Is this fair?

Share this story

Tweet

• Electoral fairness
• Australia not a fair comparison
• How can this be judged ‘fair’?
• Consider a few suggestions for HST fairness
• Time to get our fair share!
• Small business benefits

Is this fair?

Editor:  

The Harper government is proposing to amend Canada’s constitution in order to give B.C., Alberta and Ontario new seats in the Commons. B.C. will receive seven, Alberta five, and Ontario 10 new seats according to a new formula arrived at without consulting anyone, including the beneficiaries. But is it equitable even to these same beneficiaries? Or is it about giving B.C. and Alberta 12 seats and Central Canada only 10? Certainly it isn’t rep by pop.

Consider the 2006 Canadian Census figures, released in July, on which the changes are said to be based.

Canada’s total population is reported as 31,31,612,897, Ontario 12,160,282 (38.5%), Toronto 5,113,149, B.C. 4,113,487 (13.0%), Quebec  7,546,131 (23.9%), Montreal 3,635,571, and Alberta 3,290,350 (10.4%). 

Shouldn’t B.C. and Alberta have no more Commons seats than Toronto and Montreal, if this really is a more equitable model than the existing complex system which balances urban and rural, north and south? And what about the rest of the country?

It seems the old Reform Party prejudices continue to be dominant in the “new” Conservative Party.

Brian Marlatt, White Rock

Enough, says Anglo

Editor:

The 7% Anglophone and 17% Allophone populations of Quebec live in a hostile land and are ghettoized, humiliated and berated because of their use of the English language. The great majority of Quebecers it seems, are determined that their territory be exclusively French in language, action and deed.

The remainder of the Canadian provinces bend over backwards to accommodate the French language into their fabric and with the assistance of the federal government, the commissioner of official languages enforce the use of French across the land.

Quebec has been designated as a distinct society within Canada. Yet they wield massive power within confederation as well as receiving the lion’s share of the monies designated for province of “have not” status. Parents noting the ascendancy of French power within the country, hasten their children into French immersion schools.

Is all this happening because the huge non-French majority elsewhere are truly noble in allowing a small percentage of the population to dominate the country or, is it perhaps, because we lack the courage to say “enough”?

Mike Harvey, Langley

Bumper cars just waiting to happen

Editor:

I took a gander at the round-abouts on Mount Lehman Road the other day, and I am lucky to be alive after that trip.

I share the public frustration and invite all to the other side of town, particularly Old Clayburn Road.

I believe concerns are correct in where the paint budget was blown. It was in the painting of the bicycle lanes, and then the removal of the bicycle lanes, and then the repainting of the original lines — but not quite in the same place — in front of Margaret Stenersen elementary.

This left behind a confusing treacherous mess of lines and markings for motorists to try to figure out which ones they should follow. Try driving by on a rainy evening. It’s a game of bumper cars just waiting to happen. On second thought, you better not. It really isn’t safe at all. 

If you follow Old Clayburn Road a minute or two farther to McKee Drive, you will find a sign. It says there is a crosswalk, but no lines have been painted.

The lines were there last school year, but I think they ran out of paint or forgot or something. Why they were removed in the first place is beyond me.

This crosswalk is in walking distance of five schools – public and private at all levels. Recently, I drove into the middle of the road, parked and stopped traffic myself for a group of about 10 teenagers to safely cross the road. I received a few choice colourful words and fingers from other motorists when doing so, but as soon as I pointed out the poorly placed signs, motorists cheered and smiled at my bravery.

Perhaps a light would be a better idea than a crosswalk at this location. I am sure if I petition city hall, it may be installed by the time my daughter graduates in eight years. After all, it took six years to get a light on McKee Road at Prince Charles (aka the McKee Racetrack). 

And just in case anyone is concerned about my letter having a bully-like approach towards our city councillors, I assure you I am not writing this to make them look bad. They do a good enough job of that on their own.

C. Wilder, Abbotsford

Pass along a hug

Editor’s note: The following email was received from a member of the Scarr family.

Editor:

Can you please pass this along to Mr. Don Russell (“Fatal scene haunts witnesses,” The Star, November 1).

My family and I are grieving the lost of Wendy Scarr and after reading this article about the emotional trauma he is experiencing I just thought he should know that my thoughts are with him and his courage and willingness to “do something” is appreciated.

I have not been able to bring myself to the site as I am afraid of the pain I will feel and any further emotions — I might not be able to cope. I thought he should know that Wendy would not want any human being to suffer in any way but to live his life being a loving father and spouse and friend.

I also believe she would thank him for his efforts and she also believed that “hugs can change the world” and she would want to give him one.

So please pass this along and give him a hug from our family.