Minister shouldn’t use Uber’s propaganda
Transportation Minister Todd Stone said that the introduction of Uber’s “ride-sharing” to B.C. “is going to happen at some point … it’s a matter of when, not if.”
It seems to me that trips customers initiate are not “rides” that are “shared” by drivers. Stone and other officials should cease using dishonest jargon that Uber employs in a manipulative way to try to distinguish its service from taxis.
Further, let’s look, say, 10 years into the future. General Motors has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into Uber. Why? Its long-term goal is self-driving cars. After devastating the taxi business, Uber will slowly eliminate human drivers. There certainly won’t be anyone sharing a ride.
Trevor Amon, Victoria
More aides are needed
The death of 16 seniors and injuries to hundreds of others from aggressive incidents at residential care facilities could be greatly reduced by hiring more people to increase the staff-to-patient ratio.
That, coupled with giving staff more training in how to better manage these situations before they erupt in violence, plus paying these people a descent wage which shows how much we value what they do, would also help.
Of course, none of this will happen because health care for seniors is now, for the most part, a corporate exercise and we all know what that means for both the greedy corporations and the governments they support — less profit, fewer bought votes.
Jeff Laurie, Langley
Sell in U.S. funds
With Lower Mainland real-estate prices climbing rapidly, with no end in sight, and governments wondering what to do about it, I have a novel solution.
Foreign and absentee investors seem to base all their financial dealings in U.S. dollars. So when they come to buy my house, I will sell it in U.S. Dollars. Any takers?
Brian Barnes, Steveston
Kids’ pot study needed
How many Canadian youth need rehab from substance abuse?
With between 30 per cent and 53 per cent of Grade 12 students in Canada using marijuana regularly, and an addiction rate of six per cent — 50 per cent for daily users — we are facing an enormously costly public health crisis.
Twenty-seven per cent of people over the age of 15 in Canada report daily use, according to the Canadian Center on Substance Abuse.
We need a study such as the one reported on Mexico.
Pamela McColl, Smart Approaches to Marijuana
Booze under review
Vancouver council was right to reject a pilot proposal to sell wine in grocery stores for the time being. The city’s liquor policies are under review. It makes sense to have a comprehensive alcohol strategy before fast tracking new initiatives, particularly ones that fail to consider that we are dealing with an addictive substance that, while enjoyed by most adults, is also one of the most common causes of death and preventable illness.
As liquor outlet density and consumption increase, so do the risks of injury, crime, violence, alcohol-related deaths and other serious illness, like cancer and fetal alcohol syndrome.
In 2011, we saw more than 200 deaths, more than 4,000 hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of visits to our emergency departments directly linked to alcohol.
Dr. Patricia Daly, chief medical health officer, Vancouver Coastal Health
Our silver-spoon PM
Nothing is too good for our silver-spoon-fed prime minister. Ten million dollars to renovate 24 Sussex Dr.? Is he kidding? Does his songstress wife need additional quarters for nannies?
I hope everyone who voted for this spoiled, self-absorbed man has deep pockets.
Fran Berry, Prince George
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.
