Red Tories show true colours

Re: “Conservative Concerned with Candidate,” May 28.

I for one am happy that Charles Horton is gone. Why? Because he obviously does not understand how democracy works. The party members have spoken and they want a social conservative candidate to run in Richmond.

With the influx of Chinese immigrants over the past few decades, have these executives not realized that these first generation immigrants are in huge support for social conservative issues just as supported by Darrel Reid has long believed? Who else can defend the party’s position as eloquently as Mr. Reid?

Richmond is a conservative riding and people here know politics. If Mr. Reid stands on the same side with most first generation immigrants in Richmond, then he will be elected.

Raymond Chan has shown to be nothing than a mail carrier for the Liberal Party.

And yet, Mr. Horton, the former so-called “president” of our own constituency association, resigned because he feared that Mr. Reid is not going to win the election and solely based his judgment on his discrimination against Christian conservatives? Fine with me, I’m sure we can do with one less supporter who is afraid to support our party’s position on social issues.

Raymond Chan has decided to throw in his support for the leftist “progressive” social agenda as the corrupted Liberal Party continues their legalization of “immorality” where prostitution, pot, and same-sex marriage, as well as other acts considered sinful by Prime Minister Paul Martin’s own Catholic church will become socially acceptable. Richmond residents have been putting up with this kind of nonsense long enough.

I’m glad that Alice Wong has decided to endorse Mr. Reid and I believe she will become a great comrade for Mr. Reid for some time to come. The board of executives have shown nothing but incompetency, unable to help defeat a low-profile Liberal candidate, and rather to put the blame on the candidates. Mr. Horton should have gone sooner than later.

I want to end the letter with this remark from Mr. Reid: “We as an organization really have to recognize who the enemy is...The enemy isn’t inside, it’s the Liberals.” I’m sure we all know that. Alice Wong knows that. And yet, there seems to be quite a few “conservatives” including those on the board that cannot accept this fact yet fearing that these Christian candidates might destroy the party’s image.

I must say that I’m happy Mr. Reid has won and has made sure these Red Tories show their true colours. Our party will stand apart from the corrupted Liberals and defeat Raymond Chan.

Ed’s note: The Canadian Alliance (which merged with the Progressive Conservatives to become the Conservatives) won in Richmond in 2000. Charles Horton was on the executive.

B.C.’s poor labour standards

As our newly-elected MLAs head back to Victoria for their second term I’d urge each and every one of them to think about this government’s record on human rights.

For the ninth time in the past three years Gordon Campbell’s Liberals have been sanctioned by the United Nation’s International Labour Organization for Human Rights violations. The most recent report condemns the B.C. Liberals for clear violations of freedom of association principles.

Since coming to office in May 2001, the B.C. Liberals have passed 12 pieces of legislation that restrict, suspend or deny the freedom of association rights of workers.

Restrictions have been placed on the right of unions to organize. Collective agreements have been torn up. Freely negotiated wages and benefits have been swept away. All the while, employers’ proposals have been imposed on workers and their right to strike removed.

Regardless of Campbell’s personal feelings towards workers and their rights, as a civilized country Canada has committed itself to upholding the very international labour standards which Gordon Campbell’s Liberals continue to ignore.

On October 8, 2003, the B.C. Liberals passed Bill 37 which gives British Columbia the dubious honour of having among the weakest labour standards to protect its working children.

These actions continue to be viewed as a major embarrassment for British Columbia and Canada. I continue to be disappointed in the actions of my elected officials.

Good news in East Richmond

It’s big, bold and beautiful and it has groceries, too.

Thank you Shoppers Drug Mart for adding vitality to the shopping mall at Cambie and No. 5 roads.

The residents of East Richmond certainly needed a store like this in the neighbourhood and judging by the grand opening last month, it looks like another success story for this area of Richmond.

East Richmond has long been neglected in the way of services that others take for granted and this new store is a welcome addition. For so long now, the residents of the area have been without a grocery store and thanks to the vision and foresight of Shoppers Drug Mart we now have a store in the neighbourhood for essential groceries.

Taxing message

So much for our early summer—today we’re back to cool rainy weather. As good a time as any to peruse my latest little message from the City of Richmond.

The heading is familiar to any homeowner in our fair city. “Tax Notice,” but probably it wouldn’t be politic to put the real title on it—“Extortion Demand.”

I have come to a personal conclusion that, in my opinion, the current edition of our city council is the most exorbitant group of spendthrifts in the history of our city.

Considering that I’ve paid my taxes in Richmond for more than 40 years, I thank my lucky stars that previous councils had a sense of thrift and proportion that appears to be entirely lacking in the current unhappy edition. This bill adds more than $100 per year to my total tax load.

Just think, if all previous councils had had the same sense of fiscal idiocy as the current group, my tax bill would be more than $4,000 (40 years times $100) higher than I am currently being charged!

Roll on civic election, time to throw these rascals out!

Ed’s note: At least $80 of your tax hike can be credited to TransLink, which has doubled its levy on homeowners this year.

Multifest returns

Preparations are well underway for East Richmond’s popular annual Multifest and the Deepak Binning Foundation Walk.

Both of these events will be held in our spacious King George Park on Sunday, June 12.

The walk will start around 10:30 a.m. whereas Multifest is scheduled to begin at noon and go till 5 p.m.

As in previous years, this year’s Multifest will also be full of exciting activities. These include a variety of mouth watering ethnic foods; children’s play area, farmers’ market, enviro fair and a lot more. Mark June 12 on your calendar.

You won’t want to miss this great event.

Come and join us for colourful dances from around the world, music, and songs to celebrate and appreciate the cultural diversity of our community.

This is a great opportunity to see the world to-gather in one place—King George Park on June 12.

For further information, please contact Paul Brar at Cambie Community Centre (604-233-8372) or Paul Binning at 778-889-8255.