Canada needs real jobs plan
To the Editor,
The previous Conservative Government oversaw Canada achieving the best job creation record among G7 countries, while also reducing the tax burden on Canadians to its lowest level in 50 years.
The current Liberal Government has already hiked taxes on families and small businesses, while countless Canadians are still struggling to find work.
The Government has also unveiled a plan to increase Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payroll taxes, costing a family with two working parents as much as $2,200 per year.
The Liberal Government promised that if they borrowed tens of billions of dollars, they could grow the economy and create jobs.
Clearly, – the Liberals have no jobs plan.
This summer, Statistics Canada showed the largest month-over-month job loss for our country in five years—June and July 2016.
In addition, more than 100,000 energy sector workers are out of work.
The Liberal Government’s response to Canada’s job crisis has been to delay a decision on TransMountain pipeline, delaying the National Energy Board hearings on Energy East, delaying a decision on Northern Gateway, delaying a softwood lumber agreement, and delaying the ratification of the TransPacific Partnership.
When will this Liberal Government take governing seriously and get to work?
Canada’s Official Opposition will continue to push the Government to come up with a real jobs plan to get hard-working Canadians back to work.
John Barlow, MP
(Editor’s note: Barlow is Deputy Critic for Employment, Workforce and Labour)
Vacant home tax unfair
To the Editor,
Imposing a tax on vacant homes will not going to force owners to rent them out.
The reason many choose not to become landlords is to avoid the responsibility and (mostly!) increased additional expenses they otherwise would not incur for property maintenance and repairs.
And legally, how can it be fair to impose such a tax on absentee-landlords without also applying it to hundreds of B.C “snowbirds,” with a “primary residence” in the province who leave it vacant while they live for 6 months at their secondary residence or “vacation home” in the tropics?
Realistically, with construction-costs, most renters couldn’t afford to pay the damage deposit today’s landlords would have to charge.
So it still, as always, boils down to how astute landlords are at choosing “the right tenants”.
And that’s a complete guessing game.
Better yet, why not institute a kind of “Rental Registry” where landlords with rental property register it’s availability and prospective renters register to be paired-up with a landlord.
Incorporated with a rating-system to keep everyone honest by holding irresponsible renters and slum-landlords to public account, and with a complaint-resolution component, it’d be a start to controlling the greed-fuelled wild West that exists in the present rental market.
Liz Stonard,
Port Alberni
City needs seniors care
To the Editor,
Re: Seniors housing solution right in city’s lap, Lyman Jardin. Sept. 8
In former mayor John Douglas’ -re-election campaign he showed interest in the development of a seniors retirment facility such as Berwich in Nanaimo. I spoke with him at that time in favour of such a development.
This would not be a care home but a facility for many of us wo are still in reasonably goo dhealth and agility—able to drive, attend events, socialize, etc., but are unable to maintain their property on their own. The property could be ideally located at the former Alberni District Secondary School site for those of use not wanting to go into a care home.
Unfortunately, if it is ever a reality it will be too late for me.
M.E. Hamon,
Port Alberni
Preparedness is important
To the Editor,
Definitely the dwindling daylight hours are always a factor this time of year for many of those we are called out for.
It’s darker in the woods long before dark. Be prepared for 24hrs, and let someone know where you’re going and when you’re expected back.
But if things go sideways, never hesitate to give Search and Rescue a call (call 911). That call is always free!
Kari Chase McNabb,
Port Alberni
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