Friday, December 28, 2007
Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon's response? non-response? to a Memo.
Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon's response time on a matter of bridge infrastructure concern was truly impressive. I had sent him a memo raising concerns about drainage and leakage of bridge structures in Abbotsford and less than 2 weeks later workers were to be found making repairs to the drainage system.
I just do not know whether to laugh uproariously or hang my head and cry in despair.
After the snowfall that turned to a downpour I sent Minster Falcon a memo about the difficulties caused the homeless by the bad drainage and massive leakage noting the need to "remove the threat posed to the health and lives forced to live beneath the bridges, like trolls from the dark-ages tales".
I did note that "we at homelessinabbotsford.com would rather see these needs address in the proper manner and ministry, as opposed to continuing to sweep the problem under the bridges - and whatever makeshift shelter can be found." I suggested that as an alternative to repairs he could speak to Claude Richmond (Minister of Employment and Income Assistance), Housing Minister Rich Coleman or Premier Gordon Campbell and get changes made to the policies that result in BC citizens living under the provinces bridges.
Based on the swift repair to the drainage system it would appear that it is the BC Liberal government's policy that BC citizens reside under bridges.
Leaving us to ponder whether the $500,000,000 pursuing these polices costs taxpayers, would not be spent on housing and recovery support programs which would reduce the yearly costs and result in significant savings to taxpayers?
I just do not know whether to laugh uproariously or hang my head and cry in despair.
After the snowfall that turned to a downpour I sent Minster Falcon a memo about the difficulties caused the homeless by the bad drainage and massive leakage noting the need to "remove the threat posed to the health and lives forced to live beneath the bridges, like trolls from the dark-ages tales".
I did note that "we at homelessinabbotsford.com would rather see these needs address in the proper manner and ministry, as opposed to continuing to sweep the problem under the bridges - and whatever makeshift shelter can be found." I suggested that as an alternative to repairs he could speak to Claude Richmond (Minister of Employment and Income Assistance), Housing Minister Rich Coleman or Premier Gordon Campbell and get changes made to the policies that result in BC citizens living under the provinces bridges.
Based on the swift repair to the drainage system it would appear that it is the BC Liberal government's policy that BC citizens reside under bridges.
Leaving us to ponder whether the $500,000,000 pursuing these polices costs taxpayers, would not be spent on housing and recovery support programs which would reduce the yearly costs and result in significant savings to taxpayers?
Monday, December 17, 2007
Senate reform 101
Senate reform seems to sink into a quagmire of complexity and political self interest. Is it not rational to change our frame of reference on the question of Senate reform?
Canadian citizens footing the cost of the senate need to get value for their money.
Canadian citizens need to derive benefit from the monies spent on the Senate, but Senate changes become lost in arguments about the form change should take. What we need is a change that requires no amendments to any legislation governing the Senate, but results in a Senate/Senators benefiting Canada.
Simple. We change who is to be appointed to the Senate, not the how, directing the Prime Minister to appoint Senators from a pool meeting the requirements the Canadian people feel will benefit the country.
I would like to propose that we use the Senate to support advocates, agents of change .... Use whatever label you choose for those who champion causes such as homelessness, poverty, climate change, child care etc.
As a country we face the need to address many social, economic fairness and environmental issues. Issues that we need to have a public debate on in order that we can formulate effective and cost efficient policies to address these issues.
Unfortunately we currently have no such debate taking place in this country. Currently we have politicians and their followers throwing around trite sound bites based on their ideology or what they think the public wants to hear - or both. Despite all the rhetoric, claims and promises these problems continue to grow and worsen.
These are complex issues containing far more gray than black or white, without nice neat solutions, often requiring multiple approaches to effect change. In other words - messy. The reality being that dealing with them will result in mistakes, some negative outcomes and someone, somewhere screaming out their upset. The type of issues that have politicians running for cover - or using trite phrases and telling the public what it wants to hear.
So we take those with a passion to address these issues, some brains, good communications skills, an ability to find compromise and consensus and other traits we think would be helpful and we appoint them to the senate.
Being a senator grants them financial security and independence, affording an opportunity to focus on the issues. It provides for travel, opens doors and provides a public platform to engage and address the Canadian public, a voice an ordinary citizen does not have. It provides an interesting and challenging group of peers to brainstorm with.
These senators can lead the public debate, generating ideas and feedback, building consensus on what course our country should pursue. This provides protection for the politicians while it ensures that the debates and policy decisions we need as a country take place.
By reforming the Senate in this way we create a Canadian institution that is focused on creating positive change, becoming a world leader in how to achieve change and growth
Canadian citizens footing the cost of the senate need to get value for their money.
Canadian citizens need to derive benefit from the monies spent on the Senate, but Senate changes become lost in arguments about the form change should take. What we need is a change that requires no amendments to any legislation governing the Senate, but results in a Senate/Senators benefiting Canada.
Simple. We change who is to be appointed to the Senate, not the how, directing the Prime Minister to appoint Senators from a pool meeting the requirements the Canadian people feel will benefit the country.
I would like to propose that we use the Senate to support advocates, agents of change .... Use whatever label you choose for those who champion causes such as homelessness, poverty, climate change, child care etc.
As a country we face the need to address many social, economic fairness and environmental issues. Issues that we need to have a public debate on in order that we can formulate effective and cost efficient policies to address these issues.
Unfortunately we currently have no such debate taking place in this country. Currently we have politicians and their followers throwing around trite sound bites based on their ideology or what they think the public wants to hear - or both. Despite all the rhetoric, claims and promises these problems continue to grow and worsen.
These are complex issues containing far more gray than black or white, without nice neat solutions, often requiring multiple approaches to effect change. In other words - messy. The reality being that dealing with them will result in mistakes, some negative outcomes and someone, somewhere screaming out their upset. The type of issues that have politicians running for cover - or using trite phrases and telling the public what it wants to hear.
So we take those with a passion to address these issues, some brains, good communications skills, an ability to find compromise and consensus and other traits we think would be helpful and we appoint them to the senate.
Being a senator grants them financial security and independence, affording an opportunity to focus on the issues. It provides for travel, opens doors and provides a public platform to engage and address the Canadian public, a voice an ordinary citizen does not have. It provides an interesting and challenging group of peers to brainstorm with.
These senators can lead the public debate, generating ideas and feedback, building consensus on what course our country should pursue. This provides protection for the politicians while it ensures that the debates and policy decisions we need as a country take place.
By reforming the Senate in this way we create a Canadian institution that is focused on creating positive change, becoming a world leader in how to achieve change and growth
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
TO: Kevin Falcon, Transportation Minister
FROM: www.homelessinabbotsford.com
RE: Improper Bridge Drainage Problems
We have, following the recent inclement weather, received a deluge of complaints about bridges leaking and/or suffering from improper drainage.
Not only does getting wet in cold weather pose a threat to health, it also is life threatening to the lives of those BC citizens/residents forced by the growing epidemic of homelessness to live under the bridges you bear responsiblity for.
These homeless wish to know what steps you, as the Minister responsible for these bridges, will be taking to remedy the problems with drainage in order that those forced to shelter beneath the bridges and remove the threat posed to the health and lives forced to live beneath the bridges, like trolls from the dark-ages tales.
The homeless would accept you championing the homeless and interceding on their behalf with your colleagues in lue of action on the bridges themselves.
Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance on the matter of realistic and viable shelter allowance levels and the replacement of the current ineffective programs with programs designed to deliver services of benefit to the clients, not for the ease of M.E.I.A. staff.
Housing Minister Rich Coleman in encouraging BC Housing to be proactive and flexible in seeking local partners to get some affordable housing initiatives underway in Abbotsford.
Premier Gordon Campbell to recognize the complex people issues lumped under labels such as homeless or addiction and recognize the need for ingenuity and initiative in addressing these growing issues sooner rather than waiting until they have become such a problem that the government is forced to act.
As a personal preference we at homelessinabbotsford.com would rather see these needs address in the proper manner and ministry, as opposed to continuing to sweep the problem under the bridges - and whatever makeshift shelter can be found.
FROM: www.homelessinabbotsford.com
RE: Improper Bridge Drainage Problems
We have, following the recent inclement weather, received a deluge of complaints about bridges leaking and/or suffering from improper drainage.
Not only does getting wet in cold weather pose a threat to health, it also is life threatening to the lives of those BC citizens/residents forced by the growing epidemic of homelessness to live under the bridges you bear responsiblity for.
These homeless wish to know what steps you, as the Minister responsible for these bridges, will be taking to remedy the problems with drainage in order that those forced to shelter beneath the bridges and remove the threat posed to the health and lives forced to live beneath the bridges, like trolls from the dark-ages tales.
The homeless would accept you championing the homeless and interceding on their behalf with your colleagues in lue of action on the bridges themselves.
Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance on the matter of realistic and viable shelter allowance levels and the replacement of the current ineffective programs with programs designed to deliver services of benefit to the clients, not for the ease of M.E.I.A. staff.
Housing Minister Rich Coleman in encouraging BC Housing to be proactive and flexible in seeking local partners to get some affordable housing initiatives underway in Abbotsford.
Premier Gordon Campbell to recognize the complex people issues lumped under labels such as homeless or addiction and recognize the need for ingenuity and initiative in addressing these growing issues sooner rather than waiting until they have become such a problem that the government is forced to act.
As a personal preference we at homelessinabbotsford.com would rather see these needs address in the proper manner and ministry, as opposed to continuing to sweep the problem under the bridges - and whatever makeshift shelter can be found.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
On Conservative MP James Moore
The point is not if the NDP apologizes or not.
The point is: when is Conservative MP James Moore is going to resign.
He was elected to take care of the people’s business; not to merely “put in time” in the house, passing the time engaged in prurient thought of his girlfriend. His behaviour shows a lack of judgment and a total failure in the duty of care owed not only to his constituents but also to all the citizens of Canada.
His behaviour suggests, if not demonstrates, that he is there merely to collect a paycheque, remaining uncaring, uninformed and unengaged with the issues challenging the country. Mr. Moore behaviour, thoughtlessly voting as the party dictates, serves to block the debate and discussion we need on a myriad of complex issues.
Mr. Moore needs to be replaced with someone with an interest in addressing the pressing issues, particularly the complex and growing social issues, requiring thought and intelligent action.
The questions Stephen Harper needs to answer is - how many other Conservative MP's are merely there to collect a paycheque and what in his management style stiffles debate and engagement in the issues, resulting in non-participating MP's.
The point is: when is Conservative MP James Moore is going to resign.
He was elected to take care of the people’s business; not to merely “put in time” in the house, passing the time engaged in prurient thought of his girlfriend. His behaviour shows a lack of judgment and a total failure in the duty of care owed not only to his constituents but also to all the citizens of Canada.
His behaviour suggests, if not demonstrates, that he is there merely to collect a paycheque, remaining uncaring, uninformed and unengaged with the issues challenging the country. Mr. Moore behaviour, thoughtlessly voting as the party dictates, serves to block the debate and discussion we need on a myriad of complex issues.
Mr. Moore needs to be replaced with someone with an interest in addressing the pressing issues, particularly the complex and growing social issues, requiring thought and intelligent action.
The questions Stephen Harper needs to answer is - how many other Conservative MP's are merely there to collect a paycheque and what in his management style stiffles debate and engagement in the issues, resulting in non-participating MP's.
