Clear snow to allow active transportation
Interesting to see which municipalities do not really believe in active transportation. To the best of my knowledge, most, if not all, municipalities have snow- and ice-clearing bylaws.
Many do not enforce the bylaws. Some, even when the sidewalks are not cleared in relation to the bylaw, seemingly refuse to enforce their bylaw even when a complaint is made.
If one is to believe a municipality believes in active transportation, then sidewalks would be cleared so that people can access the bus or go about their business using local sidewalks. The municipalities clear the road for cars.
Municipalities have two choices for sidewalk clearing: Do it themselves, as they do for automobiles; this how it is done in countries like Sweden. Or strictly enforce the rules that the homeowner or tenant clear them. If the sidewalks are not cleared, send a crew and add the full cost to taxes.
If active transportation plans are to mean anything, municipalities would ensure sidewalks are sufficiently cleared so that people could access buses. How many businesses lost money because customers could not navigate the sidewalks?
Unfortunately, some municipalities view bus tops and bike lanes as places to store snow cleared from motor vehicle lanes. Do they feel cars have more rights to be out and about than people?
Norm Ryder
Central Saanich
About law, order and聽democracy
We are told by our elected officials that we are a country that abides by our court and justice system.
One case in point would be Meng Wenzhou.
I don鈥檛 think I鈥檓 alone in my concern about our state of law and order.
How can it be that our provincial and federal governments do not have the courage to uphold our law when four hereditary chiefs defy a court order?
Why are we not hearing more about the 20 First Nations along the pipeline route that are in total support of this benefit-sharing project?
Are we really a democratic country? Isn鈥檛 it time we realize we can鈥檛 please all of the people all of the time?
I fear our economic future is in danger as the rest of the world鈥檚 investors watch.
John McKenzie
Parksville
Supreme Court rules against environment
The health of our oceans is at risk.
The Supreme Court of sa国际传媒 is allowing the Trans Mountain pipeline to go through because they say that it is more important to enable the provinces to do business than to protect the environment.
By making such a ruling they are saying in a broader sense that business trumps the protection of the environment and have set a precedent that will decide every environmental issue on the side of the polluters.
This needs to be stopped.
Sue Hiscocks
Victoria
Kudos are deserved by Esquimalt firefighters
On Thursday, after the melting snow and treacherous road conditions, I saw some firefighters going to their morning gym workouts who stopped to shovel and sand a private residence鈥檚 sidewalk before entering.
There is a frail elderly gentlemen who walks daily and they cleared the pathway. As a long-time Esquimalt resident, I take pride in our force and thank them for their duty and dedication.
Laurie Page
Esquimalt
Major appliances are聽not built to last
Why not look at the bigger picture聽while banning single-use plastic bags?
What about hot-water heaters that at best are good for five years?
Visit Hartland and see all the fridges and dishwashers that have expired after only a few years of use. There is no excuse for this.
Brian Rogers
Victoria
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