When a dog is not at large
Re: “It’s for the birds,” Jan. 8.
I find it interesting that migratory birds seem to be so attracted to the beaches of Victoria when there are so many other beaches in the area. The beaches around James Island, for example, or any of the other small uninhabited islands around southern Vancouver Island.
Not to mention the other remote areas of the coastline that are difficult to access and therefore are probably people- and dog-free.
Maybe it isn’t the birds that are having problems, but the bird watchers who want to watch birds while being able to park their cars and have easy beach access, preferably with a coffee shop not too far away, and the presence of dogs will decrease the number of birds they might be able to see.
Given the many options the birds have and the few options the dogs have, maybe we should leave more room for the dogs.
Also, there was an error in the story. It said that the blue loon signs say that dogs must be on leash. Unless the signs have been recently changed, they say that dogs must not be “at large,” which is what the “Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations” say.
That is not the same thing, so long as a dog is under control it is not “at large.” A dog that comes when it is called is under control and therefore not “at large.”
Barry Leslie
Victoria
UN is essential to save civilization
Re: “The world should pay heed to Antonio Guterres,” column, Jan. 8.
Trevor Hancock has written an inspiring piece on the value of the UN and especially of its present head, Antonio Guterres.
The UN has had many masters to obey: the major powers in the Security Council; developing nations in the General Assembly; abusive dictatorships in its various committees.
But, as Hancock says, there are not many organizations that represent the planet as a whole, especially over a longer time frame, and the UN is the most relevant of them.
We need a central address if we’re going to preserve the important aspects of our civilization — the environment, Indigenous cultures, international agreements.
Here’s hoping that the UN is up to the task.
Larry Barzelai
Vancouver
Money for the military, but not for health care
Re: “Canada ends years-long search for new fighter jet with deal to buy F-35s,” Jan. 10.
The Canadian government announced it is buying 88 fighter aircraft for a project cost of $70 billion. This follows a previous commitment of buying 15 naval frigates for a project cost of $84 billion.
Given the lengthy time frame for these, both are likely to see major cost increases. These projects are to show the world that the government is ready to stand on guard to protect the globe.
It goes in hand in hand with recent government outbursts towards Russia, China, Afghanistan and Iran regarding human-rights abuses. The government wants to create an image of being the saviour of humanity.
However, there is the verso of the image that is not getting world attention and it paints a very different reality.
This past weekend in a hospital emergency room in Quebec, because of the overcrowding, the facility ran out of stretchers and beds, and a patient had to lie on the floor while waiting for treatment.
Now, the government prefers to disregard this other reality.
The Canadian Association of Radiologists indicates that Canadians are waiting an average of 50 to 82 days for a CT scan and 90 days for an MRI, when the recommended maximum wait time is 30 days.
The association is calling for a federal government investment of $1 billion over the next three years to bring the wait times in line with the recommended standard.
There is another reality that is also dismissed; one in five Canadians, about six million Canadian adults, do not have a family doctor.
The government is obviously preferring to spend at least $154 billion to create a beautiful world image as the champion for preserving world order.
Yet, Canadians requiring health care must do without a hospital bed, which certainly paints a very different image domestically.
Roger Cyr
Victoria
Make nursing education free for students
I applaud the government’s announcement about fast tracking certification of out-of-province or internationally trained nurses. I’d like to suggest the following.
The B.C. Institute of Technology offers a full-time three-year bachelor of science nursing degree, which could be duplicated at any of the other training facilities in B.C., and which certificates nurses faster than a traditional four-year program.
I’d expect that the critical factor affecting anyone contemplating entry would be affordability, as there is no time for students to earn money during summers.
Entering students could apply for a student loan, and then submit transcripts of completed work after each term. Successful completion of the term would result in the student loan being forgiven, and a new loan application approved for the next term, and so on.
At the end of the three years, we would have a fully qualified BSN ready for work and without any debt load.
I’d suggest that this should also be provided for medical technicians and physicians. Investing in the educations of those we will rely on for our health system is obviously in our best interest.
Just ask Germany (and other places) where all post-secondary education is free.
Bob Gougeon
Nanoose Bay
Gingerbread festival a wonderful tradition
Before the new year commences with all its obligations and commitments, I wanted to commend the amazing artists who brought us the recent gingerbread competition.
The theme this year was “Magic,” and their incredible creations did not disappoint. Families of several generations were delighting in their artistry, each of the participants telling their own story and their interpretation of “magic” in their lives.
It was a competition, so there has to be a winner, but truly everyone who participated in this Habitat for Humanity fundraiser deserves high praise for the countless hours they have put in.
Thank you from our family for once again providing a wonderful family-friendly Christmas tradition for many of us to enjoy.
Rachel McDonnell
Victoria
Let’s give Pluto its proper place
The new year is a time to reflect on past mistakes and commit to positive change.
I say now is the time to stand up and reinstate Pluto as a fully fledged planet in our solar system; the partially fledged status Pluto has endured since its demotion to dwarf planet in 2006 must stop.
Who are the International Astronomical Union to go around size-shaming planets? Don’t Plutonians have enough on their plate with having to walk their dogs in -242 C temperatures?
And a day on Pluto lasts 6.4 of our Earth days, making for a pretty tiring grind at the office. Let our rallying cry be “My solar system includes Pluto!”
I urge us to once again make Pluto our ninth planet, before all the other planets in the solar system amalgamate, which will likely happen before the 13 shires on the southern end of Vancouver Island get around to it.
Michael Erwin
Saanich, Earth
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