I had to write today in regards to Pat Bell's comment in Saturday's paper (June 4) about Labour leader Jim Sinclair. Bell is entitled to his opinion, just as I am entitled to mine. Here is mine.
I believe that Sinclair is speaking up for all the people of B.C., whether they are union or non-union. The issues effect everyone in this province. The people of B.C. should be entitled to increases in their wages, disability, LTD payments, E.I. etc. It is unbelievable to me to see politicians increase their wages by, I believe it was 29 per cent, and the Premier's was raised by 54 per cent, and yet the people of B.C. are deemed by these same politicians to not be deserving of a decent raise in their income. Especially when we are continually seeing the prices on everything going up. People should not have to choose between rent and food, or food and medications. This is something I see every day in my line of work. Some programs and social services to the most vulnerable people in B.C. have taken huge hits and or have been canceled altogether. Again, there is no money for these services but there is money for the politicians get raises. And while we're at it let's get the hard working people to work more for less and add more taxes to them as well.
The minimum wage has gone up a bit yes, but, let's not forget Christie Clark doesn't think servers should get that increase because they get tips, that's not right in my opinion. The Citizen's own poll on this topic says 40.2 per cent of people answering the poll say minimum wage should apply to everyone. Our government, regardless of which party is in power needs to start listening to the people.
Terry Archibald
Prince George
