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Immigrants should pay full costs

Re: "Immigration wheels turning after office closed, files moved," July 28.
Lorne Peasland
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Protesters gathered on Kitsilano Beach hold up their hands to show their opposition to the Northern Gateway pipeline and the use of oil tankers in local waters in June. Letter-writers suggest Premier Christy Clark's stand on the pipeline is motivated more by a desire for a bigger share of revenues and less about the environment.

Re: "Immigration wheels turning after office closed, files moved," July 28.

Am I the only Canadian who finds it odd that my taxes subsidize immigrants' citizenship applications?

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says it costs about $550 to administer each citizenship application, but we're charging only $255. I didn't ask for my taxes to support that charity, and it's not intolerant to say "user pays," is it? We do that for our driver's licences, passports and God knows how much other government-provided paperwork.

Lorne Peasland

Victoria