Opinion

Like thousands of other residents of the Capital Regional District, I am proud to claim refugee status from Vancouver, where I lived and worked for 30 years. I love my life here, and I have made many new friends who have welcomed me to the Island.

Will this council listen to the people? The Town of Sidney is proposing to remove the existing Beacon wharf and the iconic fish market and then install a 62-year-old floating pontoon, with the addition of a two-storey hotel, in its place.

The Town Talk Beacon Wharf Special Edition, while colourful and somewhat informative, should be read more than once for it has a definite bias towards one of two options. The limited number of options aside, we must first look at the slanted language. Discussion of the existing wharf includes “significant work necessary, rebuilding is not considered a viable option, rehabilitation would likely be in the millions, winter storm wave risks to life and property.

The Sidney wharf is a landmark, recognizable because of the location and the blue fish market. It is picturesque, iconic, and promotes the ambiance and enjoyment of our seaside community.

Arguably, the Conservatives’ troubles existed long before the election was called. A proper election post-mortem will confirm a list of challenges that extend well beyond the Kenney Effect, the PPC, or the public health divide.

After reading the article on the impact of the new Amazon warehouse to GHG emissions and traffic congestion (PNR Sept. 16), I have a few questions that I’m pretty sure Amazon could answer (this obviously being one of many distribution centres).

Sooke needs a private health-care clinic. It already has a private clinic that is private to those who are registered with a family doctor. It needs another private clinic where the rest of us can get health care by paying a little extra out of pocket.

Mr. Prime Minister, thanks for nothing.

By Bruce Cameron, Black Press Political Columnist

Polticians need to implement environmental policies or people will go elsewhere