Letters to The Province, Nov. 23, 2022: Will Ken Sim return right away if Canada exits World Cup early?

Article content

Re: FIFA World Cup-bound Mayor Sim to miss police board budget meeting.

Article content

The decision by Ken Sim, newly elected mayor of Vancouver, to attend the World Cup in Qatar is, at best, misguided and, at worst, obtuse, and potentially damages his reputation throughout his tenure. It’s inevitable it will be used against him in future debates referencing decision-making.

Article content

Credible critics have voiced their opposition with rationales that include the optics of exploiting vacation time too early in the term and the knowledge that Qatar has an abysmal human rights record along with a disrespect for the LGBTQ community.

Sim defends his decision by saying that he has a love for soccer and is going to Qatar to support the Canadian team. That said, one wonders: If the Canadian team is eliminated in early, will he leave the country once his patriotic duty has been fulfilled?

Article content

Bill Hubbard, North Vancouver

What’s with all the drama over mayor at Cup

What is all the drama about Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim going to the World Cup? As he said, the arrangements were made before being elected. It doesn’t matter what a person involved in politics does, there will always be some whiner criticizing them.

Enjoy the games, Ken.

Brian Barnes, Richmond

Could cruise ship be converted to homeless shelter?

It will come as no surprise that the growing crisis in Vancouver’s DTES remains an unresolved, complex problem. Affordable housing is a required step in moving people off the streets of the DTES, and it will require substantial time to develop.

Since the onset of COVID-19, the cruise industry has been crippled due to travel restrictions and the confined environment of on-board living. As of today there are a multitude of serviceable cruise ships awaiting either reintroduction to a diminished market or the scrapyard.

Article content

From what I have read, serviceable ships are available for sale at scrap-metal values. So why not consider the purchase of a suitable cruise ship to be docked in the harbour close to the DTES and utilized to house those in need until affordable housing is available? All the amenities of day-to-day living are already established on-board, and the residents participating in the daily operation would create a productive environment. Having a purpose each and every day is essential in one’s ability to recover from any form of addiction, allowing the return to a healthy and productive life.

Just maybe the “SS Recovery” could serve as a lifesaver for many.

Billee McConachie, Surrey

Letters to the editor should be sent to [email protected]. 

More news, fewer ads, faster load time: Get unlimited, ad-lite access to The Vancouver Sun, the Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites for just $14/month or $140/year. Subscribe now through The Vancouver Sun or The Province.