Opinion

The extreme overreach of Saanich’s proposed leashing recommendations is not supported by any part of the People, Pets and Parks strategy. Environments, trail etiquette, waste, appropriate enforcement and education all can be addressed effectively, less expensively and in ways the community can support without the leash changes.

Many of Saanich’s People, Pets and Parks Strategy recommendations should be supported. These include defining ‘under control’ clearly, improved waste management, more and better education, fencing some of the ecologically sensitive areas, clear signage, education and training along with appropriate enforcement and evaluation processes.

I disagree with Saanich’s draft proposal’s key recommendations requiring dogs to be on leash at all times except in designated leash-optional parks. If Saanich is going to change this bylaw then there needs to be a greater amount of off-leash areas available than what they have currently proposed.

With the Saanich council meeting scheduled for June 26, I am compelled to write to you as a matter of great urgency to vehemently oppose the Saanich People, Pets, and Parks draft strategy plan.

Kudos to Sidney council for listening to the residents and putting the plans for the bike lanes on the back burner for now. It is so refreshing to live in a place where council actually pays attention to what the people want. We lived in Victoria for 20 years and that is certainly not the case there. Keep up the good work.

Re: the column “Time for the revenge of Gen-X and the Millennials?”

On yet another gorgeous sunny, breezy day on the south Island, with temperatures below 20 C, it’s dismaying to still see so many vehicles on the roads with windows all rolled up, presumably running their air conditioning.

I don’t like dogs, but what I absolutely abhor are politicians that lie, push their own agendas and use my tax dollars to achieve their goals. All Saanich taxpayers, residents, visitors and particularly parents should be outraged by this nonsense put forth by the municipality specifically targeting dog owners.

Due to climate change, forest fires are becoming more of a problem every year. We need to have more resources available to react quickly and effectively. And Canada’s military has helicopters that are being used mostly to prepare for war. Although this is a necessary and difficult task, during heavy forest fire season these resources could be better used for fighting the more dangerous and potentially immense forest fires. Helicopters may be used with buckets or belly tanks and other uses.

BC Housing scandal an appalling mess.