Letters to The Sun, October 26, 2021: Overwhelming density in Vancouver

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With considerable dismay and fear I read in The Sun this week about the ambitious plans to develop South False Creek and the Jericho lands. We are already dealing with massive traffic jams, parking problems, SkyTrain cars full of sardines, and overwhelmed hospitals (even before COVID made life difficult). It’s a challenge venturing “downtown” these days. The infrastructure is not maintained as is. What will be if this development happens is unimaginable.

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Yes, a new SkyTrain extension is under construction, as well as a new St. Paul’s Hospital, but when both are completed they will be totally inadequate to cope with the new proposed density. Has this even been considered by the Vancouver city council and planning department?

Where is the sense and logic behind these scandalous projects? One can only hope that common sense will prevail (or perhaps it should be called “uncommon” these days, as it is so rare), and that it will put an end to all of this before it’s too late.

Carlie Holland, Richmond

Re: Horgan calls on celebrities to call back to save ancient forest with hard cash

Calgary letter writer Rob Miller criticizes Prime Minister John Horgan for rejecting calls by celebrities to end mature forestry in British Columbia.

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However, in his remarks, Prime Minister Horgan raises some important questions that should not be discounted. The activists who block logging and the celebrities who support them represent a small minority of the people of British Columbia and yet they have too strong a voice. We do not often listen to the 100,000 British Columbia people who depend directly on forestry for their livelihoods, nor to the many thousands more who benefit indirectly. We also don’t hear much about the strict and responsible regulations in place to ensure logging is done correctly.

The prime minister and his government realize that giving in to the demands of a few anarchist protesters to end forestry would cost us all billions of dollars in lost wages, taxes and compensation, far more than the figures released by activists, and probably permanently. .

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Furthermore, these celebrities conveniently ignore that the prime minister is simply respecting the wishes of local First Nations who have asked for space and made their own plans for the forests in their territories. The protesters have refused to leave Fairy Creek even though local hereditary and elected chiefs have asked six times. Their theatrical protest is a great show of disrespect for local First Nations.

The Prime Minister has a responsibility to all the people of British Columbia. While you may hear the loud protests, it is wise to realize that the small minority should not dictate forest policy in this province. Rather, it takes good science and a balanced approach. BC is and will continue to be a world leader in sustainable forestry practices.

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Carl Sweet, Campbell River

Re: Vancouver mayor kills plan to charge $ 45 a year to park overnight on city streets

Thank goodness someone at City Hall had the good sense to end the proposed on-street parking initiative. I suspect the ones in favor of the tax / fee are those in the higher income brackets who have their own garages and carports and don’t have to worry about finding a place to park within walking distance of the front door.

What better way to alienate the voting public and city visitors than to charge them for the privilege of driving and shopping on the streets of Vancouver. What a great way to take the elderly and infirm even further than to make it harder for your friends and loved ones to visit or take them for walks. COVID has made us more distant than ever, and paid parking will only push us further away, as friends and family are less likely to visit us if they have to pay to park. Taxing the public seems to be in favor of elected officials today, but one must ask, “When do taxes stop?” There are taxes for renting your home or not renting it at all, for using public transportation or not using public transportation, for taxing income on property purchased after the income has already been taxed at the federal, provincial, and local levels, and a capital gains proposal. main residence tax. Seriously? After all the taxes we’re paying, shouldn’t we at least be entitled to a profit on our primary residence after all the money most of us have invested in maintaining and renovating our homes over the years?

House prices are through the roof, our economy is stagnant, and commodity prices continue to rise. What a great idea to throw another tax on the people and tell them it’s for their own good. Aren’t people angry enough?

John and Maria Johnson, Pitt Meadows

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