Alternatives to hydro power needed
There are better alternatives to flooding the Peace River valley. Our earth stores an enormous source of renewable energy right beneath our feet — it is called geothermal power.
The Joint Review Panel suggested that B.C. Hydro seriously consider the less expensive geothermal option. The panel also suggested that the B.C. Utilities Commission could look at other power options.
Alternative energy sources can be built on an as-needed, incremental basis so that we don’t end up with a surplus of high cost, hard-to-sell power that would accompany Site C.B.C. Hydro says that Site C will lose at least $800 million in the first four years of operation.
It is time to broaden the mandate of B.C. Hydro so that it considers energy options besides hydroelectricity and develops a truly sustainable and cost-effective energy plan for the province. The Clean Energy Act should be amended to allow a greater diversity in our power portfolio.
Laurel Hadland, Baldonnel
Mining is well regulated
I am tired of hearing all the bad news about mining in B.C. from naysayers, NIMBY’s and alarmists. Mines operating today conduct continuous, or progressive, reclamation with environmental protection that continues long after a mine closes.
Since 1969, mining companies in B.C. have also had to post a sufficient “reclamation bond” to ensure that a mine site is restored to natural conditions without using taxpayers’ dollars. In fact, B.C. was the first province to implement such a protocol and the first to extend such protection to mining exploration.
Prior to 1969, there were many historical mines that were not 100 per cent reclaimed. But the government of B.C. has been reclaiming these lands. There are a lot of good things happening in B.C. with respect to mines and mine site reclamation.
Let the truth be told.
Bruce Sanderson, North Vancouver
Private care worked for me
Re: Op-ed Wednesday on private MRI clinics.
I don’t know about others, but private clinics certainly reduced my wait time.
A few years ago, I had a knee problem and needed an MRI. I was told by my doctor that the wait was at least six months for the MRI and at least six months to see a surgeon and then another wait for the surgery. He suggested that I use a private clinic for the MRI and surgery.
The next day I had my MRI and four days later my minor arthroscopic surgery. Start to finish was six days; the cost was $1,800. When I asked the staff at these clinics how this could be, I was told it was because the government controls all aspects of our system and basically the wait times are due to underfunding.
I don’t know if this is true but I do know that I pay an awful lot of taxes to live in “The Best Place On Earth” and I have no problem doing so. I also feel that if I need a medical procedure and am willing to pay for it, why shouldn’t it be available to me?
Stu Orpen, North Vancouver
HNIC doesn’t work for me, either
I, too, throw my support behind Lloyd Atkins’ opinion of the new Hockey Night in Canada. I cannot get into this whole George Stroumboulopoulos craze coming out of the east. If Rogers Communications wants to attract a younger demographic in hopes of a bigger viewership in Toronto then they better hope that the Maple Laughs improve, and fast.
As Vancouver sports radio personality Dave Pratt would say, “I’m not saying, I’m just saying.”
George Mann, Surrey
Ban prostitution
Re: Vancouver resident Christopher George Mavros sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexual assaults.
I have been lucky never to have experienced violence at the hands of a man and can only imagine what these women must have gone through.
How many more stories like this will it take before people act to abolish prostitution altogether?
Kathy Quinn, Vancouver
What about coffee?
I recently became aware of the distracted driver ads on television. They are very effective.
What I am confused about is what, exactly, is considered distracted. The ads lead me to believe that you cannot eat while driving. OK, so what about drinking coffee?
Many drivers would be easy pickings for police to ticket them — just set up at the end of any drive-thru restaurant.
Terry Gray, Langley
Strange priorities
We close hospital beds. We close schools. Human beings are living in parks and under overpasses.
Yet the Vancouver Park Board has $6 million to modify a pond that nature is trying to eliminate?
How many self-contained rooms would that money provide? No problem. Just raise property taxes and don’t forget to give the person in charge a performance bonus!
Why not raise funds from the private sector for this project instead?
Richard Bergeron, Surrey
Killers disgraced themselves
True martyrs are recognized by the exemplary life they lead. Martin Rouleau and Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, the murderers of the two Canadian soldiers, wanted to be martyrs.
However, by committing such brutal acts, they secured the true martyrdoms of Patrice Vincent and Nathan Cirillo while barring their own.
I am reminded of the words of the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from two years ago that it is necessary to remain vigilant in the fight against extremism and terrorism.
Muneer Ahmad Khan, Ottawa
The editorial pages editor is Gordon Clark, who can be reached at gclark@theprovince.com. Letters to the editor can be sent to provletters@theprovince.com.
