Letters

Behind closed doors, at an in-camera meeting on March 7, North Saanich council agreed to contribute to the cost of construction of a new roundabout, to be built at Galaran Road and Stirling Way in Sidney. These roadworks are intended to ease traffic flow near the new Amazon distribution centre on the airport lands in Sidney.

The minister of housing recently tried to make an example out of Oak Bay, over the so-called “housing crisis,” which is absurd. Blaming/singling out a small municipality for a national “housing crisis” is mere scapegoating, without addressing the roots of the problem, including the elephant in the room: Canada’s artificially increasing population, based on federal government policy.

The decision by Oak Bay council to reject the Quest development’s 14-suite condo building was the right decision.

Many years ago, my grandfather said that if you were going to have a dog, you first had to demonstrate that you were smarter than the dog and train it, otherwise the dog will train you and it will become a total nuisance and in extreme cases, dangerous. Except for short periods, I have had a dog all my life and kept that advice in mind. I believe most dog owners do a commendable job of training and keeping their dogs under control.

In Sidney’s draft OCP, town planners said they recognized that Sidney residents want gentle, planned growth. And planners have only forecasted an increase in Sidney’s population of about 100 persons annually. That would require fewer than 50 additional homes each year if Sidney can attract families with children, its stated goal.

I am responding to the invitation to comment on the updating of Sidney’s OCP (Town Talk March 2022).

I’m writing to urge SD 61 to reconsider the proposed budget cuts to school music programs, counsellors, and career coordinators.

It’s getting tiresome to read another letter from the likes of S. Gallagher that still get facts wrong, or miss the bigger picture regarding vaccines.

It’s time to balance our priorities in Langford and become more community focused. I commend our mayor and council for building Langford into what it is today, but being the fastest growing city in B.C. comes with responsibilities to current and future residents.

A reflection on Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell brings to mind: “You paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”