I do find fault with Mr. Hesford’s last paragraph, “We need more people like the Greens to question what is happening and have the NDP/Green government start to action things rather waste rhetoric about them.”
If the Greens run and get elected as a minority government, they have to do more than question. They must get results. The Greens hold power if the NDP rule or they do not, but they did not get a ministerial job appointment. The premier did not invite Mr. Weaver to accompany him on his tour of the fire area, but they are supposed to be governing in partnership.
Let’s look before the election. The Greens were the only party that had no party dinners. The NDP, now after putting much money into the bank from having these dinners, says they made changes. Now the public will give money to the three parties as campaign funds (something the NDP said they would never do), but the Greens will get a couple of million more for their next campaign. Good win Mr. Weaver, but at our expense.
The tolls on the Port Mann bridge were removed as promised. This has resulted in longer traffic jams, more accidents on the Port Mann and more global warming. The Greens said this would not work but they caved again. Now, we the rest of B.C., have to make up the money lost in tolls and to pay the bridge off and the company. Who knows how much that will be?
On minimum wage, the Greens did get a win as the government has a fair wage committee, which will now set the increases.
The premier is only looking after the Lower Mainland as that is the area that got him elected. Now the mayor of Surrey states she wants a $2 billion decision on their transit now. Mr. Weaver had all levels of government clean up the harbours on the south end of Vancouver Island of derelict boats. He looks good but the rest of the province will have to pay for all of this.
The pipeline decision is up to the courts to let them handle. With the Site C dam, I have read many people’s ideas on this. Some agree, some disagree. I believe that because we have invested a vast amount of money in this project to date and it has been shown that this power will be needed in the future, and it will cost more that we have already invested to stop, spend the money and ensure future generations will have power. The premier has put the decision off on to B.C. Hydro. Good job. Now if they cancel it, he can tell his union supporters that he did not cause the loss and income for all the union employees that were employed, and retain their support.
The Massey tunnel, after several years of inquiry, discussion and exploring different avenues, there was a decision made. One that nearly 60 per cent of the locals supported. Only council opposed it. It will be an extra two to three years of traffic grid lock and idling cars until the tunnel is completed. But the premier is helping councils that support him. Where is Mr. Weaver on this? We have not heard from the Greens.
Now with Stickle Road, I wrote to Mr. Weaver after it became apparent he was going to hold the balance of power regarding Stickle Road. Much later, a brief statement in the paper stated he had asked, not told, the minister to look into this. Recently, it was stated the minister agrees with what the transportation department decided upon. Wow, the fill is already in and would cause more problems to remove. Did Mr. Weaver visit Vernon or talk with his candidate regarding this?
The NDP is controlled by the big unions of B.C., the Liberal Party is controlled by corporations and I have been voting for the Greens in the last two elections. I will now have to give much thought to whom I will support in the future. It appears that Mr. Weaver just wants the glory and to forget about his party’s beliefs and the people that supported them.
These are my views and opinions only. Whether you agree or disagree this is a democracy and we all have a right to voice our opinion.
Garry Haas
Vernon