Natural resources and that budget deficit
B.C.’s recent quarterly budget update reported an increased deficit, mainly due to lower natural gas royalties, lower personal income tax, and higher spending for wildfire response.
With respect to the natural gas royalties, the B.C. government is relying on royalties from an abundant natural resource, where a growing number of B.C. municipalities are snubbing natural gas for their new green construction projects.
As the demand for natural gas decreases in our province, natural gas revenues will continue to retreat and our future budget deficits will only increase.
But wait, Asia and Germany were recently asking our Canadian energy sector to help with supplementing their energy needs and the federal Liberal government suggested we have nothing to offer.
Another example of the so-called “centre of Canada” wanting to punish and discipline Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan for trying to get our natural resources to the world markets.
When we take a reality check, we should realize that wind and solar power generation has reliability issues as well as technological challenges to meet energy storage from these sources.
Unlike B.C. with an abundance of hydro power, Alberta and Saskatchewan may have to resort to small nuclear plants to meet the impending CO2 targets.
Building these nuclear projects would be far more affordable if these provinces could use the revenue created by getting their natural resources to world markets.
No wonder Alberta talks about a sovereignty act, and Ottawa hates the idea of Western provinces showing they can be independent.
Steve Hertling
Qualicum Beach
Finishing touch needed on Ship Point idea
Re: “Oslo’s opera house could be an inspiration,” letter, Oct. 3.
Architect Terry Williams knows of what he speaks and has the portfolio to prove it. If only he had imagined a bike trail on top, we might see fruition.
Warren Carrie
Esquimalt
Try a maritime museum at Ship Point
Re: “Oslo’s opera house could be an inspiration,” letter, Oct. 3.
There are alternatives, of course to the concept of an impressive arts and culture building on Ship Point as suggested by architect Terence Williams.
There are some impressive, and relatively low-rise waterfront buildings in countries such as Denmark, India, and Brazil that house maritime museums.
Ken Lane
Saanich
Targets and affordable home ownership
The recent announcement of housing targets in 10 municipalities is a good start to addressing the housing crisis.
More supply with relatively steady demand reduces housing prices, but government’s focus needs to be re-adjusted.
In recent years the province has announced plenty of funding for “below-market rentals” without sufficient consideration for affordable homeownership.
Affordable rental units are an important part of the housing continuum and needed, but missing is the opportunity for young families to own a home.
Affordable homeownership puts money into working families’ pockets and allows for wealth creation through growing equity.
Additionally, homeowners have more security of tenure vs. rental, and creating more homeowners frees up more rental units.
At Habitat for Humanity Victoria, our non-profit homeownership charity is ready to accelerate our efforts in helping working families buy affordable homes. The government must not ignore this vital part of the housing solution.
We encourage the province and municipalities to work with us to include affordable homeownership in their targets.
Scott Dutchak
chief executive officer
Habitat for Humanity Victoria
habitatvictoria.com
Revised missing middle misses the point
Victoria council’s “bold amendments” move us further away from the original objectives of affordability, inclusivity and neighbourhood best practices.
The most obvious reason for lack of developer uptake is that there is not enough profit. Why would a developer choose to build a missing middle complex with limited height, setbacks and site coverage and sell units at affordable rates when they can simply apply for a zoning variation and get council approval for a high-rise market-priced, multi-unit development with fewer restrictions and higher profit levels?
As long as council keeps approving these, there is no incentive to build affordable housing at lower profit.
Council’s most recent concessions are disturbing. Increasing the maximum height adds to problems of already too high developments that are inappropriate and harmful for residential neighbourhoods.
They also block sunlight which is not only essential for all living organisms but, as a recent writer pointed out, conflicts with environmental initiatives like solar panels.
Minimizing setbacks and maximizing site coverage means the loss of more urban trees and green space. Trees and green space are essential to our well-being, but they also contribute to community well-being.
People use their green space, get to know neighbours and develop a sense of community in these open spaces. Houseplexes without these are also not suitable for family housing.
Also, the missing middle initiative, either in its original or “new and improved” version, does nothing to create affordable housing or inclusivity.
The view that any additional housing will eventually trickle down to create affordable housing for those at the bottom is naive, misguided and not evidence-based.
Finally, the process by which these changes have been introduced and speedily approved is disturbing.
These changes are substantive and impact the quality of life of residents. Yet the public has been denied any consultation or input, a dangerous and increasing trend with this council.
Mariann Burka
Victoria
Letters of opposition ignored by council
There was an issue with a project at 956 Heywood Ave. in Victoria. Fifty-two letters were sent opposing and questioning this project.
Mayor and council dealt with this issue on Thursday evening in two minutes, agreeing to the developer’s requests for variances.
No public letters were mentioned, not a single word!
An email to mayor and council came back with this statement:
“Thank you for taking the time to write, we hope you will continue to stay engaged on City matters in the future.”
John Vanden Heuvel
Victoria
Don’t doubt the value of nurse practitioners
Re: “Physician assistants could soon be licensed to work in B.C.,” Sept. 28.
Be wary of doctors advocating for physician assistants, but not nurse practitioners. Dr. Jeff Unger at Saanich Peninsula Hospital says physician assistants “are more cost effective than other staffing alternatives such as nurse practitioners.”
Who wouldn’t want a personal assistant to perform secondary tasks under their constant direction? But the point is that nurse practitioners have, within their scope of practice, the autonomy to diagnose and treat many conditions, adding greatly to the capacity to move patients through the care continuum.
No they can’t perform heart surgery but NPs can independently stitch lacerations, order blood tests and prescribe insulin. Even registered nurses have greater scope to work independently compared to physician assistants.
We need all health-care professionals to embrace the team approach, but could it be that some doctors want to cement their authority and privilege at the top of the health-care hierarchy?
Rory McAlpine
Victoria
Batteries get money, the military does not
Volkswagen, Stellantis and Northvolt to receive $33 billion in subsidies for battery production, yet the federal government is looking to cut $1 billion from the defense budget.
We have village idiots running (ruining) this country.
Sheldon Reves
Nanaimo
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