B��Ԫ������ַ

Dear Editor:

This election, even though we have heard it time and time again, is the most important election in our provinceB��Ԫ������ַ history. There are two very different visions being presented to voters with two very different slates of candidates.

It is not lost on me that there is a large handful of voters looking to find their home. My proposition is, especially to those looking to vote Green and considering an independent vote this election in B��Ԫ������ַ, to truthfully consider the consequences of such a vote. For the first time in 84 years, there is the opportunity to elect real representation to the Legislature. In B��Ԫ������ַ Centre, we have Loyal Wooldridge. Loyal has a proven track record of real experience and he will truthfully be able to start working for B��Ԫ������ַ on day one.

Is it our goal to let extremist, unexperienced, and somewhat unhinged candidates into the legislature? Do we want climate-change deniers running the Ministry of Forestry or Agriculture? Do we want birth control skeptics directing our health authorities? Do we want homophobia around the Cabinet table?

While this would not be my preferred line of reasoning in voting this election, it is true. We should do what is right for B��Ԫ������ַ and right for our province because the consequences will be dire. We have united together before, to oust PM Stephen Harper, letB��Ԫ������ַ do the same to maintain the integrity of our democratic institutions.

Cade Desjarlais,��B��Ԫ������ַ

Ignoring the constituents

Dear Editor:

I have read many responses to my original letter of Sept. 18 where I questioned Tina LeeB��Ԫ������ַ ability to truly represent all the constituents in this area after her behaviour at a public NDP event in Summerland.

Truth often gets clouded by those who don’t want to take responsibility for their actions.

The truth of the matter is: we arrived at an NDP event; were blocked from attending; we created posters; made a little noise; and the police were called. The police spent 20 minutes talking to TinaB��Ԫ������ַ team about hosting a public event and then blocking the public from attending. The police spoke briefly to us and commended us for having a respectful protest and told us we could continue.

The NDP is our Government at the moment, and we intended to listen to the speeches and then ask questions -- simply because, for many years since the NDP have been in power, this is the only way one can engage in conversation with representatives of our Government.

I had gone to an NDP event only once before in August 2022 when David Eby was campaigning to become premier. A few people attended this event, we were respectful, we got to ask some tough questions, and then engaged in conversations with the politicians at the end of the gathering.

Since that time, Tina has had RCMP at every other event, and barred anyone who she feared might ask tough questions from entering.

Tina, it is important for you to understand that many important advances in our society have been made through protests. What if, instead of calling us anti-this or anti-that or conspiracy theorists, you showed some compassion and sat down with anyone of us and discussed our concerns.

Many people have suffered immensely from NDP policies in the last few years, so much so that people have lost employment, had to close their businesses, or had to leave the Province. Why would you not want to hear about that? Maybe if you did, you wouldn’t witness public outcry.

You have choices Tina. You can continue your campaign with a smearing, cold-hearted attitude you have shown us over the last few years, or you can have compassion and try to understand what it is we so desperately want your NDP Government to know.

And thatB��Ԫ������ַ the truth.

Victoria Whitehead,��Summerland

Seniors for Climate Day

Dear Editor:

On Oct. 1, Mayor Julius Bloomfield proclaimed that day Seniors for Climate Day in Penticton, joining our community with more than 75 others across Canada, united under the organization Seniors for Climate and the exhortation Later Is Too Late.

Representatives of the environmental group First Things First Okanagan and the South Okanagan Chapter of the Council of Canadians made presentations to the mayor and council, commending the work that they have done to mitigate climate change and asking that more steps be taken to phase out fossil fuels.

This was the culmination of a march from the Penticton Art Gallery to City Hall. Thirty-five seniors and supporters, braving the cold wind, carried large banners as well as “prayer flags” created by many people of all ages in recent weeks expressing their hopes and wishes for a better climate future for the worldB��Ԫ������ַ children and future generations.

We are proud that Penticton was a strong participant in this powerful nation-wide event. If you search on , you will see that we are on the map!

Elizabeth Lominska Johnson,��Penticton

IH letting down rural citizens

Dear Editor:

Interior Health is letting their citizens down by allowing emergency room closures. Part of the solution could be to “drop in” qualified personnel from other locations. Indeed, a “flying squad or stand-by” roster of personnel willing to drop in could be developed and financed with adequate funds to encourage and compensate the personnel, provide timely and quick transportation (i.e. helicopter transport in some cases) and lodging.

Sorry, itB��Ԫ������ַ a Utopian idea too big for bureaucratic minds and small budgets. It also assumes Interior Health wants to keep the rural hospitals open.

Glen Witter,��Summerland

Everyone offers the silver bullet

Dear Editor:

In Canada, we all enjoy the basic freedoms and we live in a land of opportunity. As we all know, there are millions of people that live in other parts of the world that don’t enjoy the aforementioned

In October, here in B.C we will be experiencing one of these basic freedoms and that is “the right to vote.” This will be a time that we, irrespective of what some others might think,, have a right and responsibility to have our say by voting as we see fit.

There are several individuals (from 93 ridings) that are making an appeal for us to vote for them and their parties. Under a democracy, this is as it should be.

The U.S. too, has an upcoming election in November. Freedoms and the belief in a land of opportunity also applies here. Or….does it? There is much flux in U.S. politics at this juncture. It would seem that there is one individual that espouses the U.S. Constitution and one who might very well dissolve it, given the opportunity. The media has pointed out whoB��Ԫ������ַ good for the country and whoB��Ԫ������ַ not. Here, as in the U.S. the voting public will make the final decision.

Lately, there seems to be some developing flux here in B��Ԫ������ַ mudslinging and misinformation statements seem to be more prevalent as we get closer to voting day. Leaders of parties seem to be poised on ideas that they have all of the solutions for key issues that will benefit the voting public and the province as a whole.

Shades of the Lone Ranger and the “silver bullet” or what? Irrespective of what leaders of parties say, things will not change the day after the election winner has been declared. As we all know, changes take time. How much time? Who knows?

Promises are one thing, but reality is another. Looking back, depending on the outcome of the election, it might seem like the same team of horses with a different driver. Or, it could be a new team of horses with a new driver. The eventual outcome depends on you, the voting public. Get out and vote!

Ron Barillaro,��Penticton

LetB��Ԫ������ַ make the lawyers richer

Dear Editor:

John Rustad and the BC Conservative Party want to rescind legislation affecting BC First Nations and impacting all B��Ԫ������ַ residents. They want to get rid of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ Act. This is a historic agreement crafted by First Nations, our current B��Ԫ������ַ government, the Canadian federal government and the United Nations. It took years to negotiate and implement. And implementation is an ongoing, constructive process.

This reversal will inevitably end up in the courts. A short list would be the BC Supreme Court, the Federal Supreme Court, then a whole host of UN and other international courts. Party time for highly paid litigation lawyers!

B..C will lose and B��Ԫ������ַ taxpayers will be paying the bill. On Oct. 19, is this what you want to vote for?

Steve Burke, West B��Ԫ������ַ