Opinion

The horrific and tragic events unfolding in Ukraine have jolted the world. These events have brought the people of the world together in a single, unified voice saying, stop this war.

I’m writing with gratitude for the many letters over recent weeks expressing support for a meaningful and reconciliation-focused process to determine the future of Spewhung (Turkey Head).

To the poopetrators: Even though picking up dog poo is unpleasant and laborious, that does not give you the right to leave the poo all over the sidewalks — a behaviour some might call crappy.

Saanich recently installed “quick fix” road safety improvements on a dangerous stretch of Cedar Hill X Road. The improvements were installed at the intersection of Cedar Hill X Road and Merriman where Kaydence Bourque was killed in November. Paul O’Callaghan was seriously injured in this same intersection when he was struck while riding his bike earlier this month.

I read with sadness the announcement that Black Press Media has turned off Facebook commenting on COVID-related stories because of the damage it was causing your journalists and the reading public.

I might sound like a Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) and I don’t want to appear that way but several issues are causing me to speak out on the off-leash dog park proposed for the waterfront park on Resthaven Drive.

Canadians are often portrayed as polite, decent, unassuming, and hard to anger. That characterization is especially apparent compared to our brash noisy neighbours to the south. It was therefore not surprising that the occupation of large sections of our national capital, and the very unneighbourly honking of horns at all hours, was met with widespread disapproval by most Canadians. Angus Reid Institute pointed out that three quarters of Canadians just wanted the protesters to go home.

I want to recognize the integrity shown by an obviously fine fellow named Steven. After golfing at Ardmore, my wallet was left on top of my car instead of in my pants. After some frantic to and fro my spouse called to say a man had delivered it to our door. Steven found it on McTavish Road (wow). Sure wish he had given his last name. He possibly could be part of the band that now proudly owns Ardmore Golf Course.

I certainly don’t support the ignorant beliefs of the ongoing protests; if anything, they have embarrassed our country. But worse, they have very successfully stolen our Canadian flag to use as a symbol for their anti-government belief.

As the Royal BC Museum languishes and lists like the Titanic in the name of ‘decolonization’, enabled by a majority of Victoria council that refused to approve the motion to preserve the historical third floor, it is worth pointing out what colonization actually looks like and how its chief facilitator is actually the same municipal council.