Scandal stinks of politics over decency
Re: “Session ends as questions linger over officials’ ouster,” Nov. 28.
The NDP house leader, Mike Farnworth, and B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver refused support of a motion to re-examine the previous unanimous vote, which was based on incomplete information and resulted in removing the top two legislature administrative officers.
So now, the government and the MLAs have scuttled back into their holes until February 2019. The stench of politics over decency is overwhelming.
Perhaps they should all stay there until summoned by the legislative clerk and sergeant-at-arms, or the alleged criminal investigation is revealed and proven as justified.
Steve Newman
Saanichton
Evidence supports daycare plan
Re: “Do homework on all the costs of daycare plan,” editorial, Nov. 25.
Years of “homework,” including a large and growing number of research studies, consistently find that public investment in high-quality, affordable child care results in large social and economic benefits. These benefits include increased female labour-force participation and economic growth (i.e. more jobs) and lower child and family poverty.
Years of “homework” also show that, among wealthy countries, Canada invests the least in child care, with provinces such as B.C. historically spending less than one-third of the international benchmark of one per cent of GDP. That’s why there are only enough licensed spaces for 18 per cent of young children in B.C. and, before B.C. Budget 2018, parent fees were too high and early childhood educator wages too low.
The cost and benefit analyses developed for the $10-a-day child-care plan are grounded in solid research. The child-care prototype sites across B.C. provide an excellent opportunity to learn even more about the actual costs of quality, affordable child care as the new system unfolds — a true example of evidence-based public policy that merits support, not unsubstantiated criticism.
Lynell Anderson
Family policy/$10-a-day researcher
Coquitlam
Daycare plan allows more women to work
Re: “Do homework on all the costs of daycare plan,” editorial, Nov. 25.
I was disappointed to read Sunday’s poorly reasoned editorial chastising the government for “raising hopes” with its “reckless” $10-a-day daycare pilot project. The editorial claims that program’s cost will “force taxpayers and companies to tighten their belts.” Did the editor forget that parents are taxpayers, too?
I’m a new mother who has decided not to return to work full-time. For my family, it’s an economic sacrifice, but a choice we’re privileged enough to make. Daycare would consume 40 per cent of my net pay, so it didn’t seem worth it. But if we had $10-a-day daycare, I’d be incentivized to return.
With my full salary, we could save more, spend more, donate more and buy a house sooner. My household would contribute almost $12,000 more a year in provincial income tax, not to mention our increased spending power and the value I would generate for my employer. My lifelong earning potential would also be higher, as I wouldn’t be taking time away to raise my children.
Ten-dollar-a-day daycare would put thousands of women like me back in the workforce, generate economic growth and create financial stability for families. In this way, the costs of the program would balance out over time.
Even if $10-a-day doesn’t end up being feasible, this pilot project wouldn’t be “an embarrassment.” It would have given the participating families a two-year reprieve, a winning lottery ticket. Let’s hope the rest of B.C.’s families will be so lucky.
Danielle Leduc McQueen
Victoria
May’s fiancé says he is not a Latin expert
Re: “Elizabeth May is getting hitched, but she’s firmly tied to her riding,” Nov. 28.
Thanks for the Times Colonist’s story about Elizabeth May and me, our upcoming marriage and intended glorious life together.
A minor correction: I can indeed fix pumps and shoe horses and all that, but I would find it difficult to “read Shakespeare in Latin.” I do love to read Shakespeare, and I have a nodding acquaintance with Latin, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Latin edition of Shakespeare, and, if I did, I’d almost certainly have to pass.
What I will do is put out maximal effort to support Elizabeth May, MP, in serving her constituents in Saanich-Gulf Islands, and her broader constituency across the country and around the world. Her work is critical for all of us, especially as we at last begin to face the reality of global warming, and as the international Green revolution gathers momentum.
I promise I will not distract her (unduly), I will not suggest that she move to distant Ashcroft, I will help her wherever I can, and (I hope) her constituents will come to see me as part of her team, working for her and for all of us. Then, some day, after she has finished her work and saved the world, we’ll settle on a place to live.
John Kidder
Ashcroft, Vancouver, Sidney and Ottawa
