Horgan did what he had to do
Re: 鈥淥ne question that John Horgan must answer,鈥� commentary, Sept. 25.
The writer has many questions and a thin diet of answers to the financial problems of the province stemming from the COVID-19 crisis.
He undermines his credibility from the outset by revealing that he was always 鈥渃lose to the chamber pot, but not in it.鈥� He never had to make the tough calls and was a watcher.
Premier John Horgan, on the other hand, faced up to the choice before him regarding an early election and did his business and got off the pot, so to speak.
Perhaps a change in diet would allow more pundits to outline specifically their answers to these problems; fewer questions, more answers, and getting off the pot.
Max Miller
Saanich
If Horgan wins, it will be his first
Re: 鈥淥ne question that John Horgan must answer,鈥� commentary, Sept. 25.
The column refers to John Horgan as wanting to be the first NDP premier to win two back-to-back elections.
I was unaware that Horgan won an election. He won fewer seats than the Liberals but formed a government with the cooperation of the Greens.
This is a lot different than outright winning.
Mike Briggs
Comox
Don鈥檛 give Churchill credit for the victory
Re: 鈥淥ne question that John Horgan must answer,鈥� commentary, Sept. 25.
Winston Churchill did not win the Second World War. That is incorrect. The U.S. and others won the war. But Churchill did prevent the war from being lost.
Michael Bell
Victoria
We need to pay off all of that debt
Re: 鈥淥ne question that John Horgan must answer,鈥� commentary, Sept. 25.
I was reading Bob Plecas鈥� column and generally agreeing about the need to manage the economy and the huge increase in the debt load from COVID-19.
However, he then said we need to hear the words 鈥渘o new taxes or tax increases in the next mandate.鈥� What a ridiculous thing to say.
How are we to start paying down our debt if we follow this advice? This has been the policy that our federal and provincial governments have followed to buy our votes for years, and this is what has brought our debt to astronomical levels.
Fiscal responsibility surely points to the need for increased tax revenue, hopefully mostly on the top income earners. We don鈥檛 want to hear this painful truth but surely it is time to think about what is best, long-term, for the province and country.
Of course, they could always promise this and change their mind later. Politicians breaking promises would be nothing surprising.
John Miller
Victoria
Politics and fixed election dates
What鈥檚 the point of fixing election dates? Apparently, it鈥檚 to nullify speculation about when and how election calls will happen. It has nothing to do with depoliticizing the election cycle, obviously.
Steve Ireland
Denman Island
Pandemic should be priority, not election
I am a senior citizen who has been sheltering at home since the pandemic started in March. I am outraged that Premier John Horgan has called a needless election at a time of emergency in our province. Diverting resources and attention to an election during a global health crisis is unethical.
Our focus should be on managing the risks of transmission, developing a vaccine and caring for one another. Our COVID-19 cases are reaching record numbers. Flattening the curve should be our immediate priority.
It appears that Horgan wishes to capitalize on his popularity and ride on the coattails of Dr. Bonnie Henry鈥檚 success with managing the pandemic.
I was so proud of the NDP and Green parties when they signed the agreement to cooperate and share power in 2017. I thought we had reached a new level of cooperation in governance. At that time, Horgan promised there would not be another election until 2021.
How can anyone trust a government that flouts their formal agreements?
I hope that the public will not forget this betrayal, that Horgan鈥檚 self-serving ploy backfires, and the NDP loses ridings to the Green Party as a consequence.
I will not support the NDP. I cannot trust a party that would put their desire for more power and control above the well-being of the people of our province. The decision to call a snap election during a global pandemic is unconscionable.
Marilyn Wolovick
Victoria
Calling an election makes sense
After listening to people all over sa国际传媒 lamenting about having an election, and putting the blame on Premier John Horgan, I am disappointed in our citizens.
The NDP and Greens had an agreement to jointly lead in the sa国际传媒 legislature, but their pact was tenuous after the departure of Andrew Weaver as Green leader.
With a new Green leader recently chosen, two independent seats, and an open seat in the Liberal caucus needing a byelection, an election was inevitable whether we wanted one or not during the pandemic.
The premier should be lauded for his leadership in dealing with the coronavirus. We should be proud of his team (and Dr. Bonnie Henry and Adrian Dix) as we are the envy of everyone around the world.
The premier鈥檚 approval ratings are the direct result of how we are today, and I am grateful. Their actions have saved many lives.
Angry voting is detrimental to our province, and debilitating emotions have to be put aside on Oct. 24. Not voting is apathetic and even worse. With longer advanced polls and mail-in ballots, there is no excuse to not vote.
Mur Meadows
Victoria
A chance to compare political platforms
The fall election affords the parties the opportunity to differentiate their positions on solving the issue of people without homes.
I would appreciate each party鈥檚 proposed solution, funding and long-term support plan, or whatever they believe is in the interest of the public.
What a time to show your true commitments.
Juhree Zimmerman
Victoria
A country in need of sa国际传媒鈥檚 help
In light of the American president鈥檚 statements, not committing to a peaceful transition of power, may I suggest sa国际传媒 sends observers to oversee the election, as Americans have often done.
In this manner we can support democracy and a fair voting process for our American neighbours.
Geraldine Glattstein
Victoria
Grocers should mandate masks
The virus count is going up in sa国际传媒 I still cannot believe that with an election coming up our premier has not mandated that every grocery store require customers to wear a face covering. Today, once again in Victoria, I walked into my local grocery store and at least half the shoppers did not have masks or shields on.
Customers were going up the wrong aisles and there was not a manager in sight to help control bottlenecks. Do we have to have our island hospitals full before our city and province do something about stores that are still allowing people in with no face coverings?
Why should conscientious men and women have to take the fall for ones who will not comply with logic. Our economy is suffering. If stores don鈥檛 do their bit by requiring masks, will we ever get back to a semblance of normality?
Eve Banwell
Victoria
Big costs for rail no matter what
It will take big funding to rehabilitate the E&N Railway, but it will also take gobs of money to make it a destination biking trail too. Where will that funding come from?
sa国际传媒 has the Kettle Valley rail trail, but only the famous trestle section and near Penticton are improved. The rest languishes.
The E&N corridor already has several sections that accommodate both a bike trail and the tracks. Both uses deserve to be supported and would reciprocally benefit from their improvement and use.
Paul Jorjorian
Victoria
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