They warned us that forests were finite
A historical note on the forest controversies about old-growth logging in B.C.
At the Institute for Animal Resource Ecology at UBC Vancouver in the 1970s, a group of ecologists estimated the logging potential for all of B.C., and with a simple model showed that at the current logging rate and its projected changes in the future harvests were unsustainable.
So 50 years ago it was known that forestry in B.C. was not logging in any sustainable manner that should have been allowed by the government of the day. Little attention was paid to this now-ancient research effort, and foresters have continued to operate as though our B.C. forests are nearly infinite.
You can see how very correct this 1970s assumption was by flying over Vancouver Island.
Charles Krebs
North Saanich
The quest for utopia in North Saanich
While I now live in Courtenay, I grew up and spent most of my life on the south Island and lived in nearly every municipality at some point. I have been reading, with interest, the myriad letters concerning the proposed Official Community Plan for North Saanich.
A few years ago, when my grandson was in elementary school, we played a computer game called Happyville: Quest for Utopia. In this game, the goal was to create a town or city and keep the “happiness” level high while increasing the population and keeping up with demands.
As people moved into the area, farms had to be built to produce food, but people were unhappy because of the emanating smells, so trees were planted and parks were built.
People wanted to upgrade their homes as families grew, have shopping, restaurants, schools, police and hospitals nearby. As the population grew, services needed upgrading and taxes were raised.
It was a fascinating game because it was so realistic and I remember my seven-year-old grandson’s take on the recurring unhappiness of its people: “You just can’t please everyone! Why are people so unreasonable wanting another restaurant or grocery store when there’s already one in the next block?”
There will always be people who do not seem to like anything you try to do. How true.
Christine van’t Riet
Courtenay
What about that word in the museum’s name?
If the Royal British Columbia Museum is to undertake a process of “decolonization.” perhaps a good place to start would be the removal of the word “Royal” from its name?
Paul Warren
Duncan
Museum decolonization brings Orwell to mind
“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped.”
Funny how when Donald Trump was elected, the American progressive liberal left bought up copies of George Orwell’s 1984, hoping to learn what the future might hold, while the Royal B.C. Museum woke left have done an end around and are bringing Big Brother to life in our provincial institutions.
We can only hope that they don’t have a ceremonial fire and burn all of the exhibits to purify the museum.
Clay Atcheson
Saanich
Don’t lure doctors from other countries
Re: “Four actions to relieve the doctor shortage,” letter, Nov. 3.
For many letter-writers and critics of our public health system, the focus has been limited to B.C. The problem of doctor shortages and accessibility for appointments is Canada-wide. So, what to do?
First don’t be deluded into thinking private health care is the answer. Anecdotal praise for people’s experiences in other jurisdictions under private health systems is misleading or irrelevant. The views of monetarily interested pressure groups must be exposed for just that reason.
Also, understand that there are a myriad of possible fixes to the system. Listen to people involved in delivering the product, healthy outcomes, not the recipients who perceive so many faults in those who are trying to address the problems of accessibility, wait times and costs.
What not to do? Do not “ease the burdensome restrictions for foreign trained physicians to be upgraded to Canadian standards and licensed to practice in B.C.”
British Columbia, and Canada for that matter, should not engage in ripping off other, sometimes poorer countries’ trained physicians. That is one “action” that is reprehensible.
Max Miller
Saanich
It takes more courage to refuse the jab
So Dr. Bonnie Henry states that health-care professionals that do not get the “jab” are probably not in the right profession. Well, I beg to differ.
Who would you rather have care for you: Someone who sees a problem with your treatment or medications and will advocate for you and speak up, or someone who remains silent in spite of what they see?
It takes a lot more courage in the first instance than it does to stay silent. The walkouts by the thousands worldwide and the refusal to get the “jab” speak volumes that there is a problem and we are being coerced and “mandated” leaving most everyone dependent on an income to comply, whether they want to or not.
Merle Somers
Victoria
Dr. Bonnie Henry, you have my support
I expect everyone who has entered the profession of health care has practised a “Do No Harm” pledge.
I fail to understand those who are not vaccinated. Do they realize if it was not for their parents being protected by vaccines against disabling or killer diseases of the past … smallpox, diptheria, polio, and so on … and the school entry-requirement vaccinations most of them had, many might not even be here?
Please do no harm to yourself or others. Get vaccinated so the rest of us can get back to our remaining years with less fear.
There are very few reasons for declining COVID vaccine.
Dr. Bonnie Henry has my support and that of the majority of the caring profession.
Judith Hodgson, RN, BSN retired
Victoria
Royal Jubilee Hospital deserves highest praise
I went to Emergency at the Royal Jubilee Hospital expecting long lineups and long wait periods, especially in light of walk-in clinic closures, doctor shortages and staff burnout due to COVID.
My experience was the opposite. They were extremely efficient to process me into their system and very quickly give me a AKG, blood test, chest X-ray, and did a corrective treatment.
I wish to thank the entire staff. Wonderful, wonderful professionals and a special thanks to Dr. Hugo.
Larry Maydonik
James Bay
Time to improve airport air quality
Re: “Victoria Airport to restart international flights,” Nov. 3.
We should be thinking about the amount of extra CO2 that will be pumped into our area as a result.
The Victoria Airport Authority seems to have a lot of surplus money given the airport building expansion, access roads, new runways and several new parking lots.
Why not build a CO2 capturing plant on airport property? It would enhance air quality on the Peninsula and contribute to reduction of greenhouse gases.
Cathy Kelsey
Sidney
Support government for its deep dive
The recent announcement by the B.C. government regarding deforestation is a crucial first step toward healing B.C.’s damaged ecosystems.
In the sport of diving, they rate the degree of difficulty of each dive.
This initiative deserves a rating of 10 out of 10, in terms of the challenge this government faces to implement it in a manner that is effective and sufficiently politically rewarding and publicly appreciated to encourage it to take the further needed actions to address the climate emergency.
Good politicians need our support as much as they need our activism, advice, critiques and complaints. Encouragement helps them to to build the confidence and courage to take the many deep dives so necessary to advance needed, crucial changes, quickly.
Time is running out, and there are many deep dives ahead if we are to save this planet and its species, while evolving and creating, new, healthier, more diverse, sustainable and equitable lifestyles.
We need to support and reward governments that are prepared to take the risks necessary to bring about needed changes.
Colin K. Campbell
Saanich
A quick way to get on the right track
Want to stop climate change? Then no more of these “much ado about nothing” 25,000-person conferences.
Stephen Decarie
Langford
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