Letters to the Editor

Another loss for rural PEI

Amid the numerous cuts that have been made recently by the provincial government is one small French program which will probably go unnoticed by the public. Staff, parents and students were recently informed that the Intensive French Program, offered since 2006, has been discontinued; another casualty in the program cuts by the Department of Education. The results of this cut are most disturbing and will have long-term ramifications for Island students who do not have access to French Immersion programs. In 2006, as a step to improve the oral competency of students, Intensive French was piloted for three years in the ...

Never second-rate services

The recent decision by the provincial government to consolidate hemodialysis services in Summerside and Charlottetown by closing the units in Alberton and Souris will have a huge impact. It will have an impact not only on the health of those currently receiving the treatment, but also on their financial situation and on the lives of their families and friends. Dialysis patients already have to deal with weakened health and the stress their condition and this life-saving treatment create. In making this decision the government has made their situation worse. It simply isn’t right. ...

Cosmetic lawn spraying is ecologically illiterate

It is spring. It is the time of the dandelions and other broadleaves in the lawn. It is the time for some people to mow like crazy or for others to be down on hands and knees to dig out the initially beautiful invaders. A private person cannot any longer buy powerful poisons, for very valid safety reasons. Unfortunately, at least in PEI, it is still legal to hire a contractor to do that job for you by means of applying poisons and similar chemicals, which will kill the broadleaves, but not hurt the lawn. Right up to the property line, ...

Do we follow without consideration

It was captivating to read Dr Ian Reid’s article in The Guardian supporting the elimination of Island wide dialysis services and without question to let the elites centralize everything to the benefit of the centre. In doing so Dr Reid has laid the foundation principles for the potential creation of a new organization - Doctors Without Democracy. a) It remains inconvenient to the elite centralists that the majority of Islanders are rural, still vote and want basic health care in the rural com munities that send hundreds of millions of dollars every year in net taxes to the province and ...

People should have their say about HST

I support the HST but I don’t support the government not being honest with Islanders during the election. The Ghiz government can’t legally impose the HST on PEI. An election result was overturned in a federal riding in Ontario and Islanders can have the entire provincial election overturned here. ...

Relocation of dialysis causes strain and hardship

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In the Eyes of the Powerful, Low Income People Don’t Count

Dear Editor: The overall picture from the Speech from the Throne and the Budget is the promotion of the progress of the economy, not the progress of the people. It is clear that this Government values the progress of the economy (aka private investment) at the expense of the progress of the province, both ecologically and democratically. ...

Help Needed!

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Dialysis patients taking the brunt

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Canadians remembered

April 9, 2012 marks the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. After failed attempts by both British and French forces, a corps of brave and determined Canadian soldiers captured this strategic ridge in France, which was of great importance to the German defence. Despite the terrible price in casualties, this battle marked a significant Allied victory. It was also the first time Canadians had fought as an independent force and not as part of the British Army. Along with other achievements during the First World War, the Battle of Vimy Ridge helped establish Canada as a key player on ...

Volunteers are the key

Volunteers are among the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s greatest assets. Without their support, the Foundation could not continue our vital work toward reducing heart disease and stroke here on the Island. ...

Buying local is the answer

The West Prince Graphic, February 29, 2012, asked an excellent question with the Word on the Street - “What sort of new business would you like to see come to West Prince?” And there were such great answers from the six people. Sadly, in the past good business’ have tried to make a go of it, especially in O’Leary, but fail. Is it because our people do not take to heart the message out there to “buy local and Canadian.” ...

A perfect storm is brewing

There seems to be a perfect storm brewing relating to the finances of our province. · The current and growing level of public debt. The cost to service this debt will hamper economic growth and take from revenues needed to sustain public programs like health and education. ...

Is it worth it to sell out?

This Monday, I took a few hours to join a group of Islanders in a walk through the woods and fields that will be paved over if the Bonshaw Plan B road construction goes ahead. It was a grey day with a light rain but the outing was worth it for the natural beauty and particularly the experience of standing amongst 300-year-old Hemlock trees along a tributary of the west River. I stopped and talked with folks at different points along the route and I have attempted to summarize some of our discussions here. ...

Don't stop the music

Editor: A look at the map of Plan B, shows it is designed, really, to increase the speeds of trucks on the highway. The impact on Bonshaw will be to increase, even more, the speed of the downhill traffic coming into the village. Speeds are already excessive. The speed of vehicles, particularly trucks, racing to go up the hill is also excessive. ...

Saving our lighthouses

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HST will be disaster for many

I am writing in regard to what looks more and more like the HST is coming to Prince Edward Island. Mr Ghiz has not been telling the truth about this. We are a senior couple living in our own home, a small bungalow, and we have to drive a vehicle as we live in a rural area and there is no public transportation. We live very plainly and if the HST is brought in I don’t know how we’re going to be able to stay in our home due to the increase it will bring in the price of furnace ...

Complaint fell on deaf ears

Elections Canada has received thousands of complaints over what is called robo calls. I filed a complaint with Elections PEI about the PEI’s last election and it fell on deaf ears. The Liberals increased the number of signatures from 10 to 25 needed for a candidate’s nomination papers under the PEI Elections Act. I want a public inquiry into Elections PEI, the Liberals and Conservatives and have Premier Ghiz explain how his MLAs can seek political office and change the rules to their advantage. Premier Ghiz didn’t want anybody outside the established parties to run as Independents. ...

Health PEI working to ensure access to diagnostic imaging

The editorial by Cindy Chant in last week’s edition (“Health PEI is broken and backed up,”) contains several inaccuracies that demand correction. ...

Wind systems financial woes

Entegrity Wind Systems truly does have great potential for success, but there certainly appears to be some major holes in their business plan. Entegrity Wind Systems products appears to be reliable and efficient - but getting involved with government to solve the company’s financial problems will end up costing Island taxpayers money. The company needs the necessary business acumen of an entrepreneur to guide this company to success not taxpayer’s bail-out money. This government’s motive here is to save face and score political points. A business to succeed needs hungry investors trying to protect the loss of their seed capital. It makes the ...

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