As a loyal Prince Georger, I have been saddened to note the decay in the benefits our taxes produce. Perhaps our community values are most readily apparent in a comparison of the local salary structures of a newly hired high school teacher and that of a new RCMP constable.
After completing a 26-week course at RCMP Regina Depot where they receive $525 weekly allowance as well as complimentary uniforms and room/board, new constables can expect to receive annual salaries of approximately $63,000.
The newly graduated high school teacher who has personally paid for six years of UNBC education courses can expect an initial salary of about $58,000 with School District 57.
That, I believe, reveals where our priorities lay.
We release constables after a mere 26 weeks where emphasis has been placed on shooting a gun and driving a vehicle through a collision course onto our Prince George streets where they find themselves coping with our unfortunate citizens, each of whom have so many personal issues.
The new high school teacher begins the new job at one of the lowest starting salaries of any Canadian province.
Trouble in the streets and our schools are proof that a close look at our societal values is long overdue.
Marilyn Hinton
Prince George
