What has Gray accomplished?
Dear Editor:
The full page interview with Stephen Fuhr and Tracy Gray has only further guaranteed my vote for Stephen Fuhr. His answers to questions were informative and intelligent.
He did not spout the tired old rhetoric such as 鈥淚 will continue to commit myself to residents鈥. Blah, blah. Nice tone but no substance.
Stephen answered with facts and knowledge. His record of things he got done in his last term are impressive.
I can鈥檛 think of anything Tracy Gray has accomplished. If anyone needs wants a change Stephen Fuhr should get your vote.
Sally Bonshor
sa国际传媒
Everyone needs a decent home
Dear Editor:
Everyone needs a safe, decent, affordable place to call home.
But for too long, our housing system has felt like an unfair game rigged against us all. Rents are skyrocketing. Mortgage rates are unpredictable. Buying a home is beyond reach. In our own community, there just isn鈥檛 enough housing for it to be affordable for all.
And our community isn鈥檛 alone 鈥 Canada has a housing crisis. Now, in the face of Trumpsa国际传媒 trade war, itsa国际传媒 more important than ever that we work together to protect all of us.
I鈥檝e joined a campaign that I think more people should know about. The Housing Canada Coalition is made up of leading housing organizations from across the housing continuum, and they鈥檝e figured out that even though they provide different kinds of housing, itsa国际传媒 crucial they work together for solutions. So, they鈥檝e built a 10-point plan to create a housing safety net and build a better system that works for everyone. The solutions are urgent and can really make a difference in this crisis.
I encourage everyone to read about it and become an advocate for housing this election. You can go to to learn more and join the campaign.
Together, we can end the unfair housing game, and build a fair, resilient housing system in Canada that works for everyone.
Connie Reynolds
sa国际传媒
Konanz playing hide and go seek
Dear Editor:
I went to the All Candidates Forum held at the Cleland Theatre in Penticton. It was very good and you could learn a lot about the people running in this federal election.
Unfortunately Helena Konanz was a no show. This they say was probably the only public forum we will have to get to know the candidates running for office in this election.
Konanz cited a 鈥減ersonal emergency,鈥 for that night but has since ducked out on a youth forum at Holy Cross School and a live interview with Castanet.
Helena Konanz was born in the United States. When we were in school learning how our government works Helena Konanz was learning how to be an American.
The other question I wanted her to answer was鈥 how did she come to be the Conservative candidate?
If Helena Konanz were to win this election I don鈥檛 think she will be there for us. If Helena Konanz were to win it will cost us tax dollars. On Jan. 3, she was asked if she guaranteed she would complete her term on city council. She said yes but here she is two months later trying for a different job. Having to have another election to fill her city council seat will cost Penticton tax dollars. I say letsa国际传媒 not incur this expense all you need to do is not vote for Helena Konanz.
There were a couple of other candidates at this forum that showed up very well.
Gail Walters
Penticton
Vote strategically this election
Dear Editor:
One choice for Prime Minister Mark Carney from Edmonton who first attended Harvard on a scholarship, earning his first degree Economics then on to Oxford where he was described by his Phd supervisor at as having exceptional versatility and rapidly masters new approaches, perspectives and challenges It is any surprise that he as since had an esteemed career in both the private and public sector?
Pierre Poilievre, from Calgary, is a career politician who has mastered a style of negativity and divisiveness and neither he nor his inner circle have a background in finance.
The Conservatives want us to believe that Carney is the same Justin Trudeau who was a drama teacher before he entered politics. I think Carney has shown us he is his own man, calm, confident and capable. He shows us he is a man of action who gets down to business focusing on the priorities.
Meanwhile Poilievre has perfected the immature nicknaming political opponents, slogans, and offering simplistic solutions to complex problems. He is a master of the image redo, now wrapping himself in the flag of our so called 鈥渂roken鈥 country to suit his political ambitions.
Mark Carney has for years resisted running for office, so why did he decide to do so when the Liberals were so low in the poles. Could it be that he wanted to help Canada our finances in order? Thank you Donald Trump for making matters worse for the global economy.
If you want Mark Carney to lead us through these rough waters you need to vote for our very capable NDP candidate, Linda Sankey, who has a long history as an effective community builder.
She has worked for years to improve the lives of people living with disabilities, managed housing for the Brain Injury Society and helped get student housing for the College.
She will serve us well in Ottawa just as Richard Canning has. She is the only candidate in this riding who can defeat the appointed Conservative candidate.
Beverly Boden
Penticton
Greatly impressed by Gloria Morgan
Dear Editor:
We are quickly approaching the day when we鈥檒l have the opportunity to elect a new government. Campaigning is intensifying each day, with each party fielding multiple candidates across Canada.
As an Italian immigrant and a long-time Canadian, I take great pride in voting for the candidate and party of my choice. Back in Italy, although the system is democratic, some candidates and parties were not always honest or transparent.
At times, I felt my vote didn鈥檛 truly count because of this.
Recently, in our riding, the candidates for each party were announced.
However, I was disappointed by the way the Conservative candidate was chosen. Other potential candidates seemed to be pushed aside in favor of the one selected. The process felt unfair and left me feeling let down.
It reminded me of the political practices I experienced in my home country 鈥 practices that often led to frequent changes in government due to similar irregularities.
Here in Canada, we have the right to vote for whomever we choose. That is the essence of democracy. I personally vote for the individual, not just the party. Thatsa国际传媒 why I鈥檒l be supporting the Liberal candidate in our riding, Gloria Morgan.
She brings an impressive and well-rounded background: a former RCMP officer, a lawyer, a Crown Prosecutor, Duty Counsel, and a Federal Adjudicator in the Indian Residential Schools Resolution process.
She has also served on several provincial and federal boards. Her credentials are impeccable, and based on her record, I believe she represents the best of what Canada is and should be.
Between now and election day, take the time to evaluate what each candidate stands for. Ask questions and do your own research before deciding. In a democracy, every vote truly matters.
Be sure to cast yours 鈥 itsa国际传媒 not just a privilege, itsa国际传媒 a responsibility for every Canadian.
Franco De Michelis
Penticton
Canadasa国际传媒 trade war continues...
Dear Editor:
Canada is now in a two front trade war with the United States and China.
The U.S. trade war is unprovoked and unjustifiable. Canada started the trade war with China by imposing a tariff on Chinese made electric vehicles.
In retaliation China has imposed tariffs on some Canadian agricultural and seafood products.
Canada should offer to allow China to export electric vehicles to us, equivalent to the number of Teslas imported in 2024. Chinese EVs over that quota would be subject to an import tariff.
We would add a punishing tariff on Tesla to halt its Canadian sales.
This solution would relieve our agriculture and seafood sectors. It would not impact our auto industry as Chines EVs would be replacing Teslas not manufactured in Canada. It would allow more Canadian car buyers to purchase a less expensive Chinese EV.
Canada should give convicted felon Trump the opportunity to stop the trade war before we start negotiations with China.
John Dorn
Summerland
Are Penticton citizens now the pothole police?
Dear Editor:
Regarding a recent Facebook post from City of Penticton on potholes and lines.
The City is saying it is our responsibility to tell them about potholes that need filling and lines that need to painted on our roads through their portal.
I feel it is their responsibility to do their job and at least drive the main roads in Penticton and take stock of potholes and lines that need painting.
Is this not what we are paying city taxes for or are we paying city taxes so they can come up with crazy ideas to spend money on rather than what seems very important?
Alf Norrish
Penticton
Who do you vote for... leader or local candidate?
Dear Editor:
Far be it for me to tell anyone how to vote in the federal election.
However I would ask everyone to consider this: Are you going to vote for the leader or your local candidate?
We were fortunate to have an excellent MP Richard Cannings (NDP), member of a party not in the majority but in spite of this was very effective in advocating for local concerns, passing private member bills which passed in the Senate and also able to support the Liberal Party for Pharmacare, Dental Care and Child Care. (Was this the 鈥淟ost Liberal Decade鈥?)
This said so even if the MP you are electing is not a member of the ruling party it demonstrates that our voice can be heard at the federal level and our needs can be addressed. What is important is that question. Is the candidate aware and in sync with the needs and values of our community? Or are they following the dictates of their leader who might not listen?
I do not wish to tell anyone how to vote but am asking you to simply think about this. Do not get 鈥渢rumped鈥 by a bigger political agenda
Catherine Rublee M.D FRCS(C) retired
Penticton
Watching too much TV bad for your mental health
Dear Editor:
The other day, I turned on the TV to watch the evening news. That was my first mistake. My second, was flipping from one channel to another. I bet you can guess who was on all of them. The following thoughts came to mind.
Writers write to be read. Singers sing to be heard. Actors act to be seen. Liars lie to conceal. Bullies bully to dominate. Trump trumpets to be noticed.
After thinking numerous other unpleasant thoughts about that loathsome man, I was reminded of what William Mearns wrote.
鈥淵esterday, upon the stair, I met a man who wasn鈥檛 there. He wasn鈥檛 there again today, I wish I wish, he鈥檇 go away.鈥 Thatsa国际传媒 exactly how I feel!
Lloyd Atkins
Vernon
Fiscal situation will be worse with Liberals
Dear Editor:
On April 28th, Canadians will be voting for a federal government to 鈥渞un things鈥 that are the federal governmentsa国际传媒 responsibility.
As expected while reading the letters section, people appear to have their issue(s) and a party favourite that will hopefully deal with that issue(s).
A couple of things to keep in mind on that Monday, Canada is broke and with the goings on south of us, our fiscal outlook will likely get worse before it gets better.
Canada cannot afford to keep running deficit budgets and desperately need to get their fiscal act together. Saying that, the Liberals have created such a hole where Canada is paying out $40 billion a year to service Canadasa国际传媒 debt today. I would like to believe most Canadians would like to see that money spent on other items that would make our lot better. However, the wanton spending of the last number of years by the Liberals will have the next government struggling to get any budget deficits down, my guess, 10 years.
The current PM is stating a million houses to be built, a noble claim but more laughable actually.
Where? And is the infrastructure in the ground to service those homes? Nope.
Are the Liberals going to 鈥渂orrow鈥 more money to build these houses, remember, Canada, like sa国际传媒 is broke.
The NDP? I wouldn鈥檛 trust them with a two-year oldsa国际传媒 piggy bank if sa国际传媒sa国际传媒 NDP is any measure.
Higher taxes to solve the Liberal spending habits? Sure, less income for you at the end of the month. Tax the wealthy?Already at a 54% tax bracket with incomes of $250,000 in sa国际传媒 and some other Canadian provinces. Then Canada wants to recruit more doctors and entrepreneurs? They may just be looking at other jurisdictions where they can keep more of their income, not less.
Only one politician has mentioned how they are going to fund any new spending and that spending comes from existing spending. They will have their hands full dealing with the Liberal neglected Canadian military and the veterans budget, but Pierre Poilivre is Canadasa国际传媒 best choice for prime minister the next four years. My choice is the Conservative party to get Canada back on a path to fiscal responsibility, when that happens, the other wants fall into place.
Vote Helena Konanz.
Chris Blann
Naramata
Special voting feature in South Okanagan
Dear Editor:
For the upcoming federal election there are a significant number of voters across Canada, and in our riding, who are horrified at the prospect of Pierre Poilievre becoming our next Prime Minister, and who would much prefer Mark Carney.
I am one of those, and I鈥檝e become aware of a deadly trap waiting for those in our riding of Similkameen - South Okanagan - West Kootenay who feel the same and want to vote in a way that helps Carney.
It looks like the obvious thing to do would be to vote Liberal. That would be OK if you traditionally vote Liberal, or are switching from Conservative. But, if you switch your vote from NDP it will backfire. That would only serve to split the anti-Conservative vote, removing the lead that the NDP have over the Conservatives, with not enough added to the Liberals to let them win. We would end up with a Conservative MP in Ottawa, supporting Poilievre 鈥 a bizarre result that is a 鈥榮pecial feature鈥 of our riding where the Liberals are weak and the NDP in power.
The results from the last election, where NDP got 41% of the vote, the Conservatives 35%,and the Liberals 12%, provide the numbers to back up that picture. Even if the Liberals in our riding double their share of the votes they wouldn鈥檛 beat the Conservatives.
This 鈥榮pecial feature鈥 of our riding applies to any NDP riding where the Liberals got less than 14% of the vote, and there are three others like that in sa国际传媒. One of those includes Powell River, where my sister lives. You can bet I鈥檒l be contacting her to raise the alarm!
Chris Purton
Penticton
Carney-Fuhr: solid duo
Dear Editor:
Canada is currently under attack by an American president in ways which we have never seen before in the history of our country. To survive we must come together as a nation and choose a leader who has the best chance of seeing us through the present crisis.
Nationally, Mark Carney has the proven intellectual and economic leadership skills to steady the ship during these turbulent times. Locally Stephen Fuhr has the political experience, solid understanding of our sa国际传媒 issues and the strong communication abilities to best represent our interests in Ottawa.鈥
Paul Stephenson
sa国际传媒
Pickleballers complain
Dear Editor:
Re: 鈥淢ayor issues statement on new recreation centre,鈥 (Courier, April 16).
Where are the tennis courts? I鈥檝e heard only four courts, which is two less then now. The tennis courts are in high demand spring to fall, the players just don鈥檛 complain like pickleballers.
We need more tennis courts not less. Hot tubs cold plunges are a waste of money, by the way.
Chris Fagan
sa国际传媒
French should be a priority
Dear Editor:
Re: 鈥淟ittle support for French immersion, diversity and inclusion, survey finds鈥 (April 16).
It is wrong to conclude, based on the Central Okanagan School Districtsa国际传媒 recent budget survey, that French immersion should be the first program on the chopping block if fiscal pressures force cuts.
Several funding priorities identified in the Districtsa国际传媒 budget survey 鈥 such as classroom support, strong curriculum, and core academics 鈥 are just as critical to French immersion as to any other program. Effective second-language instruction depends on well-trained, specialized staff who can deliver evidence-based lessons and provide robust support for diverse learning needs.
Ensuring that these core supports remain strong therefore benefits French immersion students alongside all other learners.
Observations from across British Columbia point to continued strong demand for French immersion, evident in robust wait lists and steady parental interest. French immersion remains a vibrant and highly valued option across sa国际传媒, and any discussion of the program must recognize its proven benefits and its alignment with the educational goals of the community and our country.
Jason Howe, Executive Director
Canadian Parents for French sa国际传媒 & Yukon Branch
Very sneaky name change
Dear Editor:
We appreciate Penticton city councilsa国际传媒 efforts to address housing issues in our community. However, we have concerns about the legality of the proposed strata hotel development variance.
Short-term rentals are regulated by provincial law, and it seems the City may be in violation of this legislation.
Many property owners are concerned about the potential negative impact on their investments. Several property owners have reported being pressured to sell their vacation rentals due to the new policy.
We believe the city does not have the authority to circumvent the short-term rental sa国际传媒 legislation, and as a result, the city could be subject to a class action lawsuit by all property owners affected by this policy.
A vacation rental is the same regardless of condo/house/apartment.
Mike Hawley
Penticton
Voters must stop Poilievre
Dear Editor:
This election is frightfully consequential. Canada is in the throes of an economic war with the United States, led by an insane authoritarian president who has just begun a four-year term and is determined to create global chaos.
Alongside this existential threat, Canada also faces many serious social and economic challenges that threaten our strength as a nation. This is arguably the most consequential election Canada has faced since the Cold War. This is surely a time when Canada needs skilled and experienced leadership, not Pierre Poilievresa国际传媒 catchy slogans and quick-fix solutions.
What does this mean for our riding? Two things. First, we must do what we can to make sure the Conservative candidate, Helena Konanz, doesn鈥檛 win this seat for Poilievre. We must stop this bully with a silver tongue from becoming our Prime Minister. Simply put, he is grossly unqualified. We can鈥檛 let Konanz hand this seat to him.
Second, we do need to elect the candidate who has the qualifications to represent our riding wisely and effectively in Ottawa. Someone who is good at bringing people together and getting things done. And heresa国际传媒 the good news. We have that person. Right here. Her name is Linda Sankey and we are incredibly fortunate that she is running in this riding.
Linda is executive director of the South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society. She has served on the City of Penticton Housing Task Force. She has been co-chair for the 100 More Homes Penticton Collaborative. She has contributed over 20 years of volunteer experience to youth programs and community service.
Linda cares, and it shows. Among many other accomplishments Linda has devoted her career to working both for and with people who are challenged by disabilities or poverty or both. Linda knows what it means to be with people in need where they are and when they need help.
And equally important, Linda is skilled at working quietly behind the scenes to bring the right people together at the right time to get good things done that otherwise wouldn鈥檛 happen. Linda is a doer, a builder and an enabler. Now is her time to get things done for us in Ottawa.
Linda is the best candidate to keep this seat out of Poilievresa国际传媒 hands, and shesa国际传媒 the candidate most qualified to represent us. Talk about a win-win!
Please vote for Linda Sankey
Gerry Karr
Penticton
Make pension fund equitable
Dear Editor:
People with company or institutional pensions enjoy secure, often indexed, lifetime incomes. But those relying solely on RRIFs, CPP, and OAS face uncertainty. RRIFs have mandatory annual withdrawals that grow over time 鈥 reaching 20% in a personsa国际传媒 90s 鈥 virtually guaranteeing the account will be depleted. Why?
Older seniors increasingly end up in poverty. RRIF funds are vulnerable during transfers (e.g., to TFSAs), often sitting out of the market for days, risking losses that are hard to recover. A recent Canadian Tax Journal report claims 鈥渕ost鈥 seniors are fine 鈥攈ighlighting the 75th percentile at $200,000 and 95th at $600,000. Yet it uses a $1 million RRIF as an example. Why? To justify keeping forced withdrawals, arguing it prevents the wealthy from using RRIFs for estate planning.
Thatsa国际传媒 easily solved: change the Estate Law, requiring RRIFs to be closed at death and taxed, distributing after-tax funds to heirs. With top tax rates at 53%, the wealthy would be discouraged from using RRIFs for estate advantages. So why not update the law instead of tweaking a broken system?
The governmentsa国际传媒 鈥渙ne-size-fits-all鈥 approach penalizes middle-class seniors, who lack workplace pensions. The same Tax Journal also implies seniors with RRIF wealth shouldn鈥檛 receive OAS 鈥 even though clawbacks already exist to address this. It seems the goal is to extract tax now, leaving many with only CPP, OAS, and eventually GIS.
The C.D. Howe Institute goes further, stating that mandatory RRIF withdrawals force seniors into OAS clawbacks 鈥 deeming it inequitable. Does this violate Charter of Rights Article 15, which guarantees equal treatment under the law?
C.D. Howe recommends eliminating mandatory RRIF withdrawals, acknowledging the failure of complex, one-size solutions. But even they don鈥檛 address estate law reform 鈥 likely out of fear that it鈥檒l be used to dismiss progress entirely.
I鈥檝e proposed this fix to both Conservatives and Liberals with no response. So now I bring it to you:
Ask your candidate why their party isn鈥檛 protecting middle-class seniors. Why aren鈥檛 all pension funds equitable, as the Charter demands?
Jerrilynn DeCock
Penticton
Need better eyecare
Dear Editor:
Is it possible for all political parties to unite to eliminate the high cost of eyecare and eyewear?With this vastly improved vision we can eliminate the tragic blight of homelessness.
Joe Schwarz
Penticton
Time we vote strategically
Dear Editor:
Please vote strategically in this immensely federal election.
One choice for Prime Minister Mark Carney from Edmonton who first attended Harvard on a scholarship, earning his first degree in economics then on to Oxford where he was described by his Phd supervisor at as having exceptional versatility and rapidly masters new approaches, perspectives and challenges
Is it any surprise that he has since had an esteemed career in both the private and public sector?
Pierre Poilievre, from Calgary, is a career politician who has mastered a style of negativity and divisiveness and neither he nor his inner circle have a background in finance.
The Conservatives want us to think that Carney is the same Justin Trudeau who was a drama teacher before he entered politics. I think Carney has shown us he is his own man, calm, confident and capable. He shows us he is a man of action who gets down to business focusing on the priorities.
Meanwhile Poilievre has perfected the immature nicknaming political opponents, slogans, and offering simplistic solutions to complex problems. He is a master of the image redo, now wrapping himself in the flag of our so called 鈥渂roken鈥 country to suit his political ambitions.
Mark Carney has for years resisted running for office, so why did he decide to do so when the Liberals were so low in the polls? Could it be that he wanted to help Canada our finances in order? Thank you Donald Trump for making matters worse for the global economy.
If you want Mark Carney to lead us through these rough waters you need to vote for our very capable NDP candidate, Linda Sankey, who has a long history as an effective community builder.
She has worked for years to improve the lives of people living with disabilities, managed housing for the Brain Injury Society and helped get student housing for the College. She will serve us well in Ottawa just as Richard Canning has. She is the only candidate in this riding who can defeat the appointed Conservative candidate.
Beverly Boden
Penticton
