Letters to the Sun: Scrapping carbon tax throws future generations under the bus

Published Sep 16, 2024  •  Last updated 0 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

A thermal power plant discharging heavy smog into the air in China. Photo by STR /AFP via Getty Images

Re. B.C. to scrap carbon tax if Ottawa drops its alternate tax: David Eby

Apparently, the only path to government today is through promising low taxes and no fetters on our ultraconvenient, high-consumption, polluting lifestyles, while throwing future generations under the bus both financially and environmentally. How depressing.

Greg DePaco, New Westminster 

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We’re missing the biggest of crucial pictures

The carbon tax has managed to induce many shrill complaints in Canada. Now it seems even B.C.’s NDP government has buckled under the pressure to cancel this tax, however ultimately beneficial it is for most taxpayers. Doing so will likely most benefit the greatest carbon polluters.

We humans can be so heavily preoccupied with our own individual little worlds, however overwhelming to us, that we will still miss the biggest of crucial pictures.

Also problematic is the very large and growing populace who are too overworked, worried and even angry about food and unaffordable housing for themselves or their family — all while on insufficient income — to criticize the fossil fuel industry, etc., for environmental damage their policies cause or allow, particularly when not immediately observable.

Frank Sterle Jr., White Rock

One more democratic institution is at risk

Re: Abolishing Vancouver park board midterm would defy democracy

Thanks to the elected Vancouver park board members for reminding us of Mayor Sim’s unilateral drive to abolish the park board, which has served us well for over a century.

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Vancouver candidates in the upcoming provincial election should declare where they stand well before Oct. 19. Are you in favour, or opposed to destroying one more democratic institution?

Tom Perry, former MLA, Vancouver

Canada’s health-care issues are dire

I am pleased to hear that Kelly Ip had excellent care during his heart surgery at St. Paul’s Hospital (Letters to the editor, Vancouver Sun, Sept. 11). Ip concludes from this experience: “Our medical system is in good shape.” But nothing is further from the truth, as mentioned in Dr. John Sehmer’s letter.

The reality is that here in Canada the situation is dire. Many thousands do not have a family doctor. Thousands wait obscene times for investigations and effective treatment. Emergency departments close for lack of medical staff while those that are open usually take many hours to assess the overload of patients. Numerous reputable studies have confirmed Canada’s very poor record of achieving good healthcare over the past few decades.

Many other countries have patched together a system of increased government financing of health care facilities, integration with private hospitals, and of intertwined health insurance financing. Several Canadian federal governments have steadfastly refused to follow this path stating that the Canadian Health Act of 1984 decreed that the universal and fair treatment of ill persons in Canada would be provided solely and effectively by government. How wrong this has been, and how long do we await modern and expedient care of sick Canadians?

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Dr. John Stewart, retired neurologist, West Vancouver.

Majority of TransLink riders are compliant

Re: Fare evasion continues to plague TransLink

In regard to Warren Mirko’s OpEd about fare evasion’s being at the root of TransLink’s financial woes, I find it hard to believe that is the major cause.

I can’t tell you how many times I have sat on the bus at Bridgeport, with no driver present, and watched passenger after passenger scan their Compass card. Out of 20, I might notice one evading. The majority is compliant. Don’t blame the customers. Maybe look at management? Government funding?

Michele McManus, White Rock

Letters to the editor should be sent to [email protected]. Click here to report a typo.

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