Letters, Nov. 2, 2019: Raise the bottle deposit
Credit to Author: Carolyn Soltau| Date: Sat, 02 Nov 2019 01:00:26 +0000
I have written to environment ministers over the past 15 years, asking them to raise the deposit on beverage containers.
I am appalled at the number of empty alcohol containers that I discover by the side of the road as I walk my dog every day. Appalled for two reasons: One, that so many people seem to be missing the message about drinking and driving; and two, the litter and hazard posed by these objects as they shatter and/or roll and blow around among speeding vehicles.
It is my understanding that the deposit on these containers has not changed since 2004, while the 2004 Canadian dollar is now worth $1.36 (DollarTimes.com). I have strongly suggested that the environment minister immediately raise the deposit on beverage containers, and implement increases every five years. The more expensive it becomes to throw bottles and cans on our beaches, parks and roads, the fewer bottles and cans will be thrown, and the more of them will be collected and recycled. After all, would you toss a container worth $1? And even if you did, someone would likely pick it up quickly to get the refund.
Jerry Steinberg, Surrey
The municipalities talk a good transit game, but think nothing of digging up a road or deploying construction equipment without the slightest thought to the impact on transit, leaving people down the line stranded and wondering what the hell happened to their bus.
It’s especially frustrating when the solutions are so simple. Have the dump trucks sit around the corner while waiting to load so buses can pull up the inside lane before merging instead of inching along behind all the other traffic. Or don’t close off a stop and block a section of the road, then leave it to sit inactive for a month.
We do need more transit priority measures. But a little common sense would go a long way toward keeping the buses moving, and not cost a dime.
Gulamali Mawji, Richmond
The despair our children feel over climate change is visceral and real, but understandable. It comes from hopelessness that mankind will ever get its act together to take the hard action needed to reverse the downward spiral of destruction started by past generations, and perpetuated by patterns of thinking and acting that are still deeply entrenched today.
The hope we as adults can give our children is in charting a viable path out. The emission-reduction targets dictated by science and the deadlines for meeting them are all clear. What remains lacking is a concrete and hard-nosed plan of action which, if stuck to, should avert the disaster science tells us is coming.
If our new minority government shows leadership in creating and pursuing such a plan, I believe the despair our children feel will transform to hope. That hope will unlock energy, passion and creativity in them as the leaders and change-makers who will take the job up from us and finally get it done.
Jeff Scouten, West Vancouver
Thank you, Ian Mulgrew, for drawing to the public’s attention to the appalling fact that the $20 million more committed by Attorney General David Eby for lawyers’ legal aide fees is twice the budget for this year’s mental health and addiction service plan.
Most addictions start with people, young and adult, trying to find relief from mental or physical anguish. Early diagnosis is the best prevention. Children and adolescents diagnosed early enough with mental illness can be treated and monitored to prevent the more serious results of addiction and mental health issues. If you are a concerned parent call the Kelty Mental Health service for free guidance. The earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome.
Most programs run by the government would no doubt appreciate a budget increase, but let us get our priorities straight.
R.J. Oley, Delta
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