DAY SEVEN … a look back at the week of August 11th to 17th

Hello again friends … it’s Day Seven, and that means a look back at the commentaries and opinions on political, social and economic issues that came up during this past week.

Let’s get underway right off with commentary number ten from John Feldsted;

#10 … Whether the handgun is used to commit crimes, aggression against a rival, or in defense of another gang or drug dealer, innocent bystanders are in jeopardy (August 12^th)

… our approach to people who possess illegal handguns or who have and use guns in the commission of a crime needs a serious overhaul. The spate of shootings in Toronto was caused by people. They were settling scores or in disputes over criminal territory …

#9 … I am looking straight at Canadians and being honest the way I always have ... we said we are committed to balanced budgets and we are ... and we will balance that budget in 2019 ~~ Justin Trudeau in 2015 (August 13^th)

 … a recent study by the Fraser Institute found that in 2018 Canadians paid an average of 44% of their annual income in taxes.  That’s more than housing, food, and other necessitates costs combined. So where is all of this money actually going?

#8 … ROTHENBURGER -- No matter who they come up with to replace Myhill-Jones, it’s going to be a two-party race, and the NDP isn’t going to be in it (August 13^th)

… the recent resignation of Gina Myhill-Jones as the NDP candidate in Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo is symbolic of the general state of the New Democrats’ fortunes in Canadian politics right now. Myhill-Jones was a candidate who did little more than fill a place on the ballot …

#7 … Looking at WorkSafe BC work related incidents for the month of July, the jobsite is still a dangerous place for BC workers (August 12^th)

… other areas of concern for serious workplace injury, and serious-injury rates, include asbestos ... confined spaces ... cranes, film and production, marine accidents, oil and gas production, process safety ... agriculture ... as well as bullying, harassment and discrimination. Two things, stood out for me, in the information provided by WorkSafeBC … (August 12^th)

#6 … The government of British Columbia needs to ensure ALL workers share in the wealth and prosperity that is available -- or at least should be available (August 15^th)

… if it is an NDP majority, or NDP / Green Party coalition, there will be an easier and conciliatory process that could well see further contracts with increases of 2% per year negotiated. If not an NDP, or NDP / Green government, whoever is elected could very well find it hard to try and keep a lid on wage increases for government employees ... and here’s why …

#5 … Forestry Critic and MLA John Rustad says it’s ‘unacceptable’ that municipal leaders and regional districts had to try and handle forestry crisis alone, without leadership from the provincial government (August 15^th)

… “My concern is that the province waited until ten weeks before a federal election before it finally decided to act. Layoffs and mill shutdowns have been happening for months and the provincial government has done nothing to help workers and their families except ask Ottawa for help at the very last minute.”

#4 … BC NDP government crows about latest labour stats, however all age groups and genders awash with MINUS signs (August 12^th)

… last week, the BC NDP government was crowing about provincial labour stats from August 9^th.  In some area there were positive signs, however as you can see, all ages groups and genders were awash with minus signs …

#3 … ADAM OLSEN - If that is the precedent he is setting, then I guess nobody needs to be accountable for anything under his leadership (August 17^th)

… I’ve been watching this affair unfold. I held my tongue as our Members of Parliament worked to expose the truth from one side of the issue and the others. Without being in Ottawa I decided it's best to let my federal colleagues do their work. So why comment now ... what has changed? …

#2 … Despite millions government rakes in from cigarette and alcohol taxes, legalized cannabis, and all manner of gambling sources ... people have resorted to Crowd-Funding for addictions treatment (August 10^th)

… in all the discussion about tackling the opioid crisis, no one is talking about affordable access to treatment beds and recovery facilities … there are recovery beds available across the province but John Horgan and the NDP refuse to fund them …

And lastly … the number one post of the week … the one which was reread the most, and which actually goes back to the previous week …

#1 … BC Hydro illegally adding GST to the Customer Crisis Fund (no matter how little the amount) – only makes it worse (August 9^th)

… GST is charged on retail purchases, real estate sales, and personal services. Is the Customer Crisis fund a retail purchase?  NO, it is not! Is the Customer Crisis fund a real estate sale?  Definitely Not! Is the Customer Crisis fund a personal service?  It certainly isn’t …

And there you have it.  I hope this has offered you the opportunity to catch up on anything you missed, and I’d also like to take the opportunity to encourage you to pass this email on to others you feel may wish to read any or all of them.

Got a story you think we should consider?  Pass the info on by emailing bcpoliandmore@gmail.com … and any and all comments are also welcome to that email address.

AND … please feel free to comment on any post, directly to the blog site, in then Comment Section below each commentary.

Bye for now … and enjoy the rest of your day!