Yearly Archives: 2007
Public sewage treatment saves money
Letter to the Editor of the Victoria Times Colonist, 28 November 2007 Why is it that Halifax can build a public sewage treatment system for $400-million (one-third municipally funded) and the CRD considers a $1.2-billion, public-private system? The population of Greater Halifax was 372,000 in the last census, compared with 330,000 in Greater Victoria. Even … Continue reading
Where have all the corner stores gone?
Published in Fernwood News (Victoria), 21 October 2007 Against the backdrop of rising land values and a booming village centre, half of Fernwood’s corner stores have disappeared in recent years. Is this a sign of gentrification? Since 2004, the following small retailers – all operated by Chinese-Canadian families – have closed their doors: Wall’s Food … Continue reading
Big defence spending the wrong priority
Letter to the Editor published in the Victoria Times Colonist, 7 February 2007 The Conservative government’s decision to spend $3.4 billion on four “super-jets” is good news for defence contractors, but bad news for ordinary Canadians who support other priorities. Climate change, child care, housing and health and education require a substantial injection of federal funds. … Continue reading
School District 61 and the NDP
Published in Lower Island News (Victoria), January 2007 It is not pleasant to question the actions of fellow New Democrats in a public forum like this newspaper. But sometimes it is essential, particularly when NDP members hold positions of trust and public responsibility. We must question the decision of a majority of School District No. … Continue reading
When property rights conflict with the right to shelter: Victoria’s homeless and Winnipeg’s Derelict Building Bylaw
Published in Fernwood News (Victoria), January 2007 The private real-estate market does not provide adequate housing for low-income people. As the cost of land escalates in Victoria, property owners (like myself) can realize large capital gains, but a growing number of fellow citizens are squeezed into substandard housing and onto the streets. This is the … Continue reading
