Dear editor,
Congratulations to the 1,617 people (4.4 per cent out of an estimated 36,800 eligible voters) who voted yes for the homelessness referendum. You have given the CVRD permission to actually force property owners to “donate” to a charity and allow the Regional District to decide which one or more of those charities will receive the money.
I had always believed that giving to charities was a personal decision, one that allowed me to choose which charity and how much to give. How naive of me!
Whether this referendum is legal or not, it is just wrong in principle for the CVRD to use this sad homeless situation and our caring spirit to assist the Coalition to End Homelessness in this manner with such a small minority.
This is not about the money that property taxpayers will pay, it’s about forcing a person to “contribute” that money to a charity and without a choice.
Giving whatever you can to the charity of your choice is part of democracy. This yes vote destroyed part of that.
Don Nickason
Courtenay
