Category Archives: Politics

Editorial: This is not what Democracy looks like

Local resident Ashley Zarbatany posted in Tideline a fierce remonstrance with vandals who have been removing or destroying campaign signs on the island:

You have now destroyed at least three NDP signs that I’m aware of. You have also destroyed Green signs. You drove into at least two and you were obviously motivated to destroy this newest one.  […] This intolerant and antidemocratic behaviour is part of the breakdown of civil discourse. Civil discourse or debate is essential in a democracy and without it people are unable to make informed or wise choices. 

Continue reading Editorial: This is not what Democracy looks like

NDP Surge Forward In Vancouver Island Voter Projections

By Roy L Hales

A week ago, 338Canada’s projections showed Green candidates leading in five of Vancouver Island’s seven ridings. The situation map displayed two colours: green and (Conservative) blue. As of October 7, orange is once again prominent as the NDP surge forward to take the lead in three ridings.

Continue reading NDP Surge Forward In Vancouver Island Voter Projections

Hall Tax Consultation Refreshing

Originally Published on Cortes Radio.ca

On June 6, 2019, Chair Michele Babchuk and three members of the Strathcona Regional District staff caught a water taxi from Campbell River to Cortes Island. Around 80 local inhabitants were waiting for them in Mansons Hall. I doubt anyone could have guessed what was to follow. The resulting Cortes Island Hall Tax consultation was refreshing.

Continue reading Hall Tax Consultation Refreshing

Cortes Community Consultation Meeting On Tax Service Referenda

SRD sent four representatives to Cortes island by water taxi on June 6th to conduct a community consultation meeting on two tax service referenda:  the long-delayed and controversial hall tax, and the first-responders training tax.  Present at the meeting from SRD were:  Chair Michele Babchuk, CAO David Leitch, Tom Yates (Senior Manager), and Aniko Nelson [Parks and Planning Manager].  Present at the meeting from Cortes were approximately 80 community members.

Continue reading Cortes Community Consultation Meeting On Tax Service Referenda

Canada’s National Debt

The current Trudeau government is expected to have added at least $73 billion to the national debt. This greatly exceeds their original forecast of “modest short-term deficits of less than $10 billion in each of the next two fiscal years” – but is Canada’s National Debt a problem?

Continue reading Canada’s National Debt