LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- December 09, 2008
Dear Editor,
Yes, these are curious times in Canadian politics. Be you for or against a coalition government, this is not the first time such events, or even stranger events have occurred in Canada. For example, in the Canadian federal election of 1925 incumbent Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King's Liberal Party won fewer seats than Arthur Meighen's Conservative Party. Yet, with the support of the Governor General, King formed a minority government by forming a coalition with the Progressives. To further complicate matters, Mackenzie King did not win his seat in the House of Commons and had to be elected in a "safe seat" by-election, defeating, of all people, a young John Diefenbaker.
Shortly, even after all of these machinations, King's government suffered from a bribery scandal. Sensing a loss of confidence and certain defeat in the Commons, King asked the Governor General to call another election, the Governor General refused, King resigned, and Arthur Meighen became Prime Minister. Those of you familiar with Canadian history will be aware that the Meighen government of 1926 is the shortest lived government in Canadian history, and Mackenzie King returned to power with a majority government in September of 1926.
And what does this have to do with our current debacle? Since the election of January 2006, Stephen Harper's duly elected minority government operated with the support of the House of Commons. It required the support of either the Bloc, Liberal Party, or NDP to survive. Yes, they always needed and had the support from at least one of these
parties - including the Bloc - to pass their legislation. In fact, the Harper government enjoyed this support throughout their term, as it was Stephen Harper, without a loss of confidence from the House, who asked the Governor General to call an early election.
A coalition government of the Liberals and NDP differs little, in an operational sense, from the situation of the current Conservative government. Just as the Harper government requires the cooperation and support of another party, a Liberal/NDP coalition government will also require the support of another party, be it the Bloc or the Conservatives, to survive and do the government's business. All political rhetoric aside, our Constitution allows for majority, minority, and coalition governments. The key is in the governing group having the confidence of the House of Commons.
Now that the Governor General has granted prorogue to the Conservative government, Mr. Harper has a few choices. In January, he can deliver a budget that will gain the support of at least one of the opposition parties, or he can deliver a pre-election style budget to garner the support of the Canadian electorate. In either case, we are at least two months, or in an election scenario, several months from addressing the current economic crisis.
Canada's recovery from the global economic crisis becomes more difficult and expensive with each passing day of uncertainty in Ottawa. And sadly, most everything, including the environment, healthcare, homelessness, education, and sovereignty are related to our economic health. Taking into consideration each of the attributes that make Canada one of the world's most compassionate, caring, progressive, and fortunate countries, with planned and considered steps, we need to move forward and we need to move forward sooner rather than later. The Canadian economy does not work outside of the global economy and these delays are causing us to lose ground to the rest of the world, delays we can ill afford.
Let us hope that cooperation becomes the new order of the day in Ottawa. Yours truly,
- K. Carlson, Princeton
Dear Editor and residents of Princeton;
I live in Calgary, Alberta and would like to voice my concerns as the parent of a teenager who lives in Princeton.
As a former resident and frequent visitor to Princeton I am aware that, at present, their is no taxi service available.
As a result students, and for that matter any residents, occasionally find themselves without a ride and having to walk home alone. While I am aware that Princeton is a safe and close-knit community, we are all surely aware that bad things can and sometimes do happen in safe communities.
On several occasions I have carried a conversation with my daughter as she walked home from work, or from the high school in the dark, just so she would not feel alone. While I know these conversations make her feel better, it is obvious they did nothing to insure her safety.
While it is true that everyone should make an effort to get a ride when possible, there are times when either nobody is available, or when the person in need of a ride feels uncomfortable asking for one.
In these times I think that no one, especially teenagers should feel like they have to walk alone when their safety might be compromised.
I am not writing this letter for the safety of my daughter specifically, but for that of students and young people, and for that matter, residents in general. I know Princeton to be a very pro-active and caring community and it is my hope that consideration might be given to this problem and what solutions might be found.
There are other obvious drawbacks and public safety concerns of not having a taxi service.
Drunk driving is a huge safety concern. While most people are sensible enough to walk or call a friend for a ride when they've had too much to drink do we really believe everyone is that sensible? Is there always a friend available? Is it -40 outside?
There is also the issue of seniors and others who have no ride available when the Handi-dart is not available (like when it goes to Penticton.) What if an elderly person needs a few groceries and has nobody they can call for a ride? What if a someone without a ride wants to go visit a friend or family after hours. Maybe even have a drink or two?
Then there's weather. Should anybody have to walk when it's freezing outside and they don't feel up to it?
It's easy for those of us with vehicles, or with family or friends who are always willing to help to forget or be unaware of how difficult it can be for some. What about the students, the elderly with no family, the person stuck at the bar after a few?
Do we, as a society, really want to leave these people to fend for themselves.
There are solutions. In other communities subsidies have been made available to taxis that could otherwise not run a profitable business and in a conversation just moments with your mayor, Randy McLean I was assured that town council is willing to assist in finding a solution.
They cannot find a solution alone. They need the involvement of the community as a whole. Your involvement.
I hope the good people of Princeton will give my thoughts their consideration.
- Greg Martin,
Calgary, Alberta
Dear Santa;
Santa, I live in a little town in the Similkameen Valley in British Columbia.
Lately I've been hearing a lot about affordable housing and homelessness around us. I always knew about the homelessness in big cities but it appears that we are starting to have trouble finding suitable and affordable housing for some people in our own Valley. I know we have economic trouble all over the world.
Santa, our area is growing pretty fast and already finding affordable housing for some people is getting very tight. Statistics tell me that there is 8,000 to 15,000 people homeless across Canada already. So Santa, how about you get all your helpers together and find some solution to this terrible problem.
Maybe you can talk to our governments about the people who are in need of affordable housing. Santa I know I am not alone trying to solve this problem but everywhere I turn, I seem to get the same answer, "We're working on it." As affluent as our country is, we see growing numbers of people sleeping in parks, under bridges and in doorways. Nobody should have to do that in Canada, let alone our Valley. With all the turmoil and financial troubles around us, everybody still deserves to have affordable homes for themselves.
Dear Santa, please pay particular attention to this Christmas wish.
Yours truly,
Yukon Eric Halapainen, Princeton
To The Editor;
The Stout family would like to say thank you to one of Princeton's most treasured possessions - the Ridgewood extended care facility.
For three years the nurses and support staff went above and beyond the call of duty many times as they lovingly cared for Gloria. As a community, Princeton ought to be extremely proud and satisfied that there is a facility like this in the community to take care of our loved ones when they cannot take care of themselves.
They treat people like people and have a sense of history and respect for the residents who were once an active part of the community fabric and who now need to be taken care of.
Like any relationship, sometimes there were issues that we felt had to be addressed, and we felt confident in bringing them forth because there was that sense of caring there. Most of the issues were Interior Health issues, not ones with the staff.
We found the staff very supportive of all of us and especially to our Dad, Tom.
We would just like to say to the staff, from the nurses, support people, to the administration, that we respect the difficult job you do and we appreciate from the bottom of our heart the effort that you put into what you do.
Everyone contributes. There really is no job more important than the other because without everyone contributing, nothing would get done.
The staff does such an excellent job under often difficult and emotional situations. It is a reminder of what grace and calmness should really be like.
So be proud and thankful Princeton that you have this jewel up on the hill.
- The Stout Family
