. Loose promises...
