NDP tax hard-working folks like they?re privileged elites


Thursday, March 8th, 2018

The Province

The new school tax (on homes assessed at more than $3 million) will take 10 per cent of my annual income or more each year.

Because I worked hard and sacrificed, even during my teenage years so that I could buy a house at the age of 21 and look after myself, I am deemed in the eyes of the government as lucky and privileged.

I’m in the drywall industry. I scrape and sweep floors, hang drywall in stairwells, sometimes 10 metres in the air, and literally risk life and limb, break my back and ruin my knees and elbows to earn a living. I’m not the CEO of a tech company driving a Ferrari, but being treated like one.

I hope The Province keeps the subject of these new taxes on homes front and centre. There are many people like me who don’t deserve to be treated like this by the NDP.

Dean Letroy, Vancouver

Speculation tax isn’t fair

The NDP’s new, so-called “speculation tax” hurts Canadians and discriminates based on one’s province of residence.

An individual from Vancouver could own a vacation home in Kelowna, while a Calgarian could have the home next door inherited from her family decades ago. Both use their homes the same way — a few months in the summer, a few weeks at Christmas and occasional weekends.

Assuming each property is worth $1 million, the Calgarian has to pay $20,000 a year due to the new “speculation tax,” while the Vancouverite pays nothing.

How is that fair?

If the tax on “empty” homes was intended to address housing availability, shouldn’t the tax be levied on both homes? Has the provincial government forgotten what it means to be a country? Finally, will the NDP do the right thing and narrow the tax so it doesn’t apply to other Canadians?

Jim Casey, Edmonton

Bad driving mostly to blame

The reporting of serious accidents often claims bad weather or poorly designed roads were the cause.

But there are generally three reasons for accidents: Driving with no consideration for either traffic and/or road conditions, which includes speeding; persons driving beyond their ability; or driving while distracted.

We can all improve the safety on our roads if we carefully think of these issues and drive with due consideration — not only for ourselves, but also in consideration of others.

Frank Wirrell, Abbotsford

Sand needed on highways

I’m a retired commercial driver with 27 years and five million kilometres under my belt. The majority of my days were travelling through the southern B.C. highways hauling hazardous liquids.

During this time, highway crews put sand and salt on the road. With the sand, we had traction. It helped tremendously, especially once it froze up. Nowadays, with fiscal and environmental restraints, they use liquid glycol and salt, which doesn’t work. It may melt some frozen roads for a time, but leaves life-threatening ice on the roads in the end.

The Coquihalla Highway rarely gets sanded, but you’ll notice that after a big crash the contractor puts down sand. It would save accidents and lives if sand was used regularly. James Ponath, Abbotsford

© 2018 Postmedia Network Inc.



Comments are closed.