Opinion

If it’s true that REITs (real estate investment trusts) now control up to 40 per cent of B.C.’s rental stock, with last year’s gift from the NDP who removed rental restrictions on 55-plus condominiums, how long will it be before they have even more control? And if it’s true that a tiny apartment in Victoria can cost $1,900 these days, where on earth are renters going to live?

Plastics are ubiquitous in our modern world and are used in everything from packaging to construction materials. While plastics have brought many benefits to society, such as convenience and cost-effectiveness, they also have negative impacts on the environment.

Instead of throwing cash around like there is no tomorrow, might our Premier David Eby consider directing some of the supposed surplus on reopening or resurrecting mental facilities similar to the old Riverview or Essondale of the ’60s through ’80s?

In response to the letter ”In defence of Sidney council’s consultative process” in the March 23 Peninsula News Review: I was at the Feb. 13 meeting you speak of, and had feelings of my own about the way certain council members addressed speakers who utilized the ‘public participation period’ to bring up their concerns for the proposed development. I have since brought these concerns up with our mayor in a one-on-one meeting. I applaud the letter writer from March 2 for speaking up.

Thank you Saanich News for continuing to publish letters from citizens exposing the many fronts on which developers and certain councillors are working to turn Saanich into Vancouver-lite. They are working hand-in-hand to bypass OCPs and LAPs in order to build overpriced condos and townhomes that are unaffordable for ordinary Saanich families.

Just own this proposed 11.94% tax increase

As most citizens know, there is a delicate balance between supporting change and preserving the status quo.

A few newspapers ago my letter to the editor was printed regarding the wrong location of a modern looming 40-plus-unit condo being built in the middle of historically restored family homes on Selkirk Avenue.

Re: the March 15 article regarding Colwood council considering allowing more flexibility regarding secondary suites.

Saanich council and mayor are very concerned about their canopy cover percentage and the urban forest. Their goals are 30 per cent coverage. Their residential zones have 31 per cent, parks have 57 percent and roads have 28 per cent. They are worried about a tree deficit.