Editor:
Last week’s edition of the Optimist contained several items and letters that caught my attention.
First, the idea that owners of electric vehicles ought to be afforded a “charging station” just so that they “top up” because “not all vehicles have the same range or battery power” raised two issues: first, one assumes EV owners know or ought to know the range of battery power of the vehicle prior to purchase, and second, why not give operators of ICE [internal combustion engine] vehicles a similar option – free gasoline while shopping just so that these owners can “top up?”
While that point might appear to some to be a tad off colour, the comment from a columnist about the upcoming federal general election and the “privilege” of voting is not; it is a subject of deep interest to Canadians who care about this country. Inasmuch as 62 per cent of the Canadian electorate chose to vote, the remaining 38 per cent who do not, collectively and individually, stab a dagger deep into the hearts of those Canadians who stepped forward and volunteered their service, and in some instances, their lives, in order that 100 per cent of Canadians have and will continue to enjoy freedom and live in a democratic country.
As to the actual election, it appears that the participants are either ignorant of or have forgotten the points made in the BNA Act 1 867 at s.91 and s.92 and then rolled into the Constitution Act 1982, where the delineation of political requirement and power are enunciated, clearly. Increasing affordable housing is not listed as a responsibility of the federal government but public debt and property, the regulation of trade and commerce, the borrowing of money on the public credit, militia, military and naval service, defence, currency and coinage, interest, and copyrights plus a number of other federal jurisdictional responsibilities are.
It is interesting to note that none of the participants in the upcoming federal election have given any hint that they understand the federal government’s responsibilities yet, they campaign as if they held the only avenue to success in and for Canada.
Where, I ask, are the plans/programs to attack the massive debt that the Liberals of Justin Trudeau and Carla Qualtrough have foolishly foisted on Canadians; where is the plan to return Canada to eminence on the world stage as it was under Stephen Harper and the Conservatives, where is Canada’s plan to update and maintain the army, navy and air force, where is the plan/program to encourage both domestic and foreign investment in Canada that provides opportunities for industry to prosper and employers to hire more employees? Where are these – points that are the very substance of Canada and provide the wherewithal for the ‘come hithers’ that the participants are handing out like candy at Halloween?
Clearly, over the past four years, Canada has gone from being a stalwart friend and neighbour of the right to being a laughing stock on the international stage headed by a group of ‘yes men, women and whatever else appears to be current terminology.’
I have seen federal governments come and go but in those long years none has been as disgusting to Canada and Canadians as the Justin Trudeau Liberals, even his father, PE Trudeau, who was terrible, was not as devoid of understanding and responsibility as Justin Trudeau. Heaven help Canada.
Bob Orrick, CD
