Let’s share the road

Dear Editor:

I’m an active cyclist and a vehicle owner. I’d like to see us all get along much better. I’m tired of horns honking, finger gestures, and scary moments.

First of all, the Motor Vehicle Act, section 183, mandates that bicycles use the roads and specifically mentions not using sidewalks. So legally, I am required to share the road with vehicles.

In terms of paying for the roads, many studies show that gas taxes and vehicle insurance only fund a small portion of our roads. Most cyclists own vehicles, so we are helping pay for roads. Funding also comes from myriad other municipal and provincial sources to which we also contribute. Thus, contrary to popular opinion, we do pay for the roads we share.

Here are four reasons to like bicycles. One, the line-up at traffic lights is shorter. Two, there’s less competition for that prime parking spot. Three, roads need less maintenance when there are fewer vehicles on them. Four, doctor visits are less frequent because of our fitness (but visits jump significantly if a vehicle hits us). There are more but that’s enough.

I’d rather not be close to moving vehicles. Since the law prevents me from riding on sidewalks, it would be great if vehicle owners could help with our lobbying efforts to get separated bike paths. Since sidewalks are sometimes the only safe place, pedestrians could also help with this lobbying. Reduced conflict is in all of our interests.

The cycling season is here! I look forward to some friendly smiles and waves as we share our transportation infrastructure!

— Tom Rankin
Kamloops

Sovereignty and MAID

Dear Editor:

With the important upcoming election, I feel that there are many issues important to Canadian citizens, the number one of course is our continuing sovereignty. I also believe the services of MAID are of utmost importance as well. The choice to make decisions for your end of life care and general health are important to all Canadians.

— Joann Wood
Canim Lake

Save the CBC

Dear Editor:

With a federal election fast approaching, I am writing to draw your readers’ attention to an imminent threat to Canada’s cultural sovereignty – one whose urgency grows by the day, as President Donald Trump continues his unprovoked economic attacks on our country.

Following decades of underfunding and institutional neglect from governments of all political stripes, the CBC now finds itself in the crosshairs of Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, who are promising to defund it altogether.

We cannot stand by and let this happen. Canadians rely on the CBC for information, news, and entertainment that speaks to their daily realities and reaffirms their shared values. Defunding our national public broadcaster would inflict immeasurable harm on our communities, on our Canadian identity, and on our democratic health as a country.

Thankfully, the CBC doesn’t belong to the politicians. It belongs to us, the Canadian public – and it’s time we put our foot down. At this critical moment in history, Canadians from all walks of life are closing ranks around our storied institutions. And we expect our elected officials to do the same. We won’t stand for vague promises, and we certainly won’t tolerate any more threats to our shared way of life – foreign or domestic.

That’s why I am standing with Friends of Canadian Media and its hundreds of thousands of supporters this election. When we head to the polls, we’ll be voting to save the CBC. If the federal party leaders want to secure our vote, they have to stand up and support our national public broadcaster.

— Isabel Sinclair
Salmon Arm

Editor’s Note: The above letter was also sent to us by Denise Williams of Merritt, Michele Deon of Sorrento, and Wendy Livesey of Merritt.

Don’t save the CBC

Dear Editor:

With a federal election fast approaching, I am writing to draw your readers’ attention to an imminent threat to Canada’s cultural sovereignty — one whose urgency grows by the day, as President Donald Trump continues his economic attacks on our country, BECAUSE OF OUR LEAKY BORDERS ALLOWING DEADLY DRUG TRAFFICKING AND US CITIZEN DEATHS.

Following decades of MUNIPULATION AND OVER funding and institutional neglect from governments of all political stripes, the CBC now finds itself in the crosshairs of Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, who are promising to defund it altogether.

We can stand by and let this happen. Canadians USED TO rely on the CBC for information, news, and entertainment that speaks to their daily realities and reaffirms their shared values, HOWEVER DUE TO GOVERNMENT INTEREFENCE THIS IS NO LONGER THE CASE. Defunding our national public broadcaster would inflict NEEDED harm on CBC.

That’s why I am NOT standing with Friends of Canadian Media and its hundreds of thousands of supporters this election. When we head to the polls, we’ll be voting to DEFUND the CBC. If the federal party leaders want to secure our vote, they have to stand up and DEFUND our ONCE national public broadcaster.

— Ernest Moniz
Sorrento